Exam Detail

UPSC CDS 2Combined Defence Services Examination

  • Test Level-: National Level
  •     Eligibility-: Graduation
  • Duration-:4 Hours
  • Stream-: Defence
  • Medium-: Multiple
  • Examination Mode-: Offline
  • Total Questions-: 340

CDS 2 Exam: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the Combined Defence Services exam (CDSe) application form on May 15, 2024. The candidates willing to appear for the exam can register themselves from May 15, 2024, to June 4, 2024. The UPSC announced a total of 459 combined vacancies (IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA). The candidates who are going to appear for the CDS 2 exam for the first time (or any exam under UPSC) must register on the UPSC's OTR platform.

What is CDS Exam 2024?

The Combined Defence Services Examination, commonly known as CDS, is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The exam is held twice a year, usually in February and September. Every year, a large number of candidates appear for the national-level defence entrance examination. The selection of candidates is based on the written exam followed by SSB Interview for intelligence and personality test. Shortlisted candidates are placed at the following academies based on their preferences and merit.

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 2024 Exam Highlights

Go through the highlights of the UPSC CDS  1 exam from the table below to know every bit of the examination. Male and female candidates seeking admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy can check out the recruitment process.

Parameters

Details

Name of exam

Combined Defence Services Examination

Conducted  by

 Welcome to UPSC | 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 candidates

Female, 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: 100

General English: 120

General 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)

Exam Pattern

Written Exam

IMA, INA and AFA: 300

OTA: 200

SSB Interview

IMA, INA and AFA: 300

OTA: 200

Marking scheme

One mark for the correct answer

One third mark is deducted for wrong answers

Exam purpose

To select candidates as Commissioned Officers in Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force

Vacancies 

Total 341 vacancies announced for CDS I exam

No of test cities

More than 70

Official website

Welcome to UPSC | UPSC

Contact number

011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 

Eligibility

Candidates must check the CDS exam eligibility criteria like age limit, educational qualification, marital status to be eligible for CDS exam 2024.

Nationality

Candidates applying for CDS exam 2024 must be

  • an Indian citizen, or
  • a Tibetan refugee (before January 1962), or
  • a subject to Nepal or Bhutan, or
  • Migrants from Pakistan, Burma, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, with the intention of permanently settling in India

Age

Academy

Age Limit

IMA

Born not before January 2, 2001 and not later than January 1, 2006

INA

Born not before January 2, 2001 and not later than January 1, 2006

AFA

Born not before January 2, 2001 and not later than January 1, 2005

OTA (SSC Course for men)

Born not before January 2, 2000 and not later than January 1, 2006

OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical Course)

Born not before January 2, 2000 and not later than January 1, 2006

Educational Qualification martial status as per courses

Courses

Marital Status

Qualification

Officers Training Academy (OTA - women, Non-Technical)

Unmarried and widow

Degree of a recognised university or equivalent

Officers Training Academy (OTA - men)

Unmarried

Degree of a recognised university or equivalent

Indian Naval Academy (NA)

Unmarried

Degree in Engineering from a recognised             university/institution

Indian Military Academy (IMA)

Unmarried

Degree of a recognised university or equivalent

Air Force Academy (AFA)

Unmarried (Candidates above 25 can be married)

Degree of a recognised university (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering

 

Please visit to official website for counselling 

Steps to Fill the UPSC CDS Application Form 2024

Candidates can check the steps to fill out the CDS online form mentioned below.

How to Fill UPSC CDS Application Form

  • Open the UPSC official website - upsc.gov.in.
  • Click on the ‘Apply Online link’ available on the web page.
  • Online One-Time Registration (OTR)- If the applicants have not completed the One Time Registration, they have to complete it by providing some basic details such as personal and contact details.
  • Login by using valid login credentials such as email ID and OTP/ password or mobile number and OTP/ password or OTR ID and OTP/ password.
  • Candidates have to fill out the UPSC CDS 2024 application form in two parts which include filling in other details, CDS exam 2024 fees payment, uploading of scanned documents, signature, photo identity card document and selection of preferred exam centre.
  • Check all the details furnished in the UPSC CDS application form 2024 thoroughly and edit the details if needed.
  • Once submitted, applicants will not be able to make changes in their UPSC CDS application form.
  • After submission, a registration number will be generated. Candidates have to download it as a pdf file and take a printout for future reference.

Specification of photograph and signature to be uploaded

Document

Specification

Signature

20 KB to 300 KB

Photograph

20 KB to 300 KB

Specification about payment of CDS form fees

Payment Method

Payment Gateways

Offline

Bank Challan

Online

Credit/Visa/RuPay/Master/Debit Card and net banking

CDS Syllabus 2024

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam has two written papers for the OTA course and three written papers for other courses. The subjects from which the questions are asked in the CDS 2024 exam are Mathematics, English and General Knowledge.

English and General Knowledge questions are asked in both the CDS OTA and CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA courses. CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA course has one extra subject which is Mathematics. The questions asked in the CDS exam are of 10th and 12th standard.

