CDSE (II)

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Candidate must be an Indian citizen, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before 1962 with the intention of permanent residence.
• Age Limit: Generally between 19 to 24 years as on 1st January of the exam year for IMA, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy; and 19 to 25 years for Officers' Training Academy (SSC) (Women Non-Technical) Course. Age relaxations apply for reserved categories as per government rules.
• Educational Qualification:
  • Indian Military Academy (IMA): A graduate degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
  • Indian Naval Academy (INA): A graduate degree in engineering from a recognized university or equivalent.
  • Air Force Academy (AFA): A graduate degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a graduate degree in Engineering.
  • Officers' Training Academy (SSC) (Women Non-Technical) Course: A graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent.
• Physical Standards: Candidates must meet prescribed physical and medical standards as outlined in the official notification.

Exam Pattern

• Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper Based Test)
• Number of Papers: 2 Objective Type Papers
  • English: 100 questions, 100 marks
  • General Knowledge: 100 questions, 100 marks
  • Elementary Mathematics: 100 questions, 100 marks (except for OTA (SSC) candidates)
• Marking Scheme: Each question carries 1 mark; no negative marking.
• Subjects: English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics (except for SSC Women Non-Technical course)
• Exam Frequency and Notification:
  • The Combined Defence Services Exam (II), 2009 was conducted by UPSC typically twice a year — in February and November.
  • Notification Release: Usually released in January for CDS I and in October for CDS II.
  • Exam Date: CDS II was normally held around November to December each year.

Syllabus

• English:
  • Comprehension of given passages
  • Spotting errors
  • Vocabulary
  • Grammar and sentence structure
  • Synonyms & Antonyms
  • Idioms and phrases
  • Fill in the blanks
• General Knowledge:
  • Current events of national and international importance
  • History - Indian history and World history
  • Geography - India and the world
  • Polity - Indian Constitution & political system
  • Economic concepts
  • Environment and Ecology
  • Scientific research and developments
• Elementary Mathematics:
  • Arithmetic - Number systems, HCF & LCM, Fractions, Decimals, Percentages
  • Algebra - Basic algebraic expressions and equations
  • Geometry - Lines and angles, Triangles, Circles
  • Trigonometry - Basics and applications
  • Mensuration - Areas and volumes of simple geometric figures
  • Statistics - Mean, Median, Mode
  • Time and Work, Speed and Distance

Other Important Information

Application Process

1. Visit the official UPSC website: https://www.upsc.gov.in
2. Navigate to the 'Examinations' section and click on the Combined Defence Services (II) Examination notification link.
3. Read the detailed notification carefully to understand eligibility and other requirements.
4. Register yourself by creating a login ID on the UPSC Online application portal.
5. Fill the application form with accurate personal, educational, and contact details.
6. Upload required documents such as photographs and signatures in prescribed format.
7. Submit the application fee online/offline as per instructions.
8. Review the form and submit it before the last date.

Courses Offered

• Indian Military Academy (IMA)
• Indian Naval Academy (INA)
• Air Force Academy (AFA)
• Officers' Training Academy (SSC) - Women Non-Technical

Facts about the Exam

• Conducted twice a year by UPSC.
• Entry gateway to prestigious defense academies in India.
• Highly competitive with thousands of candidates appearing each time.
• Includes both written exam and subsequent Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.

Admit Card

• Available for download from the UPSC official website approximately 3 weeks before the exam date.
• Login using registration ID and date of birth to download.
• Must carry the admit card to the examination hall along with a valid photo ID proof.
• Check all details on the admit card for correctness.

Results & Cut-Offs

• Results declared on the UPSC official website under 'Latest Results' section.
• Cut-off marks vary every year depending on exam difficulty and number of candidates.
• Shortlisted candidates are called for SSB interview based on the cut-off.

Preparation Tips

• Understand the detailed syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly.
• Refer to standard books for English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics (like NCERT textbooks, Lucent's GK, R.S. Aggarwal for Maths).
• Practice previous year question papers and mock tests.
• Maintain a regular study schedule and focus on time management.
• Join coaching or online preparation platforms if necessary.

FAQs

• Q: Can final year students apply for CDS II?
  A: Yes, final year candidates can apply provided they complete the degree before joining the academy.
• Q: Is there negative marking?
  A: No, there is no negative marking in CDS exam.
• Q: What is the selection procedure?
  A: Written exam followed by Services Selection Board (SSB) interview and medical examination.
• Q: Can women apply for all courses?
  A: Women are eligible for SSC (Women Non-Technical) course; other courses are generally for men only.
• Q: How to download admit card?
  A: Login to UPSC website with registration details and download admit card from the link provided.