CDS 2 2023: Answer Key (Out), Exam Analysis, Question PDF Link & Latest News

Combined Defence Services Exam 2023 ( CDS )

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Dewesh Nandan Prasad

Dewesh Nandan PrasadAssociate Senior Executive

Updated on Sep 21, 2023 11:32 IST

CDS Exam 2023: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will soon release the CDS 2 result for the exam conducted on September 3, 2023. The candidates will be able to check the results on UPSC's official website-upsc.gov.in. The CDS 2 result will released as PDF that will comprise the names and the roll numbers of the qualified candidates. The qualified candidates will be called for the SSB interview in which they will be assessed for mental, physical and medical standards. 

released the Question Paper of the CDS 2 2023 exam on September 5, 2023. Candidates can download CDS Question Paper 2023 through the link provided below in this article. Candidates were allowed to raise objections against the official question papers till September 10, 2023

CDS (Combined Defence Services) is a national-level competitive exam conducted for candidates who wish to make their career in the Defence forces- Army, Navy and Air Force. CDS full form is the Combined Defence Services Exam (CDS). Candidates selected through the CDS 2023 written exam will undergo training Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). After completing training, candidates are selected for the post of lieutenant. The stipend paid to the candidates during training is INR 56,100. In this article, we have covered every detail of the CDS 2023 exam including the CDS Syllabus, dates, eligibility, vacancies, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, and more. 

Also Read:

NDA 2 Result 2023 Live Updates

AFCAT 2 Result 2023 Live Updates 

Best Tips for Women to Crack CDS Exam 

What is CDS Exam 2023?

The Combined Defence Services Examination, commonly known as CDS, is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The exam is held twice a year, usually in February and September. Every year, a large number of candidates appear for the national-level defence entrance examination. The selection of candidates is based on the written exam followed by SSB Interview for intelligence and personality test. Shortlisted candidates are placed at the following academies based on their preferences and merit.

Academy State/City
Indian Military Academy  Dehradun
Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala
Air Force Academy Hyderabad
Officers' Training Academy (SSC Men) Chennai
Officers' Training Academy (SSC Women) Chennai

Latest Updates

Aug 10:  CDS 2 2023 Admit Card Released On August 10; Direct Link Available Here

June 12: UPSC CDS Application Correction Window Closing Soon; Check Link Here 

June 6: UPSC CDS 2 Application Correction Window Activated on June 6; Check Details Here

June 6: UPSC CDS 2 2023 Application Window Closed; Check Details Here

CDS 2023 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2023 exam

DatesPast Exam Dates

10 Aug '23 -

3 Sep '23

CDS 2 Admit Card

5 Jul '23

CDS 2 Result OTA 2022

7 Jun '23 -

13 Jun '23

CDS 2 Application Correction Window

CDS 2023 Exam Highlights

Go through the highlights of the UPSC CDS exam from the table below to know every bit of the examination. Male and female candidates seeking admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy can check out the recruitment process.

Parameters Details

Name of exam

Combined Defence Services Examination

Conducted  by

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) 

Exam Level

National

Exam frequency

Twice a year (April and September)

Exam mode

Offline

Exam stages

Written exam and SSB Interview

Number of applicants

2,343,43 (In CDS II 2020)

Number of appeared candidates

1,182,50 (In CDS II 2020)

Exam fees

INR 200 for General and OBC male candidates

Female, SC, and ST candidates are exempted from fee payment

Exam timing

The time allotted to each paper such as English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics is two hours

Language of question paper

English and Hindi

No of questions

Elementary Maths: 100

General English: 120

General Knowledge: 120

No.of papers

Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA): Three (English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics)

Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): Two (English and General Knowledge)

CDS Exam Pattern

Written Exam

IMA, INA and AFA: 300

OTA: 200

SSB Interview

IMA, INA and AFA: 300

OTA: 200

Marking scheme

One mark for the correct answer

One third mark is deducted for wrong answers

Exam purpose

To select candidates as Commissioned Officers in Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force

Vacancies 

Total 341 vacancies announced for CDS I exam

No of test cities

More than 70

Official website

upsc.gov.in

Contact number

011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 

Prepare for Competitive Exams with Expert Tips on English Section

Click Here

CDS 1 & 2 Exam

CDS 1 exam is conducted for the courses commencing at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala in January as well as Officers Training Academy, Chennai courses starting in April.

CDS 2 exam is conducted for the courses commencing at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala in July, and Officers Training Academy, Chennai courses starting in October 2023.

Also Read: CDS Previous Years' Question Papers

Q:   When the CDS 2 2023 exam was conducted?

A:

CDS 2 2023 exam was conducted on September 3, 2023. CDS 2 2023 notification was released on May 17, 2023. The candidates were allowed to fill out the CDS 2 application form from May 17 to June 6, 2023. The last date for payment was June 6 for the online mode of payment whereas, for the offline mode, it was June 5, 2023. The candidates who were filling out the application first time they had to register for OTR on the official website to apply for the CDS 2 exam. However, the candidates who were already registered for the OTR could apply for the CDS 2 exam by logging into their registered accounts. The steps to download the notification is given below for the candidates:

  • Go to the official website 
  • Click on the exam notification page 
  • Click on CDS 2 notification link 
  • Notification PDF will appear on the screen 
  • Download the PDF notification and save it for later use.

Q:   How is age calculated in CDS?

