CDS 2024: On May 15, 2024, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) published the CDS 2 announcement and application. From May 15 to June 4, 2024, candidates may apply online for CDS 2. The CDS 2 test will be administered by the UPSC on September 1, 2024. A total of 459 positions are open, according to UPSC (for IMA, INA, AFA & OTA)
Candidates who want to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force as members of the armed forces must pass the CDS (Combined Defence Services) national competitive exam. The Combined Defence Services Exam is the full name of CDS (CDS). The Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA) will serve as training grounds for candidates chosen based on their performance on the CDS 2024 written test. Upon completion of training, candidates are chosen for the lieutenant position. The candidates receive a stipend of INR 56,100 during their training. Every aspect of the CDS 2024 exam, including the CDS syllabus, dates, eligibility, openings, exam format, selection procedure, and more, has been addressed in this page. Also Read UPSC CDS 1 2024 Result Date: Expected Cutoff and Merit List!
What is CDS Exam 2024?
The Combined Defence Services Examination, or CDS, is given by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to applicants hoping to be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The exam is given twice a year, usually in September and February. Every year, a huge number of candidates take the national Defence Entrance Exam.Candidates are selected by a written exam, and their brains and personalities are evaluated in an SSB interview. The shortlisted candidates are assigned to the following academies based on their qualifications and preferences.
| Academy | State/City |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy | Dehradun |
| Indian Naval Academy | Ezhimala |
| Air Force Academy | Hyderabad |
| Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Men) | Chennai |
| Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women) | Chennai |
CDS 1 & 2 Exam
- CDS 1 exam is conducted for the courses commencing at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala in January as well as Officers Training Academy, Chennai courses starting in April.
- CDS 2 exam is conducted for the courses commencing at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala in July, and Officers Training Academy, Chennai courses starting in October.
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 15 May ’24 – 04 Jun ’24 | CDS 2 ApplicationONGOING |
| 01 Sep ’24 | CDS 2 Exam |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
| 15 May ’24 | CDS 2 Notification |
| 09 May ’24 | CDS 1 Result |
| 12 Apr ’24 – 21 Apr ’24 | CDS 1 Admit Card |
CDS 2024 Exam Highlights
To learn every detail of the exam, go through the UPSC CDS 1 highlights shown in the table below. Applicants, both male and female, can review the application process for admission to the Officers’ Training Academy, Air Force Academy, Indian Military Academy, and Indian Naval Academy.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of exam | Combined Defence Services Examination |
| Conducted by | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam frequency | Twice a year (April and September) |
| Exam mode | Offline |
| Exam stages | Written exam and SSB Interview |
| Exam fees | INR 200 for General and OBC male candidatesFemale, SC, and ST candidates are exempted from fee payment |
| Exam timing | The time allotted to each paper such as English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics is two hours |
| Language of question paper | English and Hindi |
| No of questions | Elementary Maths: 100General English: 120General Knowledge: 120 |
| No.of papers | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA): Three (English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics)Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): Two (English and General Knowledge) |
| CDS Exam Pattern | Written ExamIMA, INA and AFA: 300OTA: 200SSB InterviewIMA, INA and AFA: 300OTA: 200 |
| Marking scheme | One mark for the correct answerOne-third mark is deducted for wrong answers |
| CDS Result 2024 | To be Released in May 2024 |
| Exam purpose | To select candidates as Commissioned Officers in Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force |
| Vacancies | Total 341 vacancies were announced for CDS I exam |
| No of the test cities | More than 70 |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
| Contact number | 011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 |
CDS Exam Dates 2024
The initial calendar was used by UPSC to announce the CDS 1 & 2 Exam Dates for 2024. September 1, 2024 is the date of the CDS 2 2024 exam. UPSC plans to release the notification on May 15, 2024. The application form can be accessed between May 15, 2024, and June 4, 2024. Through the UPSC test calendar, the UPSC published the CDS dates for the years 2023–2024.
CDS 2 Application Form 2024
On May 15, 2024, the CDS 2 2024 apply online link went live, and it will stay active until June 4, 2024. Before being eligible to apply for the CDS application form, candidates must first register for the OTR.
How to Make Corrections in the CDS 2 Application Form?
