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June 21, 2024 05:54
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The UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 is mainly divided into two stages. Candidates need to clear the written exam and SSB interview to be selected as per the UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024.
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is authorized to recruit suitable candidates for Indian defence services. The CDS 2 exam pattern suggests that candidates need to appear for the two stages of the selection process namely the written exam and the SSB interview.
There are three papers in the written examination as per UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for IMA, INA, and AFA, and two for OTA. Candidates aspiring to join the elite forces of the country must be familiar with the CDS syllabus and exam pattern to start their preparation.
The UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is conducted twice a year in the same pattern. UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 is designed to evaluate candidates for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy in two stages.
| UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 Overview | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination |
| Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Duration | 2 hours for each paper |
| Type of Questions | Objective Type |
| Maximum Marks | OTA – 200
IMA, INA, and AFA – 300 |
| Negative Marking | Yes |
| Language | Hindi and English |
The UPSC CDS selection process divided the exam into two parts: a written examination and an SSB interview. For the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy, there are three sections in the written exam, and for the Officers’ Training Academy, there are two sections.
The CDS Exam Question Paper Pattern 2024 is as follows for each defence academy:
The UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA) includes three written papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, each carrying 100 marks. Here is the UPSC CDS exam pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA:
| Subject and Code | Duration | Marks | Number of Questions |
| English (11) | 2 hours | 100 | 120 |
| General Knowledge (12) | 2 hours | 100 | 120 |
| Elementary Mathematics (13) | 2 hours | 100 | 120 |
The UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) consists of two written papers: English and General Knowledge, each carrying 100 marks. Both papers have 120 objective-type questions to be answered in 2 hours each. Here is the CDS OTA exam pattern:
| Paper | Duration | Marks | Number of Questions |
| English | 2 hours | 100 | 120 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 | 120 |
After candidates successfully clear the written exam, their suitability for defence services is evaluated in the SSB interview. The SSB Interview 2024 procedure consists of two stage Selection processes: stage I and stage II. Here is the UPSC CDS SSB Pattern 2024:
| Stage | Day | Test | Description |
| Stage I | Day 1 | Screening Test | Candidates are shortlisted based on the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test (verbal and non-verbal tests) and the Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT) performance. |
| Stage II | Day 2 | Psychology Test | Screened candidates undergo:
|
| Day 3 and 4 | Group Testing Officer (GTO) Test | Various tests are held for two days for selected candidates including:
|
|
| Day 5 | Conference | Final assessment and discussion with the board to determine qualification for joining the Combined Defence Services. |
The UPSC CDS Marking Scheme 2024 outlines the allocation of marks for each paper in the written exam. According to the CDS Marking Scheme, each paper is worth 100 marks with 120 questions in total. There is a negative marking of 1/3rd marks for wrong answers. This negative marking also applies to marking more than one option in OMR.
| Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer | Unattempted Question |
| 0.83 marks | 1/3rd of the total mark deducted | No deduction or award of marks |
In the UPSC CDS 2024 exam, filling out the OMR sheet correctly is crucial, as any small error may cost precious marks. Since the OMR sheet is evaluated by a machine, it is essential to fill it carefully by following the below instructions:
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