A:

The age of candidate is calculated from the date of joining and not from the date of application. That is why the candidates are advised to add 10 to 12 months to reach min or maximum age limit criteria. However, UPSC releases the age limit criteria for the candidates along with the notification for the CDS exam. As per the notification for CDS 2 exam released the age limit limitations are mentioned below:
(i) For IMA—Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 2000 and not
later than 1st July, 2005 only are eligible.
(ii) For Indian Naval Academy—Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd
July, 2000 and not later than 1st July, 2005 only are eligible.
(iii) For Air Force Academy— 

  • 20 to 24 years as on 1st July, 2024 i.e. born not earlier than 2nd July, 2000 and not later than 1st July, 2004 (Upper age limit forcandidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 yrs.
    i.e. born not earlier than 2nd July, 1998 and not later than 1st July, 2004 only are eligible.

Note: Candidate below 25 years of age must be unmarried. Marriage is not permitted during training. 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.

iv) For Officers' Training Academy— (SSC Course for men) unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 1999 and not later than 1st July, 2005 only are eligible.

 v) For Officers' Training Academy— (SSC Women Non-Technical Course) Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible. They should have been born not earlier than 2nd July, 1999 and not later than 1st July, 2005.

Q:   When the CDS 2 admit card was released?

A:

The CDS 2 admit card was released on August 10, 2023 by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The candidates can download the CDS 2 admit card till September 3, 2023, by using the registration number or roll number on the candidates' login page. The CDS 2 admit comprises details like name of the exam conducting authority, the candidate's name, father's name, mother's name, applicant's roll number, exam centre address, shift timing, covid 19, guidelines, dress code, etc. The candidates are advised to report at the exam centre 1 hour before the gate closing time to avoid any mishap.

The UPSC also instructs the candidates to carry three identical passport size photo of the candidate one for each shift.  Other than this, the candidates have to take two photo identity proof along with the CDS admit card at the exam centre.

 

CDS Question Paper 2023

CDS 2 question papers 2023 for all subjects are available now. The UPSC released the question papers in PDF format. Candidates can also raise objections against the CDS question papers. To access the question paper representation portal, candidates need to login with roll number, date of birth and captcha code. Candidates can download the CDS Question Paper 2023 through the link below.

Subject Name Question Paper PDF
Elementary Mathematics Click_Here
English Click_Here
General Knowledge Click_Here

CDS 2 Answer Key 2023

The CDS exam is over for the year 2023. The coaching institutes have released the CDS answer key for the candidates who have taken the CDS 2 exam. CDS Answer Key by Coaching Institutes is a significant part of the CDS 2 2023 exam. With the help of these answer keys, the candidates can calculate their marks for the exam and estimate their chances of getting selected for the SSB interview. CDS Answer Key PDF is provided below

CDS 2 Answer Key 2023 by Major Kalshi 

Subject CDS Answer Key
CDS 2 Maths Answer Key 2023  Available Soon
CDS 2 GK Answer Key 2023 Click Here
CDS 2 English Answer Key 2023 Click Here

CDS 2 Answer Key 2023 by Cavalier

Subject CDS Answer Key
CDS 2 Maths Answer Key 2023  Available Soon
CDS 2 GK Answer Key 2023 Available Soon
CDS 2 English Answer Key 2023 Click Here

CDS 2 2023 Exam Analysis

Shiksha visited one of the exam centres for the CDS 2 2023 exam and took the exam review from the students who have taken the exam. Check their reaction and the difficulty level of the exam according to them on the page below.

CDS 2 English & GK Exam Analysis 2023

The CDS 2 2023  English section analysis was shared on September 3, 2023, after the exam got over. Check the topic-wise difficulty level of English and GK below:

  • Manish Kumar Jha Said, " The CDS exam for OTA was moderate in nature. However, the GK paper was moderate to difficult. The questions were asked from the 8 months of current affairs. The English paper was easy and dowable in nature."
  • Himanshi said, "The exam pattern was a bit different from the previous year's exam. No questions were asked from modern history. The English paper was easy and the question, synonyms, and antonyms were dominant in the English question Paper. The latest currents were asked in the GK." 
  • Narayani Kumari," The questions were good for both English and Gk Sections. The questions were asked from recent current affairs and had questions from all sections like Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. The expected cut-off for the General candidates can go up to 120 marks."
  • Sandeep," The exam was lengthy for GK and English. The overall difficulty level for the exam is moderate to difficult. The current affairs were asked till January 2023. The cut-off for the CSD 2 exam will be below 100 for the General candidates. 

CDS 2 2023 Exm Analysis VIdeo (GK & English)

CDS 2 2023 Exam Analysis Maths

Check the reaction of the students who have taken the CDS 2 maths exam below:

  • Rishabh Anand Mandal said, "Maths was a little difficult as compared to the other sections. The paper was lengthy and the questions from algebra were dominant in the exam".
  • Devesh said, "The exam was good and the difficulty level of the maths paper was high and the questions were asked from advanced algebra. The expected cut-off will be around 120".
  • Saransh said," The maths was moderately difficult. The questions were asked from statistics, percentages, algebra, arithmetic, triangles, and more. 
  • Md. Mursallain said, "The maths sections were easy. The questions were asked from trigonometry and the difficulty level of them were easy, geometry and mensuration question were dominant in the paper. 

