CDS 2023: Exam Analysis (Out), Answer Key, Result, Cutoff, Selection Process, Syllabus
CDS 1 Exam Analysis is out for the exam held on April 16, 2023. The CDS 1 answer key 2023 will be released on the UPSC website – upsc.gov.in. Candidates can download the answer key PDF from the website. The CDS 1 result and cutoff marks will also be released on the UPSC website. The CDS 2 2023 exam will be held on September 03, 2023. Take FREE Mock Test for CDS. Here in this Video, the candidates can check CDS Eligibility Criteria, Selection Process, Syllabus and many other information in detail.
Download CDS 1 2023 Notification
What is CDS?
CDS stands for Combined Defence Service. It is an exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit officers in the Armed Forces of India. The subjects for the CDS exam include English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. Candidates who indicate Officers Training Academy as their preferred institution are exempted to appear for the Elementary Mathematics paper.
For recruitment as officers into the Indian Army through training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun or Officers Training Academy, Chennai/Gaya, the candidates need to hold a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised institution or equivalent. Catch up on the CDS Latest News here.
For recruitment as officers into the Indian Air Force through training at Indian Air Force Academy, Dundigal (near Hyderabad), the candidates need to hold a graduate degree in any discipline or Bachelor of Engineering from a recognised institution or equivalent, along with Physics and Mathematics at 10 + 2 level or equivalent. Check CDS Eligibility Criteria in Detail.
For recruitment as officers into the Indian Navy through training at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala, the candidates need to hold a graduate degree in Engineering from a recognised institution or equivalent.
CDS Exam 2023 Highlights
CDS exam 2023 highlights for all aspirants are provided here. The CDS 2023 aspirants must check the highlights before applying for the exam below in the table:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Exam | Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam |
| Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Job | Defence Officer |
| Mode of Exam | Offline through OMR based question paper |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Duration | 2 hours per paper |
| Level | National |
| Language | English and Hindi (except the English paper) |
| Purpose | Recruitment of officers of the Armed Forces |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
CDS 1 Question Paper with Answer Key- Download PDFs
- CDS 1 English Paper 1 April 10, 2022 Question Paper
- CDS 1 General Knowledge Paper 2 April 10, 2022 Question Paper
- CDS 1 Maths Paper 3 April 10, 2022 Question Paper
- CDS 1 English Paper 1 February 7, 2021 Question Paper
- CDS 1 General Knowledge Paper 2 February 7, 2021 Question Paper
- CDS 1 Maths Paper 3 February 7, 2021 Question Paper
Click Here for more CDS 1 Question Paper with Answer Key PDF
CDS 1 Notification 2023
CDS 1 notification 2023 has been released on December 21, 2022 the UPSC official website – upsc.gov.in. Those who wish to apply for the CDS 2023 exam can visit the website and download the notification PDF. The CDS 2023 notification will have details on the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, selection process, exam date and others.
CDS 2 Question Paper with Answer Key- Download PDFs
- CDS 2 English Paper 1 September 4, 2022 Question Paper
- CDS 2 General Knowledge Paper 2 September 4, 2022 Question Paper
- CDS 2 Maths Paper 3 September 4, 2022 Question Paper
- CDS 2 English Paper 1 November 14, 2021 Question Paper
- CDS 2 General Knowledge Paper 2 November 14, 2021 Question Paper
- CDS 2 Maths Paper 3 November 14, 2021 Question Paper
Click Here for more CDS 2 Question Paper with Answer Key PDF
CDS Exam Date 2023
CDS exam date and other event dates for CDS 1 and CDS 2 exam are provided below in the table:
| Event | Exam Date (CDS I) | Exam Date (CDS II) |
|---|---|---|
| Release of Notification | December 21, 2022 | May 17, 2023 |
| Commencement of Applications | December 21, 2022 | May 17, 2023 |
| Last Date to Apply | January 12, 2023 | June 06, 2023 |
| Commencement of downloading of Admit Card | March 24, 2023 | 3 weeks prior to the Exam |
| Date of Exam | April 16, 2023 | September 03, 2023 |
| Results | May - June 2023 | To be notified |
CDS Vacancy 2023
CDS vacancy 2023 for CDS 1 and CDS 2 exam are provided below in the table:
| Branch | CDS 1 Vacancy 2023 | CDS 2 Vacancy 2023 (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy | 100 | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy | 22 | 26 |
| Indian Air Force Academy | 32 | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (Men) | 170 | 170 |
| Officers Training Academy (Women) | 17 | 17 |
| Total | 341 | 341 |
CDS Exam 2023 Application Form
CDS exam 2023 application form will be available online. The application form needs to be filled online and submitted online only when the details are entered correctly. The steps for filling out the application form for CDS Recruitment 2023 are as follows:
- Step 1: Visit the official Website of UPSC – upsc.gov.in.
