The Union Public Service Commission conducts the “Combined Defense Services” (CDS) examination to recruit candidates for the Indian defense Academy like Officer training, Naval, and Air Force Academy.
In fact, Knowledge of the syllabus and the latest CDS exam pattern is important for the candidate to strategically plan the preparation for the CDS exam.
This article will show you the CDS exam pattern, books, Process, and previous year question paper.
Previous year’s question paper is the most important factor to boost your preparation.
Table of Contents
1. CDS Exam pattern
In this section, I will show you
- CDS Written Exam pattern for both IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA
- Marking scheme for both tests
- SSB Interview
The CDS exam pattern has been set by the UPSC for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the Indian Naval Academy (INA) and the Air Force Academy (AFA), and the Officers Training Academy (OTA).
With the help of the CDS exam pattern, candidates get an idea about the overall structure of the CDS exam.
| Quick overview on CDS Exam | |
| Conducted By | UPSC |
| Number of sections |
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| Number in exam |
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| Type of question | Objective type(MCQ) |
| Languages | Hindi and English |
| Time limit | 2 hours for each section |
| Negative Marking | 0.33 Marks deducted |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
CDS Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, AFA
Here, I will show you the detailed exam pattern for IMA, INA, AFA.
| Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
CDS Marking Scheme for IMA, INA, AFA
- The maximum number of marks on each paper is 100 Marks.
- Correct Answer- +1 Marks given for each current answer.
- Negative Marking- 0.33 marks deducted on each wrong answer.
- Unanswered Question– No marks deducted.
CDS Exam Pattern for OTA
Here, you can check the detailed exam pattern for OTA.
The total marks for OTA are 200 marks.
| Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
CDS Marking Scheme for OTA
Check the following points to know about OTA marking scheme:
- The maximum number for each paper is 100 marks.
- For correct Answer- +1mark given for each correct option in both English and GK subject.
- For the Wrong Answer- 0.33 Marks detected for each wrong option in both subjects.
- There are no marks deducted for unanswered questions.
SSB Interview
If you qualify CDS written exam, you will be able to attempt the SSB Interview exam.
The final merit list depends on marks scored in the interview.
CDS Interview contain in two stages. The first stage is the screening test and the second stage is the Physiological test.
1 Screening test: This is an officer rating test that comprises Picture Perception and Description Test (PP & DT).
Candidates will be selected as per their performance in the OIR Test and PP and DT.
2. Physiological test: After passing the stage first, the candidate attempts this stage.
This stage contains four tests: first test Group Testing Officer Tasks, second Psychology Test, third personal Interview, and fourth Conference.
- Total marks for IMA, INA, and AFA are 300 marks.
- For OTA interviews are allowed 200 marks.
2. CDS Exam previous year question paper
We are providing the last few year’s CDS exam previous year’s question paper for free. This exam was conducted in offline mode.
Here, Question papers have been providing separately for Mathematics, English, and General Knowledge(GK).
Click To ?Download Previous Year Question Paper of CDS Exam
Benefits of Solve CDS Previous year Question paper
- CSD previous year’s question paper will help you to understand exam the pattern, types of questions, and time spent on each question.
- The practice of CDS previous year’s question paper helps you decide how much time you devote to a particular question.
- Also, helps you to improve your strengths and find weaknesses.
- Previous year’s question paper and mock tests help you to revision and practice.
- Best practice of CDS question paper improve confidence in the exam hall.
Also, Check Other UPSC exam previous year question paper topics
⇒NDA Exam Ultimate guide for your preparation
CDS Exam Pattern And Syllabus PDF
In this Pdf, I will give you detailed information about the CDS exam pattern and syllabus.
Click to ?Download CDS exam pattern and syllabus
3. CDS Exam Syllabus
In this section, I am going to cover the CDS exam syllabus of these subjects
- English
- General Knowledge
- Mathematics
So, let’s get started
The syllabus helps you to prepare a proper strategy for your exam.
CDS English Syllabus
In English, mostly focus on English readability and Grammer.
check below to know about the syllabus of English
| English |
| * spotting error question *Sentence arrangement questions *Fill in the questions with the blanks * Idioms and Phrases |
General Awareness Syllabus
General knowledge includes knowledge about current events and everyday observation.
In general knowledge, you focus on these topics which given below
| General Awareness (GK) |
| *Economics *Physics *Defense Award *Geography * atmosphere *sport *the biology |
CDS Maths Syllabus
In maths, learn these topics like algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, Mensuration.