The steps to make corrections in the CDS 2 application form have been given below for the candidates:
- Go to the official website
- Click on the link available for CDS 2 form correction
- Log in to the registered account using login credentials
- Make corrections to the CDS 2 application correction
- Save and print a copy of the modified CDS 2 application form
- Log out from the registered profile
How to Make Corrections in UPSC OTR Profile?
The candidates need to follow the steps given below to register themselves on the OTR platform:
- Go to the official website: upsconline.nic.in
- Click on the registration link
- Click on the new registration tab
- Fill out the details asked- Name, Mother’s Name, Father’s Name, Mobile Number, Email Id, etc
- Password will be sent to the registered email id and mobile number.
- Re-login to the account and reset the password
- After the re-login go to the account and click on the CDS 2 application form link to apply for the exam
CDS Application Fee
- The application fees can be paid both online and offline
- The application fees are INR 200 for General and OBC male candidates
- SC and ST candidates were exempted from fee payment
How to Fill CDS 2 2024 Application Form Online?
The steps have been given below for the candidates to apply for the CDS 2 exam:
- Go to the official website- upsconline.nic.in
- Login into the account on the OTR platform (The registration process for OTR has given above)
- Fill out the details that have been asked for part 1 registration
- Upload the photograph, signature and photo identity proof
- Make the application fees
- Choose the exam centre for the CDS 2 exam
- Finally, submit the application form
- The confirmation message will be sent to the registered mobile number and email id
Direct link to Apply for CDS 2 2024: https://upsconline.nic.in/upsc/OTRP/
CDS 2 Notification 2024
On May 15, 2024, UPSC published the CDS 2 notification on its official website, upsc.gov.in. The candidates can obtain the notification, which was made available in PDF format, by following the instructions listed below:
- Go to the official website
- Click on the CDS 2 notification 2024 in the What’s New Section
- Click on the CDS 2 notification PDF link
- The CDS 2n notification PDF will appear on the screen
- Download the CDS 2 2024 PDF and save it for later use
CDS Eligibility 2024
To be eligible for the exam, candidates need to fulfil the following CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024:
CDS Nationality
Candidates who have settled in India permanently can apply for the CDS exam.
CDS 2 Age Limit 2024
Candidates can check below the prescribed age limit for the CDS 2 exam:
- For the Indian Military Academy (IMA), unmarried males must be between 19 to 24 years
- For the Indian Naval Academy (IMA), unmarried male candidates must be between 19 to 24 years
- Candidates applying for the Air Force Academy should be between 20 to 24 years
- For the Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for men), unmarried male candidates must be between 19 to 26 years
- For the Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course), candidates between 19 to 26 years
The CDS 2 age limit prescribed by UPSC for applying to the different academies is given below:
- IMA: Candidates for IMA should be unmarried and must have been born not earlier than the age limit prescribed in the CDS notification
- INA: Unmarried male candidates can apply for INA
- AFA: To apply for AFA, the age of candidates should be between 20 to 24 years. The upper age limit of candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years
- OTA (SSC Course for men): To apply for the OTA course (SSC Men), candidates must be unmarried and must be within the age limit prescribed in the CDS notification
- OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical Course): Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees who have not remarried are eligible to apply.
CDS Qualification
Candidates need to meet the following educational qualifications for applying for the CDS exam:
- For IMA and Officers’ Training Academy, the required educational qualification is Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university
- For the Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised university
- For Air Force Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised university. They must have studied Physics and Mathematics in Class 12
Can the 12th pass apply for CDS?
No, candidates must be enrolled in their last year of graduating or hold a graduation degree from an accredited university in order to be eligible for the CDS exam. Candidates wishing to apply for INA must hold an engineering degree from an accredited university or institution, while those applying for AFA must hold either a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a degree from an accredited university with physics and maths at the 10+2 level.
Graduates who wish to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force as their first choice must present proof of graduation or provisional certificates at the SSB on the day the interview process begins.Applicants may submit a provisional application if they are in their final year of education.
Can females apply for CDS Exam?
Yes, female candidates can apply for the CDS exam for Officers’ Training Academy courses.
