Introduction:
The Union
Public Service Commission (UPSC) has recently released the notification for the
Combined Defense Services (CDS) Exam I 2024, providing a golden opportunity for
individuals aspiring to serve in the defense forces. With a total of 457
vacancies across various categories, this examination calls upon eligible
candidates to apply and join the prestigious ranks of the armed forces.
Name of the
Post: UPSC CDS (I) 2024 Online Form
Post Date:
21-12-2023
Total
Vacancy: 457
Important Dates:
Last Date
to Apply Online: 09-01-2024 till 06:00 PM
Last Date
for Fee Payment (Pay by cash): 08-01-2024 at 11:59 pm
Last Date
for Fee Payment (online): 09-01-2024 till 06:00 PM
Date of
Modification in application form: From 10-01-2024 to 16-01-2024
Last Date
for modification of OTR: 16-01-2024
Date of
Exam: 21-04-2024
Age Limit (as of 01-01-2024):
Minimum
Age: 20 Years
Maximum
Age: 24 Years
(i.e., born
not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2005)
Age
relaxation is applicable as per the rules.
Application Fee:
For Others:
Rs. 200/-
For
Female/SC/ST Candidates: NIL
Payment
Mode: Either by remitting the money in any Branch of SBI by cash or by using
Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or by using the internet
banking facility of any Bank.
Qualification:
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has outlined specific eligibility criteria and educational qualifications for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam I 2024. Aspiring candidates must meet these criteria to be eligible for various academies. Below is a detailed table summarizing the educational requirements for each academy:
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy | Degree of a recognized University or equivalent. |
| Indian Naval Academy | Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Air Force Academy | Degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering. |
Additionally, candidates with their first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are required to submit proof of graduation or provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview at the SSB.
Pay Scale:
| Rank | Level | Pay Range |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | 10 | Rs. 56,100 - Rs. 1,77,500 |
| Captain | 10 B | Rs. 61,300 - Rs. 1,93,900 |
| Major | 11 | Rs. 69,400 - Rs. 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 12A | Rs. 1,21,200 - Rs. 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | 13 | Rs. 1,30,600 - Rs. 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | 13A | Rs. 1,39,600 - Rs. 2,17,600 |
| Major General | 14 | Rs. 1,44,200 - Rs. 2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG | 15 | Rs. 1,82,200 - Rs. 2,24,100 |
| HAG+Scale | 16 | Rs. 2,05,400 - Rs. 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr/ COAS | 17 | Rs. 2,25,000/- (fixed) |
| COAS | 18 | Rs. 2,50,000/- (fixed) |
Allowances:
Military Service Pay (MSP):
- Officers from Lieutenant to Brigadier: Rs. 15,500 p.m. fixed
Stipend for Cadet Training:
- During training at IMA and OTA: Rs. 56,100/- p.m.* (Starting pay in Level 10) *On successful commissioning, pay will be fixed in the first Cell of Level 10.
Flying Allowance (for Army Aviators):
- Lieutenant and above (Level 10 and above): Rs. 25,000/- p.m. fixed (R1H1 of Risk and Hardship Matrix)
Other Allowances:
- Dearness Allowance, Kit maintenance allowance (subsumed into Dress Allowance), Field Area Allowance, Risk and Hardship Allowances, High Altitude Allowance, Siachen Allowance, and Uniform Allowance.
Transport Allowance (TPTA):
- Higher TPTA Cities: Rs. 7,200 + DA thereon per month
- Other Places: Rs. 3,600 + DA thereon per month
Children Education Allowance (CEA):
- Rs. 2,250/- per month per child for the two eldest surviving only.
