CDS/OTA (3 Months Course)

Home / Academics / CDS/OTA (3 Months Course)

CDS / OTA Written Exam Preparation

Join Indus Defence Academy to receive expert coaching and start your journey towards success in the Combined Defence Services (CDS) written examination. Our academy is dedicated to providing specialized training to aspiring candidates. Led by a team of highly skilled and committed educators, our training program covers all areas of the prescribed syllabus, including General English, Mathematics, and General Awareness. Through instruction and rigorous practice sessions, we ensure that candidates are prepared with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the examination and achieve their goals.

Understanding the CDS/OTA Written Exam

The CDS Written Examination, conducted biannually by UPSC, serves as the gateway for graduates aspiring to join prestigious institutions of the Indian Armed Forces, including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, which is open to both men and women.

Application Process for CDS/OTA Examination

Notifications for the CDS written exam are typically released in November and July, with examinations conducted in February and October. Candidates can apply online through the UPSC website.

Eligibility Criteria for CDS Written Exam

Candidates must be graduates or in their final year of graduation. Engineering/Physics and Mathematics subjects are prerequisites for Air Force and Navy entries. Age eligibility ranges from 19 ½ to 24 years for IMA and 19 ½ to 25 years for OTA. Male candidates are eligible for the CDS written exam, while both men and women can apply for OTA.

Exam Pattern for CDS/OTA Written Exam

The CDS written exam comprises three papers: General Knowledge, English, and Mathematics, each carrying 100 marks. OTA candidates are exempted from the Mathematics paper, with their exam consisting of General Knowledge and English papers only.

Syllabus for CDS/OTA Written Exam

The syllabus for the CDS written exam covers a wide range of subjects, including English, History, Polity, Economics, Geography, Maths, Science, Current Affairs, and GK. OTA candidates follow the same syllabus, excluding the Mathematics paper.

Results of CDS/OTA Examination

UPSC declares the results of the CDS/OTA written exam within 3-4 months after the examination. Merit lists are based on candidates’ performance, with no fixed cutoff percentage. Candidates who perform well receive call letters for SSB interviews, followed by the display of the final merit list on the UPSC website. Joining instructions are then sent based on merit list vacancies.

Subject Duration Marks
English 2 hours 100
General Ability 2 hours 100
Mathematics 2 hours 100
Note: Mathematics exam is not applicable for OTA.

Paper Availability of Forms Date of Examination
CDS – I 2024 20 Dec 2023 To 09 Jan 2024 21 Apr 2024 (Sunday)
CDS – II 2024 15 May 2024 To 04 Jun 2024 01 Sep 2024 (Sunday)

Indus Defence Academy provides focused coaching for each paper, ensuring that candidates are thoroughly prepared for the CDS/OTA examination. Our expert faculty, comprehensive study materials, and structured curriculum are designed to maximize your chances of success in this prestigious examination. Join us to embark on your journey towards a career in defense services with confidence and excellence.