CDS Physical Fitness
Candidates must be physically and mentally fit as per the guidelines prescribed by UPCS. Candidates are advised to check the CDS physical and medical standards before applying for the CDS exam.
CDS Heights and Weight Standards
- The minimum required height for male candidates is 157.5 cm. (157 cm for the Navy and 162.5 cm for the Air Force) and that for female candidates is 152 cm.
- Gorkhas and individuals belonging to the North-Eastern region of India, Garhwali, and Kumaon, the minimum required height is 5 cm less than the other candidates.
- For candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum required height is 2 cm less than the candidates from other regions.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) should be below 25.
- The ratio of the waist and hip should be below 0.9 for males and 0.8 for females.
- Waist Circumference should be less than 90 cm for males and 80 cm for females.
Visual Standards for CDS 2024
Candidates who want to appear in CDS 2024 must know about visual standards. The UPSC has divided visual standards into three parts – IMA & OTA, Naval Candidates, and Air Force. The details of the visual standards are given below:
CDS IMA and OTA Visual standards
- Uncorrected vision (max allowed) – 6/60 &6/60
- BCVA – Right 6/6 & Left 6/6
- Myopia –
- Hypermetropia –
- Lasik/equivalent surgery – Permitted
- Colour perception: CP II
CDS Naval Visual Standards
- Uncorrected without glasses: 6/12, 6/12
- Corrected with glasses: 6/6, 6/6
- Myopia Limit: -1.5D
- Hypermetropia Limit: +1.5D
- Binocular Vision: III
- Limits of Colour Perception: I
CDS Air Force Visual Standards
Candidates who wear spectacles regularly are not eligible for India Air Force. The visual standards for the Air Force have been given below:
- Hypermetropia Colour Vision CP-1
- Hypermetropia: +2.0 d Sph
- Manifest Myopia: Nil
- Retinoscopic Myopia- 0.5 in any meridian
- Astigmatism : +0.75 D Cyl (with + 2.0 D- Max)
CDS Selection Process
CDS selection process comprises the release of notification & application form, issue of admit card for the written exam, appearing in the written exam, declaration of result for the written exam, appearing in the SSB interview, and declaration of the final result. The infographic below shows the entire CDS selection process for the CDS exam:
CDS Exam Pattern 2024
CDS exam pattern 2024 is divided into a written exam and SSB Interview. The written exam for IMA, INA, and AFA comprises three sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The test paper for admission to OTA comprises two sections: English and General Knowledge. Each section is held for two hours. The total marks of the test for IMA, INA, and AFA are 300, while it is 200 for OTA. The SSB Interview for IMA, INA, and AFA carries 300 marks each while it is 200 marks for OTA. The SSB Interview procedure consists of two stages: I and II. Stage I of the SSB Interview comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT) and Interviews, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conferences.
CDS Syllabus 2024
CDS Syllabus comprises topics from English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The standard of the CDS syllabus for Mathematics is of Class 10 standard, while for other subjects, it is of graduation level. Candidates can check the syllabus below.
| Subjects | Topics |
|---|---|
| English | Antonyms, Sentence improvement, Comprehension, Synonyms, Spotting Errors, etc. |
| General Knowledge | Economics, Current Awareness, Defence, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, etc. |
| Elementary Maths | Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, etc. |
CDS Exam Centres 2024
CDS exam 2024 will be conducted in more than 70 cities in three shifts. Candidates are required to enter their preferences for CDS 2024 exam centres while filling out the application form. Candidates can choose only one exam city at the time of application. CDS exam centres are allotted to candidates on a first-apply-first-allot basis. Some of the CDS exam centres 2024 are given below.
| CDS Exam Centres | |
|---|---|
| Agartala | Ranchi |
| Ghaziabad | Bengaluru |
| Panaji | Jaipur |
| Agra | Sambalpur |
| Gorakhpur | Bareilly |
| Patna | Jammu |
| Ajmer | Shillong |
| Gurgaon | Bhopal |
| Port Blair | Jodhpur |
| Ahmedabad | Shimla |
| Gwalior | Siligudi |
| Prayagraj | Dehradun |
| Aizawl | Bilaspur |
| Hyderabad | Jorhat |
| Puducherry | Kozhikode |
| Aligarh | Cuttack |
| Imphal | Thane |
| Pune | Kolkata |
| Almora | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Indore | Coimbatore |
| Raipur | Srinagar |
| Anantapur | Kohima |
| Itanagar | Chennai |
| Rajkot | Srinagar |
| Aurangabad | Kochi |
| Jabalpur | Chandigarh |
| Leh | – |
CDS Books 2024
The subject-wise books for CDS 2024 are given below.
