CDS 2020: Application Form, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Selection Process and Cutoff

CDS Exam(Combined Defence Services Examination)is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission(UPSC). Through this exam, the conducting body recruits Commissioned Officers in Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. This exam consists of two stages such as the written test and SSB Interview. Both men and women can apply for several posts of 418 vacancies offered by CDS Exam. The Application Fees is 200/- which need to be paid online in the Application Procedure. Check Here CDS 2020 Application Form

Latest Updates: The results of CDS(I) 2020 has been announced on March 23, 2020, in the PDF format on their official website upsc.gov.in. The further notification for CDS(II) will be released on August 05, 2020. Check Here CDS (I) 2020 Results

• CDS syllabus of the Written test includes Three sections: English Language, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.

•  After cracking CDS theoretical written test the qualifying candidates need to prepare for two-staged SSB Interview. Check Here CDS 2020 Selection Process

• Through this interview, recruiters will recruit the candidates as per their capability and preference.

• candidates can expect 56,100 - 1,77,500 at the beginning of their career. 

CDS Exam DatesCDS Exam Center CDS Preparation TipsCDS Practice Papers

Check Here CDS 2020 syllabus and Exam Pattern

CDS 2020 Highlights:

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CDS (I) Exam 2020 Important Dates:

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CDS (II) Exam 2020: Important Dates:

To Know more CDS(II) 2020 Application Form and Procedure

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CDS 2020: Eligibility Criteria:

CDS 2020 Eligibility Criteria is divided into 4 sections: Nationality, Age, Marital Status, and Gender. Though candidates from both genders can participle in this exam the criteria are different. Physical fitness also plays a vital role here. To know in details, click CDS 2020 Eligibility Criteria 

Nationality : 

Candidate must be unmarried and must be any of the followings:

1.  a Citizen of India,

2. A subject of Bhutan,

3. A subject of Nepal,

4. A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India,

5. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. 

Note: 

• Candidates under 2, 3, 4 and 5 must have certificated or proof issued by the Indian Government in favor of their statement.

• Candidates who are Gorkha subjects of Nepal are not required to show any kind of certificate of eligibility. 

• A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary may be admitted to the examination provisionally subject to the necessary certificate being given to him/her by the Govt. before the declaration of result by UPSC. 

Age Limits, Sex and Marital Status :

As per the declaration of UPSC, the candidates need to be unmarried and should not be a widower or should not be a divorcee. Here is a chart clarifying the eligibility criteria related to Age relaxation, gender and marital:

Educational Qualification: 

Candidates who are applying for CDS Exam, have to be a graduate or at least appearing the final exam of eligible degree. . 

• For I.M.A. and OTA, candidates should have a degree of a university or equivalent degree from institutions that have been recognized by Central/State Government. 

• For INA( Indian Naval Academy), candidates will need to have a Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/institution. 

• To apply Air Force Academy, applicants need a degree of a recognized university( with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2) or a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. 

Note: candidates who are in the final year of their eligible degree also can apply for CDS. but they will need to show the proof of passing the qualifying exam by a date to be specified in the Commission’s Notice for the CDS Exam. 

How to Apply for CDS 2020? 

The mode of application is online. There is no other option to apply for CDS 2020. Candidates are advised strongly that they should not wait till the last date for submission of Application Form. There are 4 steps to fill up CDS Application Form: 

Step 1: CDS Registration:

• Go to the home, UPSC official website – www.upsconline.nic.in.

• Click on Part 1 registration to open the CDS Registration Form.

• Enter the required details: candidate’s name, Date of Birth, parents’ name, address, category, mobile number, email address and other basic details. 

• A message will be sent to your mobile number and email address. It will contain the candidate’s registration number and password. 

Step 2: Pay CDS Application Fee:

For general candidates, the application fees is INR 200, but candidates who belong to reserved category will be exempted. CDS Application Fees can be paid both online and offline. 

To pay online mode: Application Fees can be paid in online mode via Debit/ Credit/Master/Visa Card or SBI Netbanking. If you are paying online, take a print out of payment receipt for future reference. 

To pay by cash: candidates will generate bank challan during CDS registration process and submit the same along with the fees at any SBI bank whichever branch they prefer.

Step 3: Fill CDS Application Form:

• Candidates must complete their application procedure by mentioning the personal details and academic details.

• Every candidate has to choose their preference for the positions among IAF, IMA, INA and OTA.

• Select CDS Exam Centre as per your preference. This will be considered as your most preferred venue for the written test. 

Caution: fill the application form very carefully. No further correction will be allowed once the form is submitted. 

Step 4: Upload CDS Photo, Signature and Photo ID Proof: 

Required documents and their size and format is mentioned below: 

Other required details: 

Other than the mentioned documents, candidates have to mention several documents as proof:

• Matriculation and Degree Certificates. 