CDS 2 2023 Maths Exam Analysis Video 

CDS 2 2023 Exam Analysis Shorts

 

CDS 2 Admit Card 2023

CDS 2 admit card 2023 was released online by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) soon on the official website-upsc.gov.in on August 10, 2023. The candidates were allowed to access the CDS 2 admit card from the official website till September 3, 2023. The admit card was released on the official website for all the registered candidates. Candidates can access their CDS 2 admit cards by logging in with either the registration number or roll number. The steps to download the admit card by following the steps given below:

  • Go to the official website
  • Click on the CDS 2 admit card link
  • The link will redirect to the new page
  • Click on the CDS 2 Admit card link
  • Read the instructions carefully
  • Fill out the details asked like application number, date of birth, etc.
  • Click on the submit button
  • The admit card will appear on the screen
  • Download the admit card and save it for later use 

Also Read: CDS 2023 Exam 

Discrepancies in UPSC CDS Admit Card

Candidates are advised to check their name, father’s name, category, date of birth, photograph, signature, etc. printed on the admit card carefully. In case there are any discrepancies in the details, candidates should immediately contact the examination authority. Candidates should provide the following details while reporting the issue:

  • Exam name and year
  • Registration number
  • Roll number
  • Postal address (Candidates need to mention the application number)

What to Do If You Find Discrepancy in the CDS Admit Card?

According to the latest instructions by the UPSC for the CDS 2 exam, the candidates should follow the measure given below:

  • In case of any discrepancy in the e-Admit Card, the same may be communicated to the Commission immediately at e-mail ID: Skindo- upsc@gov.in, to enable the Commission to take a decision in the matte
  • In case the photograph is not visible or available on the e-admit Card, candidates are advised to carry three (03) identical photographs (one photograph for each session) along with the printout of the e-Admit Card at the Venue of the Examination for appearing at the Examination with an undertaking. No paper Admit Card will be issued for the Examination by the Commission

Q:   Will I get the CDS admit card by post?

A:
No, the CDS (Combined Defence Services) admit card is not sent by post. The admit card is available for download on the official website of the Union Public Service Commission UPSC which is the conducting authority for the CDS exam. Candidates who have successfully registered for the CDS exam can download their admit card by logging in to their account on the UPSC website using their registration ID and password. The admit card contains important details such as the candidate's name, roll number, exam date, time, and venue. It is mandatory to carry the CDS admit card to the exam center, along with a valid photo ID proof such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Passport. Candidates who fail to carry the admit card or the photo ID proof will not be allowed to appear for the exam. Therefore, it is important to download the CDS admit card from the official website and take a printout of it well in advance before the exam day. Make sure to check all the details mentioned on the admit card carefully and contact the UPSC in case of any discrepancies.

Q:   What are the exam dates for CDS 2024 exam?

A:
The Union Public Service Commission released the exam calendar for the year 2024 on May 10, 2023. According to the UPSC CDS calendar the CDS 1 application form and the notification will be released on December 20. 2023 and will continue till January 9, 2024. The CDS 1 exam will be taken on April 21, 2024. On the other hand the CDS 2 exam application and notification will be released on May 15, 2024. The application form will remain active till June 4, 2024. However, the exam for the CDS 2 2024 will be taken on September 1, 2024. The candidates must be aware that these dates are released by UPSC through exam calendar. There are slight chances that the exam dates get changed due to any circumstance. However, the candidates must prepare for the CDS exams according to these exam dates.

Q:   Can girls apply for CDS exam?

A:
Yes, girls can apply for CDS exam. They are considered for OTA and are allotted to SSC (Short Service Commission) in the non-technical cadre. The SSC ends after 10 to 14 years of service. Further, the commissioned girls can apply for the permanent service after the approval of the board. The girls cannot be admitted in IMA, INA, and AFA through CDS exam. Though, the candidates can apply for the Indian Air Force as pilot or ground duty officers through the AFCAT exam.

CDS Exam Dates 2024

CDS 1 & 2 Exam Dates 2024 was announced by UPSC on May 11, 2023. CDS 1 notification 2024 will be released on December 20, 2023. The apply online link will remain active till January 9, 2024. The written exam of CDS 1 2024 will be conducted on April 21, 2024. CDS 2 2024 exam will be conducted on September 1, 2024. The notification will be published by UPSC on May 15, 2024. The application form will be made available from May 15 to June 4, 2024. The information for the CDS dates for the year 2023-24 was released by the UPSC through the UPSC exam calendar.

Also Read: UPSC Calendar 2024

CDS Exam Pattern 2023

CDS exam pattern 2023 is divided into a written exam and SSB Interview. The written exam for IMA, INA, and AFA comprises three sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The test paper for admission to OTA comprises two sections: English and General Knowledge. Each section is held for two hours. The total marks of the test for IMA, INA, and AFA are 300, while it is 200 for OTA. The SSB Interview for IMA, INA, and AFA carries 300 marks each while it is 200 marks for OTA. The SSB Interview procedure consists of two stages: I and II. Stage I of the SSB Interview comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT) and Interviews, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conferences.

CDS Selection Process

CDS selection process comprises the release of notification & application form, issue of admit card for the written exam, appearing in the written exam, declaration of result for the written exam, appearing in the SSB interview, and declaration of the final result. The infographic below shows the entire CDS selection process for the CDS exam:

CDS_Recruitment_Process_Infograph

Also Read: CDS Selection Process

Q:   What is the selection process of CDS exam?

A:
The CDS selection process comprises various stages: At the first stage, the candidates have to take the written test which is of 300 marks (for INA, IMA and AFA) and 200 marks (OTA). The candidates qualifying the written exam will be called for the SSB Interview. At the second stage, the candidates have to undergo the vigorous 5 days interview in which the candidates are assessed on the physical, psychological and analytics level. The SSB interview is followed by the medical test in which the candidates are assessed on physical standards In the final stage merit list is released along with the release of the CDS results.

Q:   Can a CDS officer become General?

A:

The chances of becoming General after becoming a CDS officer is very less as in duration of service in the Defence forces play a vital role in getting promotions. The candidates commissioned as officers after NDA serves for more duration in the Army as compared to CDS. Therfore, the chances of becoming General after NDA is slightly higher. Historically all the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is an NDA alumni. The current General of India General Manoj Pande is from NDA.