CDS Books for General Awareness
| Books | Author |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | Manohar Panday (Arihant Publications) |
| Manorama Yearbook | Philip Mathew |
| Pratiyogita Darpan (Magazines) | Pratiyogita Darpan Editorial Team |
| Newspapers | Hindu, The Indian Express, The Economic Times |
CDS Books for English
| Books | Author |
|---|---|
| Objective General English | S P Bakshi (Arihant Publications) |
| High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren and Martin |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
CDS Books for Maths
| Books | Author |
|---|---|
| Mathematics for C.D.S. | R S Aggarwal |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R S Aggarwal |
| Pathfinder for CDS |
CDS Preparation Tips 2024
Lakhs of candidates appear for the CDS exam every year, therefore, the competition is high. Candidates need to prepare well to ace the exam. Here are a few tips and tricks on how candidates can prepare for the exam:
- Understand the exam pattern and syllabus
- Solve previous years’ question papers to know the types of questions asked in the exam and difficulty level
- Lay emphasis on the important topics
- Make a proper timetable and follow that diligently
- Clear the basic concepts of Maths from the high school books
CDS Exam Day Guidelines
While appearing for the CDS exam, candidates need to follow the exam day guidelines given below:
- Candidates should carry their admit cards along with one photo identity proof (original and photocopy) to the exam centre
- Candidates are allowed to carry a clipboard or hardboard, black ball pen to the exam centre
- A sheet for doing rough work is provided by the invigilator
- Candidates should not bring books, notes, loose sheets, electronic or any other type of calculators, mathematical and drawing instruments, log tables, stencils, slide rules, test booklets, and rough sheets
- Mobiles, Bluetooth, pagers, or any other communication devices are not allowed inside the premises of the exam centre
CDS Mock Test 2024
The candidates who are preparing for the CDS exam must take mock tests while preparing for the exam. Preparing for the CDS exam with the mock test can help the candidates to increase their accuracy and speed in the exam. The candidates should follow the tips given below to practice with mock tests:
- Take the CDS mock tests in exam conditions. The exam condition will help the candidates to get habitual of the exam pressure
- Analyse the topics in the mock tests that are difficult in nature
- Work hard on topics that are difficult in nature
- Focus on the repeated topics that are in the mock test
- Practice for speed and accuracy with the mock tests
CDS Question Paper 2024
CDS 2 question papers for all subjects are available now. The UPSC released the question papers in PDF format. Candidates can also raise objections against the CDS question papers. To access the question paper representation portal, candidates need to log in with their roll number, date of birth, and captcha code. Candidates can download the Previous Year CDS Question Paper through the link below.
| Subject Name | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|
| Elementary Mathematics | Click_Here |
| English | Click_Here |
| General Knowledge | Click_Here |
CDS Admit Card 2024
CDS admit card 2024 was released online by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) on the official website-upsc.gov.in. The candidates were allowed to access the CDS admit card from the official website through the candidate’s login using the registration number or roll number and date of birth. The steps to download the admit card by following the steps given below:
- Go to the official website
- Click on the CDS admit card link
- The link will redirect to the new page
- Click on the CDS Admit card link
- Read the instructions carefully
- Fill out the details asked like application number, date of birth, etc.
- Click on the submit button
- The admit card will appear on the screen
- Download the admit card and save it for later use
Discrepancies in UPSC CDS Admit Card
Candidates are advised to check their name, father’s name, category, date of birth, photograph, signature, etc. printed on the admit card carefully. In case there are any discrepancies in the details, candidates should immediately contact the examination authority. Candidates should provide the following details while reporting the issue:
- Exam name and year
- Registration number
- Roll number
- Postal address (Candidates need to mention the application number)
What to Do If You Find Discrepancy in the CDS Admit Card?