• Any Valid ID proof ( Adhaar card/ Voter ID/ PAN card/Driving license/ Passport)

Caution: submitted details and documents must contain correct information. Any kind of false information can be taken under legal action. Once the form is submitted and the payments are processed, cannot be refunded for any reasons.

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CDS 2020: Exam Center:

Candidates who are applying for CDS 2020, must choose exam centre from the below-list while they are filling the Application Form: 

CDS 2020 Admit Card: 

CDS (I) 2020 Admit Card has been released on January 9, 2020 and CDS(II) 2020 Admit Card is expected to be be released 3 weeks before exam. Admit Card will not be sent to any applicants through SMS or email. They need to log in on the official website of UPSC and download individual admit card: the details every applicant will find in the Admit Card are:

1. Name and address of the allotted exam centre.

2. Roll number

3. Category

4. Photograph

5. Signature

6. Name, etc.

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To Download CDS Admit Card:

Candidates who have filled the application form, should follow the instructions to download CDS Admit Card:

1.  Visit the UPSC official website- upsc.gov.in. 

2. On the homepage, check the ‘What’s New’ Section and click on “e-Admit Card-CDS Examination(II) 2020” link

3. In the new page, click “ Download” 

4. Read all the instructions and can take a printout for future reference

5. Click on yes and then a new page will open.

6. In this new page enter the following details: 

• Registration Number and Date of birth 

Or

• Roll number and date of birth 

Or 

• Name, Father’s name and date of birth

7. Then click on “Submit”

8.  The online Admit card for CDS 2020 will appear on the screen.

9. Download the softcopy of the Admit Card and also reserve it as well as take a printout of it. 

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CDS 2020: Syllabus and Exam Pattern: 

CDS syllabus and Exam pattern are different for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. the written test is a one-day exam, it is quite a long procedure. Candidates applying for IMA, INA, and AFA give the test of 6 hours containing 300 marks whereas the OTA applicants gives 4 hours of exam containing 200 marks. 

CDS 2020 Syllabus: 

CDS syllabus consists of three sections: English Language, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, and Elementary Mathematics are divided into 7 parts such as Arithmetic Ability, Trigonometry, Algebra, Mensuration, Geometry, Statistics, and Numbers System. 

Subsection and Topics of Elementary Mathematics

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CDS 2020 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme: 

The syllabus for IMA, INA and AFA consists of 3 sections: English language, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. On the other hand, the syllabus of OTA consists of 2 sections: English and General knowledge. There will be negative marking of -0.33 for each incorrect attempt. 

CDS Exam: Marking Scheme:

The marking scheme is different for each section of the CDS Exam:

• In both sections English and General Awareness, for each correct answers, candidates will obtain +0.83 and for each wrong attempt will be deducted -0.27 marks. 

• In Mathematics, candidates will gain +1 marks for every correct answer and will be deducted - 0.33 for each wrong attempts. 

CDS Exam Pattern for IMA, INA and AFA: 

CDS Exam Pattern for OTA (officer’ Training Academy):

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Exam Day Guidelines of CDS 2020

• Do not forget to bring CDS 2020 admit card along with the other required documents such as a photo of the candidates, identification proof to the exam center.
• The aspirants can bring hardboard or clipboard apart from carrying black ball pen to the center of CDS exam.
• The invigilator will give a sheet to the aspirants for doing their rough work. 
• Candidates do not need to bring loose sheets, notebooks, calculators, or any other electronic gadgets, drawing instruments, mathematical equipment, stencils, test booklets, rough sheets, log tables, etc.
• Bringing of mobile phone or any digital gadgets to the CDS exam center would be highly offensive. Also, you should not carry Bluetooth or pagers or any other communication devices.
• Do not carry ay sharp objects to the exam centers.  

CDS Selection and Interview Procedure: 

Candidates who successfully qualify the written test will only be eligible for the Interview procedure. CDS Interview has 2 stages: 

• Stage I contains Officer Intelligence Rating Test that means this test will check candidates’ capacity of Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT)

• Stage II contains tests like Psychological Test, Interview, Group Testing Office Task, and Conference. 

Candidates also can request for postponing the Interview. This request will only be considered if the circumstances are very genuine and if it is convenient for Army headquarters /Air Headquarter /Naval HQ will be the sole deciding authority.

After the interview process, candidates will be taken for the document verification. Documents like Qualification Certificates, Proof of Identity( PAN, Aadhar, Voter Card), Birth Certificate, Passport-size Photograph, Category Certificate if belong to Reserve category and Residence Proof will be required in the document verification procedure.

