CDS 1 2024: The Union Public Service Commission conducts the CDS exam twice a year at the national level. The CDS exam is held to recruit candidates for the post of officer in the Indian Armed Forces.
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The UPSC CDS exam has two stages: a written exam and an interview. The UPSC released the CDS 1 2024 notification on December 20, 2023, at upsc.gov.in to fill 457 vacancies.
As per the CDS exam schedule, the CDS 1 2024 exam will be conducted on April 21, 2024. The CDS admit card for the written exam will be out in the second week of April 2024.
For CDS 2 2024, the notification will be out on May 15, 2024, while the CDS 2 2024 exam will be conducted on September 1, 2024.
Get the CDS 2024 notification pdf, exam date, admit card, vacancy, selection process, exam pattern, syllabus, and complete details in the article below.
UPSC CDS 1 2024 Notification
The CDS 1 2024 Notification for CDS 1 is out on December 20, 2023. The UPSC organises the Combined Defence Services exam. Click on the link below to check the UPSC CDS Notification 2024.
All the essential details related to the CDS recruitment are provided in the UPSC CDS notification 2024.
CDS 1 2024 Highlights
Specifications | Details |
---|---|
Exam Name | Offline Written Exam Interview Rounds are conducted by the SSB (Service Selection Board). |
Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
Exam Frequency | Yearly (Twice) |
Notification Release | CDS 1 2024: December 20, 2023 CDS 2 2024: May 15, 2024 |
Exam Level | National |
Exam Stages | Offline Written Exam Interview Rounds (conducted by SSB) |
Application Mode | Online |
Application Fees | Rs. 200 |
Exam Duration | 2 hours/Section |
Mode of Language | English and Hindi |
Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CDS Exam Date 2024(Out)
Candidates can check the UPSC CDS Exam Date 2024 in the table below.
Events | CDS 1 Date | CDS 2 Date |
---|---|---|
CDS 2024 Notification | 20 December 2023 | 15 May 2024 |
CDS 2024 Online Form Release | 20 December 2023 | 15 May 2024 |
CDS 2024 Application Submission | 9 January 2024 | 4 June 2024 |
CDS 2024 Application Correction | 10 January 2024 to 16 January 2024 | TBA |
CDS 2024 Admit Card | April 2024 | August 2024 |
CDS 2024 Written Exam | 21 April 2024 | 1 September 2024 |
CDS 1 2024 Admit Card
The CDS 1 Admit Card 2024 for the written exam will be out in the 2nd week of April 2024. To download the UPSC CDS admit card, candidates can log in to the official website of the UPSC by entering their login credentials.
- Registration ID or Roll Number
- Date of Birth
About the UPSC CDS Exam
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts the Combined Defence Services exam for recruiting candidates in prestigious defence training academies.
The UPSC CDS is held twice a year, as CDS Exam I and CDS Exam II. The CDS notification is usually released in December and May. The UPSC CDS selection of candidates is based on the written examination, followed by the SSB interview.
Every year, hundreds of people apply for the exam, which has a high level of competition, but only a select few are chosen.
CDS 1 Vacancy 2024
The UPSC released a total of 457 CDS Vacancies along with the release of the CDS 2024 notification. Out of these, 100 vacancies will be filled at the Indian Military Academy, 32 in the Indian Naval Academy, 32 in the Air Force Academy, and 293 in the Officers Training Academy.
We have listed the number of vacancies in the table below.
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun 158th (DE) Course commencing in January 2025 (including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ (Army Wing)) | 100 |
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad —(Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January 2025 i.e. No. 217 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies are reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry] | 32 |
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad —(Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January, 2025 i.e. No. 217 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies are reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry] | 32 |
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala Course commencing in January 2025 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders | 275 |
Officers Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 35th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April, 2025. | 18 |
CDS 2024 Selection Process
The CDS Selection Process is a two-stage process where each phase is necessary to receive the final appointment letter. The CDS exam has two stages: written tests and interview rounds.
CDS Witten Test 2024
The first phase of the CDS selection process is a written exam. Candidates interested in joining the IMA, INA, and IAF must clear a written test. Candidates have to score the minimum qualifying marks to clear this phase.
