UPSC CDS II Examination 2024: Application Out, Notification, Eligibility

UPSC CDS II Examination 2024: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the CDS 2 Exam 2024 on May 15, 2024. This notification announces 459 open positions for those aspiring to serve in prestigious institutions like the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officer’s Training Academy.

Exam Overview:

• The CDS Exam is conducted twice a year and is recognized as a significant stepping stone for a career in defence services.
• To be considered for the Combined Defence Service Examination (II) 2024, candidates must successfully pass a written examination, proceed through an interview round, and pass a medical examination.

Registration Details:

• The online registration for the CDS II 2024 is now open at the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in.

In this article, we aim to provide you with all the necessary information about the CDS Exam 2024. You’ll find details on important dates, eligibility criteria, available vacancies, the exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, and much more to help you prepare effectively for this opportunity.

UPSC CDS II Examination 2024: Key Dates to Remember

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the schedule for the CDS 2 2024 examination. This is your chance to join the ranks of India’s defence services. Here’s what you need to know:

• Application Window: You can start applying for the CDS 2 2024 exam from May 15, 2024, and you have until June 4, 2024 (6:00 PM) to complete your registration.
• Fee Payment Deadline: Don’t forget, the last day to pay your application fee is also June 4, 2024 (6:00 PM).
• Admit Card Issuance: Your admit card will be available 7 to 10 days before the exam date. Keep an eye out for it!
• Exam Date: The big day is on September 1, 2024.

CDS 2 Exam 2024: Vacancies Details

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced a total of 459 vacancies for the upcoming CDS 2 Exam 2024. These positions are distributed across several academies, providing a range of opportunities for candidates interested in joining the Indian defence forces. Here’s a detailed look at the vacancies:

Vacancy Details:

• Indian Military Academy, Dehradun: There are 100 vacancies for the 158th (DE) Course starting in January 2025.
• Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala: A total of 32 vacancies are available for the course beginning in January 2025.
• Air Force Academy, Hyderabad: Candidates can apply for 32 vacancies for the training course commencing in January 2025.
• Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) SSC Men: The academy has 276 vacancies for the 121st SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course starting in April 2025.
• Officers Training Academy, Chennai SSC Women: There are 19 vacancies for the 35th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April 2025.

This comprehensive list ensures that candidates can clearly understand the number of positions available at each academy. Aspiring individuals should carefully consider their options and apply to the academy that best fits their career aspirations in the defence sector.

Application Fees for CDS 2 Exam 2024

Fee Structure:

• General/OBC/EWS Candidates: The application fee is ₹200.
  SC/ST Candidates and Sons of JCOs/ORs: No fee is required.
• All Female Applicants: They are also exempted from the fee.

How to Pay:

• The fee can be paid through an online transaction.

It’s important for all applicants to note the fee applicable to their category and make the payment accordingly. The process has been made convenient with the online payment mode. Ensure that you complete this step as it is essential for the successful submission of your application.

Educational Requirements for CDS 2 Exam 2024

Qualifications for Different Academies:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA) & Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification.
• Indian Naval Academy (INA): Aspirants should have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from a recognized university or institution.
• Air Force Academy (AFA): Applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level, or they should be a Bachelor of Engineering.

These educational qualifications are essential for eligibility and play a crucial role in the selection process for the CDS 2 Exam 2024. Candidates should ensure they meet these criteria before applying.

Exam Patterns for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA: CDS 2 Exam 2024

Understanding the Marking Scheme:
Negative Marking: Be cautious as there is a penalty for incorrect answers, with 1/3rd of the marks being deducted for each wrong response.

For IMA, INA, and AFA:

• English: Test your proficiency with a paper worth 100 marks over 2 hours.
• General Knowledge: Show your awareness with another 100 marks paper, also spanning 2 hours.
• Elementary Mathematics: Demonstrate your numerical ability in a 100 marks paper, within 2 hours.
• Overall: You’ll have a total of 6 hours to complete all three papers, summing up to 300 marks.

For OTA:

• English: A 100 marks paper to assess your language skills in 2 hours.
• General Knowledge: Another 100 marks paper to test your GK, again for 2 hours.
• Total: For OTA candidates, the total duration is 4 hours for 200 marks.

SSB/Interview Marks Allocation:

• Indian Military Academy: Prepare for an SSB interview worth 300 marks.
• Indian Naval Academy: The interview also holds 300 marks.
• Indian Air Force Academy: Another challenging interview with 300 marks.
• Officers’ Training Academy: A slightly different interview process with 200 marks.

CDS 2 Exam 2024: Age Limit Guidelines

• For IMA: Unmarried male candidates must be born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2006.
• For Indian Naval Academy: The same age criteria apply to unmarried male candidates as for IMA.
• For Air Force Academy: Candidates should be aged between 20 to 24 years as of July 1, 2025. This means they should be born no earlier than July 2, 2001, and no later than July 1, 2005.

These age limits are specified in the official CDS notification PDF. It’s important for candidates to ensure they fall within these age ranges to be eligible for the respective academies. Remember, meeting the age criteria is just as crucial as meeting the educational qualifications for the CDS 2 Exam 2024.

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