However, the promotions also depends on the performance and contributions of the officers in the Army. So, it is quite possible that the officers with extra ordinary contribution to the Army can gain the positionof COAS (Cheif of Army Staff).

Q:   When the CDS 2 2023 exam was conducted?

A:

CDS 2 2023 exam was conducted on September 3, 2023. CDS 2 2023 notification was released on May 17, 2023. The candidates were allowed to fill out the CDS 2 application form from May 17 to June 6, 2023. The last date for payment was June 6 for the online mode of payment whereas, for the offline mode, it was June 5, 2023. The candidates who were filling out the application first time they had to register for OTR on the official website to apply for the CDS 2 exam. However, the candidates who were already registered for the OTR could apply for the CDS 2 exam by logging into their registered accounts. The steps to download the notification is given below for the candidates:

  • Go to the official website 
  • Click on the exam notification page 
  • Click on CDS 2 notification link 
  • Notification PDF will appear on the screen 
  • Download the PDF notification and save it for later use.

Q:   When was the application form released for CDS 2 exam?

A:
The application form for CDS 2 exam was released by the UPSC on May 17, 2023 along with the CDS 2 notification. The candidates can apply for the CDS 2 exam till June 6, 2023. The candidates can make payment for the application till June 6, 2023 in online mode and January 9 in offline mode. No further extension will be done by the commission to make application and payment for CDS 2 exam 2023. To apply for the CDS 2 exam, the candidates have to follow the steps given below: a) Go to the UPSC official website- UPSC. Gov. In b) Click the UPSC CDS 2 registration form link c) Click on part 1 registration and fill the CDS 2 registration 2023 d) Fill out the details asked to complete the registration form e) Move forward to CDS registration part 2 f) Fill out registration ID, date of birth and given captcha number g) Pay the application fee for UPSC CDS 2 h) Select the choice for UPSC CDS 2 examination centre. I) Upload the recent scanned photo and signature. J) Click on the submit button.

CDS Syllabus 2023

CDS Syllabus comprises topics from English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The standard of the CDS syllabus for Mathematics is of Class 10 standard, while for other subjects, it is of graduation level. Candidates can check the syllabus below.

Subjects Topics

English

Antonyms, Sentence improvement, Comprehension, Synonyms, Spotting Errors, etc.

General Knowledge

Economics, Current Awareness, Defence, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, etc.

Elementary Maths

Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, etc.

CDS Application Form 2023

CDS 2 apply online link 2023 was activated by UPSC on May 17, 2023 and continued till June 6, 2023. The candidates had to register themselves first on the OTR and then they were allowed to fill out the CDS application form 2023 for the CDS 2 exam.  The application form withdrawal link will not be made available for the CDS 2 exam. 

How to Make Corrections in CDS 2 Application Form?

The steps to make corrections in the CDS 2 application form have been given below for the candidates:

  • Go to the official website 
  • Click on the link available for CDS 2 form correction 
  • Log in to the registered account using login credentials
  • Make corrections to the CDS 2 application correction
  • Save and print a copy of the modified CDS 2 application form 
  • Log out from the registered profile

How to Make Corrections in UPSC OTR Profile?

The candidates need to follow the steps given below to register themselves on the OTR platform:

  • Go to the official website: upsconline.nic.in 
  • Click on the registration link
  • Click on the new registration tab
  • Fill out the details asked- Name, Mother's Name, Father's Name, Mobile Number, Email Id, etc
  • Password will be sent to the registered email id and mobile number. 
  • Re-login to the account and reset the password 
  • After the re-login go to the account and click on the CDS 2 application form link to apply for the exam 

Also Read: NDA vs CDS 2023

CDS Application Fees

  • The application fees can be paid both online and offline
  • The application fees are INR 200 for General and OBC male candidates
  • SC and ST candidates were exempted from fee payment

Also Read: CDS OTA Syllabus 2023

How to Fill CDS 2 Application Form 2023 Online?

The steps have been given below for the candidates to apply for the CDS 2 exam:

  • Go to the official website- upsconline.nic.in
  • Login into the account on the OTR platform (The registration process for OTR has given above)
  • Fill out the details that have been asked for part 1 registration
  • Upload the photograph, signature and photo identity proof 
  • Make the application fees
  • Choose the exam centre for the CDS 2 exam 
  • Finally, submit the application form 
  • The confirmation message will be sent to the registered mobile number and email id

CDS 2 Online Form 2023 Direct Link- https://upsconline.nic.in/upsc/OTRP/index.php 

Watch How to Fill Out CDS Application Form?

CDS 2 Notification 2023

The CDS 2 notification was released by UPSC on May 17, 2023, on the official website of UPSC at upsc.gov.in. The notification was released in PDF format and the candidates can access them by following the steps given below:

  • Go to the official website
  • Click on the CDS 2 notification for 2023 in Whats New Section
  • Click on the CDS 2 notification PDF link 
  • The CDS 2 notification PDF will appear on the screen 
  • Download the CDS 2 2023 PDF and save it for later use

CDS 2 Notification 2023 PDF: Download_Here  

CDS 2 Vacancy 2023

The UPSC announced 349 vacancies for the CDS exam was carried out on September 3, 2023. The candidates can check the CDS 2 vacancy 2023 break up in the table below. The vacancy has been released for both male and female candidates:

Institution

Number of Vacancies

Indian Military Academy (IMA)

100

Indian Naval Academy (INA)

32

Air Force Academy (AFA)

32

Officer Training Academy - Men (OTA)

169

Officer Training Academy - Women (OTA)

16

Total

349

CDS Eligibility 2023

To be eligible for the exam, candidates need to fulfil the following CDS Eligibility Criteria:

CDS Nationality

Candidates who have settled in India permanently can apply for the CDS exam.

