UPSC CDS 2022: Dates, CDS 2 Apply Online, CDS 1 Result

UPSC CDS 2022: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the UPSC CDS (II) 2022 notification and application form on May 18, 2022. Interested candidates can apply online for CDS (II) from the official website, i.e., upsc.gov.in. Furthermore, they can also access the online application form from the direct link updated on this page.

The Commission will conduct the Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2022 on September 04, 2022. UPSC has also announced the CDS (I) 2022 result on May 18, 2022. Furthermore, the Combined Defence Services Examination (I) 2022 was conducted on April 10, 2022. Candidates who appeared for CDS 1 can check their results from this article. Candidates who cleared the CDS I exam are qualified for SSB interviews. Continue to read this article to find out more.

Latest:
– UPSC has started online applications for CDS II 2022. Apply online here.
– The Commission also released the UPSC CDS I 2022 result. Candidates can check the same here.

UPSC CDS Exam 2022: Overview

Before getting into the details of the CDS exam, let us have an overview of the UPSC CDS exam:

Learn UPSC CDS Exam Concepts

CDS Important Dates 2022

The conducting body has already released the CDS exam date on its official website. Candidates must go through the table given below to know more about the same:

CDS Notification 2022

The Union Public Service Commission released the detailed notification for the Combined Defence Services exam 2022. All the relevant exam information was provided in the official notification, including vacancies, important dates, how to apply, section process, and other details. Candidates can check the official notification on the official website. Furthermore, they can check as well as download the notification from the direct link updated below:

• Download UPSC CDS I Notification PDF 2022
• Download UPSC CDS II Notification PDF 2022

About UPSC Combined Defence Services Exam

• The Combined Defence Services exam is a national-level entrance exam for aspirants who want to join the defence forces as an officer.
• After the exam and completion of the SSB Interview, the shortlisted candidates need to undergo training at: 
  • Indian Military Academy (IMA),
  • Officers Training Academy (OTA) (male & female),
  • Indian Naval Academy (INA),
  • Air Force Academy (AFA).
• If you want to become an officer serving under the Indian Army/ Navy/Air Force, then this is one of the exams that will pave the way toward your dream.
• Female candidates can also apply for the CDS exam to join the Officer Training Academy (OTA).
• The selection of candidates will be based on the written exam and SSB interview.
• Throughout the interview, recruiters will shortlist the candidates as per their capability and preference.
• During the training period, cadets will be paid a stipend of around Rs. 21000/-. After the completion of the training period, candidates can expect a payment in the range of Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500.

Practice UPSC CDS Exam Questions

UPSC CDS Vacancy

The Commission has announced vacancies for Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Officer’s Training Academy. Candidates can check the Combined Defence Services vacancy details from the table below:

Combined Defence Services Eligibility Criteria

Before applying online for the CDS, candidates must diligently check the CDS eligibility criteria for a better understanding. The officials of the conducting body will not accept the application invites from those candidates who are not eligible for the said examination. Here, we have enlisted the eligibility norms as per the UPSC’s guidelines. Candidates are advised to go through the same while filling the application form via online mode.

1. Nationality 

A candidate must be an unmarried Indian citizen or one among the following categories

• A subject of Nepal, or
• 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.

2. Age Limit

Let us look at the age limit criteria for candidates to apply for the UPSC CDS exam:

Attempt UPSC CDS Exam Mock Tests

3. Gender & Marital Status Requirements

Let us look at the gender and marital status criteria for candidates to apply for the UPSC CDS exam:

4. Educational Qualification

Let us look at the educational qualification criteria for candidates to apply for the UPSC CDS exam:

Note: If a candidate is not found to be eligible, he/she can be rejected at any moment irrespective of whether or not he has cleared the CDS examination.

Also, graduates with the first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of Graduation/provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB.

UPSC CDS Application Form 2022

The CDS 2022 application form has to be filled out online at the official website. All aspirants are required to fill out the CDS Registration Form before the last date. Candidates can follow the steps as under to successfully register for CDS Exam:

• 1st Step: Visit the official website of the UPSC at upsconline.nic.in.
• 2nd Step: Click on the notification “ONLINE APPLICATION FOR VARIOUS EXAMINATIONS OF UPSC”.
• 3rd Sep: Against the CDS exam, click on ‘Part-I Registration‘
• 4th Step: Fill in the basic details such as the candidate’s name, date of birth, parents’ name, address, category, mobile number, email address, etc.
• 5th Step: After finishing Part-I, a registration ID will be generated.
• 6th Step: Now go to Part-II and enter your registration ID to pay the application fee.
• 7th Step: Once the fee is paid, continue to fill the application form. Enter the personal, educational details, and select the exam centre preference.
• 8th Step: Upload the scanned copy of the Photo, Signature, Photo ID, and mark sheet.
• 9th Step: After finishing Part II, Click on “I Agree to the Declaration” and submit the application form.

Note: Photo ID Card can be Aadhaar Card/Voter Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Any other Photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government.

Combined Defence Services Application Fee

Candidates, except for Female/SC/ST candidates, are required to pay a fee of Rs 200/-. The application fee can be paid through online or offline mode.

Combined Defence Services Exam Centres

The Combined Defence Services exam is conducted in various exam centres across the nation. Candidates can check a list of CDS exam centres from the table mentioned below:

UPSC Combined Defence Services Selection Process

Candidates can check the UPSC CDS Selection Procedure below:

• A candidate first needs to appear for the written exam, i.e., the CDS exam.
• Candidates who pass the CDS exam will then be called for SSB (Service Selection Board) interview.
• The selected candidates’ names will be present in the CDS merit list.
• They need to report to the venue (reporting date and time will be mentioned in the SSB Call Letter).
• At the SSB centre, the candidates’ Psychological and Intelligence tests will be conducted.
• Once the candidate has cleared all the tests of the SSB Interview, they will be called for a medical check-up.
• Selected candidates will then have to undergo various medical tests where they have to meet the physical requirements as set by the board.
• After the medical test and submission of documents, the selected candidates will be given 18 months of training in the: 
  • Indian Military Academy (IMA),
  • Officers Training Academy (OTA),
  • Indian Naval Academy (INA), or
  • Air Force Academy (AFA).
• The selection of the academy will be done on the basis of the priorities chosen by the candidates in the application form.

