ABOUT CDS EXAM

CDS Exam 2023: Exam Pattern

• The candidates have to clear CDS Written Examination to get selected for the interview round. Check the exam pattern for each position below.
• There will 100 Multiple-Choice Questions in each paper
• The question paper for General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be set in Hindi as well as English
• There will be a penalty of 1/3 marks for a wrong answer
• Duration of each exam is separate i.e. 2 hours.

For Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy
SNo	Subject	Maximum Marks	Duration
1	English	100	2 hours
2	General Knowledge	100	2 hours
3	Elementary Mathematics	100	2 hours
For Officers’ Training Academy
SNo	Subject	Maximum Marks	Duration
1	English	100	2 hours
2	General Knowledge	100	2 hours

• Note The maximum marks allotted to the written examination and to the interviews will be equal for each course i.e. the maximum marks allotted to the written examination and to the interviews will be 300, 300, 300 and 200 each for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy respectively.

CDS 2023 SYLLABUS

CDS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2023 are discussed in the article. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts "Combined Defence Services" (CDS) Examination twice a year for recruiting candidates for the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. The Notification is usually released in the months of October/ November and June/ July, and the examination is generally conducted in February and November respectively. Only unmarried graduates are eligible to sit for the exam. Successful candidates are admitted into the respective Academies after an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board ( SSB ). To clear the examination, first, you need is the complete information of the pattern, syllabus and previous year exam analysis so that it would become easy for you to analyse the examination and to prepare a strategy further.

CDS Syllabus 2023: Overview

Mode of exam	Offline
Number of sections	Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA) – Three Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Two
Total marks of the test	IMA, INA and AFA – 300 OTA - 200
Nature of questions	Objective type
Language of question paper	Hindi and English
Duration of the test	2 hours for each section of test

CDS Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, AFA
Subject	Duration	Maximum Marks
English	100	2 hours
General Knowledge	2 hours	100
Elementary Mathematics	2 hours	100

CDS Exam Pattern for OTA
Subject	Duration	Maximum Marks
English	100	2 hours
General Knowledge	2 hours	100
Elementary Mathematics	2 hours	100

CDS Syllabus 2023: Marking Scheme

Negative marking is applicable for every wrong marked answer. In CDS paper, each question carries 4 options and out of which only 1 option is correct. For each incorrect answer, 1/3 of the marks will be deducted. More than one option marked is treated as incorrect. However, if a question is left unanswered there will be no negative marking.

CDS Syllabus 2023: Subject-Wise Syllabus Candidates can check the UPSC CDS Syllabus in the table given below.
Sections	Topics
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	Algebra		• * Basic Operations • * simple factors • * Remainder Theorem • * H.C.F. • * L.C.M. • * Theory of polynomials • * solutions of quadratic equations • * relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered) • * Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns—analytical and graphical solutions • * Simultaneous linear inequations in two variables and their solutions • * Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions • * Set language and set notation • * Rational expressions and conditional identities • * Laws of indices
	Arithematic		• * Number System: Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers. • * Fundamental operations: addition, substraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions • * Unitary method • * time and distance • * time and work • * percentages • * applications to simple and compound interest • * profit and loss • * ratio and proportion • * variation • * Elementary Number Theory: Division algorithm • * Prime and composite numbers • * Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11 • * Multiples and factors. Factorisation Theorem • * H.C.F. and L.C.M. • * Euclidean algorithm • * Logarithms to base 10 • * laws of logarithms • * use of logarithmic tables
	Trigonometry		• * Sine ×, cosine ×, Tangent × when 0° < × < 90° • * Values of sin ×, cos × and tan ×, for ×= 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° • * Simple trigonometric identities • * Use of trigonometric tables • * Simple cases of heights and distances
	Geometry		• * Lines and angles • * Plane and plane figures • * Theorems on Properties of angles at a point • * Parallel lines • * Sides and angles of a triangle • * Congruency of triangles • * Similar triangles • * Concurrence of medians and altitudes • * Properties of angles • * sides and diagonals of a Parallelogram • * rectangle and square • * Circles and its properties including tangents and normals • * Loci
	Mensuration		• * Areas of squares • * rectangles • * parallelograms • * triangle and circle • * Areas of figures which can be split up into these figures (Field Book) • * Surface area and volume of cuboids • * lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders • * surface area and volume of spheres
	Statistics		• * Collection and tabulation of statistical data • * Graphical representation frequency polygons • * histograms • * bar charts • * pie charts etc • * Measures of central tendency

Number of Attempts

There are majorly three written exams conducted for enrollment of officers into the Army, Navy and Airforce. These exams are NDA (National Defence Academy) Exam, CDS (Combined Defence Service) Exam and AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) Exam. While the first two are meant for the induction of officers into the three wings (army, navy and air force), the latter is meant for only Air Force. This article is meant for giving you all information about the age limit of the three exams and also the number of attempts you can make for them.

