Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification and online application form for Combined Defence Services examination (I) 2020. Both are available at upsc.gov.in. To read the notification and apply, one has to go to upsc.gov.in and click “exam notification: combined defence services examination (i), 2020” under what’s new section.
UPSC CDS 1 2020 notification outlines a total of 418 vacancies, which is 1 more than last time. This includes 100 for IMA, 45 for INA, 32 for AFA, 225 for OTA for SSC men, and 16 in OTA for SSC women. At Indian Military Academy Dehradun, admission will be done to 150th DE course commencing in Jan 2021. Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala will offer admission in course commencing Jan 2021. Air Force Academy Hyderabad pre flying training course no. 209 will also start in Jan 2021. Officers Training Academy Madras is offering admission for SSC men in the 113th course and 27th for women, for both, courses will start in April 2021.
For IMA, unmarried male candidates with graduation, born between 2nd Jan 1997 and 1st Jan 2002 can apply. INA applicants have the same age and marital status eligibility, and educational qualification required is degree in engineering.
For AFA, candidates born between 2nd Jan 1997 and 1st Jan 2001 can apply. However here, the upper age limit is relaxed to 26 years for those who have a commercial pilot license by the DGCA. Candidates must have degree and have studied physics, mathematics at 10+2 level, or have a bachelors in engineering.
OTA SSC men course is open for unmarried men born between 2nd Jan 1996, and 1st Jan 2002. OTA SSC women is for unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees who have not remarried, born between 2nd Jan 1996 and 1st Jan 2002.
The last date to apply online for CDS 2020 is November 19, 2019. Pay by cash mode in application will be deactivated on November 18, 2019. The exam is scheduled for February 2, 2020. Whereas admit cards will be released three weeks prior to the exam, that is in January 2020, results for the written exam will be out in April 2020.
Candidates who apply, but later change their mind, can withdraw their application form from November 26, 2019, to December 3, 2019. However even after withdrawing form, fee shall not be refunded.
CDS 2020 written exam will be held on the same day for all applicants. Those who wish to get admission to IMA, INA, AFA need to appear in three papers namely english, general knowledge, elementary mathematics – each of 100 marks, 2 hours. OTA aspirants need to appear in the first two only.
The english paper will have 120 questions. GK shall also have 120 questions. Whereas mathematics paper will have 100 questions. In each exam, negative marking equal to one-third of marks of a question shall apply for each incorrect answer.
Nearly 8,000 candidates qualify the written exam, and from them, only as many candidates as are the vacancies will be selected for final positions. Merit for the purpose of final result is on the basis of marks in written exam, as well as SSB.
