The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services Examination, or CDS, for the appointment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The test is normally held twice a year, in February and September. Every year, a considerable number of people apply to take the national defence admission test. A total of 2,343,43 people applied for the test in CURRENT_YEAR, with 1,182,50 candidates showing up. Candidates are chosen based on their performance in the written exam, which is followed by an SSB interview for intellect and personality testing. Shortlisted individuals are assigned to the academies below based on their preferences and qualifications.
Highlights:
| Particulars | Paper 1 |
| Full-Form | Combined Defence Services Examination |
| Subject | Elementary Mathematics, English, and General Knowledge. |
| Mode of Conduction | Offline |
| Duration | Two hours |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Total Registrants for the Previous session | 2,343,43 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Total Questions Asked | 300 |
| Total Questions to be Answered | 300 |
| Marking Scheme | 1 will be given for each correct answer. |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 of the marks will be deducted |
| Medium of paper | English |
Eligibility Criteria:
- Graduates who have chosen the Army, Navy, or Air Force as their first choice must present provisional certificates of graduation at SSB centres on the date the SSB interview begins.
- Those in their last year of studies are also eligible to apply.
- An engineering degree from a reputable institution or school is required.
- Bachelor of Engineering or graduation (with Physics and Mathematics in Class 12)
CURRENT_YEAR Exam Dates:
| CDS 1 Notification PDF Release Date: | 22nd December CURRENT_YEAR |
| UPSC CDS 1 Exam Date: | 10th April CURRENT_YEAR |
Exam Updates CURRENT_YEAR:
| UPSC CDS 1 Exam Date CURRENT_YEAR: | 10th April CURRENT_YEAR |
| Total Posts | 341 Posts |
| CDA Vacancy Notification Date: | 22nd December CURRENT_YEAR |
Application Form CURRENT_YEAR:
Part I and Part II of the CDS application form can be completed in two parts. Candidates must fill out the fundamental information in Part I of the registration process. Candidates must pay the application costs, choose a test centre, upload a photograph, signature, photo ID card document, and a declaration in Part 2. The following are the steps to filling out both portions of the application form:
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in for further information.
- To register for the CDS test, go to the Part-I website.
- To apply for CDS online, provide your personal information, address, and educational qualifications.
- Candidates must also select their desired branch of study.
- Before submitting the registration form, double-check the information.
- The registration ID is generated after a successful registration.
Exam Application Fee CURRENT_YEAR:
| General and OBC male candidates | 200 |
| Female/SC/ST candidates | Nil |
Exam CURRENT_YEAR: What’s New?
During CDS CURRENT_YEAR Registration, applicants must select a CDS CURRENT_YEAR Exam Center. Candidates cannot modify the CDS CURRENT_YEAR Test Center once the application form for the CDS exam has been submitted or the authority has frozen the CDS CURRENT_YEAR Exam Center chosen.
Exam Pattern:
| Mode of Exam: | Offline only |
| Number of Questions asked: | 300 MCQ Type |
| The number of questions in OTA: | 200 MCQ Type |
| Maximum Marks: | 300 ( Indian Military, Navy and Air Force) and 200 (OTA) |
| Duration of Exam: | 2 hours (120 minutes) for each paper |
| Medium: | Hindi or English |
| Negative marking: | One-third marks deducted for every incorrect response |
Syllabus:
- English
- Spotting Errors Questions
- Sentence Arrangement Questions
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Selecting Words
- Ordering of Sentence
- Comprehension Questions
- Ordering of words in a sentence
- Fill in the blanks questions
- Idioms and Phrases
- General Awareness (GK)
- Economics
- Physics
- Current Affairs
- Politics
- Chemistry
- Sociology
- History
- Defense related Award
- Geography
- Environment
- Sport
- Biology
- Cultural
- Book
- Statement
- true/false
- Elementary Mathematics
Preparation Tips:
Candidates taking the CDS should begin studying at least 3 to 6 months before the test. Make a schedule and set up 6 to 8 hours for preparations. Between each task, take a little pause. Boost your self-assurance by staying up to date on all current events.
Exam Time Table:
| CDS 1 Notification PDF Release Date: | 22nd December CURRENT_YEAR |
| UPSC CDS 1 Exam Date: | 10th April CURRENT_YEAR |
The CDS test is held in three shifts. The English paper is held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., GK from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Mathematics from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Exam Reservation:
In defence forces exams such as NDA, CDS, AFCAT, Selection Board Exam, or Rally, there is no reservation system at all.
Answer Key:
Candidates can obtain an idea of the test by looking through the official CDS Answer Key for the last two years, i.e. UPSC CDS CURRENT_YEAR and UPSC CDS CURRENT_YEAR, as well as the question paper.
Cut Off:
| IMA | 116 | 242 |
| INA | 105 | 233 |
| AFA | 129 | 264 |
| OTA (Men) | 78 | 160 |
Test Comparison:
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the Indian Armed Forces’ combined services academy. Cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force train together here before proceeding to their respective service schools for additional pre-commissioning training.
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) test is used to select candidates for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy.