UPSC CDS Chemistry
1. Matter and Its Nature
● Classification of matter: elements, compounds, and mixtures
● Physical and chemical changes
● States of matter (solid, liquid, gas)
● Properties of matter
● Law of conservation of mass
● Dalton’s atomic theory
2. Atomic Structure
● Structure of atom (protons, neutrons, electrons)
● Atomic number, mass number
● Isotopes and isobars
● Bohr’s model of the atom
● Electronic configuration
● Valency
3. Chemical Reactions and Equations
● Types of chemical reactions (combination, decomposition, displacement, double
displacement)
● Balancing chemical equations
● Exothermic and endothermic reactions
● Corrosion and rancidity
4. Acids, Bases, and Salts
● Properties of acids and bases
● pH scale and its importance
● Neutralization reactions
● Preparation and uses of salts
● Common acids and bases in daily life
5. The Periodic Table
● Modern periodic law
● Groups and periods
● Classification of elements: metals, non-metals, and metalloids
● Trends in periodic properties: atomic size, valency, ionization energy, etc.
6. Chemical Bonding
● Types of chemical bonds: ionic, covalent, and metallic
● Lewis dot structures
● Properties of bonded compounds
● Formation of molecules like H₂, O₂, NH₃, H₂O
7. Carbon and Its Compounds
● Unique nature of carbon (catenation, tetravalency)
● Saturated and unsaturated compounds
● Functional groups: alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, acids
● Homologous series
● Important carbon compounds: ethanol, ethanoic acid
● Soaps and detergents
8. Metals and Non-Metals
● Physical and chemical properties
● Reactivity series
● Reactions with air, water, acids
● Extraction of metals
● Uses of metals and non-metals
9. Metallurgy
● Occurrence of metals
● Concentration of ores
● Extraction of metals from ores (general principles)
● Refining of metals
● Alloys and their importance
10. States of Matter and Gas Laws
● Properties of solids, liquids, and gases
● Gas laws: Boyle’s law, Charles’s law, Ideal Gas Equation
● Kinetic theory of gases
11. Solutions
● Types of solutions
● Concentration terms (molarity, molality, % concentration)
● Solubility and factors affecting it
12. Thermodynamics (Basic Concepts)
● System and surroundings
● Exothermic and endothermic processes
● Heat, work, and energy
● First law of thermodynamics
UPSC CDS Physics
1. Motion
● Distance vs displacement
● Speed, velocity, acceleration
● Uniform and non-uniform motion
● Graphs: Distance-time and velocity-time
● Equations of motion (v = u + at, etc.)
● Circular motion
2. Force and Laws of Motion
● Force and its effects
● Newton’s laws of motion (especially 1st, 2nd, and 3rd law)
● Inertia, momentum, and impulse
● Conservation of momentum
● Friction: types, advantages and disadvantages
3. Work, Energy and Power
● Work done = Force × displacement
● Positive, negative and zero work
● Kinetic and potential energy
● Conservation of energy
● Power and commercial units of energy (kWh)
● Efficiency of machines
4. Gravitation
● Universal law of gravitation
● Mass and weight
● Acceleration due to gravity (g)
● Free fall and its equations
● Pressure, thrust and buoyancy
● Archimedes’ Principle
● Density and relative density
5. Sound
● Nature of sound waves (longitudinal wave)
● Frequency, amplitude, time period
● Speed of sound in solids, liquids, and gases
● Reflection of sound (echo, reverberation)
● SONAR
● Characteristics of sound: pitch, loudness, and quality
6. Light – Reflection and Refraction
● Reflection of light (laws, plane mirrors)
● Refraction of light (Snell’s law)
● Lenses and mirrors (concave & convex)
● Image formation by mirrors and lenses
● Applications: magnifying glass, microscope, telescope
● Human eye: defects and their correction
● Dispersion and spectrum
UPSC CDS Biology
1. Cell – The Basic Unit of Life
● Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells
● Structure and functions of cell organelles: nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplast, ribosomes
● Plant vs. animal cells
● Cell membrane and cell wall
● Cell division: mitosis and meiosis (basic understanding)
2. Tissues
● Plant tissues: meristematic and permanent tissues
● Animal tissues: epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissue
● Functions and characteristics of each tissue type
3. Human Digestive System
● Organs of the digestive system
● Enzymes involved in digestion
● Process of digestion and absorption
● Nutrition: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals
● Balanced diet and deficiency disease
4. Human Respiratory System
● Structure of respiratory system (lungs, trachea, diaphragm)
● Mechanism of breathing
● Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
● Role of oxygen and carbon dioxide in respiration
5. Circulatory and Excretory Systems
● Structure and function of heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries
● Blood composition and blood groups
● Lymphatic system (basics)
● Excretory organs in humans: kidneys, ureters, bladder
● Structure and function of nephron
● Urine formation
6. Control and Coordination
● Central nervous system: brain and spinal cord
● Reflex action and reflex arc
● Endocrine glands and hormones
● Coordination in plants (tropism)
7. Reproduction in Animals and Plants
● Asexual and sexual reproduction
● Male and female reproductive organs in humans
● Fertilization, zygote formation
● Menstrual cycle
● Reproduction in flowering plants (pollination, fertilization, seed formation)
8. Heredity and Evolution
● Mendel’s laws of inheritance
● Traits and variations
● Sex determination in humans
● Basic understanding of evolution and natural selection
● Fossils and their significance
9. Diversity in Living Organisms
● Classification of living organisms
● Five kingdom classification
● Characteristics of major groups: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
● Binomial nomenclature
10. Microorganisms
● Types: bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa
● Useful and harmful microorganisms
● Diseases caused by microorganisms
● Vaccination and antibiotics
11. Environment and Natural Resources
● Components of ecosystem: biotic and abiotic
● Food chain and food web
● Energy flow in ecosystem
● Natural resources: air, water, soil
● Pollution (air, water, soil, noise)
● Greenhouse effect and ozone layer
● Conservation of environment
12. Health and Hygiene
● Communicable and non-communicable diseases
● Modes of transmission
● Prevention and control of diseases
● Immunity and vaccination
● Personal and community hygiene
