Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CDS examination twice a year to recruit candidates for the Indian Armed Forces including the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Officers Training Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. As per the UPSC schedule, CDS 1 Notification 2024 for 400 vacancies was released on 20th December 2023 and the exam is scheduled for 21st April 2024. All successful candidates in the written examination will be selected for the next round which is an Interview—conducted by the Service Selection Board (SSB).
To qualify for the CDS exam, candidates first need to know about the CDS exam pattern, syllabus and previous year exam papers. This will make it easier to understand the exam and make appropriate future strategies.
UPSC CDS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2024 Overview
Candidates interested in joining the Defence Forces through the CDS exam would like to know about the exam pattern, marking scheme, number of questions and other relevant details. Although there have been minor changes in the CDS syllabus, it is important to be familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus. This article presents detailed information on CDS Exam Pattern 2024 and a detailed CDS syllabus to assist the candidates in their preparation.
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services (CDS) |
| Exam Conducted in A Year | Twice a Year |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Medium of Exam | Hindi or English |
| No. of Questions | IMA/INA/AFA – 300 OTA – 200 |
| Time Duration | 2 Hours for Each Paper |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd deducted for every wrong answer |
| Selection Process | Written Exam SSB Interview |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in/ |
UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024
To score good marks in the CDS 1 2024 exam, candidates are required to have a thorough understanding of the CDS syllabus. The CDS 1 2024 exam serves as a direct gateway for individuals wishing to join the Indian Armed Forces. Candidates can check the CDS Exam Syllabus Overview, which provides detailed information for the candidates preparing for the exam.
| Section | Topics |
| English | Spotting Errors Questions Sentence Arrangement Questions Synonyms & Antonyms Selecting Words Ordering of Sentence Comprehension Questions Ordering of words in a sentence Fill in the blanks questions Idioms and Phrases |
| General Knowledge | Economics Physics Current Affairs Politics Chemistry Sociology History Defence-related Award Geography Environment Sports Biology Cultural Book Statement True/False |
| Mathematics | Algebra: Basic Operations Simple factors Remainder Theorem H.C.F. & L.C.M. Theory of polynomials Solutions of quadratic equations Relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered) Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns—Analytical and Graphical Solutions Simultaneous linear inequations in two variables and their solutions Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions Set language and set notation Rational Expressions and Conditional Identities Laws of indices Arithmetic: Number System: Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers. Fundamental Operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions Unitary method Time and Distance Time and work Percentages Applications to simple and compound interest Profit and Loss Ratio and Proportion Variation Elementary Number Theory: Division algorithm Prime and Composite Numbers Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11 Multiples and factors. Factorisation Theorem H.C.F. and L.C.M. Euclidean Algorithm Logarithms to base 10 Laws of logarithms Use of logarithmic tables Trigonometry: Sine ×, cosine ×, Tangent × when 0° < × < 90° Values of sin ×, cos × and tan ×, for ×= 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° Simple Trigonometric identities Use of Trigonometric Tables Simple cases of Heights and Distances Geometry: Lines and angles Plane and plane figures Theorems on Properties of angles at a point Parallel lines Sides and angles of a triangle Congruency of triangles Similar triangles Concurrence of Medians and Altitudes Properties of Angles Sides and Diagonals of a Parallelogram Rectangle and Square Circles and its properties including tangents and normals Mensuration: Areas of squares Rectangles Parallelograms Triangle and circle Areas of figures that can be split up into these figures (Field Book) Surface area and volume of cuboids Lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders Surface area and volume of spheres Statistics: Collection and tabulation of statistical data Graphical representation frequency polygons, Histograms Bar charts, Pie charts etc Measures of central tendency |
CDS Syllabus for OTA
For the OTA exam, the CDS syllabus specifically includes two subjects: General Knowledge and English. These subjects’ topics and sub-topics are similar to those covered in the syllabus of INA, IMA and AFA. The only difference is that mathematics is not included in the curriculum of OTA.
| Section | Topics |
| English | Sentence arrangementSpotting ErrorSelecting words Synonyms and Antonyms Comprehension Ordering of Sentence Ordering of words Idioms and Phrases Fill in the blanks |
| General Ability Test | Current Affairs Physics Chemistry Biology Geography History Politics Sociology Economics Defence Related Awards Sports and Culture Environmental Science |
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024
UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam pattern is the admission route into military institutions like the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officer Training Academy. Divided into two courses, the selection process is conducted through pen-and-paper offline format. Candidates face assessments in subjects such as English, General Knowledge and Mathematics, each lasting two hours and carrying 100 marks, which complement the various academy entries. This pattern tests the candidates on core subjects and serves as an important step towards shaping the future officers for the Indian Armed Forces.
A) For IMA, INA, and AFA –
| Subject | Time Duration | Maximum Marks |
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| SSB Test/Interview | 5 Days | 300 |
B) For the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) –
| Subject | Time Duration | Maximum Marks |
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| SSB Test/Interview | 5 Days | 300 |
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