CDS 1 Age Limit 2023

Candidates can check below the prescribed age limit for CDS 1 exam:

  • For Indian Military Academy (IMA), unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1999, and not later than January 1, 2004, are eligible to apply
  • For Indian Naval Academy (IMA), unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1999, and not later than January 1, 2004, are eligible to apply
  • Candidates applying for Air Force Academy should be between 20 to 24 years as on January 1, 2023. They must have been born not earlier than January 2, 1999, and not later than January 1, 2003
  • For Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for men), unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1998, and not later than January 1, 2004, are eligible to apply
  • For Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course), candidates should be unmarried and born not earlier than January 2, 1998, and not later than January 1, 2004

Also Read: CDS 2023 Eligibility Criteria

CDS 2 Age Limit 2023

CDS 2 age limit prescribed by UPSC for applying to the different academies is given below:

  • IMA: Candidates for IMA should be unmarried and must have been born not earlier than age limit prescribed in the CDS notification 
  • INA: Unmarried male candidates can apply for INA
  • AFA: To apply for AFA, the age of candidates should be between 20 to 24 years. The upper age limit of candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed upto 26 years
  • OTA (SSC Course for men): To apply for the OTA course (SSC Men), candidates must be unmarried and must be within the age limit prescribed in the CDS notification 
  • OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical Course): Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees who have not remarried are eligible to apply. 

CDS Qualification

Candidates need to meet the following educational qualification for applying to the CDS exam:

  • For IMA and Officers’ Training Academy, the required educational qualification is Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university
  • For Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised university
  • For Air Force Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised university. They must have studied Physics and Mathematics in Class 12

Note: Candidates who are studying in the final year/semester of Graduation can also apply provided they do not have any backlog upto the last year/semester for which results have been declared at the time of submitting the application form. They are required to submit proof of passing graduation at the time of the commencement of the course.

Can the 12th pass apply for CDS?

No, to be eligible for the CDS exam candidates must have a graduation degree from a recognised university or be appearing in the final year of their graduation. The candidates who want to apply for INA must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised University and Institution while AFA candidates must have a degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Maths at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of Graduation/provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB. Candidates who are in the final year of graduation can apply provisionally.

Can females apply for CDS Exam?

Yes, female candidates can apply for the CDS exam for Officers' Training Academy courses.

CDS Physical Fitness

Candidates must be physically and mentally fit as per the guidelines prescribed by UPCS. Every year, a mass of candidates are disqualified on the basis of physical standards. Candidates are advised to check the CDS physical and medical standards before applying for the CDS exam. 

CDS Heights and Weight Standards  

  • The minimum required height for male candidates is 157.5 cm. (157 cm for the Navy and 162.5 cm for the Air Force) and that for female candidates is 152 cm. 
  •  Gorkhas and individuals belonging to the North-Eastern region of India, Garhwali, and Kumaon, the minimum required height is 5 cm less than the other candidates.
  • For candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum required height is 2 cm less than the candidates from other regions. 
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) should be below 25. 
  • The ratio of the waist and hip should be below 0.9 for males and 0.8 for females.  
  • Waist Circumference should be less than 90 cm for males and 80 cm for females.

CDS Height and Weight Standards Age Wise- Army and Navy (Male Candidates) 

The height and weight standards for the army and navy (male) have been given below for the CDS exam aspiring candidates. The candidates can refer to the table for the CDS age-wise weight and height below:

Height/Age

18 years 

20 years 

22 years 

24 years 

152 

44&*nbsp;

46 

47 

48 

155 

46 

48&**nbsp;

49 

50 

157 

47 

49 

50 

51 

160 

48 

50 

51 

52 

162 

50 

52 

51 

54 

165 

52 

53 

55 

56 

168 

53 

55 

57 

58 

170 

55 

57 

58 

59 

173 

57 

59 

60 

61 

175 

59 

61 

62 

62 

178 

61 

62 

63 

64 

180 

63 

64 

65 

66 

183 

65 

67 

67 

68 

185 

67 

69 

70 

71 

188 

70 

71 

72 

74 

190 

72 

73 

74 

76 

193 

74 

76 

77 

78 

195 

77 

78 

79 

81 

CDS Height and Weight Standards Age Wise- Army and Navy (Female Candidates)

The height and weight standards for the army and navy (female) have been given below for the CDS exam aspiring candidates. The candidates can refer to the table for the CDS age-wise weight and height below:

 Height/Age 

20 years 

25 years 

30 years 

148  

39 

41 

43  

150  

40  

42  

43.5  

153 

42  

43.5  

45 

155 

43   

44 

46 

158 

45   

46 

48 

160 

46   

47 

49 

163 

47   

49 

51 

165 

49   

51 

53 

168 

50   

52 

54 

Visual Standards for CDS 2023

Candidates who want to appear in CDS 2023 must know about visual standards. The UPSC has divided visual standards into three parts – IMA & OTA, Naval Candidates, and Air Force. The details of the visual standards have been given below: 

CDS IMA and OTA Visual standards 

  • Uncorrected vision (max allowed) - 6/60 &6/60  
  • BCVA - Right 6/6 & Left 6/6 
  • Myopia -
  • Hypermetropia -
  • Lasik/equivalent surgery - Permitted 
  • Colour perception: CP II 