NDA, AFCAT and CDS Exam Number of Attempts, Age Limits

1. NDA Exam: There is no limit on the number of attempts you can make. However, it is essential that at the time of course commencement you have your passing certificate of 10+2. So in a way you can attempt for NDA when you are in 10+2 or when you have passed it. While giving NDA when you are still studying in 10+2 you start attempting only from NDA 2 exam of the year in which you have got in 12th. The age limit for NDA (for all the three wings) is between 16 ½ and 19 ½ years (both inclusive) at the time of course commencement.

2. CDS Exam: Yet again there is no limit on the number of attempts for this exam, but your degree must be over at the time of course commencement. You can apply while in the final year of your degree. The age limits for different wings differ in case of CDSE. As you know CDSE is conducted for Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Air Force Academy and Naval Academy, the age limits for them differ, here are the age limits:

• o IMA: 19-24 Years
• o NA: 19-22 Years
• o AFA: 19-23 Years
• o OTA: 19-25 Years

3. AFCAT ExamIn AFCAT also there is no limit on the number of attempts one can make. However, your degree must be complete at the time of course commencement. In AFCAT also the age limit for different posts differs. Here is a detailed account:

• o Flying Branch: 19-23 years, Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (Indian) is relaxable up to 25 years.
• o Technical Branch: 23-26 years
• o Ground Duty Branches:
• o For Graduate: 20 to 23 years
• o For Post Graduate/LLB (Five years integrated course): 20 to 25
• o For LLB (Three years course after Graduation): 20 to 26 years
• o For M.Ed/Ph.D/CA/ICWA: 20 to 27 years.
• o All the ages are inclusive and refer to the age at the time of course commencement.

CDS Exam Eligibility

CDS Exam Eligibility Criteria

The candidates must meet the eligibility standards as set by the Union Public Service Commission for defence recruitment. Check detailed eligibility (nationality, education, age, marital status, sex) from below.

Nationality

A candidate should hold The Citizenship of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee who had been migrated to India before January 01, 1962, with the intention of Permanent Settle, or An individual of Indian Origin migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire & Vietnam for permanent settle purpose in India.

Education Qualification

For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy - The candidate should have a graduation degree (any subject) from a recognized University or equivalent.

For Indian Naval Academy - The candidate should have completed their Graduation in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution.

For Air Force Academy - The candidate should hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

Age Limit (as on 01/07/2022)

The candidate should fall in the age group of 20 to 24 years. The detailed age limit details are mentioned on the official notification pdf.

Marital Status & Sex

• • For Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, only Unmarried males are eligible to apply for CDS Exam
• • For Indian Air Force Academy, both married and unmarried males can apply, however marriage during the training is not permitted
• • For Officer Training Academy, unmarried males & females can apply for CDS Exam.

Negative Marking

Negative marking is applicable for every wrong marked answer. In CDS paper, each question carries 4 options and out of which only 1 option is correct. For each incorrect answer, 1/3 of the marks will be deducted. More than one option marked is treated as incorrect. However, if a question is left unanswered there will be no negative marking.

The following table explains the detailed marking scheme of the exam.

CDS Marking Scheme for IMA, INA, AFA
CDS Paper	English	GK	Mathematics
Maximum Marks	100	100	100
Marks for Correct answer	+1 marks for each correct option	+1 marks for each correct option	+1 marks for each correct option
Negative marking	-0.33 marks for each wrong answer	-0.33 marks for each wrong answer	-0.33 marks for each wrong answer

CDS Marking Scheme for OTA The following table shows Marking scheme for 2023 OTA (Officers’ Training Academy):
CDS Paper	English	GK
Maximum Marks	100	100
Marks for Correct answer	+1 marks for each correct option	+1 marks for each correct option
Negative marking	-0.33 marks for each wrong answer	-0.33 marks for each wrong answer

Paper Analysis

CDS Previous Year Paper Analysis – Subject-wise

Here are the exam paper analysis of all subjects:

CDS English

The English question paper will be designed to test the candidates' understanding of the English language. As per the previous year's analysis, the following are the important topics asked in English paper.

