The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2024 notification for the Combined Defense Services Examination 2, 2024. This examination is a gateway for candidates aspiring to serve in the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officer’s Training Academy. Here’s everything you need to know about the UPSC CDS 2 2024.
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2024 Notification:
The UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2024 is scheduled to be held on 1st September 2024. The notification was released on 15th May 2024, marking the commencement interested in a career in defense services can apply until the 4th June 2024.
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defense Service Examination 2 (CDS 2 2024) |
| No. of Positions | 459 |
| Application Start | May 15, 2024, |
| Application Deadline | June 04, 2024, |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Date | September 1, 2024, |
| Eligibility | Unmarried males and females with a graduate degree (specific qualification vary by academy) |
| Selection Process | Written Test, Interview, Medical Examination |
| Exam Pattern | Offline MCQ’S, Negative Marking for incorrect answers, Duration of 2 hours per paper |
| Official Website | CLICK HERE |
| Notification PDF | CLICK HERE |
UPSC CDS 2 2024 Eligibility Criteria:
The eligibility criteria for the UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2024, are comprehensive and cater to various aspects such as age limits, educational qualifications, nationality, and physical standards. Here’s a detailed look at the eligibility requirements:
| Academy | Age Limit | Educational Qualification | Nationality | Marital Status | Physical Standards |
| IMA | Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2002 and not later than July 1, 2006. | Degree from a recognized university or equivalent | Indian Citizenship, or subject of Bhutan/Nepal, or Tibetan refugee, or person of Indian origin from specified countries intending to settle in India. | Unmarried | Must be physically fit according to UPSC guidelines |
| INA | Same as IMA | Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution. | Same as IMA | Unmarried | Same as IMA |
| AFA | 20 to 24 years as of July 1, 2025; upper age limit relaxable up to 26 years for candidates with a valid Commercial Pilot License | Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10 + 2 level or Bachelor of Engineering | Same as IMA | Unmarried | Same as IMA |
| OTA | Typically broader than IMA and INA; specific details to be confirmed from the official notification. | Degree from a recognized university or equivalent | Same as IMA | Typically specifies in the notification | Same as IMA |
UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2024 Vacancy Details:
The UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2024 Notification has announced a total of 459 vacancies across various academies.
| Academy | Total Vacancies | Vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate Holders | Description |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 | 13 reserved for NCC ‘C’ Army Wing certificate holders | The IMA offers a comprehensive course designed to prepare candidates for leadership roles in the Indian Army. |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 32 | 06 reserved for NCC ‘C’ Naval Wing certificate holders | The INA provides rigorous training aimed at equipping candidates with the necessary skills to serve in the Indian Navy. |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 | — | The AFA focuses on training candidates for a career in the Indian Air Force, with an emphasis on flying and ground duties. |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA – Men) | 276 | — | The OTA for Men prepares candidates for commissioning into the Indian Army as officers. |
| Officer’s Training Academy (OTA – Women, Non – Technical) | 19 | — | The OTA for Women is dedicated to training women candidates for a career as officers in the Indian Army. |
UPSC CDS 2 2024 Selection Process:
The selection process for the UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2024 is a structural and multi-stage procedure designed to assess the candidates suitability for a career in the Indian Armed Forces. Below is a detailed table that outlines each stage of the selection process:
| Stages | Description | Components | Duration |
| Written Examination | The first stage is a written test conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). | – English – General Knowledge – Elementary Mathematics (for IMA, INA, and AFA) – English and General Knowledge (for OTA). | Each paper is 2 hours long. |
| SSB Interview | The second stage is the Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview which is a comprehensive evaluation of the candidates personality and intelligence. | – Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) – Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT) – Psychological Tests – Group Testing Officer Tasks – Interview – Conference. | 5 days |
| Medical Examination | Candidates who pass the SSB Interview undergo a medical examination by the Special Medical Board (SMB). | Assessment of physical and medical standards as per the guidelines set by the UPSC | Varies |
How to Apply for UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2024?
Applying for the UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2024 examination is a straightforward online process. Here’s a step-by-step process to apply for UPSC CDS 2 2024:
1. Visit the Official UPSC Website: Start by visiting the official UPSC website at upsconline.nic.in. This is the portal where you will find all the necessary information and the application form for the CDS II 2024 exam.
2. Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR): If you are a new candidate, you will need to complete the One-Time Registration process. This involves providing your basic information to create a profile on the UPSC website. The OTR is a mandatory step and has to be registered only once in a lifetime⁵.
3. Log In to the Application Portal: After completing the OTR, log in to the UPSC CDS application portal using your credentials.
4. Fill in the Application Form: Carefully fill in the required information on the application form. Ensure that all details are accurate and correspond to your official documents.
5. Upload Necessary Documents: You will be asked to upload scanned copies of necessary documents, including your photograph and signature. Make sure that the documents meet the specified requirements for size and format.
6. Pay the Examination Fee: The next step is to pay the examination fee. The fee can be paid online through the payment gateway provided on the UPSC website.
| Category | Application Fees |
| Open/OBC | INR. 200/- |
| SC/ST | No Application Fees |
| Payment Modes | Online: Net Banking, Mastercard/Debit Card
Offline: You can deposit your cash in any branch of SBI Bank. |
7. Submit the Application Form: Review all the information you have entered and make sure everything is correct then submit the application form.
8. Save and Print the Application: After submitting the form, it is advisable to save a copy of the application form for your records. Take a printout of the application form for the future reference.
