The Combined Defence Services Examination or the CDS Examination is held twice a year, namely CDS 1 and CDS 2. The exam is conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) to recruit candidates for the open positions in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Indian Air Force Academy (AFA). These are the training centres of the Indian Defence Forces.
The CDS 1 Exam has already been conducted for this year, and candidates are now waiting for the CDS 2 Exam 2024. The CDS Admit Card for the first examination was released on 12 April 2024 on the official website of UPSC. Applicants can download the CDS Admit Card from the UPSC portal. The CDS 2 Exam 2024 is yet to happen, and candidates are waiting to get the admit card.
CDS 2 Admit Card 2024: The CDS 2 Exam is set to be held on 1 September 2024. The Union Public Service Commission is yet to release the admit cards. Candidates appearing for the test are expected to visit the official site to download the CDS Admit Card 2024 for the second phase of the examination. Applicants must use their registration number and birthdate to log in to the UPSC website in order to access the admit card.
CDS Admit Card 2024 Release Date
The CDS 2 admit card is expected to be released in the third week of August 2024 (tentatively). Candidates are advised to keep checking this website for the CDS 2 admit card release date. The UPSC Admit Card for CDS Exam has all the important information that a candidate requires to enter the exam hall (photo, signature, roll number, exam centre, and more). The CDS exam date is 1 September 2024.
CDS 1 Admit Card 2024 Out
UPSC released the CDS 1 admit card on 12 April 2024 on their official website. The window to download the admit card was open till the day of the exam, which was 21 April 2024. Candidates were able to download the CDS admit card from 12 April to 21 April.
The CDS 1 written exam to recruit trainees in the Air Force Academy (AFA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), and Indian Naval Academy (INA), consisted of three papers. However, there were two papers for candidates opting for the Officers Training Academy (OTA). Candidates can check the CDS Eligibility and the CDS Syllabus later in this article.
CDS Exam 2024 Important Dates
| Particulars | Details |
| CDS 1 Admit Card Release Date | 12 April 2024 |
| CDS 1 Admit Card Download Last Date | 21 April 2024 |
| CDS 1 Exam Date | 21 April 2024 |
| CDS 2 Application Date | 15 May 2024 - 04 June 2024 |
| CDS 2 Admit Card Release Date | To Be Announced |
| CDS 2 Exam Date | 1 September 2024 |
CDS Exam Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Name of Exam | Combined Defence Services (CDS) |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| CDS Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Mode of examination | Offline |
| CDS 1 Exam Date | 21 April 2024 |
| CDS 2 Exam Date | 1 September 2024 |
| Selection Process | Written Test, SSB Interview, Physical Fitness Test, Medical Examination |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
CDS Admit Card Download
The UPSC releases the CDS Admit Card online. Candidates can view and download their admit cards from the official website. Check out the steps below to download the CDS Admit Card 2024:
Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSC and log in with the registration number and birthdate
Step 2: Search for ‘Admit Card’ on the homepage and select the option
Step 3: On the next page, click on ‘E-admit card for CDS’
Step 4: Read the instructions thoroughly before proceeding to download the admit card
Step 5: Click on ‘Yes’ and a new page will appear
Step 6: Fill in the details such as the registration number or roll number
Step 7: Click on ‘Submit’ and your admit card will appear on the screen
Step 8: Download the admit card for all future references
Details Mentioned on the CDS Admit Card
- Application Number
- Applicant’s Roll Number
- Candidates Name
- Father’s Name
- Category (Reserved/ Unreserved)
- Photograph and Signature of Candidate
- Name of Exam Center
Date and Time of the Exam - Reporting Time
- Exam Instructions
Documents to be carried with CDS Admit Card 2024
Carry the following documents with you while appearing for the exam:
- Photo-identity proof (Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, Aadhar card, College/School ID card)
- Printout of CDS admit card
- 3-4 passport size photographs
CDS Exam Pattern 2024
The CDS Exam Pattern for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and AFA (Air Force Academy) consists of three papers. Candidates can check the exam pattern in the following table:
| Papers | Subjects | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper I | English | 2 hours | 100 |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Paper III | Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
Candidates applying for OTA (Officers Training Academy) need to appear for two papers. They can check the exam pattern below:
| Papers | Subjects | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper I | English | 2 hours | 100 |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
CDS Exam Pattern 2024 includes the names of the subjects, the duration of the paper, and maximum marks. Those who qualify the CDS written exam are called for an SSB interview, which consists of 300 marks in total. Both the exams can be taken in English and Hindi language.
CDS Exam Day Instructions 2024
Here are a few exam day instructions for CDS 2 exam:
- Without admit card you will not be allowed to enter the exam hall
- Keep your CDS admit card till the recruitment process is over
- Entry gate will be closed 10 minutes before the exam
- Electronic devices like calculators, mobile phones, pages etc are not allowed inside the exam hall
- You will not be allowed to leave the exam centre till the test is over
- Maintain social distancing
- Wear mask