UPSC CDS Exam 2024

26 Apr, 2024

The UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) Exam is a national-level exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year to recruit candidates for admission into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). This exam is a gateway to a prestigious career in the Indian Armed Forces.

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS Exam 2024

The eligibility criteria for UPSC CDS Exam 2024 are as follows:

Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India or a subject of Bhutan or Nepal or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 to settle permanently in India.
Age limit: The age limit for different academies is as follows: a. Indian Military Academy: The candidate must be between 19 to 24 years old. b. Indian Naval Academy: The candidate must be between 19 to 22 years old. c. Air Force Academy: The candidate must be between 20 to 24 years old. d. Officers' Training Academy: The candidate must be between 19 to 25 years old.
Educational Qualification: a. For the Indian Military Academy and Officers' Training Academy: The candidate must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. b. For the Indian Naval Academy: The candidate must have an engineering degree from a recognized university. c. For Air Force Academy: The candidate must have a bachelor's degree in physics and mathematics at 10+2 level or an engineering degree from a recognized university.
Physical Standards: The candidate must meet the prescribed physical standards.
Marital Status: For the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy, the candidate must be unmarried. For the Officers' Training Academy, both unmarried and married candidates are eligible.

It is important to note that these eligibility criteria are subject to change and candidates must refer to the official notification for the latest updates.

UPSC CDS Exam 2024: Important Dates

The UPSC CDS Exam 2024 is conducted twice a year, usually in February and November. However, the official dates for the exam have not yet been announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Here are the tentative important dates for the UPSC CDS Exam 2024:

Release of official notification	October 2023 (for February exam) and August 2024 (for November exam)
Online application form submission start date	October 2023 (for February exam) and August 2024 (for November exam)
Online application form submission end date	November 2023 (for February exam) and September 2024 (for November exam)
Admit card release date	January 2024 (for February exam) and October 2024 (for November exam)
UPSC CDS Exam 2024 date	February 2024 (for February exam) and November 2024 (for November exam)
Result declaration date	April 2024 (for the February exam) and January 2024 (for the November exam)

Please note that these dates are tentative and are subject to change. Candidates are advised to regularly check the UPSC official website for updates and announcements regarding the exam.

UPSC CDS Exam 2024: Exam Pattern

UPSC CDS Exam 2024 is conducted in two stages - Written Examination and Interview/Personality Test.

Written Examination: The written exam consists of three papers - English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The exam is of objective type and each paper is of 2 hours duration. The total marks for the written exam is 300 marks.
Interview/Personality Test: Candidates who qualify for the written examination will be called for an interview by the Service Selection Board (SSB). The interview will consist of Intelligence and Personality Test. The interview is of 300 marks.

NOTE: For admission to the Officers' Training Academy, the candidates will have to qualify in the written exam and obtain minimum qualifying marks in the interview.

The final merit list will be based on the marks obtained by the candidates in the written exam and the interview.

It is important to note that there will be negative markings for wrong answers in the written exam. For every wrong answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.

UPSC CDS Exam 2024: Application Process

The application process for the UPSC CDS exam 2024 is expected to start in October 2022. Candidates are required to apply online through the official website of UPSC.

Here are the steps to apply for the UPSC CDS exam 2024:

Visit the official website of UPSC (upsc.gov.in) and click on the link for CDS 2 exam 2024.
Read the instructions carefully and click on the "Apply Online" button.
Fill in the application form with all the required details such as personal information, educational qualification, contact details, etc.
Upload the scanned copies of your photograph and signature as per the specifications mentioned in the application form.
Pay the application fee through online mode using credit card, debit card, or net banking.
Review the application form before final submission and make corrections if necessary.
Submit the application form and take a printout of the same for future reference.

Candidates are advised to keep a copy of the application form and fee payment receipt with them until the completion of the selection process.

Conclusion

The UPSC CDS Exam is a highly competitive exam that requires a lot of dedication and hard work to crack. It offers a prestigious career in the Indian Armed Forces, and the selection process is rigorous, ensuring that only the best candidates are selected. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria should start their preparation early to increase their chances of success.

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