The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is conducted in two stages: the Written Examination and the Interview/Personality Test. Here’s a detailed overview of the CDS exam pattern for both stages:
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern – Combined Defence Services
Written Exam for UPSC CDS – Combined Defence Services
The written examination for CDS consists of three papers:
Paper 1 English (100 Marks)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Type of Questions: Objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
- Total Questions: Approximately 120 questions
- Negative Marking: One-third of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Paper 2 General Knowledge (100 Marks)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Type of Questions: Objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
- Total Questions: Approximately 120 questions
- Negative Marking: One-third of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Paper 3 Elementary Mathematics (100 Marks)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Type of Questions: Objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
- Total Questions: Approximately 100 questions
- Negative Marking: One-third of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Interview/Personality Test for UPSC CDS – Combined Defence Services
Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for an interview/personality test conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). The interview assesses the candidate’s suitability for a career in the Armed Forces. It includes various tasks, group discussions, psychological tests, and an interview.
Important Points to Note:
- The written examination for CDS is conducted in English and is an objective-type test.
- Candidates applying for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA) are required to take all three papers (English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics).
- Candidates applying for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) only need to appear for the English and General Knowledge papers.
- There is a penalty for wrong answers in the objective-type papers. For each incorrect response, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
Candidates aspiring to appear for the CDS examination should prepare for the written examination by studying the relevant subjects and practicing previous years’ question papers. Clearing the SSB interview is also an essential part of the selection process, and candidates should be well-prepared for it.