CDS Exam Pattern 2022 - Marking Scheme for Written & SSB Interview
CDS 2 Exam Pattern 2022 - The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has mentioned the CDS 2 2022 exam pattern for the written exam for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA courses in the official notification. According to the exam pattern of CDS 2 2022, candidates need to appear in both the stages of the recruitment process - written test and SSB interview for intelligence and personality test to qualify in the CDS 1 2022 exam.
Latest Updates for CDS
- 18 May 2022:
UPSC CDS 2 application form 2022 released
- 18 May 2022:
UPSC CDS 2 notification 2022 released
- 22 Dec 2021:
CDS 1 application form 2022 released
Stay up-to date with CDS News

It is important to check the detailed CDS 2 exam pattern 2022 to understand the stages, marking scheme, time duration of the exam as well as the subjects on which the CDS 2022 question paper is based on.
Latest Updates: Download now How to Crack CDS Exam e-book
While preparing for the CDS exam, aspirants must club the exam pattern with the CDS exam syllabus to streamline the preparations. CDS is conducted for the recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. Candidates must check CDS 1 notification 2022 to understand the exam pattern of CDS exam 2022. To know detailed information related to the CDS 2022 exam pattern, read the full article below.
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Highlights of CDS 2 exam pattern 2022
Particulars | Details |
Mode of Exam | Offline only |
Number of questions asked IMA, INA and AFA | 300 multiple choice questions |
Number of questions in OTA | 200 multiple choice questions |
Maximum Marks | 300 ( Indian Military, Navy and Air Force) and 200 (OTA) |
Duration of Exam | 2 hours (120 minutes) for each paper |
Medium | Hindi or English |
Negative marking | One-third marks deducted for each wrong answer |
CDS 2 2022 exam pattern: Stages of CDS exam
CDS 2022 exam is conducted in 2 phases-
Written Examination
Interview for intelligence and personality test
CDS Exam Pattern 2022 - For Written Examination
The first stage of the CDS recruitment process is the written exam. According to the UPSC CDS exam pattern, one written exam which is conducted for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Navy Academy (INA) AND Air Force Academy (AFA) and another one for Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). The questions are asked from all three subjects in the written test for IMA, INA, and AFA, whereas there is no mathematics paper for OTA course. Hence in the CDS 2022 OTA written exam, the question will be asked from two sections only - English and General Knowledge. The total time duration for IMA, INA, and AFA written test is 6 hours whereas for OTA written test 4 hours is allotted. Check below the tables to know more details regarding the CDS 2022 exam pattern .
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CDS exam pattern for For IMA, INA, and AFA
Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
English | 2 hours | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
Exam pattern of CDS 2 2022 for OTA
From the following table aspirants can check the CDS OTA exam pattern to prepare for the OTA exam.
Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
English | 2 hours | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
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CDS 2 exam pattern 2022 - For SSB Interview
Candidates who got qualified in the CDS written exam are required to appear in the SSB interview. For the CDS interview round, candidates will be called at one of the Services Selection Centres. According to the UPSC CDS exam pattern 2022, the interview will be conducted in two stages. Only those candidates who clear the stage I of CDS interview are permitted to appear for stage II. Check below the details about both the stages of the CDS interview.
Stage I: The stage I of CDS interview consists of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP and DT).
Stage II: The CDS interview stage II includes personal interview, Group testing officer tasks, psychology Tests and the conference.
Following the CDS exam pattern 2022, these tests will be conducted for four days and personality of a candidate is assessed by three different assessors - The Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist. There is no separate weightage for each test.
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UPSC CDS 2 Marking Scheme 2022
As per the CDS 2022 exam pattern, candidates will be awarded one mark for each correct answer whereas 0,33 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer. There is no negative marking for unattempted questions, Check below the table to know more about the CDS marking scheme.
