UPSC CDS I 2024: Exam Date (Apr 21), Registration (Closed), Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation

Updated By Intajur Rahaman on 25 Jan, 2024 10:33

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UPSC CDS I 2024

UPSC CDS I 2024: The last date to apply for the UPSC CDS I 2024 exam was January 9, 2024, and the exam is scheduled for April 21, 2024 (Sunday). The UPSC CDS 1 2024 application form correction window was available between January 10 to January 16, 2024. An essential document that offers extensive information about the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the CDS 2024 notification PDF. The notification for CDS 1 for about 350 vacancies has been made public by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on December 20, 2023

In the meantime, the UPSC CDS I 2023 final results have been declared on January 24, 2024.T he CDS exam is held twice a year. The notification for CDS 2 will be released on May 15, 2024. The application deadline for CDS 2 is June 4, 2024, and the exam is scheduled for September 1, 2024. The candidates matching the eligibility criteria can fill in the UPSC CDS 2024 Application Form by paying a fee of Rs. 200. SC/ST and female candidates are exempted from the fee payment. Students are informed that they can start downloading the UPSC CDS 2024 Admit Card usually 2-3 weeks before the day of the UPSC-CDS examination.

Every year, around 8 lakh candidates appear for the UPSC CDS exam. The Combined Defence Service Exam is quite a prestigious exam that helps one to become an 'A' grade officer in the Armed Forces. In recent years, competition has risen to the next level. Read the article to learn more about the UPSC CDS II 2024 Selection Process.

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UPSC CDS Latest Updates

  • Jan 25, 2024 10:30 AM: The UPSC CDS I 2023 final results are out! Candidates can check the results on the official website - upsc.gov.in.

Upcoming Exams :

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UPSC CDS Exam 2024 Highlights

The highlights regarding the CDS 2024 exam process are given below:

ParticularsDetails
CDS Full FormCombined Defence Services Exam
Name of the OrganizationUnion Public Services Exam (UPSC)
Exam LevelNational Level
FrequencyTwice in a year
Mode of ApplicationOnline
Application Fees

UR/ OBC - Rs 200

Female- Exempted

SC/ST - Exempted

Exam ModeOffline
Exam Duration2 Hours
LanguageEnglish and Hindi
Official Websitehttps://www.upsc.gov.in/

UPSC CDS 2024 Important Dates

The latest dates for the UPSC CDS 2024 exam have been provided below:

UPSC CDS 1 2024

EventDate
UPSC CDS 1 2024 Notification Release DateDecember 20, 2023
Online Registration Starting Date for UPSC CDS I 2024 ExaminationDecember 20, 2023
UPSC CDS I 2024 Last Date to Apply OnlineJanuary 9, 2024 (06:00 pm)
UPSC CDS I 2024 Last Date to Pay Application FeeJanuary 9, 2024 (06:00 pm)
UPSC CDS I 2024 Application Form Correction DateJanuary 10 to January 16, 2024
UPSC CDS 1 2024 Admit Card Release DateMarch/April 2024
UPSC CDS 1 Exam Date 2024April 21, 2024
UPSC CDS 1 2024 Answer Key (Unofficial)April/May 2024
UPSC CDS 1 2024 ResultSecond Week of May 2024
UPSC CDS 1 2024 Interview DatesTo be notified
UPSC CDS 1 2024 Final ResultTo be notified

 UPSC CDS 2 2024

EventDate
Online Registration Starting Date for UPSC CDS II 2024 ExaminationMay 15, 2024
UPSC CDS II 2024 Last Date to Apply OnlineJune 4, 2024
Availability of UPSC CDS II Admit Card/Hall TicketAugust 2024
UPSC CDS II 2024 Examination DateSeptember 1, 2024
UPSC CDS II 2024 ResultOctober 2024

UPSC CDS 2024 Eligibility Criteria

All students are required to check their eligibility criteria before applying for the CDS exam. UPSC CDS I 2024 Eligibility Criteria have been briefly discussed here:

CDS Exam Nationality

To be eligible for the CDS Exam, a candidate must be unmarried and must either be:

  • A Citizen of India, or
  • A Subject of Bhutan, or
  • A Subject of Nepal, or
  • A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st January, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
  • A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