Topic.	Number of Questions	Level of Difficulty
Sentence Improvement	20	Easy
Science	27	Easy (Concept-based questions)
Reading Comprehension	23 (5 passages)	Easy to Moderate
Synonyms	8	Moderate
Antonyms	7	Easy
One Word Substitution	5	Moderate
Para-Jumble	10	Easy to Moderate
Sentence-Jumble	7	Moderate
Spot the Error	20	Easy
Cloze Test	20	Easy

CDS General Knowledge

As per previous year analysis following are the important topics for GK paper:

Topic.	Number of Questions	Level of Difficulty
History	19	Difficult
Science	27	Easy (Concept-based questions)
Geography	22	Moderate (Analytical based questions)
Ecology	06	Moderate (Fact-based questions)
Polity	20	Easy to Moderate
Economy/Trade	11	Moderate (Fact-based questions)
Miscellaneous /Armed Forces	15	Moderate (Fact-based questions)

CDS Elementary Mathematics

In the following table, the previous year's paper analysis of mathematics paper is mentioned.

Topic.	Number of Questions	Level of Difficulty
Mensuration	14	Easy
Algebra	7	Easy to Moderate
Mean-Median-Mode (Frequency Distribution Table)	4	Easy
Time speed and Distance	6	Easy
Number System	20	Easy to Moderate
Simple interest/Compound interest	5	Easy
Percentage	2	Easy
Profit/Loss	1	Easy
Mixture	1	Easy
Time and Work	3	Easy
Trigonometry	14	Moderate to Difficult
Set Theory	1	Easy
Clock	2	Easy
Geometry	20	Easy to Moderate

CDS Exam 2023 Cut-Off

UPSC releases cut-off marks for CDS Exam on its official website. The candidates must score the minimum qualifying marks (i.e. 20 marks minimum in each subject) and for selection must score more than the cut-off marks. UPSC releases CDS written exam cut-off and final cut-off separately. The final cut-off for CDS 2 is expected to be out in May 2022. Check the previous year's cut-off marks for your reference.

CDS-I Cut off 2020
Academy	Written Exam	Final Exam
IMA	130	250
INA	118	242
AFA	143	274
OTA (Men)	93	173
OTA (Women)	93	177

HOW TO PREPARE FOR CDS EXAM

CDS Preparation Tips: Time Management

• Candidates must know how to effectively manage their time so that they can complete the paper within the allotted time only. • Candidates appearing for CDS are advised to start at least 3 to 6 months before the examination. • Follow a regular study routine so that the entire syllabus can be completed • Make a timetable and devote 6 – 8 hours especially for preparations. • Take time to manage your weekly revisions as well • Take short breaks in between. • Boost up your confidence level by getting updated with all the current affairs.

Candidates can check CDS 2 2023 NOTIFICATION for detailed information about the upcoming CDS Exam.
Previous Year Papers

CDS Preparation Tips: Solving Previous Years Sample Papers

• Try solving the question paper of previous Year • This will help you in getting an idea about the exam pattern, type of questions, weightage given to topics. • Helps you in managing the time. • Gives the feel of real paper. • Take mocks tests by setting up the timers in your watch.

CDS Preparation Tips: Important Points to Remember

To prepare for the CDS exam, a candidate must be willing to work hard physically as well as mentally. Candidates must own proper UPSC study material, like previous years’ papers, preparation books, topic-wise notes, etc. After acquiring the relevant study material, the candidates can follow the following tips to improve their chances of getting selected:

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• Get yourself printed copies of the exam pattern, syllabus, and previous year's question papers. • Your basic concepts rather than cramming the formulas must be clear at the beginning of your preparation days. • By analyzing the previous year's question papers, candidates need to focus on the important topics which carry maximum marks in each exam. • Develop a reading habit. Reading different sorts of media, like magazines, newspapers, blogs, notes, etc. helps to enhance the vocabulary as well as the understanding of practical English. • Make a list of all the new words and their meanings. Try and use the words in the list in different scenarios and sentences. • Take online mock tests to improve the answering ability. • Read newspapers, news blogs, watch the news, etc. daily to be in touch with the latest happenings in all sectors of the world. Try to keep the material vast. • Make notes of every important date, name, or event you come across. • Many mock tests can help a candidate with GK preparations. • Make a list of all the important formulas, theorems, identities, etc., and revise them daily. • Try to solve questions with variety to learn the proper use of theorems and identities. • Enrol in an online mock test series.

