CDS 2 2024 Notification Out, Application From, Eligibility for 459 Vacancies

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) published the CDS 2 Notification 2024 PDF on 15th May 2024 announcing 459 vacancies. CDS Exam is a national-level exam held twice a year for candidates who wish to begin their career in the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Officer’s Training Academy. To qualify for the Combined Defence Service Examination (II) 2024 candidates have to undergo the written test followed by an interview round and a medical examination. The online registration process for CDS 2 2024 has been started at www.upsc.gov.in. This article covers every detail of the CDS Exam 2024, including important dates, eligibility, vacancies, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, and more.

CDS 2 Notification 2024 PDF

The official UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2024 PDF for the CDS (II) 2024 Examination for the Course commencing in July 2025 has been released on the official website www.upsc.gov.in on 15th May 2024 containing all the necessary details for the exam including vacancies, important dates, steps to apply, and other details. Union Public Service Commission has announced the important dates for UPSC CDS 2024 for the Combined Defence Service Examination (II)  through UPSC Calendar 2024. As UPSC has released the CDS 2 Notification 2024 PDF, we have also provided the direct link to download CDS 2 Notification 2024 here.

CDS 2 Notification 2024 PDF Out- Click to Download

What is CDS Exam?

Combined Defence Services Examination also known as CDS Exam is a national-level Defence entrance examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. The CDS is the most prestigious exam in India, as it offers an opportunity to join the prestigious armed forces ( Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force) of India. The CDS exam is held twice a year in April and September and the selection process includes the written exam and interview. Only unmarried candidates who have completed their graduation are eligible to appear for the CDS Exam.

CDS 2 Exam 2024- Summary

Go through the glimpse of the UPSC CDS 2 Exam from the below table and learn everything about the examination. The male & female unmarried candidates who are seeking this opportunity to be a part of the prestigious Defence Academy can refer the below table. 

CDS Exam Date 2024 

CDS exam date 2024 has been released by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) through UPSC Calendar 2024 for CDS 2 exams to select eligible daredevils for the post of Officer in any one of the elite Government Organizations (Defence Services). This year, the Combined Defence Service Examination (II) 2024 will take place on 1st September 2024 (Sunday). 

CDS 2 2024- Important Dates

UPSC has released the CDS 2 Notification 2024 PDF along with the important dates. Interested candidates can apply online for the CDS 2 2024 exam from 15th May to 04th June 2024. The CDS II exam will be conducted on 1st September 2024. Check all the important dates for the CDS 2 2024 exam and set your reminder so you don't miss any dates.

CDS 2 Exam 2024 Vacancy

For the CDS 2 Notification, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released a total of 459 vacancies for the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Officer’s Training Academy and the same has been updated below in the table. 

CDS 2 2024 Application Form

The CDS  2 2024 online application process was started post the release of official notification on 15th May 2024 at www.upsc.gov.in. The aspirants interested in the vacancies must apply much before the last date to avoid any last-minute hassle. The online application window will remain active till 04th June 2024 (6:00 pm). The direct link for CDS 2 2024 registration has been provided here.

UPSC CDS 2 Application Form 2024 - Click to Apply

CDS Exam 2024 Application Fee

The examination fee for the CDS 2 2024 Exam is Rs. 200/- for all categories except SC/ST/Females (exempted from fee payment). The payment can be done through online/offline mode (Net Banking, Mastercard/Debit Card or cash deposit in any branch of SBI Bank.

CDS Exam 2024 Eligibility Criteria

The candidates must meet CDS 2 2024 Eligibility Criteria as set by the Union Public Service Commission for defence recruitment. Check detailed eligibility (nationality, education, age, marital status, sex) from below.

CDS Nationality

A candidate should hold The Citizenship of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who had been migrated to India before January 01, 1962, with the intention of Permanent Settle, or An individual of Indian Origin who migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire & Vietnam for permanent settle purpose in India.

CDS Education Qualification

For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy - The candidate should have a graduation degree (any subject) from a recognized University or equivalent.

For Indian Naval Academy- The candidate should have completed their Graduation in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution.

For Air Force Academy- The candidate should hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.

CDS Age Limit

The detailed age limit details has been mentioned on the official CDS notification pdf and the same has been discussed below.

(i) For IMA- Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 2001 and not later than 1st July 2006 only are eligible.

(ii) For Indian Naval Academy- Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 2001 and not later than 1st July 2006 only are eligible.

(iii) For Air Force Academy- 20 to 24 years as on 1st July 2025 i.e. born not earlier than 2nd July 2001 and not later than 1st July 2005 

CDS Marital Status & Sex

• For the Indian Military Academy, and Indian Naval Academy, only Unmarried males are eligible to apply for CDS Exam

• For the Indian Air Force Academy, both married and unmarried males can apply, however, marriage during the training is not permitted

• For Officer Training Academy, unmarried males & females can apply for the CDS Exam.