CDS 2020: Vacancies: 

The number of vacancies varies every year. UPSC is offering 418 vacancies through CDS exam Here is tabular which denotes the number of vacancies each post has: 

CDS 2020: Salary structure: 

The salary scale of commissioned officers recruited through CDS is quite high and tempting. The range of salary changes with the rank and years of service. The expected salary that the candidates can expect is below:

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Other Facilities and Allowances: 

Other than the gross salary, Commissioned Officers gets a lot more facilities and allowances than any other government jobs are offering: 

• Other than the above-mentioned pay band, a fixed sum of INR 6000/- per month is also payable as Military Service Pay ( MSP ).

• During the training period, recruited candidates will get a fixed Stipend of INR 21,000/- per month.

• The officer entitled for the post of Captain gets an average qualification Grant. It can increase from INR 6000/- to INR 20,000/-. 

Allowances: 

Various types of allowances are provided to all officers of each post though the amount of allowances may vary. 

• Dearness Allowances(DA): Admissible at the same rates and under the same conditions as are applicable to the Civilian Gazetted Officers from time to time.

• Kit Maintenance Allowance: Subsumed into the newly proposed Dress Allowance i.e INR 20,000/-per year.(variable)

• Transport allowance: INR 3,200/- + DA thereon p.m. in A-1/A class cities and Rupee1,600/- + DA thereon p.m. at other places shall be admissible to officers.

• Highly Active Field Area Allowance: INR 6,780/- to INR 8,400/- per month.

• Compensatory Field Area Allowance: INR 4,200/- to INR 5,200/- per month.

• High Altitude Allowance: INR 1,060 p.m. to INR 11,200 per month above 9000ft though depends on the post and ranking as well as the location of the posting.

• Siachen Allowance: INR 14,000/- to INR 42,500/- per month.

• Uniform allowance: Subsumed into the newly proposed Dress Allowance i.e. INR. 20,000/-per year. 

• Free Rations: In Fd Area to all Defence Officers and Defence officers posted in peace area to get Ration Money Allowance (RMA) every month 

• Force also allows a special Children Education Allowance to all its officers.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• The primary responsibility of the Armed Forces in defending the territorial integrity of the nation. 

• Armed Forces also assist civil authorities if required whenever the need arises like in the case of disasters.

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CDS 2020: Career Growth and Opportunities: 

Candidates are always excited about the career opportunities and growth that have been offered to qualified CDS candidates. Let’s discuss the ranks and promotions: 

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CDS 2020: Results And Cutoff: 

UPSC releases two types of Cutoff :

1. CDS cutoff of Written

2. Final CDS Cut off

Candidates needs to score minimum 20% marks to qualify in each subject. Those who are declared as qualified candidates will only be able to attend SSB Interview. The final Cutoff is announced based on the written test and SSB Interview.

Previous Year Cutoff: 

CDS (I) 2019 had a sectional cutoff also. From previous year cutoff candidates will have an idea the cutoff range:

How to check CDS 2020 cutoff?

To check cutoff, candidates should follow the steps mentioned below:

• Visit the official website upsc.gov.in

•  Go to the cutoff from the 'Examination' tab 

• Click on the link

• Course wise cutoff will be in the PDF format ( download and save it if needed)

To know more, click CDS 2020 Cutoff and Final Results 

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CDS I Answer Key

Once the CDS 2020 exam will be completed, the coaching centers will first publish the unofficial answer keys. The aspirants can check their four sets that is Set A, B, C, and D sets of questions. As per the answer key, the candidates will be capable to examine their number of right and wrong answers and can assume their scores. 

Steps to Download the CDS 

1. Open the official website of UPSC that is www.upsc.gov.in
2. Click the Examination tab from the Website Menu Bar
3. Now, you have to select and click the Answer Key option
4. Choose the particular set of paper answer key link
5. You can now see a PDF file on the display screen once you click the link
6. Lastly, the aspirants can download the PDF and then can take a printout of the answer key for your future reference. 

CDS 2020: Preparation Tips:

Every candidate has their own method of preparation and rules. But there are few things those should be kept in mind while you are preparing for CDS Exam:

• At the starting of preparation, go through CDS Syllabus and CDS Exam Pattern very carefully so that you can understand it thoroughly. 

• If you have planned to appear for CDS, try to start your preparation at least 4 to 6 months before CDS Exam.

• Follow the regular schedule that you have made by yourself as per your merit and comfort according to CDS Syllabus.

• Follow the Current Affairs on daily basis both online and offline.

• Try solving the question papers of previous years and sample question papers you can get and save the scratch papers for analyzing your merit.

• Take mocks tests by setting up the timers in your watch. This will help you to maintain speed and accuracy to develop yourself. 

Check CDS 2020 Preparation Tips

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Recommendation of Books for CDS Exam : 

Here are some recommended books which candidates should follow with online mock tests and can find online market also: 

Candidates usually get worried about General knowledge. Following newspapers like Times of India, The Hindustan etc will provide enough general knowledge and really affordable for every kind of candidates. All the section of CDS Exam is important equally. 

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