- Vacancy Details:
Here is a detailed table outlining the name of the course along with the approximate number of vacancies for each academy under the UPSC CDS (I) 2024 Exam:
No. Name of the Course and Academy Approximate No. of Vacancies 1. Indian Military Academy, Dehradun— 100 158th (DE) Course commencing in January 2025 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' (Army Wing) holders] 100 2. Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala—Course 32 commencing in January 2025 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders] 32 3. Air Force Academy, Hyderabad—(Pre-Flying) 32 Training Course commencing in January 2025 i.e. No. 217 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry] 32 4. Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 121st SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in April, 2025. 275 5. Officers Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 35th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April 2025. 18 Total Vacancies 457 This table provides a comprehensive overview of the courses offered by each academy and the corresponding number of vacancies. Aspiring candidates can use this information to make informed decisions about their preferences and choices while applying for the UPSC CDS (I) 2024 Exam.
Application Process:
Candidates are required to apply online by using the website upsconline.nic.in. The applicant needs to register himself/herself first at One Time
Registration
(OTR) platform, available on the Commission’s website, and then
proceed to fill up the online application for the examination. OTR has to be
registered
only once in a lifetime. This can be done anytime throughout the year.
If the
candidate is already registered, he/she can proceed straightway to filling
up the
online application for the examination.
Modification in OTR Profile
In case,
the candidate wants to effect any change in his/her OTR profile,
it shall be
allowed only once in the lifetime after the registration at the OTR platform.
The option
to change in OTR profile data shall be available till the expiry of 7 days
from the
next day after the closure of the application window of his/her first final
application
for any Examination of the Commission. In case the candidate after
registration
of OTR applies for the first time in this examination, the last date of
modification
of OTR would be 16.01.2024.
Modification in application form (Other than
OTR Profile):
The
Commission has also decided to extend the facility of making
corrections)s)
in any field(s) of the application form for this examination from next
day of the
closure of the application window of this Examination. This window
will remain
open for 7 days from the date of opening of the same, i.e. from
10.01.2024
to 16.01.2024. In case a candidate wants to carry out any change
in his/her
OTR profile during this period, then he/she should log in to the OTR
platform
and do the needful accordingly. In other words, no change in the OTR
profile can
be made by visiting the window for Modification in the application form.
Read Full Notification Here - UPSC CDS (I) Recruitment 2024
Official Website - UPSC
Apply - UPSC CDS (I) 2024 Online Form
Selection Process:
For candidates gearing up for the UPSC CDS (I) 2024 Exam, understanding the examination pattern and subjects is vital. Here's a detailed breakdown presented in a table:
1. Written Examination:
| Course | Subjects | Subject Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy | English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| Indian Naval Academy | English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| Air Force Academy | English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| Officers’ Training Academy | English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
2. Interview (Part 'B' of the Appendix):
- Interview for intelligence and personality test at Services Selection Centres.
3. Exam Details:
- Maximum Marks for Written Exam and Interview: 300 each for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy; 200 for the Officers’ Training Academy.
- Papers in all subjects will consist of objective-type questions.
- Question papers for General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be set bilingually in Hindi and English.
- Questions may involve the metric system of Weights and Measures.
- Candidates must write the papers in their own hand; no scribe assistance is allowed.
- Qualifying marks at the discretion of the Commission.
- Use of calculators is not permitted for answering objective-type papers.
As candidates prepare for this highly competitive examination, it's essential to be well-versed in the exam structure, subjects, and guidelines. The written examination, combined with the interview, serves as a comprehensive assessment of candidates' abilities and readiness for admission to the prestigious academies.
Conclusion:
The UPSC CDS (I) 2024 Exam presents a significant opportunity for individuals with a passion for serving the nation in the defense forces. Aspirants must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and complete the application process within the specified timelines. The thorough selection process and high standards set by the UPSC make this examination a benchmark for those seeking a career in the armed forces.
Candidates are encouraged to carefully go through the detailed notification provided by UPSC, considering all aspects of eligibility, application procedure, and examination pattern. The journey towards becoming a defense officer is both challenging and rewarding, requiring dedication, discipline, and a strong sense of duty.
In conclusion, the UPSC CDS (I) 2024 Exam is not just an opportunity for a career; it's a call to serve the nation with honor and integrity. Aspirants should approach the preparation process with dedication, and success in this examination will not only open doors to a fulfilling career but also contribute to the defense and security of the nation. Good luck to all the candidates aspiring to be a part of the esteemed armed forces!
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