- Step 2: Search for “CDS 1 2023 apply online” link.
- Step 3: Fill in the details correctly as applicable for the candidate concerned.
- Step 4: Upload Signature, Photograph and ID proof and other certificates.
- Step 5: Check the details and proceed further to pay the application fee.
- Step 6: Submit the CDS exam 2023 application form.
Fill out CDS 2023 Application Form
Documents Required for CDS Application Form
The documents required to complete the filling of Application form for CDS are as follows:
- Scanned copy of the Candidate's Signature
- Scanned copy of the Candidate's Photograph
- Scanned copy of the Candidate's Photo ID proof
CDS Exam 2023 Application Fee
CDS exam 2023 application fee is to be paid at the time of filling out the application form. The Application Fee for CDS recruitment 2023 for various categories s tabulated below:
| Category | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| General and Other Backward Class (OBC) | 200 |
| Female/Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST) | Nil |
CDS Exam Date
| CDS Exam Events | CDS Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 Application Process | May 15, 2024 - Jun 4, 2024 |
| CDS 2 Exam | Sep 1, 2024 |
CDS Exam 2023 Eligibility Criteria
CDS exam 2023 eligibility criteria including age limit, educational qualification and nationality is given below in details:
CDS Age Limit
CDS exam 2023 eligibility criteria including Age Limit for the CDS exam is tabulated below:
| Academy | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy | 19-24 years |
| Indian Air Force Academy | 19-24 years |
| Indian Naval Academy | 19-24 years |
| Officers Training Academy | 19-25 years |
CDS Educational Qualification
CDS educational qualification requirements for the CDS exam are tabulated below:
| Academy | Educational Qualifications |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy and Officers Training Academy | Graduate in any discipline |
| Indian Air Force Academy | Graduate in any discipline (with Physics and Mathematics at 10 + 2 level or equivalent) or Bachelor of Engineering |
| Indian Naval Academy | Graduate in Engineering |
CDS Overall Eligibility Criteria
The important aspects of the eligibility criteria for CDS exam is tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality |
|
| Domicile | India |
| Physical Standards |
|
| Number of Attempts | No limit |
| Important Points |
|
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
CDS Exam 2023 Selection Procedure
CDS exam 2023 selection process comprises a Written Exam, 5-day Service Selection Board (SSB) and a medical examination. The Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) is conducted only once for those aspiring to join the flying branches of the Armed Forces as officers. Check CDS Selection Process in Detail.
CDS Exam 2023 Exam Pattern for IMA, AFA and INA
CDS exam pattern for Indian Military Academy, Indian Air Force Academy and Indian Naval Academy is tabulated below:
| Subject | Duration | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 hours | 120 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 120 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
Check CDS Exam Pattern in detail.
CDS Exam 2023 Exam Pattern for OTA
CDS exam pattern for Officers Training Academy is tabulated below:
| Subject | Duration | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 hours | 120 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 120 |
CDS Exam 2023 Syllabus
CDS exam 2023 syllabus in detail is given in the official notification. The aspirants can check and download the CDS exam syllabus from the UPSC official website. They must read the syllabus thoroughly before starting their preparation for the CDS 2023 exam. Below are the topics for all the sections:
CDS Exam 2023 Syllabus for English
CDS exam 2023 syllabus for English are provided below:
- Spotting Errors
- Arrangement of Sentences
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Word Selection
- Ordering of Sentences
- Comprehension
CDS Exam 2023 Syllabus for General Knowledge
CDS exam 2023 syllabus for General Knowledge are provided below:
- Current Affairs
- Defence Related Awards
- Sports
- History
- Geography
- Politics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Cultural Knowledge
Also, check CDS Preparation Tips and Strategy for Written Test & Interview here in detail.
