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UPSC CDS Exam 2018: Important Dates, Application Form, Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Admit Card, Result

CDS Exam

CDS (Combined Defense Services) is the common entrance exam to recruit unmarried male and female (including widows and divorcees who haven’t remarried) candidates in all the three spheres of the Indian defence services, i.e. Indian Military, Navy, and Air Force. As per the official notification, for Air Force Academy, “Married candidates above 25 years of age are eligible to apply but during training period they will neither be provided married accommodation nor can they live with family out of the premises.”. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is entrusted with the responsibility to conduct the CDS exam at all India level.

The CDS Exam is held twice in a year in February and November for which the official notification is published in November and August respectively.

CDS II 2018 Exam Latest Notification: UPSC CDS (II) 2018 examination is announced to be conducted on 18th November 2018. Online application forms for the CDS 2 exam were released on 8th August 2018. Earlier, the last date to submit the application form was 3rd September 2018 which has been extended to 4th September 2018.

CDS Exam Previous Years Solved Papers - Download Now

UPSC CDS II Examination 2018 Application Form - Apply Now 

CDS Training Academies

The selected candidates undergo rigorous training at the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officer Training Academy (OTA).

CDS Exam Quick Overview

Name of the Exam

CDS (Combined Defense Services)

Conducting Authority

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Official Website

upsc.gov.in

Exam Occurrence

Twice in a year (Feb and Nov)

Paper Language

Hindi and English

Mode of Exam

Offline (Pen and paper mode)

Exam Type

National Level

Age Limit

Minimum Age- 19 Years

Maximum Age- 25 Years

Read this Exam in Hindi - Click Here

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CDS Exam 2018 Important Dates

The Combined Defence Services exam is conducted twice a year in the month of February and November for selection of eligible candidates for courses offered at the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officer Training Academy. Here are the important dates for various exam events:

About the Exam

CDS I 2018 Exam

CDS II 2018 Exam

Date of CDS Exam 2018

04 February  2018

18 November 2018

CDS Exam Application Form release date

08 November 2017

08 August 2018

Closing date for submission of Applications form

04 December 2017 (6:00 PM)

04 September 2018

Admit Card Issuance date

10 January 2018

3 weeks before the exam (Oct-18)

CDS I & II Exam Result Declaration

27 March 2018

December 2018 (tentative)

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CDS Exam Previous Years Solved Papers

CDS Exam 2018 Pattern & Syllabus

CDS Selection Procedure:

The CDS Exam is conducted in three stages. In the first stage, a written exam is conducted, and after that, a Personal Interview and medical test for assessing the Physical fitness of the candidate are taken. After the written test, a candidate is required to take the SSB interview. The SSB interview is conducted for 3-4 days. During the interview, Psychological test, Group Discussion, Intelligence Test, and Group activities are conducted to test the candidate’s skills. After that, the candidates recommended by the SSB have to undergo a Medical Test conducted by a Board of Service Medical Officers.

Recommended Books For CDS Exam 2018 - click here

Things to Consider while solving CDS Exam Previous Years Question Papers

Here is the detailed information on the CDS written exam pattern. The exam patterns for the Officers Training Academy and other military academies are different. Check out the exam pattern here:

CDS 2018 Exam Pattern for Indian Navy, Military and Air Force -

Subject

Marks

Duration

Nature of question

General Awareness

100

2 hours

Objective type questions

English

100

2 hours

Objective type questions

Mathematics

100

2 hours

Objective type questions

Total

300

    

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CDS 2018 Exam Pattern for Officer Training Academy (OTA) -

Subject

Marks

Duration

Nature of question

General Awareness

100

2 hours

Objective type questions

English

100

2 hours

Objective type questions

Total

200

    

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There is a scheme of negative marking in the exam. 1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question are deducted for the wrong answer. No penalty is charged for the unanswered questions.

Get Complete syllabus for CDS ll Exam - click here

यूपीएससी सीडीएस (UPSC CDS II) 2018 परीक्षा का सिलेबस - click here

CDS Exam 2018 Eligibility

As discussed above, the CDS exam is conducted twice a year. The eligibility conditions related to nationality and education are similar for both the exams. However, there is a difference in the dates of age limits. Here are the eligibility conditions for both the exams:

Nationality Criteria for CDS Exam

  • A candidate should be an Indian citizen.
  • The candidate from Nepal, Bhutan, Refugee of Tibet who has migrated to India before 1962; and People of Indian origin who have migrated from Burma, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and East African countries are also eligible to apply for the exam, provided, they have a certificate issued in their favour from the government of India. This certificate is not required in case of Gorkha subjects.

Educational Qualification for CDS Exam

Educational qualifications for different academies of Indian defence services are as follows:

  • For Air Force Academy (AFA) – A graduation degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering (B. Tech) from a recognised University or Institution.
  • For Indian Naval Academy (INA) – A candidate should have done Engineering from a recognised University or Institution.
  • For Indian Military Academy (IMA) – A candidate should have obtained a graduate degree from any recognised University or Institution.
  • For Officer Training Academy (OTA) – Candidate should have done graduation in any discipline from a recognised University/Institution.

Those candidates who are appearing in the final year of the qualifying degree are also eligible to apply for the exam. However, such candidates are required to submit the proof of passing the qualifying exam at the time of commencement of course.