CDS Exam Education Qualification

AcademyEducational Qualification
Indian Military AcademyGraduation Degree
Indian Naval AcademyB.E/B.Tech (10+2 with Physics & Maths)
Air Force AcademyGraduation, B.E/B.Tech (10+2 with Physics & Maths)
Officers’ Training Academy (Men)Graduation Degree
Officers’ Training Academy (Women)Graduation Degree

CDS Exam Age limit 

AcademyAge Limit
Indian Military Academy19-24 Years
Indian Naval Academy19-24 Years
Air Force Academy20-24 Years
Officers’ Training Academy (Men)19-25 Years
Officers’ Training Academy (Women)19-25 Years

UPSC CDS 2024 Application Form & Process

The aspirants who are interested in filling out the UPSC CDS (I) application form can fill it through online mode. The application form of the CDS exam is divided into two parts which are further divided into Part I and Part II. The steps to apply for the CDS exam are provided below.

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Union Public Services Exam or UPSC - upsconline.nic.in.

Step 2: The aspirants will find an option for an application link, click on that.

Step 3: Click on new registration and complete the registration process.

Step 4: You will receive the registration number and password on your mail-id.

Step 5: Log in using your credentials and click on "Apply Now".

Step 6: Aspirants need to fill in their personal and educational details in the application form.

Step 7: Upload a recent photograph and scanned copy of the signature

Step 8: Choose the examination centre and proceed with the application form.

Step 9: Please check the details once again before submitting the form as no correction is allowed once the application is submitted.

Step 10: Proceed with the application fee payment process and pay your application fees online through any provided options.

Step 11: After successful fee payment, save a soft copy of the application form along with the fee payment receipt for future reference.

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024

For good preparation, it is important for candidates to know the syllabus in depth. They can check the syllabus for English, Mathematics, and General knowledge. The knowledge of detailed UPSC CDS (I) Syllabus 2024 makes it possible for candidates to focus more on important topics.    

UPSC CDS Syllabus for English Paper

Following are the topics that are covered in English paper:

  • 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

UPSC CDS Syllabus for Elementary Mathematics Paper

Following are the topics that are covered in Elementary Mathematics Paper:

  • Elementary Number Theory
  • Number System
  • Elementary Number Theory
  • Algebra
  • Trignometry
  • Geometry
  • Mensuration
  • Statistics

UPSC CDS Syllabus for General Knowledge Paper

Following are the topics that are covered in General Knowledge Paper:

  • Economics
  • Physics
  • Current Affairs
  • Politics
  • Chemistry
  • Sociology
  • History
  • Defence-related Award
  • Geography
  • Environment
  • Sport
  • Biology
  • Cultural

UPSC CDS 2024 Preparation Tips

In order to prepare well for the UPSC CDS 2024 written exam, the aspirants have to be well aware of the marking scheme, exam pattern, and preparation tips which will play a major role in getting a strong command over the important topics. The UPSC CDS 2024 Preparation Tips encourage candidates to prepare a timetable and refer to the best available resources for effective preparation.

Preparation Tips for UPSC 2024 English Paper 

  • To prepare for English, one can develop the habit of reading the newspaper regularly. Reading the newspaper improves not only one's vocabulary but also one's knowledge of the subject.

  • One can refer to basic grammar books to clear the concepts.

  • Try to learn a couple of new words on a daily basis. By doing this, a candidate will soon find that he/she is developing a good hold on the language.

  • When a candidate starts learning new words, he/she should also try to learn their antonyms and synonyms and also how to use the words in sentences. Try solving previous year's question papers so that candidate has an idea of what to expect.

Preparation Tips for UPSC CDS 2024 General Knowledge Paper

  • Read newspapers regularly and watch television for the latest happenings in and around the world.

  • Read magazines that cover varied topics ranging from economy to business to trade policies to the latest awardees in the fields of sports, art, and literature. In short, just be aware of all the topics because questions can come from anywhere.

  • Refer to past question papers and see the pattern of occurrence of the questions. That will give an idea as to which topics to concentrate on. 

Preparation Tips for UPSC CDS 2024 Elementary Mathematics Paper

  • Revise all the topics thoroughly.

  • First, the candidate must choose those topics in which they are strong. Later, they can move on to the difficult ones and try to practice as much as possible.

  • Concentrate on having a clear concept of all the topics.

Preparation Tips for UPSC CDS Personal Interview: Intelligence and Personality Test Preparation Tips

  • Concentrate and develop reasoning ability, written and oral expressions, self-confidence, courage, a positive and cheerful attitude.