CDS Naval Visual Standards 

  • Uncorrected without glasses: 6/12, 6/12  
  • Corrected with glasses: 6/6, 6/6  
  • Myopia Limit: -1.5D 
  • Hypermetropia Limit: +1.5D  
  • Binocular Vision: III  
  • Limits of Colour Perception: I 

CDS Air Force Visual Standards   

Candidates who wear spectacles regularly are not eligible for India Air Force. The visual standards for the Air Force have been given below: 

  • Hypermetropia Colour Vision CP-1  
  • Hypermetropia: +2.0 d Sph  
  • Manifest Myopia: Nil  
  • Retinoscopic Myopia- 0.5 in any meridian  
  • Astigmatism : +0.75 D Cyl (with + 2.0 D- Max) 

Maddox Rod Test 

at 33 cms: 

  • Exo-16 prism D  
  • Eso-6 prism D  
  • Hyper-1 prism D 
  • Hypo-1 prism D 

 at 6 meters: 

  • Exo-6 prism D 
  • Eso-6 prism D 
  • Hyper-1 prism D 
  • Hypo-1prism D  

Q:   What should be the Marital Status of Candidates to apply for CDS exam?

A:

Different instutes have different rules on the marital status for the CDS exam. The criteria for the marital status for various defence institutes have been given below for the candidates:

  • For Indian Military Academy: Unmarried 
  • For Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried 
  • For Indian Air Force: Married and Unmarried

Note: The married candiddates must be equal to or above 25 years. However, during the training the candidates will not be provided with any married accommodation nor they can live out from the academy premises with the family.

  • For  OTA Male: Umarried
  • For OTA Female: Unmarried, Divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) and Widows who have not been remarried

Note: Male divorcee or widow will not be considered as unmarried for the purpose of admission in IMA/INA/AFA/OTA

Q:   Who is eligible to take the CDS exam?

A:
The minimum age limit for applying CDS exam is 19 years. Candidates must be graduate or appearing in the final year. B.Tech and BE candidates can apply for IMA, INA and AFA. The age limit criteria for CDS exam have been given below for the candidates Indian Naval Academy 19 to 22 years Air Force Academy 19 years to 23 years Indian Military Academy 19 to 24 years Officers Training Academy SSC Women Non Technical Course 19 to 25 years Officers Training Academy SSC Course for Men 19 to 25 years.

Q:   What are the educational criteria to apply for CDS exam?

A:
The candidates who wants to appear for the CDS exam must fulfill the eligibility criteria of the CDS exam. The candidates who did not fulfill the eligibility criteria of the CDS exam will not be allowed to fill out the application for the CDS exam. The educational criteria for the CDS exam have been given below for the candidates Indian Military Academy: Graduation Degree Indian Naval Academy: B.E and B.Tech (Intermediate with Physics and Maths Air Force Academy: Graduation, B.E and B.Tech (Intermediate with Physics and Maths Officers Training Academy (Men): Graduation Degree Officers Training Academy (Women): Graduation Degree.

CDS Exam Day Guidelines 2023

While appearing for the CDS exam, candidates need to follow the exam day guidelines given below:

  • Candidates should carry their admit cards along with one photo identity proof (original and photocopy) to the exam centre
  • Candidates are allowed to carry a clipboard or hardboard, black ball pen to the exam centre
  • A sheet for doing rough work is provided by the invigilator
  • Candidates should not bring books, notes, loose sheets, electronic or any other type of calculators, mathematical and drawing instruments, log tables, stencils, slide rules, test booklets, and rough sheets
  • Mobiles, bluetooth, pagers, or any other communication devices are not allowed inside the premises of the exam centre

Also Read: CDS exam day guidelines

CDS Preparation Tips 2023

Lakhs of candidates appear for the CDS exam every year, therefore, the competition is high. Candidates need to prepare well to ace the exam. Here are a few tips and tricks on how candidates can prepare for the exam:

  • Understand the exam pattern and syllabus 
  • Solve previous years' question papers to know the types of questions asked in the exam and difficulty level
  • Lay emphasis on the important topics
  • Make a proper timetable and follow that diligently 
  • Clear the basic concepts of Maths from the high school books 

Also Read:

CDS preparation tips

CDS Cut Off 2023

The candidates appearing for the CDS 2 exam must check the previous year's cut-off for the CDS 2 exam. It will help the candidates in getting the approx cut off marks for the CDS 2 2023 exam. The CDS 2 2022 cut-off marks have been given below for the candidates in the table:

 

 

Sr. No

 

Name of the Academy

Written Result

Final Result

Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject

Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate

Marks of last recommended candidate

1.

IMA

 

 

 

20%

126 marks

249

2.

INA

118 marks

248

3.

AFA

136 marks

258

4.

OTA (Men)

98 marks

180

5.

OTA (Women)

98 marks

179

CDS Previous Year Question Papers

The  CDS question papers are uploaded in PDF form for all the sets of test booklets of Maths, English, and GK. Candidates can also raise objections against the question papers through Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep). The link for the CDS previous years' question papers has been given below.

CDS 2022 Question Paper

The CDS 1 2022 question paper has been given below for the candidates in the table. The candidates preparing for the CDS upcoming exam can use it for practice:

Subjects CDS Previous Year Paper
CDS Maths Question Paper Download Here
CDS English Question Paper Download Here
CDS GK Question Paper Download Here

CDS Previous Year Question Paper 2021

CDS question paper 2021 is available for free download below in the table. After solving the CDS previous year's question papers candidates need to check the answers from the solutions PDF. This way they can smoothly track their preparation and start improving the weak section. Download CDS's previous year's paper 2021 through the links available below.