CDS Physical Standards 

Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2024 

• The minimum acceptable height for male cadidates is 157 cm.
• For the Navy candidates height is 157 cm, for the Air Force is 162.5 and for female candidates is 152 cm.
• Gorkhas and candidates belonging to the Hills of the North Eastern region of India, Garhwal and Kumaon, required a minimum height is 152 cm.
• Tribals from the Ladhakh Region and Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands' and Extra talented sports candidates minimum required rights is 155 Cm
• 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 Previous Year Question Paper PDFs- Click to Check

CDS Exam 2024 Selection Procedure

The recruitment of AFA, IMA, INA & Officers Training Academy posts will be conducted based on:

Stage 1: Written Exam- The UPSC will conduct the CDS written exam to shortlist candidates for the interview exam. The written exam consists of objective-type questions only. Subjects asked in the exam from of General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.

Stage 2: SSB Interview/Personality Test- Candidates who are declared successful in the written exam will be called to appear for intelligence and personality test at the Service Selection Board based on their preferred service. This stage assesses candidates’ leadership qualities, officer-like attributes, and suitability for a career in the defense forces. The exam will be in two stages. Stage 1 includes tests such as officer intelligence rating, picture perception, and description. Stage 2 involves a psychology test, interview, group testing tasks, and a conference.

Stage 3: Document Verification- Candidates will be called to provide original documents for verification, including educational certificates, age proof, and other relevant documents as submitted during the application forms.

Stage 4: Medical Examination- Candidates who clear the interview/personality test undergo Medical examinations are carried out meticulously b Armed Forces Medical Services. The medical examination ensures that the candidate is in good physical and mental health and free from any disease/syndrome/disability. 

CDS Exam 2024 Exam Pattern

The candidates have to clear CDS Written Examination to get selected for the interview round. Check the exam pattern for each position below.

• There will be Multiple-Choice Questions in each paper

• The question paper for General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be set in Hindi as well as in English.

• There will be a penalty of 1/3 marks for a wrong answer

• Duration of each exam is separate i.e. 2 hours.

Note The maximum marks allotted to the written examination and to the interviews will be equal for each course i.e. the maximum marks allotted to the written examination and to the interviews will be 300, 300, 300 and 200 each for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy respectively.

CDS 2024 Exam Syllabus

The aspirants preparing for the CDS Exam must be familiar with the detailed syllabus and must prepare according to that only. The standard of Elementary Mathematics in the CDS Exam will be of Matriculation level. However, for other subjects, the difficulty level will of graduation level. A syllabus is important so that candidates do not miss out on any important topic for the upcoming UPSC CDS Exam. To ace the exam, click on the below link and get the detailed syllabus for Combined Defence Services Examination.

Check Detailed CDS Syllabus 2024

CDS 2 Salary 2024

Candidates appointed for various service posts under the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination will be offered an attractive monthly salary as fixed by the author. Apart from the salary candidates will provided various allowances like Dearness Allowance, Kit maintenance allowance, Uniform allowance, Transport Allowance etc. The pay scale of Army Officers and equivalent ranks in the Air Force and Navy are as follows. 

CDS 2 Exam 2024 Admit Card 

The admit card for the CDS 2 exam 2024 will be released in August 2024 for the written exam to be held on 01st September 2024. The candidates must download their call letter much before the exam date to avoid the last-minute rush. It is mandatory to carry the hard copy of the admit card to the exam hall.

CDS 2 Exam 2024 Result 

After the successful conduction of the written exam, UPSC will announce the results for the shortlisted candidates for the interview round. The results for each stage will be released separately. 

Steps to check CDS Result 2024

1. Visit the official website of UPSC @upsc.gov.in
2. On the homepage, click on the "Written Result" tab
3. A new page will open on your window with the result pdf
4. Click "CTRL+F" and check your roll number in the pdf
5. If the name exists in the pdf, the details for the interview round will be sent to you shortly.

CDS 2 2024 Cut-Off

UPSC releases cut-off marks for CDS Exam on its official website. The candidates must score the minimum qualifying marks (i.e. 20 marks minimum in each subject) and for selection must score more than the cut-off marks. UPSC releases CDS written exam cut-off and final cut-off separately. Check the previous year's cut-off marks for your reference.

CDS 2 2024 Exam Centre

The Combined Defence Services Examination- II will be held at various centres. The candidate has to choose their preferred centre while filling out their CDS 2 application form. Below are the centres that were notified in the previous notification, any addition or subtraction to the centres will be notified here. 

UPSC Exam Calendar 2024 Out- Click to Check