CDS Examination Pattern

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CDS Exam Pattern

The Combined Defence Services Examination pattern is based according to the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy selection procedure. CDS Exam Pattern for Indian Military, Indian Navy and Air Force Academy Exam divided into 3 sections, whereas Officers’ Training Academy Exam divided into 2 sections, The subjects of the written examination, the time allowed and the maximum marks allotted to each subject will be as follows:

For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy:—

Specifications Details
Papers
  • Paper I – English Paper
  • Paper II – General Knowledge Paper
  • Paper III – Elementary Mathematics
Number of Questions
  • Paper I – 120 Questions
  • Paper II – 120 Questions
  • Paper III – 100 Questions
Maximum Marks
  • Paper I – 100 Marks
  • Paper II – 100 Marks
  • Paper III – 100 Marks
Time Duration
  • Paper I – 2 Hours
  • Paper II – 2 Hours
  • Paper III – 2 Hours
Exam Shift
  • First Shift – English Paper 
  • Second Shift – General Knowledge Paper
  • Third Shift – Elementary Mathematics
Positive Marking
  • 0.833 marks will be given for every correct answer in the English and General Knowledge papers.
  • While in the Elementary Mathematics paper, 1 mark will be given for every correct answer.
Negative Marking
  • 0.277 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer in the English and General Knowledge papers. 
  • While in the Elementary Mathematics paper, 0.33 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
Nature of Questions
Multiple-Choice Questions
Mode of Exam
Offline (OMR-Based)

For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy :—

Specifications Details
Papers
  • Paper I – English Paper
  • Paper II – General Knowledge Paper
Number of Questions
  • Paper I – 120 Questions
  • Paper II – 120 Questions
Maximum Marks
  • Paper I – 100 Marks
  • Paper II – 100 Marks
Time Duration
  • Paper I – 2 Hours
  • Paper II – 2 Hours
Exam Shift
  • First Shift – English Paper 
  • Second Shift – General Knowledge Paper
Positive Marking
  • 0.833 marks for every correct answer 
Negative Marking
  • 0.277 marks for every wrong answer 
Nature of Questions

Multiple-Choice Questions

Mode of Exam

Offline (OMR-Based)

CDS Exam Pattern Important Points:-

The maximum marks allotted to the written examination and to the interviews will be equal for each course i.e.

–          Indian Military Academy – 300 Marks

–          Indian Naval Academy – 300 Marks

–          Air Force Academy – 300 Marks

–          Officers’ Training Academy – 200 Marks

·         Objective type questions only for CDS written exam
·         Bilingual language i.e. Hindi and English for General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics questions
The amount of time required to put on particular subject topic-wise or concept-wise approaches the maximum points in CDS exam.

For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy :—

Topic Number of Questions
History
19
Science
27
Geography
22
Ecology
06
Polity
20
Economy/Trade
11
Miscellaneous /Armed Forces
15

CDS Exam: Elementary Mathematics

Topic Number of Questions
Mensuration
14
Algebra
7
Mean-Median-Mode (Frequency Distribution Table)
4
Time speed and Distance
6
Number System
20
Simple interest/Compound interest
5
Percentage
2
Profit/Loss
1
Mixture
1
Time and Work
3
Trigonometry
14
Set Theory
1
Clock
2
Geometry
20

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