CDS 1 Question Paper 2021

Subjects CDS 1 Previous Year Paper 2021
CDS 1 Maths Question Paper 2021 Download Here
CDS 1 English Question Paper 2021 Download Here
CDS 1 GK Question Paper 2021 Download Here

CDS 2 Question Paper 2021

Subjects CDS 1 Previous Year Paper 2021
CDS 2 Maths Previous Year Question Paper 2021 Download Here
CDS 2 English Previous Question Paper 2021 Download Here
CDS 2 GK Previous Question Paper 2021 Download Here

Also Read: CDS Previous Year Question Papers (CDS Question Paper From 2019 to 2022)

CDS Books 2023

The subject-wise books for CDS 2023 are given below.

CDS Books for General Awareness

Books Author
General Awareness Manohar Panday (Arihant Publications)
Manorama Yearbook Philip Mathew
Pratiyogita Darpan (Magazines) Pratiyogita Darpan Editorial Team
Newspapers Hindu, The Indian Express, The Economic Times

CDS Books for English

Books Author

Objective General English

S P Bakshi (Arihant Publications)

High School English Grammar & Composition

Wren and Martin

Word Power Made Easy

Norman Lewis

CDS Books for Maths

Books Author
Mathematics for C.D.S. R S Aggarwal
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations R S Aggarwal
Pathfinder for CDS  

Also Read: CDS books

CDS Exam Centres 2023

CDS exam 2023 will be conducted at more than 70 cities in three shifts. Candidates are required to enter their preferences for CDS 2023 exam centres while filling out the application form. Candidates can choose only one exam city at the time of application. CDS exam centres are allotted to candidates on a first-apply-first-allot basis. The list of CDS exam centres 2023 is given below.

Agartala

Ghaziabad

Panaji (Goa)

Agra

Gorakhpur

Patna

Ajmer

Gurgaon

Port Blair

Ahmedabad

Gwalior

Prayagraj (Allahabad)

Aizawl

Hyderabad

Puducherry

Aligarh

Imphal

Pune

Almora (Uttarakhand)

Indore

Raipur

Anantpur (Andhra Pradesh)

Itanagar

Rajkot

Aurangabad

Jabalpur

Ranchi

Bengaluru

Jaipur

Sambalpur

Bareilly

Jammu

Shillong

Bhopal

Jodhpur

Shimla

Bilaspur

Jorhat

Siligudi

Chandigarh

Kochi

Srinagar

Chennai

Kohima

Srinagar (Uttarakhand)

Coimbatore

Kolkata

Thane

Cuttack

Kozhikode (Calicut)

Thiruvananthapuram

Dehradun

Leh

Tiruchirapalli

Delhi

Lucknow

Tirupati

Dharwad

Ludhiana

Udaipur

Dispur

Madurai

Varanasi

Faridabad

Mumbai

Vellore

Gangtok

Mysore

Vijayawada

Gaya

Nagpur

Vishakhapatnam

Gautam Buddh Nagar

Navi Mumbai

Warangal

CDS Mock Test 2023

The candidates who are preparing for the CDS exam must take mock tests while preparing for the exam. Preparing for the CDS exam with the mock test can help the candidates to increase their accuracy and speed in the exam. The candidates should follow the tips given below to practice with mock tests:

  • Take the CDS mock tests in exam conditions. The exam condition will help the candidates to get habitual of the exam pressure
  • Analyse the topics in the mock tests that are difficult in nature 
  • Work hard on topics that are difficult in nature
  • Focus on the repeated topics that are in the mock test
  • Practice for speed and accuracy with the mock tests

CDS 1 Result 2023

The CDS 1 result was released by the Union Public Service Commission on May 4, 2023. A total of 6518 candidates qualified for the CDS written exam. The candidates who qualified for the CDS written exam will be called for the SSB interview soon. The steps to download the CDS 1 result have been given below for the candidates:

  • Go to the official website
  • Click on the CDS 1 2023 result link 
  • The CDS 1 result cum merit PDF will appear on the screen 
  • Download the PDF and save it for later use

Direct PDF Link to download the CDS 1 Result: Click Here

CDS 1 Answer Key 2023

The unofficial answer key for the CDS exam was released by various coaching Institutes on April 16, 2023. The candidates can download the CDS 1 Answer Key PDF by following the steps given below:

  • Click on the link for CDS 1 Answer Key
  • Click on the CDS Answer PDF Link 
  • The CDS 1 Answer Key PDF will appear on the screen 
  • Download the CDS 1 Answer Key and save it for later use. 

Also Read: 

CDS Exam Analysis 2023

The candidates can check the CDS exam analysis for the CDS 1 exam conducted on April 16, 2023. The exam reaction video has also been provided for the candidates in the article below. 

CDS 1 English Exam Analysis 2023

The CDS 1 2023 exam analysis for the CDS English Paper has been shared below for the candidates. The candidates can check the difficulty level of the question paper in the article. Check the topic-wise weightage in the CDS English Exam:

  • The English Paper was Moderate in Nature 
  • The Questions were asked about Idioms and Phrases, Figures of speech, Gerund and Participle, Adjective, etc
  • Ten questions were asked from each section mentioned-Figure of Speech, Spotting Errors, Filling in the blanks, Completion of Sentences, Cloze Test, Ordering Sentences

CDS 1 General Knowledge Exam Analysis

The CDS 1 Exam analysis for general knowledge has been given below for the candidates. The candidates can check the difficulty level and question paper in the article:

  • The overall CDS General Knowledge paper was Moderate in nature 
  • There GK Sections were asked in depth.
  • The Science section was dominant in the paper 

CDS 1 Elementary Maths Exam Analysis 2023 

  • The CDS 1 exam for elementary mathematics has been given below for the candidates. Check the difficulty level of the CDS maths paper below:
  • The CDS Maths Paper was moderate in nature and comprised the previous year's questions. 
  • The question was asked about ratio and proportion, time and work, distance and speed, HCF and LCM, Algebra, Cube and Cub roots, Factorial, etc. 

