CDS Exam (I) 2019: Admit Cards Released on 11th Jan 2019, Download Solved Papers

Last Modified: 14 Apr 2024

Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is a gateway through which young men and women can join any of the three wings of the Indian Defence Services- Indian Army, Indian Air Force or Indian Navy. The exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Here are all the other details related to important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, application process etc. The two phases of the exam are known as CDS I and CDS II which are conducted in February and November respectively. However, CDS 2019 exam will be conducted in February and September as per the official calendar released on UPSC website.

CDS 2019 Exam Latest Notification: UPSC has released the admit card for CDS I 2019 examination. As per UPSC 2019 Calendar, CDS I is scheduled to be conducted on 3rd February 2019 and CSD II on 8th September 2019. The official notification for CDS II is scheduled to be released on 12th June 2019.

CDS Exam 2019 Important Dates

UPSC has released the official examination calendar for the year 2019 on its official website. As per the calendar, here are the important dates related to CDS I and CDS II:

Exam Events

For CDS I

For CDS II

Release of the official notice

31st October 2018

12th June 2019

Online application process begins

31st October 2018

12th June 2019

Last date for the receipt of application form

26th November 2018

8th July 2019

Issuance of CDS admit card

11th January 2019

3 weeks before the exam

Date of written examination

3rd February 2019 (Sunday)

8th September 2019 (Sunday)

Announcement of result

March 2019

October 2019

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CDS 2019 Application Process

Applications for CDS exam are invited online, and candidates can apply through the UPSC Online official website. The commission does not accept applications sent through any other mode. Candidates are advised to apply well before the last date of the CDS application form submission process to avoid last minute rush.

Steps to Fill CDS (I) 2019 Application Form -

  • Go to - Official Website.
  • Click on ‘ONLINE APPLICATION FOR VARIOUS EXAMINATIONS OF UPSC’ link.
  • You will see two parts of the registration process. Candidates are required to complete both the parts to complete the registration process.
  • Start with Part-I of the registration. Click on the link and continue the process.
  • After completing the Part-I registration, you will receive a valid registration ID.
  • Now, move to Part-II of the registration. Part II registration includes uploading scanned images of Signature and Photograph, paying the application fee, selecting the examination centres, etc.
  • Re-check all the information before making the final submit.
  • After successful submission of your application form, an auto-generated confirmation mail will be sent to your registered email id.

Application fee

  • The application fee for the exam is ₹ 200 only.
  • Reserved category candidates (SC/ST) and all female candidates need not pay any application fee.
  • Candidates can pay the fee through both online and offline mode. For offline mode, deposit the fee in cash at any branch of SBI. For online mode, pay the fee using net banking facility of SBI and its associate banks, or through Credit/Debit card.
  • Please note that the application fee is non-refundable.

CDS Exam (I) 2019 Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for the CDS 2019 exam, candidates should ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria. Here are the details:

Nationality Criteria

  • Candidates should be an Indian citizen.
  • Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, Refugee of Tibet (who migrated to India before 1962), and People of Indian Origin (PIO) who migrated from Sri Lanka, Burma, Pakistan, and East African countries are also eligible.

Educational Qualification

Academies

Education Qualification

Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA)

Graduation degree from any recognised University/Institution

Air Force Academy (AFA)

Graduation degree (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering (B.Tech.)

Indian Naval Academy (INA)

Engineering degree from a recognised University/Institution

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Candidates in the final year/semester of the qualifying degree can also apply for the exam provided they submit the proof of passing the examination when the course commences.

Age Limit (Tentative)

The CDS I and CDS II age limit provided here are tentative. They are provided on the basis of CDS 2018 exam and will be updated as soon as the notification for CDS 2019 is released.

Academies

CDS I

CDS II

Not born earlier than

Not born later than

Not born earlier than

Not born later than

Indian Military Academy (IMA)

2nd January 1996

1st January 2001

2nd July 1996

1st July 2001

Indian Naval Academy (INA)

2nd January 1996

1st January 2001

2nd July 1996

1st July 2001

Air Force Academy (AFA)

2nd January 1996

1st January 2000

2nd July 1996

1st July 2000

Officers Training Academy (OTA)

2nd January 1995

 

1st January 2001

2nd July 1995

 

1st July 2001

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Marital Status

Only unmarried male candidates are eligible for IMA/NA/AFA/OTA. Married candidates above 25 years of age are also eligible for AFA. For SSC Women Non-Technical Course (OTA), unmarried women, issueless widows (not remarried), issueless divorcees (not remarried, possessing divorce document) are also eligible.

Selection Process for CDS Exam 2019

The selection process comprises of the following phases:

  • Written Examination
  • Interview and Personality Test
  • Medical Fitness Test

At the first stage, candidates are shortlisted on the basis of their performance in the written examination. Such candidates are called for the Interview round. Those who get through the Interview/Personality Test round have to undergo a medical fitness test. Document verification is done after the medical test.

Written Exam pattern

The written exam will be held through offline mode. Objective Type Questions will be asked from English, Elementary Mathematics, and General Knowledge sections. There will be negative marking and 1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question will be deducted for the wrong answer. So, candidates are advised not to try guessing work as it will cost them heavily.

For Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy and Indian Naval Academy, the exam pattern is as follows:

Subject

Duration

Max. Marks

English

2 hours

100

Elementary Mathematics

2 hours

100

General Knowledge

2 hours

100

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For Officers’ Training Academy, the exam pattern is as follows:

Subject

Duration

Max. Marks

English

2 hours

100

General Knowledge

2 hours

100

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Interview and Personality Test Pattern

Services Selection Board (SSB) conducts the Intelligence and Personality Test/Interview for candidates who have qualified the CDS written examination. The SSB Interview is conducted in two stages.

Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and Picture Perception and Description Tests.

Stage II comprises of Interview, Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officer tasks, and Conference.

Detailed information about these tests is available on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.

CDS Exam 2019 Syllabus

Candidates are advised to go through the CDS Exam syllabus mentioned below very carefully so that they can avoid preparing for unnecessary topics.

There are three subjects - English, Mathematics and General Knowledge in CDS written exam. The syllabi are mentioned here:

English: It will include questions on vocabulary, Grammar, Fill in the blanks questions, Ordering of Sentence, Comprehension Questions, Synonyms & Antonyms, Selecting Words, Spotting Errors Questions and Sentence Arrangement.

Mathematics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration and Statistic. Check out the official notification for detailed syllabus.

General Knowledge: Indian History, Indian Geography, Indian Politics, Indian Economy, Indian Constitution, Indian Navy & Military, Taxation, Banking Sector, Latest Current Affairs, Books & Authors, Sports, Awards etc.

Download CDS Exam Complete Syllabus - Click Here 

Tips for CDS Preparation

  • Practice Mathematics questions daily.
  • Develop a habit of reading newspapers, magazines, informative blogs, etc. to improve vocabulary, understanding of the English language, and stay updated with current events.
  • Solve mocks test and previous years’ question papers.
  • Use the new words you learn in daily communication. This will improve your communication skills for the interview round.
  • Joining a crash course for Interview preparation can be useful as you will get an environment to shed off the nervousness and anxiety.
  • Candidates should ensure that they are both physically and mentally fit. It is advised to undergo a full body check-up before appearing for the exam. Regular exercise and healthy eating must be practised to be in good shape.
  • Most important, think and act like an army officer.

How to get CDS Exam Admit Card?

The e-admit cards for the exam have been issued and are available on the official website. Candidates can download the same from the official UPSC website. Here are the steps to be followed:

  • Go to UPSC’s official website – www.upsc.gov.in
  • Click on the link for CDS e-admit card.
  • Follow the steps to download the e-admit card. You will be required to enter the registration number and password for the same.
  • Take a print out of the e-admit card.

Admit card will not be sent by post to any candidate. Please don’t forget to carry the admit card to the examination venue.

CDS (I) 2019 Result

The UPSC CDS result will be declared on the official UPSC website. The result for Written Examination will be within a month after the examination, and the final result will be declared after the SSB interview round. Candidates are advised to keep a check on the official website for updates related to the result.

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UPSC CDS (I) 2019 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the date for the online application process?

As per the UPSC Examination Calendar 2019, the online application process for CDS I and CDS II will begin on 31st October 2018 and 12th June 2019, respectively.

Q. When will admit card be issued to candidates?

E-admit cards for the CDS exam have been issued. The admit card download link will remain active on the official UPSC website from 11th January to 3rd February 2019.

Q. I am 25-year-old general category graduate candidate. Am I eligible for the CDS exam 2019?

No! the maximum age limit for candidates applying for this exam is 24 years.

Q. I am an arts graduate. Am I eligible for Air Force Academy?

No, you are not eligible for this post. Only those candidates, who have completed engineering course or graduation (with mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level) are eligible for this post.

Q. I belong to PwD category. Am I eligible for the CDS exam 2019?

No, there is no reservation for PWD category candidates in the CDS exam. Candidates, who are both physically and mentally fit, can apply for this exam.

CDS Exam Previous Years Solved Papers

  • UPSC Civil Services & IFS Preliminary Solved Papers (E-Book) Download
  • IES 2009 - 2018 Previous Year Papers E-Book Download
  • CDS 7 Years Solved Paper (2012 - 18) Download
  • CDS 5 Years Solved Paper (2014 - 18) Download
  • CDS 11 Years Solved Paper (2008 - 2018) Download

Recommended Study Material for CDS Exam

  • Mathematics for CDS Entrance Examination Download
  • 10 Practice Sets CDS Combined Defence Services Entrance Examination Download
  • Crack CDS Exam Free eBooks Inside Download
  • Pathfinder CDS Examination Conducted by UPSC Download

8 Comments

celine, August 24, 2019

My daughter is born Jan 2003 can she apply for CDS1 OTA

Mani Chandana, February 6, 2019

I am a women of undergraduate final year. I have eyesight of -4.5. Am i eligible for CDS OTA?

sony, April 2, 2019

sir, suggest reference books for cds

Exams Planner, February 13, 2019

Check out Appendix IV in the official notification for eyesight/vision criteria.

k pawar , January 28, 2019

The paper of Gk is only in English ? not in other languages

Pranay Mondal, January 27, 2019

Hello sir.... I am a 5 years law student under University of Calcutta. I started my degree course in 2016, after H.S. and my course will be end in 2021 & here is the age limit for CDS Indian Military Academy (IMA) is saying the age limit is ... 2nd January 1996 -1st January 2001/ 2nd July 1996-1st July 2001 So shall I eligible for the exam after my graduation ?

Nikhil, January 23, 2019

so anyone done 10 plus 2 with maths & physics but then stream change and go to arts stream and complete graduation then he can eligible for Air Force in CDS.

Russel Prahlad Patrick, January 22, 2019

hello, my question is i have missed the online process of cds exam and want to apply, so can i apply for next year, my age would be 23?

Shubham, January 21, 2019

Sir for cds II we have to crack a cds I or directly apply to cds II N sir i completed my graduation from Bcs m n 10+2 in science stream n passed witb 48 per can i eligible for ota

Manish Dhanware, January 7, 2019

I am belong to commerce background so I am illegible to CDS exam