Official Guide & Assessment Pattern for CDS Examination (Combined Defence Services - UPSC)
Exam Significance & Admission Purpose
UPSC CDS is the premier competitive entrance exam for graduates seeking commissioned officer ranks in the Indian Armed Forces through the Indian Military Academy (IMA Dehradun), Indian Naval Academy (INA Ezhimala), Air Force Academy (AFA Dundigal), and Officers Training Academy (OTA Chennai).
Detailed Eligibility Criteria
Exam Pattern & Test Structure
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 120 MCQs (Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension) | 100 Marks | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 120 MCQs (Current Affairs, History, Polity, Geography, Defense) | 100 Marks | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics (Exempted for OTA) | 100 MCQs (Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry) | 100 Marks | 2 Hours |
Recommended Preparation Timeline & Strategy
Cutoff Trends & Score Analysis
Qualifying written cutoff: IMA ~125-135/300, AFA ~145-155/300, INA ~115-125/300, OTA ~95-105/200. Minimum 20% in each individual paper.
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NDA & NA Examination (UPSC)
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