According to the latest instructions by the UPSC for the CDS 2 exam, the candidates should follow the measures given below:
- In case of any discrepancy in the e-Admit Card, the same may be communicated to the Commission immediately at e-mail ID: upsc@gov.in, to enable the Commission to decide between the matte
- In case the photograph is not visible or available on the e-admit Card, candidates are advised to carry three (03) identical photographs (one photograph for each session) along with the printout of the e-admit Card at the Venue of the Examination for appearing at the Examination with an undertaking. No paper Admit Card will be issued for the Examination by the Commission
UPSC CDS Result 2024
The CDS 2 result will be released in September 2024 after the successful conduction of the exam. The steps to download the CDS 2 result 2024 are given below:
- Go to the official website: upsc.gov.in
- Click on the CDS 2 Result Link
- The CDS Result PDF link will appear on the screen
- Click on the PDF link
- The CDS Result 2024 will appear on the screen
- Download the result and save it for later use
CDS Answer Key 2024
The CDS 2 2024 answer keys will be released by the UPSC soon on the official website. However, the coaching institutes released the CDS 2 answer key for the candidates who have taken the CDS 2 exam. CDS Answer Key by Coaching Institutes is a significant part of the CDS 2 2023 exam. With the help of these answer keys, the candidates can calculate their marks for the exam and estimate their chances of getting selected for the SSB interview. CDS Answer Key PDF is provided below
CDS 2 Answer Key 2023 by Major Kalshi
| Subject | CDS Answer Key |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 Maths Answer Key 2023 | Available Soon |
| CDS 2 GK Answer Key 2023 | Click Here |
| CDS 2 English Answer Key 2023 | Click Here |
CDS 2 Answer Key 2023 by Cavalier
| Subject | CDS Answer Key |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 Maths Answer Key 2023 | Available Soon |
| CDS 2 GK Answer Key 2023 | Available Soon |
| CDS 2 English Answer Key 2023 | Click Here |
CDS 2 Answer Key 2024
The unofficial answer key for the CDS exam will be released by various coaching Institutes. The candidates can download the CDS 2 Answer Key PDF by following the steps given below:
- Click on the link for CDS 2 Answer Key
- Click on the CDS Answer PDF Link
- The CDS 2 Answer Key PDF will appear on the screen
- Download the CDS 2 Answer Key and save it for later use.
CDS Expected Cut Off 2024
The expected cut off for the CDS 1 exam is provided in the table below. The CDS 1 expected cut off is based on the difficulty level, previous trends and more:
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 120 – 130 | 245 – 255 |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | 105 – 120 | 233 – 245 |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | 145 – 150 | 268 – 270 |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) men | 73 – 85 | 162 – 170 |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) women | 74 – 85 | 164 – 170 |
CDS Previous Year Question Papers
The CDS question papers are uploaded in PDF form for all the sets of test booklets of Maths, English, and GK. Candidates can also raise objections against the question papers through Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep). The link for the CDS previous years’ question papers has been given below.
CDS 2022 Question Paper
The CDS 1 2022 question paper has been given below for the candidates in the table. The candidates preparing for the CDS upcoming exam can use it for practice:
CDS 2 Vacancy 2024
The UPSC will release the vacancy for CDS 2 along with the notification PDF. However, the candidates can check the released vacancy details of the CDS 1 exam along with the notification. The candidates can check the CDS 1 2024 vacancy break up in the table below:
| Institution | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 32 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officer Training Academy – Men (OTA) | 275 |
| Officer Training Academy – Women (OTA) | 18 |
| Total | 457 |
the UPSC CDS 2024 examination presents a significant opportunity for aspirants to pursue a career in the prestigious Indian Armed Forces. With the application process now open and comprehensive notifications released, candidates can meticulously prepare themselves for the challenges ahead. Understanding the examination pattern, eligibility criteria, and syllabus is paramount for success. Aspirants are encouraged to stay updated with the latest news and updates provided by reliable sources like SiasatPro to navigate the application process and preparation effectively. With determination, dedication, and strategic planning, candidates can aim to excel in the UPSC CDS 2024 examination and embark on a fulfilling journey of service to the nation through the Armed Forces.
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