For detailed information check the below table.
Mathematics | |
| Algebra |
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| Arithmetic |
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| Geometry |
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| Trigonometry |
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| Statistics |
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| Mensuration |
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4. CDS Exam Selection Process
CDS Selection Process: Stage 1
The first stage is written exam for selecting candidates:
- For IMA, INA, and AFA: Three papers English, general knowledge, and Mathematics are included in this test.
- For Officer training academy(OTA): Aspirants have to appear for only English general knowledge for two papers.
- In all written exam papers, the question will be objective type.
Note: Only those candidates are eligible for the second stage of CDS i.e interview, who will qualify first stages.
CDS Selection Process: Stage 2
The second stage is the 5-day process for the interview:
| Days | Tests | |
| Day 1 | Screening Test |
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| Day 2 | Psychological Test |
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| Day 3 | Group Testing Officers Test |
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| Day 4 | Personal Interview | – |
| Day 5 | Conference and Document Verification | – |
After the process of interview, the candidate will be called for document verification.
Only original documents will be accepted and will be returned after verification.
The following document will be accepted after the interview.
- Qualification Certificates
- Proof of Identity (Pan Card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID, etc.)
- Birth Certificate
- Passport Size Photographs
- Category Certificate for the Reserved Category Candidates
- Proof of Residence
Finally, the medical exam is held to verify that the selected candidate is physically fit for officer cadre or not.
5. Books
In this section, I show you section-wise the best books for the CDS exam which help you to boost your preparation.
Also, books help to plan preparation strategy. These all books are high quality with the best rating.
Click to? Get All CDS exam preparation books from one source.
Also, you can check the review of books.
CDS English Books
Following books covered asked topics such as Vocabulary, Grammar, Syntax and its correct usage.
- High School English Grammar & Composition Edition by Wren and Martin
- Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
CDS General knowledge Books
Some of the topics in General Knowledge like Economics, Current Affairs, Physics, Geography, Polity, Awards, Sports, Chemistry, are covered by the following books.
- General Awareness by Manohar Panday
- Manorama Yearbook
- Magazines such as Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Success Review (CSR), and Yojana
Also, newspapers, a monthly magazine, youtube news, blog is help to boost preparation.
CDS Mathematics Books
Questions in Elementary Mathematics are asked from Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics, and the following books are covered these all topics.
- Mathematics for CDS by RS Aggarwal
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Aggarwal
- Pathfinder for CDS by Arihant Publications
CDS Exam Instructions
- Compose just in Black ballpoint pen, your Center and subject followed by the CDS 2021 test booklet arrangement (in section), subject code, and the test move number at the fitting space gave on the appropriate response sheet at the top.
- Encode your CDS 2021 booklet arrangement (A, B, C, or D all things considered), subject code and move number in the circles accommodated the reason in the appropriate response sheet.
- On the off chance that the CDS booklet arrangement isn’t imprinted on the test booklet or the answer sheet is un-numbered then applicants should report quickly to the invigilator and get the test booklet/answer sheet supplanted.
- Up-and-comers should take note of that any exclusion/botches/disparity in encoding/filling of subtleties in the CDS 2021 OMR answer sheet, particularly as to the Roll Number and Test Booklet Series Code will deliver the appropriate response sheet at risk for dismissal.
- Following the initiation of the CDS 2021 if it’s not too much trouble, watch that the test booklet provided to you doesn’t have any unprinted or torn or missing pages or things and so forth, assuming this is the case, get it supplanted by a total test booklet of a similar arrangement and subject.
- Try not to compose your name or something besides the particular things of data requested, on the CDS answer sheet/test booklet/sheet for unpleasant work.
Frequently Asked Question-
Question: Who is eligible for CDS Exam.
Answer: Indian citizen candidates who permanently lived in India. Candidates must be graduate or at least appearing in the final year/semester. The minimum age limit is 19 year apply. Women candidates are only eligible to apply for OTA.
Question: What is the salary of a CDS officer?
Answer: The salary of a CDS officer is approx 12LPA.
Question: CDS exam is tougher than NDA Exam?
Answer: CDS written exam is easy against NDA written exam. But in the case of the SSB interview, the CDS exam interview some high against the NDA Exam interview.
Question: What is the age limit for CDS?
Answer: For INA, AFA, the candidate must have 19-23 years. And For OTA, the candidate(Male and female both) must be between 19-25 years of age.
