The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) department released the registration notification for the CDS 2 exam 2024 link, which is active on the official website upsc.gov.in. The UPSC CDS exam notification was published for recruiting different army vacancies in India. Interested students can apply for UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2024 registration starts on 15th May 2024 and the student’s last date to apply on 4th June 2024.
UPSC CDS 2 Exam Registration 2024 Notification
The UPSC announced 459 vacancies notification 2024 for Aspirants to join the Indian Military Academy, Indian Air Force, Officer’s Training Academy, and Indian Naval Academy. The Combined Defence Service Examination is conducting 2 times every year all over India. Students who are interested in joining the Indian Air Force, Naval, and Army services, can apply for CDS 2 Exam registration at the UPSC website. Read more information on CDS 2 exam vacancies, age limit, education qualification, and CDS exam pattern given below.
| Department | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 459 |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Service Examinations (II) 2024 |
| CDS Notification Date | 15 May 2024 |
| Application Starts | 15th May 2024 |
| Last date | 4 June 2024 |
| Location | All over India |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| CDS 2 Notification PDF | Download |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024
The combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is held annually to recruit candidates for defence sectors. The CDS 2 exam pattern for the INA, IMA, and AFA exam total 300 marks, and the OTA exam total 200 marks with 1/3 negative marks also applicable to each wrong answer. Check the subject-wise marks and other important information below.
- Each wrong answer deducts -0.33 Marks.
- Exam duration 2 hours for each subject.
- All questions are Multiple objective questions.
- Question Paper language is English and Hindi.
| CDS 2 INA, IMA, and AFA Exam Pattern | ||
| Subject | Marks | Exam duration |
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Awareness | 100 | 2 hours |
| Officers Training Academy Exam Pattern | ||
| Subject | Marks | Exam duration |
| General Awareness | 100 | 2 hours |
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
CDS 2 2024 Vacancies List
The UPSC CDS 2 exam notification was published on 15th May 2024 on its UPSC official website. This notification includes a total of 459 vacancies in 5 defence academies in India. These vacancies include various positions for male and female candidates, read the academy vacancies list below.
| Academy Name | No of Vacancies |
| Indian Air Force Academy, Hyderabad – Pre-Flying, Training Course commencing in July 2025. | 32 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala – Course commencing in July 2025. | 32 |
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun – Course commencing in July 2025. | 100 |
| Officer’s Training Academy, Chennai – 36th SSC Women (NT) Course Commencing in October 2025. | 19 |
| Officer’s Training Academy, Chennai – 122nd SSC (Men) (NT) Course Starting in October 2025. | 276 |
| Total Vacancy | 459 |
UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2024 Eligibility
The UPSC CDS 2 2024 Eligibility Criteria for Recruiting Indian Defence Academy. Candidates must meet education qualifications and the age limit as per UPSC CDS 2 exam notification 2024. A candidate must be an Indian citizen, be a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or be a Tibetan refugee who entered India before January 1, 1962. Read more detailed information on the official CDS notification pdf.
Education Qualification
For Indian Air Force Academy (AFA): The Aspirants must complete a bachelor’s degree from a recognised Institute with Physics and Mathematics at the 12th level or a Bachelor’s degree in engineering.
For Indian Naval Academy (INA): The Candidates have completed a bachelor’s degree in engineering from a recognised Institute or university.
For Indian Military Academy (IMA) & Officer’s Training Academy: The Students have completed a bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognised Institute.
Age Limit
For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Only unmarried male candidates born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2006 (19 years and 24 years) are eligible.
For Indian Military Academy (IMA): Male applicants who are unmarried and born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2006 (min 19 years and max 24 years)
For Indian Air Force Academy (AFA): Minimum 20 to maximum 24 years old as of July 1, 2025, or born between July 2, 2001 and July 1, 2005.
For Officer’s Training Academy: Married and unmarried candidates aged between 20 to 25 years as of 1st July 2025 or born between 2nd July 2001 and 1st July 2005.
UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2024 Important dates
Candidates can check the CDS 2 important dates such as the CDS admit card release date, CDS 2 examination date, and the last date of CDS 2 application submission information provided below.
| CDS 2 Exam Events | Date |
| Application starting date | 15th May 2024 |
| Last date to apply for CDS 2 | 4th June 2024 |
| CDS 2 application correction window | 5 June to 11 June 2024 |
| CDS 2 admit card release date | 5 to 7 days before the exam |
| CDS 2 exam date | 1 September 2024 |
| CDS 2 exam date | August 2024 |
CDS Application Fees
When applying for the CDS 2 2024 examinations, applicants will need to pay the application fees according to their category. For ST and SC categories fees are exempted. Students can pay application fees through net banking, UPI, credit card, debit card, and offline mode (bank Challan).
| Category | Fees |
| UR/EWS/OBC | Rs 200 -/ |
| ST/SC and Female | No Fees |
Read also: UPSSSC JE Recruitment 2024, Total 4016 Posts.
How to Apply for UPSC Combined Defence Services 2 Exam 2024
Candidates can follow these simple steps to apply for UPSC CDS 2 Exam registration 2024.
Step 1: Students must visit the UPSC official website: upsc.gov.in.
Step 2: Find the “What’s New” section tab, on the right side of the web homepage.
Step 3: Then click “Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2024”.
Step 4: Now redirected to the user’s new registration page.
Step 5: Click the New Registration option.
Step 6: Fill out the application form with basic details and education details.
Step 7: Submit the application and pay the registration fees.
Step 8: Print out the CDS 2 Exam application form.
UPSC CDS 2 Selection Process
UPSC CDS 2 exam for Indian Air Force Academy, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy & Officer’s Training Academy recruitment process.
- Written examination.
- Personality Test or Interview.
- Certificate Verification.
- Medical Examination.
- Final Selection List.
UPSC CDS 2 Exam FAQ 2024
What is the last date of UPSC CDS 2?
The last date for applying for the CDS 2 exam is June 4, 2024.