CDS Syllabus 2024 - Written Exam

Subjects

Topics

CDS Maths syllabus

  • Number System
  • Elementary Number Theory
  • Algebra
  • Trigonometry
  • Geometry
  • Mensuration
  • Statistics
  • Intelligence and personality test

CDS English syllabus

The question paper will be asked to test the candidates’ understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.

CDS General Knowledge syllabus

General Knowledge including knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject. The paper will also include questions on the History of India and the Geography of nature which candidates should be able to answer without special study.

 

 

CDS Exam Pattern 2024 - Prelims, Mains & SSB Interview

The UPSC CDS 2024 exam pattern is prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission in the official notification. According to the CDS exam pattern, the written exam will be objective type in nature i.e. in the form of MCQs. As per the CDS OTA syllabus , OTA exam has two papers whereas CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA have three papers. Along with the exam pattern, candidates must also check the CDS exam syllabus for better preparations. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer.

CDS OTA Exam Pattern 2024

Papers

Subjects

Marks

Duration

Paper 1

General Knowledge

100

Two hrs

Paper 2

English

100

Two hrs

CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA Exam Pattern 2024

Papers

Subjects

Marks

Duration

Paper 1

General Knowledge

100

2 hrs

Paper 2

English

100

2 hrs

Paper 3

Mathematics

100

2 hrs

CDS Exam Pattern for SSB Interview

The CDS SSB procedure consists of two stages - Stage 1 and Stage 3. Candidates who clear Stage 1 are eligible to appear for Stage 2. The personality of a candidate is assessed by three different assessors viz. The Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist. There is no separate weightage for each test. The marks are allotted by assessors only after taking into consideration the performance of the candidate.

SSB Interview: Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT). The candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of the combination of performance in the OIR Test and PP & DT.

Download

Best books for CDS

Compiled below are the section-wise CDS books that will help candidates to prepare for the exam:

CDS books for English Language

Questions in this subject of CDS are asked from topics such as Vocabulary, Grammar, Syntax, and its correct usage. The following books are recommended for this section:

  • High School English Grammar & Composition Edition by Wren and Martin
  • Objective General English by SP Bakshi
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

CDS books for GK

This is the section where candidates can perform well and secure good marks. Questions are asked about Economics, Current Affairs, Physics, Geography, Politics, Awards, Sports, Chemistry, etc. Candidates can refer to the following books for this section:

  • General Awareness by Manohar Panday
  • Manorama Yearbook
  • Magazines such as Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Success Review (CSR), and Yojana
  • Newspapers

CDS books for Elementary Mathematics

Questions in this section are of Class 10 standards. Questions in Elementary Mathematics are asked from Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration and Statistics. It is recommended to candidates that they should clear their basics and concepts. Candidates can check below CDS books for Elementary Mathematics:

  • Mathematics for CDS by RS Aggarwal
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Aggarwal
  • Pathfinder for CDS by Arihant Publications

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 

 

The CDS cut off will be determined based on a number of factors like the candidates performance in the written exam, the difficulty level of the exam and SSB interview. After the SSB Interview, a merit list will be prepared, and the result  will be made available to candidates on the UPSC website.

CDS 2024 Expected Cut-Off

CDS levels

CDS 1 2024 Expected cutoff

CDS 2 2024 Expected cutoff

AFA

132-135

130-135

IMA

118-121

120-123

INA

109-112

108-111

CDS OTA Cut-Off 2024 (Expected )

CDS levels

CDS 1 2024 Expected cutoff

CDS 2 2024 Expected cutoff

OTA (female)

81-84

80-83

OTA (male)

81-84

82-85

CDS 2 2024 Cut-Off

The CDS 2 cut-off 2024 will be updated here in the table below after the official release.

Academy

Written Exam

Final Exam

 

Aggregate marks of last

qualified candidate*

Marks of last recommended

candidate

IMA

--

--

INA

--

--

AFA

--

--

OTA (Men)

--

--

OTA (Women)

--

--

CDS OTA cutoff 2024

Factors Affecting the CDS Cut off 2024

Several factors affect the UPSC CDS cut off 2024. Candidates can check the factors affecting the cut off CDS 2 exam 2024 mentioned below.

  • Number of applicants
  • Number of vacancies
  • Difficulty level
  • Previous year CDS Cutoff trends

How To Check CDS Cut off 2024?

Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSC - upsc.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on the examination tab and select cut off marks from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Select CDS cut off 2024 from the list.

Step 4: Download the CDS 2024 cutoff PDF for future reference.

Stages of CDS Cutoff 2024

Union Public Service Commission will release the CDS 2 cut off in two stages - written exam and final cutoff. For more details regarding the CDS cut off, candidates can check the below mentioned stages.

CDS Cut off 2024 - Written Exam

The written exam is the first stage of the CDS exam. Candidates appearing for the exam must score equal to or more than the CDS 2 cut off marks to qualify for the next stage as well as the CDS exam. The minimum cut off mark for CDS 2024 is 20% in all three papers. The written exam of CDS 2 2024 comprises three papers while candidates appearing for OTA have to appear for only two papers.

