The CDS 2025 is approaching and if there’s one section that can boost your written exam score it’s General Knowledge, especially Current Affairs. Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or someone attempting it again, mastering current affairs is must to crack the CDS written exam and get high rank.
In this detailed guide we’ll tell you what to read, how to prepare and where to find the best sources for current affairs to help you score well in the CDS 2025 GK section. If you’re looking for structured guidance from top experts you can also consider enrolling in a trusted coaching institute like Invicta Defence Academy – the best CDS Coaching in Jaipur and India.
Why are Current Affairs Important in CDS Exam?
The General Knowledge paper in CDS exam carries 100 marks and has a significant portion from current events of national and international importance. Unlike static GK, current affair require consistent reading, understanding and revision.
Current Affair questions in CDS 2025 are expected from the last 6 to 10 months so early and smart preparation will give you a competitive edge.
What Topics Are Covered Under CDS Current Affairs?
Here are the major topics you should focus on:
- National Affairs: Government schemes, policies, political events, bills, reforms
- International Affair: Summits, treaties, global reports, international organisations
- Defence News: Military exercises, appointments, missile launches, DRDO updates
- Sports Events: Tournaments, rankings, major Indian sports achievements
- Awards and Honours: National and international recognitions
- Economy and Finance: RBI policies, Budget 2024-25, economic surveys
- Science & Technology: ISRO launches, scientific developments
- Environment & Ecology: Climate summits, environmental policies
- Important Dates & Appointments: Cabinet changes, chief of defence positions
What to Read for CDS 2025 Current Affairs Preparation?
To ensure you cover all the news use a combination of online and offline resources. Here’s a curated list of the best sources:
1. Newspapers (Daily Reading)
- The Hindu or Indian Express (Focus on Editorial, National & International news)
- Read daily and make short notes of important headlines.
2. Monthly Current Affairs Magazines
- Pratiyogita Darpan (Hindi & English)
- Competition Success Review (CSR)
- Jagran Josh Monthly PDF
- These magazines provide compiled news summaries for revision
3. Online Portals & Apps
- PIB (Press Information Bureau) – Official source for government news
- Drishti IAS Current Affairs
- AffairsCloud and GK Today
- Use apps like Gradeup, Oliveboard, or Testbook for quizzes
4. YouTube Channels for Defence Aspirants
- Follow Invicta Defence Academy Jaipur for daily updates and GK analysis
- Other helpful channels: Study IQ, Unacademy, Defence Wallah
5. Weekly & Monthly Revision
- Dedicate a day every week to revise what you studied
- Use printed notes or flashcards for quick recall

How to Prepare Effectively for CDS Current Affairs
Reading sources isn’t enough. You must know how to study current affairs smartly. Follow these preparation strategies:
1. Make Daily Notes
Create short, handwritten notes or digital files (Google Docs/Notion). This helps in last-minute revision. Keep notes topic-wise.
2. Be Consistent
Even 30-45 minutes a day can make a big difference if done regularly.
3. Practice MCQs Daily
Daily current affairs quizzes help in retention and accuracy. You can use apps or previous year question banks.
4. Focus on Defence News
Since this is a defence exam, be extra careful about military exercises, new defence deals, and appointments of Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force.
5. Join a Coaching Institute
If you are struggling with strategy or regularity, join a reputed institute like Invicta Defence Academy – Best CDS Coaching in Jaipur. They offer weekly current affairs classes, monthly quizzes and test series specifically designed for CDS 2025 aspirants.
Mistakes to Avoid
Many aspirants commit the following mistakes while preparing for current affairs:
- Overloading resources: Stick to 2-3 reliable sources instead of chasing everything
- Not making notes: You’ll forget things if you don’t revise regularly
- Skipping defence-specific news: These are very important for CDS
- Ignoring revision: Revision is key in memory-based sections like GK
How Invicta Defence Academy Helps in Current Affairs Preparation
Invicta Defence Academy, a trusted name for CDS coaching for girls and boys in Jaipur, offers a structured and personalised approach to current affairs:
- Daily current affair briefings
- Weekly MCQ test and answer discussion
- Monthly current affairs PDF (available in English and Hindi)
- Defence-specific current affairs classes
- Printed notes for budget, economic survey and defence exercises
- Dedicated faculty for General Knowledge and Current Events
Their integrated GK + Current Affairs module is specially designed for students from non-arts background, and their consistent track record of selections in CDS and OTA speaks for itself.
3-Month Strategy for CDS 2025 Current Affairs
If you are starting preparation now, follow this roadmap:
- Month 1: Cover current affairs from August 2024 – December 2024
- Month 2: Cover January – March 2025 + Budget 2025 highlights
- Month 3: Focus on revision, quizzes and test papers from coaching modules
Conclusion
Preparing for CDS 2025 without current affairs is like going into battle unarmed. GK section can make or break your selection chances. But with right strategy, quality sources and consistent revision, you can crack it with confidence.
FAQ’s
Best sources for current affairs are The Hindu or Indian Express newspapers, Pratiyogita Darpan, and online platforms like GK Today, AffairsCloud, and Drishti IAS. You can also follow CDS focused YouTube channels and join institutes like Invicta Defence Academy which provides daily updates, PDFs and quizzes for CDS exam.
To prepare well for CDS 2025, you should cover at least 6 to 10 months of current affairs before the exam date. Focus on events from July 2024 to the month of the exam, with special attention to defence news, national affairs, budget updates and international summits.
Yes, current affairs are equally important for CDS OTA (Officers Training Academy) candidates. The GK section is common for all academies in CDS and contributes 50% of the total written exam score for OTA aspirants. Regular current affairs study is a must.
Yes, you can prepare on your own using online and offline resources. But joining a reputed institute like Invicta Defence Academy Jaipur provides structured guidance, updated material and regular tests which improves consistency and boost performance in both written exam and SSB.
Most expected topics are defence exercises (like Garuda, Surya Kiran), government schemes, sports tournaments, national awards, international summits (G20, COP), ISRO launches and important cabinet appointments. These are the areas which are frequently asked in General Knowledge paper of CDS exam.