The UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) Exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit candidates for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy. The CDS Exam is held twice a year, usually in February and November.

1. Exam Dates: 

• CDS first phase 2024: Date of Notification CDS 1 exam has 20/12/2023  and conducted on April 21, 2024.
• CDS second phase 2024 : the CDS 2 exam application and notification will be released on May 15, 2024. the exam for the CDS || 2024 will be conducted on September 1, 2024.

2.Eligibility Criteria:

• Nationality: Candidates must be citizens of India or subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, or refugees of Tibetan descent who came to India before January 1, 1962.
• Age Limit:
  • Indian Military Academy (IMA): 19-24 years
  • Indian Naval Academy (INA): 19-24 years
  • Air Force Academy (AFA): 20-24 years
  • Officers' Training Academy (OTA): 19-25 years
• Educational Qualifications:
  • IMA & OTA: A degree from a recognized university.
  • INA: A degree in Engineering from a recognized university.
  • AFA: A degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering

3. Application Process:

• The application form is available online on the official UPSC website.
• Candidates need to register and fill out the form, upload required documents, and pay the application fee

4. Exam Pattern:

• For IMA, INA, and AFA:
  • English: 100 marks
  • General Knowledge: 100 marks
  • Elementary Mathematics: 100 marks
• For OTA:
  • English: 100 marks
  • General Knowledge: 100 marks
• Each paper is 2 hours long, and the questions are objective-type.

5. Selection Process:

• Written Exam: Candidates who qualify are called for the next stage.
• SSB Interview: The Service Selection Board (SSB) conducts an interview that includes psychological tests, group tasks, and a personal interview.
• Medical Examination: Candidates who clear the SSB interview undergo a medical examination to check their fitness.

6. Syllabus:

• English: Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and sentence structure.
• General Knowledge: Current events, history, geography, and basic science.
• Elementary Mathematics: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics.

Free download Admit Card for CDS || Exam

7. Preparation Tips:

• Understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
• Regularly read newspapers and current affairs magazines.
• Practice previous years' question papers and take mock tests.
• Focus on time management and accuracy.

8. Important Dates:

• Notification Release: Typically in October for CDS I and May for CDS II.
• Application Deadline: Usually a month after the notification.
• Admit Card Release: Three weeks before the exam.
• Result Declaration: Typically within 2-3 months after the exam.