Age Limit

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 1995

1st January 2000

2nd July 1995

1st July 2000

Indian Naval Academy (INA)

2nd January 1995

1st January 2000

2nd July 1995

1st July 2000

Air Force Academy (AFA)

2nd January 1995

1st January 1999

2nd July 1995

1st July 1999

Officers Training Academy (OTA)

2nd January 1994

 

1st January 2000

2nd July 1994

 

1st July 2000

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For AFA, the upper age limit is relaxed for candidates possessing valid and current Commercial Pilot License from DGCA upto 26 years i.e. candidates should not be born earlier than 2nd January 1993 and later than 1st January 1999 for CDS I and earlier than 2nd July 1993 and later than 1st July 1999 for CDS II.

Marital Status and Gender Criteria for CDS 2018 Exam

Eligibility for Indian Military Academy -

  • Only Unmarried male candidates are eligible to apply.

Eligibility for Naval Force Academy -

  • Only Unmarried male candidates are eligible to apply.

Eligibility for Air Force Academy -

  • Unmarried male candidates below 25 years of age.
  • Married candidates above 25 years of age are also eligible but such candidates are not allowed to live with their family out of the premises.
  • Candidates are not allowed to marry during their training period.  

Eligibility for Officers Training Academy (SSC for Men) -

  • Unmarried male candidates are eligible to apply.

Eligibility for Officers Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course) -

  • Unmarried women
  • Issueless widows, not being remarried
  • Issueless divorcees (possessing divorce document), not remarried.

Note: Male divorcee and widower are not treated under the unmarried male category and are not eligible for the Combined Defence Services exam.

Physical Standards

Candidates must meet the Physical Standards as stated in Appendix-IV of the official CDS 2018 notification.

Recommended Books for CDS Exam 2018

CDS Exam 2018 Application Process

UPSC has released the CDS (2) 2018 application form on 8th August, and online registration will also start on the same date. Candidates can apply for the exam till 6.00 PM on 4th September 2018. Here is the complete information regarding CDS application process:

How to Fill UPSC CDS Application Form 2018:

  • Visit the official website of UPSC www.upsconline.nic.in to get the application form. Candidates can only apply for CDS exam through online mode.
  • By clicking on the link mentioned above, candidates will be directed to the application form. Candidates should fill the application form with personal details, address and educational qualifications.
  • Candidates should upload the scanned copies of their recent photograph and signature. 
  • They are not required to upload any supporting document along with the application form like age certificate, reserved category status, educational qualification certificate etc.
  • Candidates should submit only one application form for the exam. However, if due to any reason a candidate submits another application form, then he/ she must know that the application with higher Registration id will be accepted. The application fee paid for one application form will not be adjusted for another application form. It should be paid additionally by the candidate.
  • The working candidates in the government sector or Public sector enterprise should inform their head of the department for the exam. Similarly, if a candidate is working in the armed force, then he should inform his commanding officer about the exam and also obtain permission about it in writing. During the SSB interview, the candidate will be asked to give the proof.

CDS Exam Application Fee

Category of Candidate

Application fee

General category

₹ 200

SC/ST/ and Female

No application fee

Mode of Payment 

  • Candidates can pay their application fee both online as well as offline.
  • Candidates can pay it online by using Net Banking.
  • They can also pay offline by depositing the application fee in cash at any SBI bank branch. 

Other Details

CDS (II) 2018 Exam Admit Card

Candidates can download the CDS admit card or e-admit card online from the official website of www.upsc.gov.in, three weeks before the exam date. CDS 2 admit card is expected to be released in October 2018. Carrying the hall ticket at the examination centre is necessary.

CDS 2018 (2) Exam Result

A final merit/cut-off list is prepared on the basis of the candidate’s score in all the stages of the exam including medical fitness. UPSC CDS II 2018 exam result will be declared on December 2018. UPSC will publish the result online on the official website only.

CDS 2018 II Exam - Vacancies Details

Name of Academy

Number of Seats

Indian Military Academy, Dehradun,

144th (DE)

(19 vacancies reserved for

NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders). Course commencing in January 2018

100

Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala.

Executive

(General Service); 6 vacancies

Reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders (Naval Wing). Course 45

commencing in January 2018

45

Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.

(Pre-Flying)

I.e. No. 203 F (P) Course. The training course is commencing in February 2018.

32

Officer’s Training Academy (for men), Chennai. 107th

SSC (Men) (NT); Course commencing in April 2018.

225

Officer’s Training Academy (for women), Chennai.

21st  SSC Women (Non-Technical); Course

Commencing in April 2018.

12

CDS Exam FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. What is the date of CDS II 2018 Exam?

The exam will be conducted on 18th November 2018.

Q. What is the eligibility criterion for the exam?

The candidate should have done graduation or equivalent degree from any recognised University or Institution.

Q. What is the application fee for the CDS exam?

The application fee for general and OBC category candidate is ₹ 200. However, the reserved category and female candidates are exempted from application fee.

Q. What are the maximum marks for each question paper in the exam?

Each question paper carries 100 marks.

Q. For how many times the CDS Exam is conducted in a year?

The CDS Exam is conducted twice in a year. It is conducted in November and February.

Q. How many papers are there for the CDS Exam?

There are three papers in the exam – General awareness, English and Mathematics.

Q. Is there any scheme of negative marking in the exam?

Yes, there is a scheme of negative marking in the exam. 1/3 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.

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