UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA

PWOnlyIAS June 21, 2024 05:54 1662 0

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 for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA

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.

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 Overview

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.

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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

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for Written Exam

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:

  • All papers consist of objective-type questions.
  • General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are set in both Hindi and English.
  • Questions use the metric system for weights and measures.
  • The Commission can set qualifying marks for any or all subjects.

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for IMA, INA, and AFA

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

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for OTA

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:

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Paper Duration Marks Number of Questions
English 2 hours 100 120
General Knowledge 2 hours 100 120

UPSC CDS SSB Pattern 2024 

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:

  • Those who clear the first stage are permitted to appear for stage II. 
  • The total duration of the SSB interview is 5 days.
  • In this stage, the personality of the candidate is assessed by three different assessors: the Interviewing Officer (IO), the Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist.
  • The total marks for the SSB interview are 300 for IMA, INA, and AFA.

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:

  1. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
  2. Word Association Test (WAT)
  3. Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
  4. Self-Description Test (SD)
Day 3 and 4 Group Testing Officer (GTO) Test Various tests are held for two days for selected candidates including: 

  1. Group Discussion (GD)
  2. Group Planning Exercise/Military Planning Exercise (GPE/MPE)
  3. Progressive Group Tasks (PGT)
  4. Half Group Tasks (HGT)
  5. Individual Obstacles (IOT)
  6. Group Obstacles Race/Snake Race
  7. Command Task
  8. Lecturette
  9. Final Group Task (FGT)
Day 5 Conference Final assessment and discussion with the board to determine qualification for joining the Combined Defence Services.

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UPSC CDS Marking Scheme 2024

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

UPSC CDS 2024 Instructions to Fill OMR Sheet

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:

  • Use Black Ballpoint Pen: Fill the circles on the OMR sheet using a black ballpoint pen. Do not use a pencil or any other colour pen.
  • Exam Booklet Series: Each exam booklet will have a designated series marked with letters A, B, C, or D in the upper right-hand corner. This series is crucial for correctly encoding your OMR sheet.
  • Roll Number: Write your roll number in the specified boxes on the OMR sheet. Double-check to ensure it matches your admit card details.
  • Section and Subject Code: Mark the section (English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics) and the corresponding subject code as per the instructions provided in the question paper.
  • Verification: Double-check the encoded information to ensure accuracy before proceeding with the exam.

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UPSC CDS Exam Pattern FAQs

The UPSC CDS 2024 exam consists of a written examination and an SSB interview. For IMA, INA, and AFA, it includes three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. OTA candidates have two papers: English and General Knowledge.

There are two stages in the UPSC CDS exam: the written examination and the SSB interview.

There is no fixed number of attempts for UPSC CDS. Candidates can attempt until they reach the upper age limit, which varies depending on the academy.

UPSC CDS 1 and CDS 2 refer to the two sessions of the exam that are conducted annually.

For IMA, the UPSC CDS exam includes three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, each carrying 100 marks
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