CDS Exam 2023 Syllabus for Elementary Mathematics
CDS exam 2023 syllabus for elementary mathematics are provided below:
- Trigonometry
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Statistics
- Mensuration
- Arithmetic
CDS Exam 2023 Preparation Books
CDS exam 2023 preparation books with author name are provided below in table:
| Book Name | Author |
|---|---|
| Objective General English | Arihant Publications |
| General Knowledge | Arihant Publications |
| Mathematics | S. Chand |
Download CDS Exam-Recommended Books
CDS Exam 2023 Study Notes
CDS exam 2023 study notes are provided here for all CDS exam aspirants. As per the pattern of the CDS exam, the papers would be English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. Candidates for Officers Training Academy are not required to appear for Elementary Mathematics. Candidates can download CDS Study Material here.
Study Notes would help the candidates to pass the CDS exam on the first attempt. Therefore, Study Notes focussing on the CDS exam are of utmost importance in order to lead to the desired outcomes, considering the factor pertaining to being shortlisted for the SSB interview. Get your CDS Study Plan here.
CDS Exam 2023 Admit Card
CDS exam 2023 admit card will be issued to all applicants. The CDS admit card will have all important details on exam date, exam timings, candidate’s details and others. The admit card will be available on the UPSC official website. The applicants can download the admit card from the website by entering their login credentials.
How to Download CDS Recruitment Admit Card 2023
The steps mentioned below are purported to facilitate the downloading of the Admit Card for CDS Recruitment 2023:
- Step 1: Visit the official Website of UPSC
- Step 2: Click on the link ‘CDS 1 2023 ‘Admit Card’
- Step 3: Enter the registration details once directed to the login page
- Step 4: Check the necessary details on the Admit Card properly before downloading
- Step 5: Download and subsequently print the Admit Card
Details in the Admit card for CDS Recruitment 2023
The following details in the Admit Card for CDS Recruitment 2023 need to be checked:
- Name
- Gender
- Roll Number
- Name of Father/Mother
- Date of Birth
- Signature
- Photograph
- Time of Exam
- Duration of Exam
- Order of Preference for Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Air Force Academy and Indian Naval Academy
- Whether the candidate holds NCC (National Cadet Corps) C Certificate
- Whether the candidate is presently serving in the Armed Forces
- Exam Centre opted
- Signature of the Candidate
- Signature of the Exam Authority
- Exam Instructions
CDS Exam 2023 Answer Key
CDS exam 2023 answer key will be released on the UPSC official website in PDF format. Check the answer key of the CDS exam held in the previous year below in the table:
| Subject | Answer Key |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | Set A Set B Set C Set D |
| General Knowledge | Set A Set B Set C Set D |
|
English |
Set A Set B Set C Set D |
CDS Exam 2023 Result
CDS exam 2023 results will be released after the commencement of the exam. The UPSC releases the CDS 1 and CDS 2 answer keys in PDF format. The final answer key is released after considering objections submitted by the candidates against the provisional answer key.
CDS 2023 Cut-Off
CDS 2023 cutoff for different categories are uploaded by the UPSC on its website in PDF format. The aspirants can check the expected cutoff maks below in the table:
| Academy | Written Exam Cut Off (Expected) | Final Cut Off (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy | 122-130 | 245-254 |
| Indian Air Force Academy | 106-122 | 232-252 |
| Indian Naval Academy | 146-150 | 266-272 |
| Officers Training Academy (Men) | 75-84 | 164-170 |
| Officers Training Academy (Women) | 75-86 | 162-172 |
CDS Salary and Benefits
CDS salary and other allowances details are provided below in the table for all posts which fills out through the CDS recruitment:
| Army | Air Force | Navy | Amount (INR)/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | 56,100 - 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Flying Officer | Lieutenant | 61,300 - 1,93,900 |
| Major | Squadron Leader | Lieutenant Commander | 69,400 - 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Wing Commander | Commander | 1,21,200 - 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Group Captain | Captain | 1,30,600 - 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Air Commodore | Commodore | 1,39,600 - 2,17,600 |
| Major General | Air Vice Marshal | Rear Admiral | 1,44,200 - 2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General | Air Marshal | Vice Admiral | 1,82,200 - 2,25,000 |
| General [Held by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) or the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)] | Air Chief Marshal [Held by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) or the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)] | Admiral [Held by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) or the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)] | 2,50,000 |
In addition to CDS salary, officers of the Armed Forces are also provided with various benefits such as Travel Allowance, Dearness Allowance, free medical treatment at military hospitals and related organisations, purchasing products at CSD (Canteen Stores Department) outlets at subsidised rates and Accommodation. Such benefits and allowances are provided to officers depending on their ranks as decided by the Government of India from time to time. Officers of the Armed Forces are also entitled to a pension after retirement. Such pension is paid monthly as per the rank last held by the respective officer. Disability pension may also be claimed by the concerned officer, depending on the gravity of the injury sustained during active duty.
