Updated On -
Nov 4, 2020
Exams Prepmaster
November 04, 2020: As per the notification released by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam 2021 Application window is now open for interested and eligible candidates till November 17, 2020. CDS Examination is conducted twice a year for the recruitment of various posts including Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, and to select eligible candidates for Admission to IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. CDS II 2020 Examination is scheduled to be conducted on November 8, 2020, for registered candidates.
Latest: UPSC Released UPSC CDS II 2020 Final Result on its official Website; Check Here for Direct Link
CDS I Exam Pattern 2021: Important Highlights and Marking Scheme
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Service Examination (I) 2021 in Two Phases; Written Exam and SSB Interview. Applicants are further selected for the Interview round on the basis of written examination, For more detailed exam analysis, check the UPSC CDS I Exam 2021 highlight table below:
| CDS I Exam Pattern 2021 Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Service Examination (I) 2021 |
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Purpose | Selection of Candidates for Admission to IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a Year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Number of Phases | Two Phases – Written Exam and SSB Interview (intelligence and personality test) |
| Number of Questions | 340 (240 for Admission to OTA) |
| Subjects | Three (Two for Admission to OTA) |
| Duration | 2 hours for each Subject |
| Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Negative Marking | Yes |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Read: CDS 2020 Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme (for Written & SSB Interview) & Syllabus
CDS I Exam Pattern 2021: Exam Pattern and Subjects Covered
CDS INA, IMA, AFA Written Exam Pattern 2021:
Candidates appearing for CDS INA, IMA, AFA Written Exam 2021 can check the Exam Pattern from the table below:
| Subjects | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge (GK) | 120 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 340 | 300 | 6 hours |
CDS OTA Written Exam Pattern 2021:
Candidates appearing for CDS OTA Written Exam 2021 can check the Exam Pattern from the table below:
| Subjects | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge (GK) | 120 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 240 | 200 | 4 hours |
Read: CDS 2020 Eligibility, Educational Qualification, Age Limit, Height Requirements
CDS I Exam Pattern 2021: SSB Interview (Intelligence and Personality Test) Highlights
After the completion of the Written Examination, shortlisted candidates will be called for the SSB Interview (Intelligence and Personality Test) conducted by the exam authority. Check SSB Interview (Intelligence and Personality Test) Highlights Below:
| SSB Interview Psychological Test Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Word Association Test | Thematic Apperception Test |
| Situation Reaction Test | Self Description Test |
| CDS Group Activities Highlights | |
| Group Discussion | Group Planning Exercise |
| Progressive Group Task | Half Group Task |
| Group Obstacle Race | Lecturette |
| Individual Obstacles | Command Task |
| Final Group Task | - |
Read: CDS 2020 Syllabus (Subject wise), Important Topics and Books
Candidates will have to register for the interview round and appear at their allocated interview center to give the test. The test will include a total of 300 marks for INA, IMA, and AFA candidates and 200 marks for OTA candidates.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.