The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has told us about the UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2024. This test gives people who want to join the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy a chance to become officers.
In this article, I will give you all the important details about the UPSC CDS II 2024 recruitment. I’ll tell you about the jobs available, who can apply for UPSC CDS II, how to apply, and the important dates. I’m here to help you through each step of the process so you can get ready for this big test.
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment Notification
The UPSC has announced the UPSC CDS II 2024 official notification. This UPSC CDS II Recruitment will fill 459 empty posts in different military academies in India.
| Notification Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Advt No. | 11 /2024.CDS- II |
| Exam Name | CDS (II) Exam 2024 |
| Vacancy | 459 Posts |
| Application Mode | Online |
Exam Overview
The CDS exam is a way for you to become an officer in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. If you pass, you can join the IMA, INA, or AFA. The academy you join depends on what you choose and how well you do in the exam.
Total Vacancy
- IMA, Dehradun – 100 posts for the course starting in July 2025. This includes 13 spots for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders.
- INA, Ezhimala – 32 posts for the course starting in July 2025. This includes 6 spots for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders.
- AFA, Hyderabad – 32 posts for the course starting in July 2025. This includes 3 spots for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry.
- OTA, Chennai – 295 posts. 276 are for the SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course starting in October 2025. 19 are for the SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course starting in October 2025.
Application Process
- Visit Official Website: Go to the UPSC official website at upsc.gov.in. Here, you can find the online application for the UPSC CDS II exam.
- Register: Look for the link that says “Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC”. Click on it to start registering. You’ll need to give some personal details to create your account.
- Fill Application Form: After registering, log in and choose the CDS (II) 2024 application form. Fill in all the required information carefully. This includes your education, personal details, and where you’d like to take the exam.
- Upload Documents: You’ll need to upload a recent photo and your signature. Make sure they are in the correct format and size before uploading.
- Pay Exam Fee: Next, you have to pay the exam fee online. You can pay using net banking, credit/debit card, or deposit cash at SBI.
- Submit Form: Before submitting, double-check all the details you’ve entered. Make sure everything is correct. Then, submit the form online.
- Print Application: After you submit, make sure to print the confirmation page. Keep this printout safe. You’ll need it later during the exam process.
Important Links
- Apply Online: You can find the direct link to fill out the online application for CDS (II) 2024 on the UPSC official website at upsc.gov.in.
- Notification: Download the official notification PDF for CDS (II) 2024 from the UPSC website. It has all the details about the exam, like who can apply, the exam pattern, and important dates.
- Official Website: Keep checking the UPSC official website at upsc.gov.in for the latest updates and notices about the CDS (II) 2024 exam.
Application Fee
- General/OBC/EWS: If you belong to the General, OBC, or EWS category, you have to pay ₹200 as application fee for the CDS (II) 2024 exam.
- SC/ST/Female: If you are from SC, ST, or a female candidate, you don’t have to pay the application fee for the CDS (II) 2024 exam. This is to encourage more people to participate.
- Payment Modes: UPSC lets you pay the fee in different ways. You can use net banking, credit/debit card, or deposit cash at any SBI branch.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for UPSC CDS II 2024, you need to meet these requirements:
- Nationality: You must be a citizen of India, Nepal, or Bhutan. Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1962 and want to settle here can also apply. If you’re of Indian origin and have moved from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, Vietnam, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or North Vietnam to live in India, you can apply too.
- Educational Qualifications: For IMA and OTA, you need a degree from a recognized university. For INA, you need an Engineering degree. For AFA, you need a degree with Physics and Math at 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering.
- Age Limit: The age limit is different for each academy. For IMA and OTA, you should be born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2006. For AFA, you should be 20 to 24 years old as of July 1, 2025.
- Marital Status: For IMA and INA, only unmarried men can apply. For AFA, both married and unmarried men can apply, but you can’t get married during training. For OTA, unmarried men and women can apply.
- Physical Standards: You need to meet the physical standards for height, weight, chest size, and eyesight. Check the official notification for the exact numbers.
