UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2018

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) which is the exam conducting authority of the Combined Defence Services Examination has prescribed the exam pattern of UPSC CDS 2018. The entrance exam is conducted in offline (Pen and Paper mode). The UPSC CDS examination comprises of the Written examination, and Interview for intelligence and personality test. The exam pattern of UPSC CDS contains information related to the mode of the examination, time duration and subjects in the exam, language of the paper, types of questions and marking scheme.

According to the exam pattern of UPSC CDS, candidates interested to apply for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy courses will have to appear for three subjects - English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, whereas, candidates applying for Officers’ Training Academy course are required to appear for two subjects – English and General Knowledge. Candidates should note that objective type (multiple choice questions) will be asked in the entrance exam which candidates will have to answer within 2 hours.

Note: In the exam, one-third marks are deducted for every incorrect response.

UPSC CDS 2018 Exam Pattern -Highlights

Feature	Details
Mode of Exam	Offline only (Pen and paper mode)
Duration of Exam	2 hours (120 minutes) for each paper
Medium	English & Hindi
Subjects	English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics
Types of Questions	Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions)
Total Marks	Each subject carries 100 marks
Negative marks	1/3

Detailed Exam Structure of UPSC CDS 2018

The table below shows the subjects of the written examination, the time allowed and the maximum marks allotted to each subject:

Subject	Maximum Marks	Duration
(a) For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy Air Force Academy
1. English 2. General Knowledge 3. Elementary Mathematics	100 100 100	2 Hours 2 Hours 2 Hours
(b) For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy
1. English 2. General Knowledge	100 100	2 Hours 2 Hours

UPSC CDS 2018 Marking Scheme

• For every correct answer, candidates will be awarded 1 Mark.

• Negative marking is applicable in the entrance exam. For every incorrect answer, 1/3 of the marks will be deducted.

• If more than one option is marked, then it will be treated as incorrect.

• If a question is left blank, there will be no negative marking.

Detailed Marking Scheme of UPSC CDS 2018

For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy Air Force Academy

UPSC CDS Subject	Maximum Marks	Marks for Correct Answer	Negative Marking
Engish	100	+1 Marks	-0.33 Marks
General Knowledge	100	+1 Marks	-0.33 Marks
Elementary Mathematics	100	+1 Marks	-0.33 Marks

For Officers Training Academy

UPSC CDS Subject	Maximum Marks	Marks for Correct Answer	Negative Marking
Engish	100	+1 Marks	-0.33 Marks
General Knowledge	100	+1 Marks	-0.33 Marks

Important Points:

• 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.

• The candidates are not allowed to use the calculator for answering objective type papers.

• All the subjects in the question paper will consist of only objective type questions. The question papers (Test Booklets) of Elementary Mathematics and General Knowledge will be set bilingually in English as well as Hindi.

• Candidates must write the papers in their own handwriting. In no circumstances will they be allowed the help of a scribe to write answers for them.

• The papers of Elementary Mathematics will be of matriculation level. The level of papers in other subjects will approximately be such as may be expected of a graduate of an Indian University.

• It is a discretion of the Commission to fix the qualifying marks in any or all the subjects of the examination.

FAQs

1. Is UPSC CDS held in online mode?

No, UPSC CDS is a national level examination that is conducted in offline (Pen and paper) mode. 

2. What is the time duration of UPSC CDS entrance examination?

The time duration of UPSC CDS is 2 hours (120 minutes) for each paper.

3. I want to apply for Indian Military Academy. Which subjects should I study?

For admission to Indian Military Academy, candidates will be tested on English, Elementary Mathematics and General Knowledge subjects.