APPLY NOWCHECK ELIGIBILITYGET UPDATES

• Get yourself printed copies of the exam pattern, syllabus, and previous year's question papers. • Your basic concepts rather than cramming the formulas must be clear at the beginning of your preparation days. • By analyzing the previous year's question papers, candidates need to focus on the important topics which carry maximum marks in each exam. • Develop a reading habit. Reading different sorts of media, like magazines, newspapers, blogs, notes, etc. helps to enhance the vocabulary as well as the understanding of practical English. • Make a list of all the new words and their meanings. Try and use the words in the list in different scenarios and sentences. • Take online mock tests to improve the answering ability. • Read newspapers, news blogs, watch the news, etc. daily to be in touch with the latest happenings in all sectors of the world. Try to keep the material vast. • Make notes of every important date, name, or event you come across. • Many mock tests can help a candidate with GK preparations. • Make a list of all the important formulas, theorems, identities, etc., and revise them daily. • Try to solve questions with variety to learn the proper use of theorems and identities. • Enrol in an online mock test series.

CDS Physical and Medical Exam

The Defense sector requires candidates who are not only strong mentally, but also physically. Apart from the written exam, the candidates have to clear a physical and medical exam as well. No candidate should have a history of mental breakdown. The physical exam is one of the crucial parts of the CDS . The candidates can follow these tips for the physical exam:

• The weight and height of the candidate must be on a standard scale. • Regular and proper exercise and training is important. • Candidates must get a full body checkup before appearing for the exam to make sure they do not have any type of illness or disease.

Personal Interview Tips

CDS Preparation Tips for Personal Interview

After clearing the CDS test, the candidates have to face the personal interview conducted by SSB. The SSB Interview tests the candidate’s intelligence, personality, and ability to hold ranks with the Officers in the Defense Forces. There are several components of the interview, like Psychological Tests, Group Discussion, Intelligence Tests, Outdoor activities, Opinion on issues, Physical Fitness, etc. Here are some tips to clear the interview:

• Stay confident. It is natural to be nervous or anxious, but a candidate must be able to express his/her thoughts as beautifully as possible. • A well-honed communication skill is crucial, as the thoughts can be expressed in better and more suitable words. • Be updated and in touch with the latest and interesting happenings around the globe. • Think before you speak and act like you are already an Officer. • It is imperative to be respectful and humble.

Last Minute Tips

Last-Minute Tips for CDS 2023

The few weeks before the exam are crucial as that is the time to revise all that you have studied, without cramming up all the knowledge. The following steps may help candidates to plan and prepare in that time:

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• Make small and useful notes. The notes should be to the point and should act as a summary of what has been studied. • Although the last weeks can be a chaotic time, a calm and planned approach is all that is needed. • Time management is crucial. The CDS exam is a time-based exam that gives candidates about a minute to attempt each question. Not only the knowledge, but swiftness in using that knowledge is important. • The exam has negative marking for each incorrect answer. So, guesswork should be avoided. • Taking an online mock test is helpful

CDS Exam FAQs

Q1: When will online registration start for CDS II Exam 2023?

The online registration process for CDS II Exam has begun on 04th August 2023.

Q2. When will CDS-II Exam conducted?

As per the UPSC Calendar, the CDS-2 exam has been scheduled for 14th November 2023.

Q3: Is there any physical test for CDS Examination?

No, particular physical test will be conducted, but the candidates have to undergo a medical examination.

Q4: What is the selection procedure for UPSC CDS 2023?

CDS has two stages of the selection process – written exam and the SSB Interview.

Q5. How many vacancies are announced for the CDS II 2023 exam?

The total number of vacancies for the CDS II 2023 exam are 339.