CDS 1 2023 Exam Student Reaction Video 

CDS Reaction Video (Shorts)

Download CURRENT AFFAIRS Guide - Click Here

Get the Top Score in Numerical Ability section of Competitive Entrance Exams with Expert Prep Tips

Click Here

What is CDS Salary?

CDS Salary of Officers during the training period is INR 56,100 per month for Army, Navy, and Air Force. The rank-wise salary is given below:

Rank Level Salary (In INR)

Lieutenant

Level 10

56,100 -1,77,500

Captain

Level 10 B

61,300- 1,93,900

Major

Level 11

69,400 – 2,07,200

Lieutenant Colonel

Level 12A

1,21,200 – 2,12,400

Colonel

Level 13

1,30,600-2, 15,900

Brigadier

Level 13A

1,39,600-2,17,600

Major General

Level 14

1,44,200-2,18,200

Lieutenant General HAG Scale

Level 15

1, 82, 200-2,24,100

HAG+Scale

Level 16

2,05,400 – 2,24,400

VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG)

Level 17

2,25,000 (fixed)

COAS

Level 18

2,50,000 (fixed)

CDS 2023: Career Growth and Promotion

The candidates who will join Indian Defence after clearing CDS and completing training get promotions in several years. The degree of promotion and time period has been given below for the candidates who are aspiring for the CDS exam 2023:

  • Captain - Two years of commissioned service
  • Major - Six years of commissioned service
  • Lieutenant Colonel - Thirteen years of commissioned service

  • Colonel - Fifteen years of commissioned service
  • Colonel (TS) - Twenty-six years of commissioned service
  • Major General - Twenty-five years of commissioned service
  • Brigadier - Twenty-three years of commissioned service
  • Lieutenant General - Twenty-eight years of commissioned service
  • General - No restrictions
  • Lieutenant - Promotion only after completion of training

Read More: CDS Salary

Contact Information

Union Public Service Commission

Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069

Facilitation Counter: 011-23098543 / 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098591

 

 
 
 
 

CDS Exam 2023 FAQs

Refer below FAQ

Q:   Is the disqualified candidates list for the CDS 1 exam 2022 released?

A:
Yes, the disqualified candidate's list has been released for the public on March 6, 2023. The candidates can check the disqualified candidate's list on the official website. A total of 690 candidates disqualified for CDS 1 exam under OTA (Men and Women) and 649 for IMA, INA and AFA.

Q:   How to correct Aadhaar Number in CDS admit card?

A:
If there is any error in CDS admit card, the candidates should immediately contact the concerned department/authority to make corrections in the admit card. The concerned department will guide the candidates to solve the issue. It is important to ensure that the Aadhaar number is correct on the CDS admit card as it is a crucial document required for the exam. Any discrepancies or errors in the Aadhaar number or other details can lead to issues during the exam and may even in result in disqualification.

News & Updates

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CDS Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 days ago

Yes there will be some change in the result but the change will be in 5 marks up or down.

A

Ankit Kumar

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 weeks ago

The last date to apply for the CDS 2 2023 was June 6, 2023 and theapplication correction window for the CDS 2 2023 was closed on June 13, 2023. However, the candidaets will be able to fill out the application form for the year 2024 from December 20, 2023 to January 9, 2023. The application corre

...more

D

Dewesh Nandan Prasad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The CDS 2 maths exam was condcuted for the candidates who want to enroll for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy at 3:00 pm t0 5:00 pm on September 3, 2023 by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The maths section was modrately difficult in terms of

...more

D

Dewesh Nandan Prasad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The CDS 2 2023 exam for English and General Knowledge was conducted at 9:00 to 11:00 pm and 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm respectively by the Union Public Service Commission on September 3, 2023. The difficulty level of the CDS 2 English paper was easy. The questions were asked from synonyms & antonyms, jumbl

...more

D

Dewesh Nandan Prasad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

The CDS 2 answer key will be released on September 3, 2023, within a few hours after the exam get concluded. The candidates will be able to check their scores by comparing the answer key with the responses they have marked against the questions asked in the CDS exam. However, the answer keys that w

...more

D

Dewesh Nandan Prasad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

If there is any error in CDS admit card, the candidates should immediately contact the concerned department/authority to make corrections in the admit card. The concerned department will guide

G

GANNABATTULA VENKATA SAI

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The chances of becoming General after becoming a CDS officer is very less as in duration of service in the Defence forces play a vital role in getting promotions. The candidates commissioned as officers after NDA serves for more duration in the Army as compared to CDS. Therfore, the chances of becom

...more

D

Dewesh Nandan Prasad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Different instutes have different rules on the marital status for the CDS exam. The criteria for the marital status for various defence institutes have been given below for the candidates:

  • For Indian Military Academy: Unmarried 
  • For Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried 
  • For Indian Air Force: Married and Unm

...more

D

Dewesh Nandan Prasad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The age of candidate is calculated from the date of joining and not from the date of application. That is why the candidates are advised to add 10 to 12 months to reach min or maximum age limit criteria. However, UPSC releases the age limit criteria for the candidates along with the notification for

...more

D

Dewesh Nandan Prasad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

NDA exam is conducted for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy Course. CDS exam is conducted to select eligible candidates for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Acad

...more

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

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