CDS 2 Marking Scheme
Specifications | English | GK | Mathematics |
Maximum marks | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Marks for the correct answer | +1 mark for each correct option | +1 mark for each correct option | +1 mark 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 2 Syllabus 2022
As per the CDS syllabus 2022, the written exam is decided in three sections. In the english sections of the CDS exam syllabus, candidates need to prepare more with grammar and increase their word power. In order to crack the maths section of the CDS exam syllabus, the only key is practice. Read the newspaper daily and keep yourself updated with current affairs for the general awareness section. It is important to go through the entire CDS syllabus before starting the preparation as this will give you a better idea about your weaker and stronger section.
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CDS Mock Test 2022
Candidates preparing for CDS exam 2022 must attain the CDS mock tests. The CDS mock test will help the students to know the exact exam pattern of CDS 2022. Aspirants will get to know about the CDS exam pressure and environment of the CDS exam hall. With the help of CDS mock tests, candidates can assess their level of CDS preparation . There are numerous online mock tests available.
CDS Question Papers 2022
For the better preparation of CDS exam 2022, candidates must solve the CDS question paper of previous years to understand the important topics. Manage the time in a way so that 2-3 sample question papers must be solved on a daily basis.
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - CDS Exam Pattern 2022 - Marking Scheme for Written & SSB Interview
Question: Is the exam pattern of CDS 2022 same for IMA, INA, AFA written exam and OTS written exam?
Answer:
No, the UPSC CDS exam pattern 2022 for the IMA, INA, AFA written exam and OTS written exam is not the same. Check the details in the above article.
Question: How many questions will be asked in the CDS exam 2022?
Answer:
As per the CDS 2022 exam pattern, there will be questions in IMA, INA, AFA written exam and 200 questions in OTA written exam.
Question: What will be the maximum marks of the CDS question paper?
Answer:
The maximum marks of the CDS IMA, INA, AFA question paper is 300 whereas OTA question paper is 200.
Question: How can I prepare for the CDS 2022 exam?
Answer:
Solve the questions papers based on the syllabus and exam pattern of CDS. Manage your time as per the syllabus of CDS.
Question: Is the CDS exam tough?
Answer:
Yes, it is a bit tough, but if aspirants have prepared for the exam efficiently, they can qualify the exam easily.
Question: When will the CDS 2 2022 notification be released?
Answer:
CDS 2 notification 2022 has been released on May 18, 2022.
Question: When is the CDS 2 2022 exam?
Answer:
The CDS 2 2022 written exam is scheduled to be conducted on September 4, 2022.
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Questions related to CDS
i was born in 18/11/1999 should i eligible for cds 1and 2 please reply
For the examination of CDS 1 & 2, a student need to have graduated in any stream from an recognized university.. The age limit for the CDS examination is provided below for different CDS courses-
CDS Courses |
CDS Age Limit |
Marital Status |
Indian Military Academy |
19 to 24 years |
Unmarried |
Indian Naval Academy |
19 to 24 years |
Unmarried |
Air Force Academy |
20 to 24 years |
Unmarried |
Officers' Training Academy (Men) |
19 to 25 years |
Unmarried & Married |
Officers Training Academy (Women, Non-Technical) |
19 to 25 years |
Unmarried, Widow & Divorcee |
So yeah! You are eligible for the CDS 1&2.
For more information regarding CDS eligibility criteria consider the link provided below:
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
I hope this helps. Wish you a great eve!
hello, my date of birth is 29/04/1998. am i eligible to appear for CDS in 2023?
Hello Aspirant,
By 2023 you will be of approx. 25 years old and according to your age you will only be eligible for Officers Training Academy (Women, Non-Technical) through CDS 2023 so you can appear for CDS 2023 for aforesaid course and for your reference the age criteria for different courses is mentioned below :-
>> Indian Military Academy - 19 to 24 years
>> Indian Naval Academy - 19 to 24 years
>> Air Force Academy - 20 to 24 years
>> Officers' Training Academy (Men) - 19 to 25 years
>> Officers Training Academy (Women, Non-Technical) - 19 to 25 years
Apart from the age criteria there are some other parameters upon which your eligibility will be determined like your educational qualification which goes like :-
**Indian Military Academy - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute
**Indian Naval Academy - Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/ College
**Air Force Academy - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor degree in engineering
**OTA (Men) - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute
**OTA (Women - Non-Technical) - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute
For detailed eligibility criteria kindly check out the link given below :-
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
I hope this information helps you.
