Combined Defense Services or CDS exam results are announced separately for written test and final interview (SSB interview). CDS is conducted twice a year as CDS (I) and CDS (II) and its results are generally announced in March and November respectively. The exam results are available in a PDF form on the official website of UPSC. Candidates whose roll numbers are present in the result PDF are called for interviews for the final selection as Commissioned Officers in Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Note – The CDS (II) 2019 Service Selection Boards (SSB) interview, conducted by the Indian Army, has been cancelled following the outbreak of coronavirus. UPSC will like to notify soon about the new interview dates.
Table of Contents
CDS Exam Results – Overview
We have mentioned the CDS Exam 2020 and 2019 (I) and (II) details below:
CDS (I) 2020
- 7,018 candidates have qualified the CDS (I) 2020 exam held on 2 February 2020. The results were declared on 23 March 2020.
- Candidates were able to download the results PDF on the official website of UPSC.
CDS (II) 2020
- CDS (II) 2020 exam will be conducted on 8 November, 2020
CDS (I) 2019
- UPSC announced CDS (I) 2019 final result for Officers Training Academy (OTA) in January 2020. The result is available on the official website in PDF format.
CDS (II) 2019
- 8120 candidates passed the written exam of CDS (II) 2019 exam and qualified for SSB interview stage.
- Interviews began in the month of February 2020 but were stopped due to the coronavirus outbreak across the country.
- The final result of the CDS (II) 2019 exam is delayed as it will finally be declared after all interviews have been conducted.
In the next sections, we will see how to check CDS (II) results online.
CDS Exam Results – Timeline
In this section, we will cover the timelines of CDS 2020 (I) and (II) exam results. The timelines are mentioned in the table below:
To know everything about the combined defense services exam, read CDS exam blog here.
Event Timeline | CDS (I) 2020 | CDS (II) 2020 |
Notification | 30 Oct 2019 | 5 August 2020 |
Last Date to Apply | 19 Nov 2019 | 25 August 2020 |
Admit Card | 9 January 2020 | 3 weeks before the exam |
Written Exam | 2 February 2020 | 8 November 2020 |
Written Exam Result | 23 March 2020 (Delayed) | December 2020 |
Final Exam Results | Expected in November 2020 | January 2021 (likely) |
CDS Exam Results – How to check results online?
Step 1: Candidates should visit the official UPSC website
Step 2: Click on “Active Examination” in the examination tab in the top panel of the website
Step 3: Find out the “Combined Defense Services Examination” link
Step 4: You will be able to get a document link to Written exam or SSB interview results depending on the stage of the exam
Step 5: Once you click one of the links, it will take you to a PDF containing roll numbers of qualified candidates
Step 6: Save the PDF
Note – CDS (I) Final results were declared on 25th November 2019. The list of selected candidates based on written exam results and SSB interview are mentioned in the PDF here.
In order of merit, 129 candidates were selected for admission to the 148th Course of Indian Military Academy, Dehradun; Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying) Training Course i.e. No. 207 F (P) Course. 82 candidates were selected for Indian Military Academy, 44 for Indian Naval Academy and 3 for Indian Air Force Academy. The marks of these selected candidates were released online after declaration of CDS Officers Training Academy (OTA) final results [Released on 29.1.2020]. After this, a final recommended list is prepared by the Service Selection Board, Ministry of Defense which can be accessed here. [Released on 6 January 2020]
CDS Exam Results – Score Calculation for Written Exams
Scores are calculated keeping the following points in mind:
- For each correct answer in each section of the test, candidates get 1 mark.
- For incorrect response, 1/3 marks are deducted.
- In case candidates mark more than one option in the test that will be treated as the wrong answer.
- The total score is calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers
CDS Exam Results – Score Statistics
Score statistics signify the number of applications received in the CDS exam, candidates who have passed the written exam and the SSB interview. 2020 and previous years’ candidate statistics are mentioned in the table below:
Year of Exam | Exam Name | Number of Applications | Written Exam Qualified Candidates | Candidates who qualified SSB interview |
2020 | CDS 1 | – | 7,018 | To be announced |
2019 | CDS 1 | – | 7,953 | 129 |
2018 | CDS 2 | – | 7,650 | 295 |
CDS 1 | 2,61,309 | 8,261 | 272 |
CDS Exam Results – Cut off
The candidates aspiring for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA, need to qualify as per the minimum cut off marks declared separately for the written exam and SSB interview (according to examination rules by the examination authority). Candidates need to secure at least 20% in each subject in the written exams which will allow them to qualify for the interview round.
The final cut off is based on the candidate’s results of both the written exam and SSB interview. Expected final cut off for CDS (I)exam is given below:
OTA (Officer Training Academy) Women and Men | 85-99 |
IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 115- 125 |
INA (Indian Naval Academy) | 110- 120 |
AFA (Air Force Academy) | 135-145 |
CDS Exam Results – What is next after CDS Written Exam?
Interview Stage
Candidates who successfully qualify in the written exam are required to register themselves online on the Indian Army recruiting website within two weeks of announcement of written results. Candidates need to choose selection centres and dates of SSB interview as per their comfort.
There are two stages in the SSB Interview. Only those candidates who clear the stage I are permitted to appear in stage II Stage 1 – Intelligence Test
Stage 2 – Psychological Aptitude Test
Candidates qualifying stage one will be called for the second stage i.e Psychological Test. The SSB interview lasts for 5 days during which a candidate undergoes various physical and psychological tests which determine if a candidate is fit to be an officer. The test is conducted by the Service Selection Board.
Final Selection/Merit List
The final selection of candidates is done based on their performance in the written exam and SSB Interview. Once you qualify all stages of the exam, you have to get documents like your mark sheets, graduation degree, age proof etc before the final merit list is released. On the basis of merit (subjected to medical fitness and the number of vacancies), the candidates are chosen for CDS posts.
Note – There is also the release of the score mark sheet after every stage of the CDS exam. In the marksheet, you will see your roll number, date of birth, name, marks obtained in the written exam or final marks including the interview. Candidates who do not qualify the SSB interview but appear for the same can access their marksheet for one year on the official UPSC website.
CDS Exam Results – FAQs
Q. How many candidates have cleared the written exam of CDS (I) 2020?
7018 candidates have passed the written exam of CDS (I) 2020. The qualified candidates will appear for the SSB Interview for admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers Training Academy courses.
Q. What is the next stage after getting CDS written exam results?
If you have qualified the CDS written exams, then you will be called for the SSB interview.
Q. How is the final selection made in the CDS Exam?
The final selection is made on the basis of results obtained in the CDS written exam and interview. A merit list is prepared and the selected candidates for CDS posts are notified.
