1. Official UPSC Website: The official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) provides exam notifications, syllabus, and previous year question papers. It's a good starting point to understand the exam pattern and syllabus.
2. NCERT Books: For subjects like History, Geography, Polity, and Science, NCERT books from classes 6 to 12 are invaluable resources. They provide a solid foundation and cover topics comprehensively.
3. Arihant Publications: Arihant is known for its UPSC exam preparation books. They have specific books for CDS exam preparation which cover all the subjects comprehensively. You can find books for each section like English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics.
4. Pathfinder CDS Exam Book: This is another popular choice among CDS aspirants. It covers all the sections of the exam in detail and provides practice questions as well.
5. Newspapers and Magazines: Reading newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express, and magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra can help in improving your General Knowledge and awareness about current affairs.
6. Online Platforms: Websites like ClearIAS, Jagran Josh, and Examrace provide study materials, practice papers, and mock tests specifically tailored for the CDS exam.
7. Previous Year Question Papers: Solving previous year question papers gives you a good idea about the exam pattern, types of questions asked, and helps in time management during the actual exam.
8. Joining Coaching Institutes (Optional): If you prefer guided study, you can consider joining coaching institutes that offer CDS exam preparation courses. They provide structured study materials, guidance, and conduct regular mock tests.