The CDS exam consists of three objective papers for 300 marks. Candidates who wish to join OTA (Officers Training Academy) must pass a written test consisting of two objective papers for 200 marks.
CDS SSB Interview 2024
This CDS SSB interview is the second stage of selection. The SSB Interview includes two stages. The SSB interview includes a Picture Perception and Description Test and a 4-day assessment.
Stage I: Picture Perception and Description Test
Stage II: The stage is an SSB 4-day assessment period that checks the candidate’s psychology. This stage carries four major parts: the psychology test, the interview round, the group testing office task, and the conference round.
CDS 1 2024 Exam Pattern
The CDS exam pattern for INA, IAF, and IMA varies from the OTA exam pattern. The Officers Training Academy Exam consist of 200 marks while for other forces the exam consists of 300 marks. The UPSC CDS 2024 Exam Pattern for INA, IAF, IMA and OTA is below.
CDS Exam Pattern For INA, IAF, and IMA
The CDS Exam Pattern for INA, IAF, and IMA consists of 340 questions with 300 marks. The time frame given for the three sections is 2 hours. For each incorrect answer, there is a negative marking of 1/3 marks.
Subjects | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Exam Duration |
---|---|---|---|
English | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
General Knowledge | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
CDS Exam Pattern For OTA
The CDS exam pattern for OTA consists of only 2 sections i.e., English and GK. The exam consists of 140 questions with a total of 200 marks. Candidates will have 2 hours to finish each section. For every wrong answer, there is a negative marking of 0.33 points.
Subjects | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Exam Duration |
---|---|---|---|
English | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
General Knowledge | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
CDS 1 2024 Syllabus
The CDS Exam Syllabus consists of three major subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Candidates should prepare as per the UPSC CDS 2023 subject-wise exam syllabus for acing this exam. The updated UPSC CDS syllabus is provided below.
Subject | Topics |
---|---|
CDS English syllabus | For CDS English preparation, candidates should focus on – Vocabulary Error detection Comprehension Para-jumbles Antonyms Synonyms Sentence Correction Idioms Phrases Grammar |
CDS General Knowledge syllabus | Current affairs Geography Economics Politics Sports Biology Cultures Environment Chemistry Sociology Awards |
CDS Math syllabus | Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Trigonometry Mensuration Average L.C.M., H.C.F. Time Distance Speed Ratio Proportion Factors Logarithms |
CDS 1 2024 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates who wish to apply for the Combined Defence Services exam must review the CDS 1 exam eligibility before applying.
The CDS Eligibility 2024 covers various important aspects such as physical measurements, visual standards, educational qualifications, age limits, and nationality.
As per the CDS exam eligibility, the candidate’s age limit should be between 20 and 24 years. The qualification for CDS is a graduation degree in a relevant discipline from any recognised university.
CDS Exam | Eligibility |
---|---|
Nationality | Indian |
Age Limit | 20-24 years (Candidates should not have been born earlier than 2/January/1998 nor later than 01/January/2004). |
Educational Qualification | A Minimum Graduation Degree in a relevant Discipline from a recognized board or a university. |
Physical Fitness | Candidates must meet the Physical and Visual Standards. |
CDS Nationality
To be eligible for the CDS exam, a candidate must be an Indian citizen, a Nepalese or Bhutanese subject, or a Tibetan refugee who migrated to India to permanently settle before January 1, 1962.
CDS Age Limit
As per the CDS age limit criteria, the candidate’s minimum age should be 20 and the maximum age should not exceed 24 years as of 1st January 2024.
CDS Education Qualification
The required CDS qualification is a graduation degree from a Recognized University. Applicants interested in INA and AFA must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering. However, IMA and OTA candidates can apply with a graduation degree in any discipline.
CDS Physical Standard
Candidates applying for the CDS exam must meet the required physical standards set by the UPSC for the exam. Candidates should not have the following issues-
- physically and mentally robust
- permanent tattoos on the body
- Hernia
- impaired in terms of the ability to hear
- Excessive wax in ears
- The nasal septum should not deviate
- Piles
- Gynecomastia
UPSC CDS 2024 Online Form
The CDS Online Form 2024 for CDS 1 is closed for CDS 2 the online form will be out on May 15 on the official website of UPSC. Candidates can follow the steps to fill out the CDS defence exam form.
