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 2020, 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 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)
2022
Exam Dates:
CDS 1 Notification
PDF Release Date: |
22nd December 2022 |
UPSC CDS 1 Exam
Date: |
10th April 2022 |
Exam
Updates 2022:
UPSC CDS 1 Exam
Date 2022: |
10th April 2022 |
Total Posts |
341 Posts |
CDA Vacancy
Notification Date: |
22nd December 2022 |
Application
Form 2022:
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 2022:
General and OBC
male candidates |
200 |
Female/SC/ST
candidates |
Nil |
Exam
2022: What’s New?
During CDS 2022 Registration, applicants must select a CDS
2022 Exam Center. Candidates cannot modify the CDS 2022 Test Center once the
application form for the CDS exam has been submitted or the authority has
frozen the CDS 2022 Exam Center chosen.
Exam
Pattern:
Mode of Exam: |
Offline only |
Number of
Questions asked: |
300 MCQ Type |
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
- Defence 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 2022 |
UPSC CDS 1 Exam
Date: |
10th April 2022 |
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 2020 and UPSC
CDS 2019, 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.
Frequently
Asked Questions:
When will the
notification for CDS (I) 2022 be released? |
The notification
for CDS (I) 2022 was published on December 22. On April 10, 2022, the test
will be held. |
When will the
notification for CDS (II) 2022 be released? |
The notification
for CDS (II) 2022 will be issued on May 18. On September 4, 2022, the test
will be held. |
What is the
best way to prepare for the CDS exam? |
Candidates must
first comprehend the material and pattern in order to prepare for the CDS
test. Then they should establish a solid study regimen and stick to it. To
solve any given question, it is critical to first master the fundamentals and
comprehend the ideas. |
How many times
can you take the CDS exam? |
There is no limit
to how many times you may take the CDS exam. Candidates who meet the age
requirements can apply for the test. |
How much do CDS
exam officers make? |
Cadets chosen
through the CDS test are given INR 56,100 per month. Cadets in the OTA are
paid INR 6000 per month throughout training, while those in the IMA, INA, and
Air Force schools are paid INR 12,000 per month. |