CDS exam is conducted at various exam centres across the country. The application fee is to be paid by applicants at the time of filling out the application form. The admit card, result, and cutoff are released on the UPSC official website only. In case the UPSC comes up with any change in the CDS recruitment 2022, the commission keeps updating the aspirants on its website.
CDS Exam 2023 FAQs
Ques. How many times can a person attempt the CDS exam?
Ans: There is no limit for a person to appear for the CDS exam. However, the eligibility criteria in terms of educational qualification and age as stipulated need to be fulfilled accordingly.
Ques. Can doctors appear for the CDS exam?
Ans: No. Doctors are not eligible to appear for the CDS exam. However, the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) Pune facilitates them to be commissioned as Medical Officers on completion of their MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degrees.
Ques. When will be CDS exam 2023 conducted?
Ans: The CDS 1 2023 exam will be conducted on April 16, 2023. The CDS 2 exam 2023 will be held on September 03, 2023.
Ques. What is the difference between the Officers Training Academy and the Indian Military Academy in terms of CDS recruitment?
Ans: For CDS recruitment through Officers Training Academy, officers are granted Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Indian Army. It is further extendable, depending on various factors. For CDS recruitment through the Indian Military Academy, officers are granted Permanent Commission (PC) in the Indian Army.
Ques. How many times is the CDS exam conducted in a calendar year?
Ans: The CDS exam is conducted twice in a calendar year. Therefore, the candidates, who miss the application for CDS 1 may have the opportunity to apply for CDS 2.
Ques. How many Commands are there under the Indian Army?
Ans: There are seven Commands under the Indian Army. These include Eastern Command at Kolkata, Western Command at Chandimandir, Central Command at Lucknow, Northern Command at Udhampur, South Western Command at Jaipur, Southern Command at Pune and Army Training Command at Shimla. Each of these commands is headed by a General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) holding the rank of Lieutenant General.
Ques. How many Commands are there under the Indian Navy?
Ans: There are three Commands under the Indian Navy. These include Western Naval Command at Mumbai, Eastern Naval Command at Vishakhapatnam and Southern Naval Command at Kochi. Each of these commands is headed by a Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in C) holding the rank of Vice Admiral.
Ques. How many Commands are there under the Indian Air Force?
Ans: There are seven Commands under the Indian Air Force. These include Maintenance Command at Nagpur, Training Command at Bangalore, Central Air Command at Prayagraj/Allahabad, Western Air Command at New Delhi, Southern Air Command at Thiruvananthapuram, Eastern Air Command at Shillong and South Western Air Command at Gandhinagar. Each of these commands is headed by an Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) holding the rank of Air Marshal.
Ques. What are the ranks held by Vice and Deputy Chiefs recruited through the CDS exam?
Ans: The Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) and the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) hold the rank of Air Marshal. The Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) and the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS) hold the rank of Vice Admiral. The Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) and the Deputy Chiefs of the Army Staff hold the rank of Lieutenant General.
Ques. What are the highest ranks which can be attained by the Officers of the Armed forces of India recruited through the CDS exam?
Ans: For the Indian Army, the highest attainable rank is Field Marshal. For the Indian Air Force, the highest attainable rank is Marshal of the Indian Air Force. For the Indian Navy, the highest attainable rank is Admiral of the Fleet.
Comments