- Visit the official website of UPSC (www.upsc.gov.in).
- Complete the OTR (one-time registration) process by filling in your name, father’s name, date of birth, mother’s name, mobile number, and email ID.
- Candidates will get the login credentials for their registered mobile number and mail ID.
- Log in with your user ID and password.
- Click on the ‘CDS Exam’ link.
- The link will redirect the candidates to the CDS Application Form 2024.
- Fill out all the mandatory fields.
- Upload photographs, educational documents, a signature, and an identity card.
- Choose the preferable exam centres.
- Submit the application fee and click the ‘Submit’ button for the final submission.
- Candidates will receive a final confirmation message on their registered mobile number and mail ID.
- Print out at least 2–3 copies for further reference.
CDS Application Fees
Male candidates from the General/OBC category must pay INR 200 for the CDS exam form, while for women and SC/ST category candidates, the UPSC CDS registration is free.
Category | Application Fee |
---|---|
General/OBC Male Candidates | Rs. 200 |
Women/SC/ST Candidates | NIL |
CDS 1 2024 Books
A good CDS preparation involves finding the best preparation books that help the candidates ace each section, solving the CDS previous year question paper, taking CDS mock tests, etc. The UPSC CDS 2024 exam will include miscellaneous questions on various topics.
The best CDS books for preparation are General Awareness by Manohar Pandey, Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal, and Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi. These CDS Books 2024 will help the candidates excel in the exam.
CDS 1 2024 Result
The UPSC released the CDS Result 2024 for the CDS 1 written examination in the first week of February 2024. Candidates can check their results on the official website of the UPSC with the help of the steps given below.
- Visit the official website of the UPSC.
- Click on the ‘UPSC CDS 2023 Final Results’ link.
- Enter your ‘Roll Number’ on the search bar.
- The list of names will appear on the computer screen.
- Candidates should check their names on the list. If the name is mentioned there, that means that the particular candidate has cleared the exam.
- Download the result and print it out for further reference.
CDS 1 Cut-off 2024
The CDS cut-off 2024 will be released on the official website of the UPSC along with the release of the CDS Result 2024. The UPSC CDS written exam cut-off and final cut-off results are published separately by UPSC. Candidates can review CDS’s previous year cut-off marks for each force in the table below.
Category | Written Exam Cut-off | Final Cut-off |
---|---|---|
IMA | 136 | 258 |
INA | 128 | 256 |
AFA | 147 | 269 |
OTA | 100 | Men: 181 Woman: 184 |
CDS 1 2024 FAQs
A. The UPSC released the official notification for CDS 1 2023 on December 20, 2023.
Ans- The CDS written test date is April 21, 2024.
Ans- The CDS exam syllabus consists of 3 subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
A. Yes, candidates who wish to appear in the UPSC CDS 2024 Exam must be medically fit.
A. The full form of SSB is the Service Selection Board.
A. The CDS stands for Combined Defence Services.
A. SSB is an interview round that checks the candidate’s overall personality.
A. The UPSC CDS written exam mode is online.
A. To appear for the UPSC CDS 2024 exam, candidates should be between 20 and 24 years old as of January 1, 2024.
A. The CDS qualification requires a graduation degree in a relevant discipline.
What is the CDS exam format?
The CDS test has three portions for the IMA, INA, and AFA while it has two sections for the OTA. OTA gets 200 marks, while IMA, INA, and AFA each receive 300. According to the CDS exam’s negative marking policy, candidates must accept mark reductions for erroneous answers. The scored marks for correctly answered questions are reduced by one-third. Candidates must provide responses with extreme accuracy.
What is the CDS 2023 exam selection procedure?
The following information has been provided for the applicants regarding the CDS 1 exam selection process. Candidates who successfully complete the selection procedure will be accepted into the academy of their choosing. The candidates must select the academies to which they would like to apply. The options are divided into priority levels 1 (Highest Priority), 2, 3, and 4 (Lowest Priority):
Written Exam
SSB Interview
Medical Examination & Merit List
What is the secret to passing the CDS Exam?
Those that put in the necessary effort, persistence, and patience can succeed on the CDS exam. Applicants are required to keep a well-organized study plan.
Can I prepare for general science with NCERT books?
Absolutely, NCERT books are a useful resource for test preparation.