CDS Cut off 2024 - Final Merit List

The final merit list of CDS 2024 will be released based on the performance of candidates in the CDS 2024 written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination. Candidates who clear the CDS written exam 2024 will be called for an SSB interview and medical examination. After qualifying in all these stages they will be recruited to the vacant posts as released by UPSC for the Combined Defense Services examination.

Previous Years' CDS Cut off

Candidates can check the CDS previous year's cut off mark to check the past year's trends. With the help of the previous year's CDS 2 cut off marks, candidates can check the expected cut off and safe scores to qualify for the exam. For more details of CDS total marks and cut off, refer to the table given below.

CDS 2 2023 cut off

Academy

Written Exam

Final Exam

 

Aggregate marks of last

qualified candidate*

Marks of last recommended

candidate

IMA

TBA

TBA

INA

TBA

TBA

AFA

TBA

TBA

OTA (Men)

TBA

TBA

OTA(Women)

TBA

TB

 

  1. pdf orgPDF 1

CDS 1 Vacancy 2024

The UPSC released the vacancy details of the CDS exam along with the notification on December 20, 2023. 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

 

 

CDS Selection Process 2024 - Stages

The CDS selection process has two stages. Applicants need to clear both to get recruited in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The two-stage of CDS selection process are:

  1. Written Exam
  2. SSB Interview

CDS Selection Process 2024 for Written Examination

The first stage of the CDS 2024 selection process is a written exam. As per exam pattern, the CDS written exam comprises three papers - English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for admission in IMA, IFA and INA. For admission to Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), candidates just have to appear for two papers - English and General Knowledge. All the questions asked in the CDS written exam are multiple-choice questions. Candidates are given 2 hours time to attempt each paper. As per the CDS selection process 2024, candidates qualifying for the written examination are called for SSB Interview.

CDS Selection Process 2024 for SSB Interview

Candidates qualifying the stage 1 of the CDS selection process 2024 are called for the SSB interview stage. This stage of the CDS selection process is conducted over a period of 5 days to test applicants intelligence, personality, physical strength and more. The following table provides the day-wise breakup of the SSB interview round.

CDS SSB Interview selection process stage

Days

Events

SSB Day 1

Reporting, Filling of forms, Picture Perception and Description Test

SSB Day 2

Thematic Apperception Test, Self Description Test, Situation Reaction Test, Word Association Test

SSB Day 3

Group Testing Officers’ Tasks - Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Half Group Task, Progressive Group Task & Individual Obstacle Task

SSB Day 4

Individual Obstacle Task, Command Task, Final Group Task, Personal Interview & Individual Lecturette

SSB Day 5

Conference & Document Verification

CDS Selection Process 2024 - Medical Exam & Document Verification

After clearing the CDS SSB interview, applicants have to go through a medical CDS examination conducted by a Special Medical Board. A medical examination may last up to 4 to 6 days. While appearing for the medical exam, candidates are advised to keep all their documents ready. In case an applicant fails to produce the required documents, will be disqualified from the CDS selection process.

CDS Salary 2024 - Rank Wise

Rank

Level

Pay Scale

Lieutenant

Level 10

Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500

Captain

Level 10 B

Rs 61,300 -Rs 1,93,900

Major

Level 11

Rs 6,94,00 – Rs 2,07,200

Lieutenant Colonel

Level 12A

Rs 1,21,200 – Rs 2,12400

Colonel

Level 13

Rs 1,30,600 - Rs 2, 15,900

Brigadier

Level 13A

Rs 1,39,600 - Rs 2,17,600

Major General

Level 14

Rs 1,44,200 - Rs 2,18,200

Lieutenant General HAG Scale

Level 15

Rs 1,82, 200 - Rs 2,24,100

HAG+Scale

Level 16

Rs 2,05,400 – Rs 2,24,400

VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG)

Level 17

Rs 2,25,000/-(fixed)

COAS

Level 18

Rs 2,50,000/-(fixed)

How to Download CDS Admit Card?

The admit card for the CDS 2 exam 2024 exam will be released in the month of  Sep 2024. UPSC CDS admit card is an important document without which candidates were not given entry to the exam hall. CDS admit card comprises details such as the candidate's name, roll number, date of birth, scanned photograph, signature, details regarding the exam centre, etc. The CDS exam was conducted by UPSC for the recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. 

The steps to download the admit card of CDS are given below:

  • Step 1: Visit the official website-upsc.gov.in
  • Step 2: Go to the 'What's New Section and Click on the 'E-Admit Card CDS Exam 2024' link
  • Step 3: A new page will open with the download link
  • Step 4: Read all the instructions carefully before downloading the admit card
  • Step 5: After reading the instruction, click on the 'Yes' button to proceed towards downloading the admit card
  • Step 6: Enter the following details on the login page:
    • Registration Number and date of birth, Or
    • Roll Number and Date of Birth, Or
    • Name, Father’s Name, and Date of Birth
  • Step 7: After filling in the details, click on the ‘Submit’ tab
  • Step 8: CDS 2024 admit card appears on the screen
  • Step 9: Download the admit card and take its printout