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern

The exam pattern is different for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and for Officers Training Academy. The important details of the CDS Exam Pattern are as follows:

Note that there will be negative marking for every wrong attempt. A total of one-third marks, i.e., 0.33 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

UPSC CDS Syllabus

The officials have prescribed the CDS Syllabus that every aspirant needs to follow for the exam. The subjects that every candidate has to cover are:

• English,
• General Knowledge,
• Mathematics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.

Note that only the Class 11 syllabus and Class 12 syllabus are being followed. For subjects other than General Knowledge, candidates need to follow the Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks.

CDS Admit Card 2022

UPSC releases the UPSC CDS admit card online. Candidates can download the CDS 2022 admit card from the official website of UPSC, i.e., upsc.gov.in. The CDS admit card is usually released 3 weeks before the exam date. Candidates can download it from the official website by logging in with their registration ID and date of birth.

CDS admit card will have details like name, registration ID, date of birth, exam venue, etc. Please check the details and take the printout. The allocated CDS exam centres will be mentioned on the CDS admit card.

Combined Defence Services Preparation Tips

The CDS preparation plan may vary from one candidate to another. Go through the CDS Preparation Tips which will help candidates build the CDS exam preparation strategy:

1. Start your CDS preparation early and make sure that you are well aware of the syllabus and exam pattern.
2. Prepare a time table for your preparation. Distribute and prioritize the topics which are to be covered as per the syllabus.
3. Follow standard books to learn the concepts and practice well to increase your accuracy.
4. Go through the daily current affairs and newspapers. You have to be very consistent as memorizing the current affairs before the day of the exam will not be very effective.
5. Practice and apply the concepts which you have learned. Solve the previous papers and sample papers without fail.
6. Take mock tests and learn from your mistakes. Improve your speed and accuracy by analyzing your mistakes.

Best Books for Combined Defence Services Exam

It is extremely important to refer to the right books that can save candidates time and help them prepare well. Here are some recommended CDS Books that candidates need to follow for CDS exam preparation:

CDS Books – English Language

• Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar & Composition (S. Chand)
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis(goyal Publishers)
• Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi(Arihant Publishers

CDS Books – General Language

• General Knowledge (Latest Edition) by Manohar Pandey( Arihant Publication)
• Manorama Yearbook (Malayala Manorama Publishers)

CDS Books – Mathematics

• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examination by Dr R. S. Aggarwal
• Mathematics for CDS Examination by Dr R. S. Aggarwal

UPSC CDS Result 2022

The written exam and final selection results for the CDS are announced in two stages. The CDS result for both stages is released in PDF format on the official website. The roll numbers of qualified candidates are displayed in the result.  It is necessary to secure qualifying marks in both the written exam and SSB Interview separately.

CDS Cut-off Marks

The CDS cut-off is the minimum marks required to clear the CDS written exam. UPSC is responsible for releasing the CDS cut-off. Aspirants can also refer to the previous year cut-off of the CDS 1 exam:

UPSC Combined Defence Services: Career Opportunities

There is a vast growth opportunity for candidates who are commissioned as officers in IMA, AFA, INA, or OTA. Check the career growth details below:

CDS Salary Structure

Here is the salary for different posts after becoming an officer through the Combined Defence Services exam:

Note that Miltary Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500/- is also paid to the officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier.

FAQs on UPSC Combined Defence Services 2022

Here, we have enlisted some of the significant frequently asked questions related to the Combined Defence Services 2022 exam. Candidates must go through the questions and answers diligently to clear out their doubts regarding the same subject.

Q: What is the qualification required for the CDS exam?
A: A candidate must have an Engineering degree for INA, a Graduate degree with Physics and Maths at 10+2 for AFA, and a graduate degree in any discipline for IMA and OTA from a recognised university.

Q: What is the age limit required for the CDS exam?
A: For AFA, the upper age limit is 24 years while for IMA, OTA, and INA, the age limit is 23 years.

Q: Are women candidates eligible for the CDS exam?
A: Yes, unmarried female candidates are eligible to appear for the CDS exam. They will be joining OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical Course).

Q: What is the salary that will be offered after the CDS exam?
A: After the CDS exam, candidates will be given training at the respective academies during which they will be given a certain stipend. Once they have completed their course, their position will be Lieutenant for which the starting salary is Rs 56,100.

Q: When will the CDS 2022 exam be conducted?
A: The Commission conducted the Combined Defence Services (I) exam on April 10, 2022. Furthermore, UPSC will conduct the Combined Defence Services (II) exam on September 04, 2022.

Q: When will UPSC release the CDS 2022 exam application form?
A: UPSC started online applications for the Combined Defence Services (II) exam on May 18, 2022, on the official website, i.e., upsc.gov.in.

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Now that you have a clear idea about the CDS 2022, make the best use of the remaining time. Prepare well and score as high as possible. Take CDS Mock Tests and work on improving on your weak areas. Rectify your mistakes and do not make the same mistakes in the actual exam.

We hope that this detailed article on UPSC CDS Exam 2022 helps you. If you have any queries regarding the CDS in general, feel free to ask in the comment section below. We will get back to you at the earliest.

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