Good Luck!!
my date of birth is 2003 i am eligible for cds 2027
Hi
In 2027 , you will become 24 years old with your date of birth in 2003and so you will be eligible for CDS provided you fulfill rest of the eligibility criteria
For your reference,
CDS eligibility criteria is given below:-
-------------------) Educational qualifications
CDS Courses |
CDS Educational Qualification |
***** Indian Military Academy |
---------) A bachelor's degree from a recognised Institution /university in any discipline like BA/BCOM/BSC/Btech or any other graduation degree . |
***** Indian Naval Academy |
---------) You need Bachelor's Degree in Engineering |
***** Air Force Academy |
---------)Bachelor degree in engineering OR ---------)Bachelor's Degree in any discipline with Physics and Mathematics in your 10+2 level
|
***** OTA (Men) |
---------) Bachelor's Degree from a recognised institution/university in any discipline |
***** OTA (Women - Non-Technical) |
---------) Bachelor's Degree from a recognised institution/university any discipline |
††††† Those who are in final year of graduation are also eligible.
-------------------) Age limit & Marital status:-
CDS Courses |
CDS Age Limit |
Marital Status |
***** Indian Military Academy |
19 to 24 years |
Unmarried |
***** Indian Naval Academy |
19 to 24 years |
Unmarried |
***** Air Force Academy |
20 to 24 years |
Unmarried |
***** OTA (Men) |
19 to 25 years |
Unmarried & Married |
***** OTA (Women, Non-Technical) |
19 to 25 years |
Unmarried, Widow & Divorcee |
-------------) Nationality
NATIONALITY |
You should be citizen of India Or should be citizen of -----) Nepal -----) Bhutan |
-----) or you need to be a Tibetan refugee, who came before 1st January 1962 to permanently settle here in India |
|
or you should be Indian origin person migrated to permanently settle in India from : ------) Burma -----)Pakistan -----)Sri Lanka -----) East African countries i. e
|
To get the complete eligibility criteria go through the link given below:-
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
Thank you
my date of birth is 18/12/98, will i be able to apply for CDS 1 2023 ?
Hello Aspirant,
By 2023 you will be of approx. 25+ years old and according to your age you will not be eligible for any of the CDS courses because maximum age is 25 for CDS courses and you will definitely exceed that even for CDS 1 2023 by the time of shortlisting so you will not be eligible for it.
For your reference the age criteria for different courses is mentioned below :-
>> Indian Military Academy - 19 to 24 years
>> Indian Naval Academy - 19 to 24 years
>> Air Force Academy - 20 to 24 years
>> Officers' Training Academy (Men) - 19 to 25 years
>> Officers Training Academy (Women, Non-Technical) - 19 to 25 years
Apart from the age criteria there are some other parameters upon which your eligibility will be determined like your educational qualification which goes like :-
**Indian Military Academy - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute
**Indian Naval Academy - Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/ College
**Air Force Academy - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor degree in engineering
**OTA (Men) - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute
**OTA (Women - Non-Technical) - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute
For detailed eligibility criteria kindly check out the link given below :-
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
I hope this information helps you.
Good Luck!!
Myself born in 16/06/1998 am I eligible to apply for cds 2 2022?
Hello aspirant,
NO, you are not eligible for CDS 2 exam. As by 2022 your age will be 26 which exceeds the maximum age limit mentioned in the Age limit eligibility criteria in CDS examination. The Age limit eligibility criteria for CDS exam says that the candidate's age must be between 20 to 24 years. This means a candidate must born not earlier than 2nd January, 1999 and not later than 1st January, 2003 (Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 yrs.
Furthermore, to know more about the eligibility criteria for CDS Examination in detail, you can follow the below mentioned link to know more about it : https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
I hope that this will help.