  • Train your mind to think clearly, rationally and logically.

  • Try to improve the way you can influence people through logical arguments.

  • Improve your communication skills.

  • Try to have a very strong hold on the English language.

  • Train yourself to respect your seniors and juniors.

  • Develop a cooperative and responsible attitude, which will help in successfully carrying out teamwork.

  • Improve your general awareness of national and international issues.

  • Begin to think and behave like an officer.

UPSC CDS 2024 Exam Pattern

When going to appear for the UPSC CDS exam, candidates must be familiar with the exam pattern. They should know the exam duration and total marks for each of the subjects. To know the UPSC CDS 2024 Exam Pattern, candidates must go through the table provided below: 

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, AFA

Name of the Subject

Exam Duration

Maximum marks

English

2 hours

100

General Knowledge

2 hours

100

Elementary Mathematics

2 hours

100

CDS Exam Pattern for OTA

Name of the Subject

Exam Duration

Maximum marks

English

2 hours

100

General Knowledge

2 hours

100

UPSC CDS 2024 Admit Card

The UPSC CDS admit card 2024 will be made available by the UPSC on its official website. It is mandatory for all candidates to carry a printout of the e-admit card to the examination center, along with them.  

Applicants can now download their admit card and check it carefully. If there is any mistake in the details provided on the CDS admit card, the aspirant must inform the UPSC immediately via mail. The details mentioned on UPSC CDS Admit Card 2024 are as follows:

  • Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Photograph
  • Registration number
  • Name of Exam Centre
  • Date of Exam
  • Reporting Time

If any aspirant faces any problem in downloading their CDS admit card they can also contact the UPSC immediately.

UPSC CDS 2024 Exam Centers

The CDS exam is conducted across the country in 41 cities. The allotment of the CDS exam centre will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.

CDS Exam CenterStateCDS exam centreState
AgartalaTripuraKohimaNagaland
AhmedabadGujaratKolkataWest Bengal
AizawlMizoramLucknowUttar Pradesh
AllahabadUttar PradeshMaduraiTamil Nadu
BengaluruKarnatakaMumbaiMaharashtra
BareillyUttar PradeshNagpurMaharashtra
BhopalMadhya PradeshPanajiGoa
ChandigarhChandigarhPatnaBihar
ChennaiTamil NaduPort BlairAndaman and Nicobar Island
CuttackOdishaRaipurChhattisgarh
DehradunUttrakhandRanchiJharkhand
DelhiDelhiSambalpurOdisha
DharwadKarnatakaShillongMeghalaya
DispurAssamShimlaHimachal Pradesh
GangtokSikkimSrinagarJammu and Kashmir
HyderabadAndhra PradeshThiruvananthapuramKerala
ImphalManipurTirupatiAndhra Pradesh
JaipurRajasthanUdaipurRajasthan
JammuJammu and KashmirVisakhapatnamAndhra Pradesh
JorhatAssam--

UPSC CDS 2024 Answer Key

UPSC CDS answer keys for English, GS, and Mathematics papers for each set, are released on the official website of UPSC at upsc.gov.in. The commission releases the CDS answer keys upon completion of the examination process. UPSC CDS final result 2024 will be declared in December 2024 and hence will the official answer keys be uploaded by the commission. However, some coaching institutes release the UPSC CDS 2024 Answer Key for all the sets on their respective websites one or two days after the exam. 

UPSC CDS Cut Off 2024 (Tentative)

UPSC CDS Cut Off 2024 will be released after the declaration of the final result. The tentative cut off for the CDS exam 2024 has been provided in the following table:

Name of the AcademyWritten Exam Cut Off (Tentative)Final Exam Cut Off (Tentative)

IMA (Indian Military Academy)

119 – 131244 – 256

INA (Indian Naval Academy)

104 – 121232 – 246

AFA (Air Force Academy)

146 – 151

267 – 271

OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) men

73 – 84161 – 170

OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) women

75 – 85164 – 170

UPSC CDS Result 2024

UPSC CDS Result 2024 will be released on the official website at upsc.gov.in. The candidates can check the UPSC CDS Result 2024 for written examination on the official website. The commission uploads a PDF that contains the names and roll numbers of the qualified candidates. The list of marks of recommended candidates contains information regarding the DOB and total marks obtained by the selected candidates in the written exam and SSB. Given below are important dates in relation to UPSC CDS Result 2024:

CDS Result 2024 Important EventsCDS I & II Result 2024 Dates
UPSC CDS I 2024 Exam DateApril 21, 2024
Declaration of Written Exam result for UPSC CDS I 2024May 2024 (Tentative)
UPSC CDS II 2024 Exam DateSeptember 1, 2024
Declaration of Written Exam Result for UPSC CDS II 2024November 2024 (Tentative)

UPSC CDS (I) 2024 Vacancies

The detailed information on the number of vacancies is tabulated below. 

