NDA and CDS Exam Begins September 1: The NDA and CDS 2024 Exam is scheduled for September 1, 2024, in two shifts. As the NDA and CDS exam is scheduled in the next two days, candidates are advised to buckle up and revise all the CDS important questions and NDA important questions from the exam perspective. Candidates must also read the NDA and CDS exam day guidelines to maintain decorum and check the shift timing to reach the exam centre on time. Check the NDA and CDS Exam Day Guidelines, shift timing, and other important details on this page to avoid any confusion or last-minute rush on the examination day.
NDA and CDS 2024 Exam Shift Timings
The Union Public Service Commission has released the NDA and CDS Admit Card and shift timings on its official website. As per the official notice, the NDA 2024 exam will be held in two shifts, i.e., the morning and afternoon sessions and the CDS exam will be conducted in three shifts, i.e., the morning shift from 9.00 am to 11.00 am, 12.00 pm to 2.00 pm for the afternoon shift, and the evening shift from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm. It is advised to download the UPSC NDA admit card and CDS admit card to avoid last minute hassle.
Candidates must check the NDA and CDS shift timings in advance in order to reach the exam centre on time. Check the NDA and CDS exam timing for all the shifts below.
| NDA Shift Timings | ||
| Shifts | Exam Time | Reporting Time |
| Morning Shift | 10:00 am to 12:30 pm | 9:50 am |
| Afternoon shift | 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm | 1:50 pm |
| CDS Shift Timings | ||
| Morning Shift | 9:00 am to 11:00 am | 8:50 am |
| Forenoon shift | 11.00 am to 12:00 pm | 10:50 am |
| Afternoon shift | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | 2:50 pm |
UPSC NDA Exam Pattern 2024
The NDA and CDS Selection Process is divided into two stages, i.e., a written exam and SSB Test/Interview. The NDA exam pattern covers two subjects, i.e., mathematics and general ability tests. The maximum mark for the written exam is 900 (mathematics carries 300 marks and GAT carries 600 marks). The exam duration shall be 2 ½ hours for each paper. There shall be a negative marking of 1/3rd mark for each incorrect answer in the exam. After qualifying in the NDA and CDS written exams, candidates are shortlisted for the SSB Test/Interview round. The SSB/Interview round carries a total of 900 marks. Know details for NDA syllabus 2024 here.
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Mathematics | 2½ Hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 2½ Hours | 600 |
| Total | 900 | |
CDS Exam Pattern 2024
On the other hand, the CDS exam pattern covers three subjects such as English, general knowledge, and elementary mathematics. The maximum marks for each subject is 100 marks and exam subjects will be conducted for 2 hours. Check CDS syllabus 2024 here.
| Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy | ||
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Admission to Officers’ Training Academy | ||
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
NDA and CDS Exam Day Guidelines 2024
As the NDA and CDS exam scheduled next 2 days, one must speed up their revision strategy and ensure that they focus on higher-weightage topics and revise the areas that need focus. Here are the NDA and CDS Exam Day Guidelines shared below for the reference of the candidates aspiring for the upcoming NDA and CDS exam.
- Candidates must reach the exam venue in time at least 30 minutes prior to the commencement of each session of the examination. No late entry will be permitted within the exam premises under any circumstances.
- No candidate will be allowed to appear in the NDA and CDS examination without a valid NDA and CDS admit card and ID proof. The list of photo ID proofs is Aadhar Card/Voter Card/ PAN Card/ Passport/Driving License/School Photo ID/Any other photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government. So, candidates must download and take the printout of the admit card to avoid any last-minute rush.
- For writing and marking answers in the OMR sheet (Answer Sheet) of the NDA and CDS exam, candidates must use a black ballpoint pen only. Pens with any other colour are not allowed. Do not use a pencil or ink pen in the exam.
- Candidates must ensure that they go through the NDA and CDS last minute tips for both subjects to excel in the exam.
- Candidates must not bring any of the prohibited items, including mobile phones, pagers or any electronic equipment or programmable devices or storage media like pen drives, smart watches, etc., cameras, Bluetooth devices or any valuable or costly items, to the exam venue.
- Candidates found cheating or using unfair means during the exam will be disqualified immediately and might be prohibited from appearing in the exam.
- Candidates might carry hand sanitiser in a transparent bottle in order to follow the COVID guidelines and maintain social distancing in the exam centre.
- All the test-takers must make sure that their appearance matches their photograph during the written exam. For example, if a candidate uploads a bearded photograph, he must appear in the exam with the same appearance in the NDA and CDS exams. The same would be applied in the case of spectacles, moustaches, etc.
The candidates should now go through the exam day guidelines as printed on their admit cards. It is high time for candidate to now statring practicing CDS previous year paper to learn about the difficulty level asked previously in the examnation and also attempt CDS mock tests that are made after anlaysing the the latest trends and topics asked in the examination.