Important Dates
| Notice | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 15-05-2024 |
| Online Application Start Date | 15-05-2024 |
| Online Application End Date | 04-06-2024 |
| Exam Date | 01-09-2024 |
Important Instructions
- Photograph: You need to upload a recent photo, taken in the last 10 days. Write your name and date on it. The photo should be clear and follow the rules in the official notification.
- One Time Registration (OTR): UPSC has a new system called OTR. You need to register on the UPSC website before you can apply for any exam. If you haven’t registered yet, you need to make a new OTR account to apply for CDS (II) 2024.
- Complete Application: Make sure you fill in all the details correctly in the online application form. If anything is wrong or missing, your application might get rejected.
- Document Verification: Keep all your important documents ready. You’ll need to show them during the application and later in the exam process. This includes your education certificates, age proof, caste certificates (if needed), and other documents listed in the official notification.
- Fee Payment: If you need to pay the application fee, make sure you do it on time. If you don’t pay within the given time, your application might get rejected.
Exam Pattern
The UPSC CDS II 2024 exam has a written test and an interview. The written test has three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. If you want to join IMA, INA, or AFA, you need to take all three papers. But if you want to join OTA, you only need to take the English and General Knowledge papers. Each paper is 2 hours long and has 100 marks, except for the Elementary Mathematics paper which has 200 marks. The questions will be multiple choice, and you will lose marks for wrong answers. It’s important to know the syllabus and exam pattern well so you can prepare in the best way.
Exam Centres
| UPSC CDS II 2024 Exam Centres | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Agartala | Ahmedabad | Aizawl | Almora |
| Bengaluru | Bhopal | Chandigarh | Chennai |
| Cuttack | Dehradun | Delhi | Dharwad |
| Dispur | Gangtok | Hyderabad | Imphal |
| Itanagar | Jaipur | Jammu | Jorhat |
| Kochi | Kohima | Kolkata | Lucknow |
| Mumbai | Nagpur | Panaji | Patna |
| Port Blair | Raipur | Ranchi | Sambalpur |
| Shillong | Shimla | Srinagar | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Tirupati | Udaipur | Vishakhapatnam | |
Salary
CDS officers get paid very well based on their rank. Lieutenants, who are the lowest rank, start with a basic salary of ₹56,100 per month. This can go up to ₹1,77,500. As you move up to higher ranks like Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier, Major General, and Lieutenant General, your salary will increase a lot. Lieutenant Generals can earn up to ₹2,25,000. Along with the basic salary, you will also get allowances for things like rent, transport, and medical care. You will also get housing and a pension. So the total pay and benefits for CDS officers are really good.
FAQs
Q. What do I need to apply for UPSC CDS II 2024?
To apply for UPSC CDS II 2024, you must be single and an Indian citizen. You should be the right age for the academy you want to join. For IMA and OTA, you need a college degree. For INA, you need an engineering degree. For AFA, you need Physics and Mathematics in 12th grade or a Bachelor of Engineering. Make sure to read the official notice carefully to see if you meet all the requirements before applying.
Q. How will candidates be selected for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2024?
The selection process for UPSC CDS II 2024 has many steps to see if you are fit to join the Indian Armed Forces. First, there is a written test to choose the best candidates. If you do well on the written test, you will be called for an interview with the Service Selection Board (SSB). They will look at your personality, skills, and leadership abilities. The last step is a detailed medical exam to make sure you are physically and medically fit. Only those who pass all these steps will be considered for the final list and sent to the academies.
Q. How do I apply for CDS (II) 2024?
To apply for CDS (II) 2024, you need to go to the UPSC website at upsc.gov.in when applications are open. First, create an account and fill out the online form with your personal, education, and contact details. You also need to upload a recent photo and signature in the correct format. After filling the form, pay the application fee using any available method. Make sure to check all the information carefully before submitting because any mistakes can lead to your application being rejected.
Q. What is the exam format for CDS (II) 2024?
The written test for CDS (II) 2024 has three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each paper is 2 hours long and has 100 marks. The test has multiple choice questions where you need to pick the right answer. The English paper tests your reading, vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills. The General Knowledge paper covers many topics like current events, history, geography, and science. The Elementary Mathematics paper tests your basic math skills and problem-solving abilities. To do well on the UPSC CDS II 2024 exam, it’s important to know the exam format and syllabus.