CDS (I) 2024 Vacancies

PostsCourseCDS I Vacancies (Tentative)
Indian Military Academy (IMA)154th (DE) course commencing in January 2024100
Air Force Academy (AFA)Course commencing in January 2024 Executive (General Service)/ Hydro21
Officers Training Academy (Men) (OTA)(Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January 202434
Indian Naval Academy (INA)119th SSC (Men) Course (NT) commencing in April 2024170
Officers Training Academy (Non-Technical, Women) (OTA)33rd SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course commencing in April 202425
Total350

Advantages for NCC Certificate Holders in UPSC CDS Exam

Those candidates who were a part of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) during their college days and hold a “C” certificate in the same will be in an advantageous position in the UPSC CDS entrance exam in the following ways:

  1. Can apply for the Special Entry Scheme (SES), i.e getting selected for the SSB (Interview) round without appearing in the written exam

  2. Can get into IMA as a certain percentage of seats are reserved for NCC certificate holders (“C”)

  3. Benefit in marks for those NCC “C” certificate holders who appears in the UPSC CDS written examination

Best Books for UPSC CDS 2024

CDS Books for English Language

BooksAuthor
Objective General EnglishS.P. Bakshi (Arihant Publications)
High School English Grammar & CompositionWren and Martin
Word Power Made EasyNorman Lewis

CDS Books for General Knowledge 

BooksAuthor
General AwarenessManohar Panday (Arihant Publications)
Manorama YearbookPhilip Mathew
Pratiyogita Darpan (Magazines)Pratiyogita Darpan Editorial Team

 CDS Books for Mathematics

BooksAuthor
Mathematics for C.D.S.R.S. Aggarwal
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive ExaminationsR.S. Aggarwal
Pathfinder for CDSArihant Publications

UPSC CDS Conducting Body

The Union Public Service Commission is responsible for conducting the Combined Defence Services Examination. UPSC is India's central recruiting agency that takes care of appointments to and examinations for All India services and group A & group B of Central services. The Commission conducts various examinations including the popular Civil Services Exam, NDA & NA Exam, etc.

Important Dates

UPSC CDS 2024 Important EventsDates
Registration Date 20 Dec to 09 Jan, 2024
Exam Date 21 Apr, 2024

Want to know more about UPSC CDS

FAQs about UPSC CDS

How to apply for Examinations conducted by the UPSC?

Candidates can apply online for the UPSC Examinations by accessing the online portal hosted on the UPSC’s website (https://upsconline.nic.in).

What happens if a candidate submits multiple online applications for UPSC CDS?

In that scenario, the data submitted in the final application is accepted by the commission and all the applications submitted before are ignored as this will lead to amalgamation with the previous applications and the final application

Which category of candidates is exempted from payment of Examination fee conducted by UPSC?

For all the Examinations conducted by the Commission, Female candidates, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories are exempted from payment of Examination Fee.

Can a candidate change the Date of Birth from what he/she has submitted in the online application?

No, UPSC does not allow change of Date of Birth that has been furnished by a candidate and recorded by the Commission in the submitted application.

Can candidate request for change of centre/venue given in UPSC CDS exam?

No, candidates can not submit request for change in exam centre or venue which has been provided by the UPSC to them

What is meant by Part I and Part II of the Application Form that needs to filled for UPSC CDS examination?

Online Application Form consists of two parts i.e. Part I and Part II.

  •  Part I of the Application has personal details like name, father’s/mother’s name, date of birth, address, educational qualification, age relaxation, scribe details (only for PwBD candidates opting for scribe) and preferences of particular Examination etc. The applicants are also required to mention the number of Photo ID Card.
  • Part II of the Application consists of payment option for Examination Fee (only for those who are not exempted from payment of fee), Centre of Examination along with uploading of photo, signature and photo ID card of the candidate.

Candidate has to complete both Part I and Part II and submit finally to be a candidate of the said Examination.

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