CDS Exam Pattern 2024: Marking Scheme, Negative Marking, Total Marks
CDS Exam Pattern 2024 – The UPSC will officially publish the notification for the CDS 2024 on December 20, 2023. The official notification will include information on the CDS Exam Pattern 2024 also. Details like the number of questions asked, marking scheme, time duration of the exam are crucial for the successful preparation for the exam.
As per previous years’ notification, the Indian Military, Indian Navy, and Air Force Academy Exam is divided into 3 sections, whereas the Officers’ Training Academy Exam is divided into 2 sections. A total of 100 questions carrying one mark each will be asked in each section.Each incorrect answer carries a 1/3 negative marking in overall score. The exam duration will be 2 hours for each subject.
Candidates are encouraged to review the notification PDF which entails CDS Exam Pattern to get complete insights into the exam. You can check and download the CDS Syllabus 2024 PDF of recent years from the table below.
| UPSC CDS 2022 Official Exam Pattern | UPSC CDS 2022 |
| UPSC CDS 2023 Official Exam Pattern | UPSC CDS 2023 |
| UPSC CDS 2024 Official Exam Pattern | To be updated soon |
CDS Exam Pattern 2024 Overview
Candidates before preparing for the CDS exam must get an overview of the exam. Key highlights related to the CDS exam pattern are provided below:
| Particulars | Details |
| CDS 2024 Mode of Exam | Offline |
| CDS 2024 Number of Questions for Indian Military, Navy and Air Force | 300 MCQ type questions |
| CDS 2024 Number of Questions for OTA | 200 MCQ type questions |
| CDS 2024 Duration of Exam | 2 hours (120 minutes) for each paper |
| CDS 2024 Medium | Hindi or English |
| CDS 2024 Negative marking | One-third of marks are deducted for every incorrect response |
CDS 2024 Scheme of Examination
The CDS Competitive examination comprises:
- Written examination
- Interview for intelligence and personality test of such candidates as may be called for interview at one of the Services Selection Centres.
CDS Exam Pattern for INA, IMA and AFA
For Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy, 100 questions from three subjects namely English, General Knowledge and Mathematics will be asked. 2 hours duration will be allotted for each subject.
| Exam Pattern for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy | |||
| S. No. | Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| 3 | Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
CDS OTA Exam Pattern
For Officers’ Training Academy 100 questions per subject, namely English and General Knowledge will be asked in the question paper. 2 hours duration will be allotted for each subject.
| Exam Pattern for Officers’ Training Academy | |||
| S. No. | Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
CDS SSB Interview
The SSB Interview awards 300 marks each for IMA, INA, and AFA and 200 for OTA. It’s a two-stage process comprising Stage I and II, with only successful Stage I candidates progressing to Stage II. Below, you’ll find details for both stages:
Stage 1: It is an OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) Test which contains Picture Perception and Description Test (PP & DT). Candidates will be shortlisted as per their performance in the OIR Test and PP and DT.
Stage 2: Candidates passing stage 1 will be called for this stage. This part consists of Group Testing Officer Tasks, Interviews, Conferences, and Psychology Tests. These tests are organized in four days.
CDS Marking Scheme
CDS 2024 Question Type –The CDS examination is a multiple-choice question test.
CDS 2024 Negative Marking – Negative marking is applicable for every incorrect answer or multiple answers to one question.
- For each incorrect answer or multiple answers to one question, 0.33 marks will be deducted.
- No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
CDS Marking Scheme for IMA, INA, AFA
The following table explains the detailed marking scheme of the exam.
| CDS Paper | English | GK | Mathematics |
| Maximum Marks | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Marks for Correct answer | +1 marks for each correct option | +1 marks for each correct option | +1 marks for each correct option |
| Negative marking | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
CDS Marking Scheme for OTA
The following table shows the Marking scheme for the Officer Training Academy (OTA)
| CDS Paper | English | GK |
| Maximum Marks | 100 | 100 |
| Marks for Correct answer | +1 marks for each correct option | +1 marks for each correct option |
| Negative marking | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
Important points on CDS Exam Pattern
CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for IMA, INA, and AFA consists of 3 sections – English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Whereas the written paper for OTA consists of 2 sections – English and General Knowledge. The structure of the question paper is shown in the table below-
CDS 2024 Mode of Exam: Offline i.e. candidates will be allocated an OMR sheet wherein they must color the appropriate response.
CDS 2024 Type of Questions: Objective Type i.e. each question will have four options. A candidate must choose the most appropriate response.
| Type of Questions | Objective type – Multiple choice questions (MCQs) |
| Total No. of Questions |
|
| CDS Total Marks |
|
| Marks for Correct Answer | For every correct answer 1 mark will be awarded |
| Negative Marking | For each incorrect answer or multiple answers to one question, 0.33 marks will be deducted. |
CDS 2024 The medium of Exam: Bilingual in Hindi as well as English
CDS 2024: Standard of Questions: Given below is the expected standard of each section in the CDS Exam:
- Elementary Mathematics: The standard of the papers in Elementary Mathematics will be of Matriculation level.
- English: The question paper will be designed to test the candidates’ understanding of English and workman-like use of words.
- General Knowledge: General Knowledge includes knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject. The paper will also include questions on the History of India and the Geography of nature which candidates should be able to answer without special study.
CDS 2024 Aspirants may refer to Previous Year Question Papers to know more about the level of questions asked in the exam.
| CDS 2023 Question Paper | Elementary Mathematics |
| English | |
| General Knowledge |
What after the CDS Exam?
Candidates who pass the UPSC CDS Exam have a broad spectrum of prospects in the Indian Armed Forces. Following completion of cadet training in the Army, Air Force, or Navy, they will be commissioned as officers in one of the three armed services.
The starting point of an officer career in the Indian Armed Forces is the Lieutenant (Army) Sub Lieutenant (Navy) Flying Officer) upon passing the CDS. Following this it’s a steady climb to the top depending on the performance of the officer.
CDS Exam Pattern 2024 FAQs
Q. What are the sections in the CDS 2024 written test?
Ans. For Indian Naval, Indian Military, and Air Force Academy, there are 3 sections – English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
For OTA, there are 2 sections – English, and General Knowledge.
Q. How many stages does one candidate go through before getting selected in CDS?
A. There are two tests in CDS: the Written Exam and Interview for intelligence and personality test.
Q. What is the CDS SSB Interview Process?
A. After clearing the written test, the candidates have to go through a series of personality tests. This interview commonly known as SSB has different types of tests to judge a person’s personality-
- Picture Perception and Description Test
- Group Testing Officer Tasks, Interview, Conference, and Psychology Test
Q. By mistake, I have marked two options in the answer. Will I be awarded any marks for that question?
A. No marks will be given for that particular question. Only one option has to be marked as the answer.
Q. Can I use a pencil in the exam for omitting the answer?
A. You can use only a black ballpoint pen for omitting the circles as well as for writing the details like center, subject code, roll no., etc
Conclusion
The date for the CDS Written Exam 2024 exam will be declared soon. So, study the topics thoroughly, as you must know that to answer multiple choice questions, you must have a thorough knowledge of the subject. The CDS Exam tests a candidate in English, Mathematics and General Knowledge. Study in a planned way and solve previous years’ questions to know the level of your preparation. Your hard work and diligence will undoubtedly make your dream come true.
Also See :
- CDS 2024
- CDS Application form 2024
- CDS Exam pattern 2024
- CDS Syllabus 2024
- CDS Result 2024
- CDS Eligibility 2024