CDS OTA Exam Pattern: Check-out CDS OTA Exam Syllabus, Question Papers, and More
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts Combined Defense Service (CDS) twice a year. CDS exam is for candidates who are aspiring to be part of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Indian Air Force Academy (IAFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). OTA is for candidates who want to serve the nation about also want to pursue their personal endeavours. The officers of IMA is on permanent commission. OTA officers are on the temporary commission of 10 years which can be extended up to 14 years.
In this article, we will discuss the CDS OTA exam pattern. Read this article till the end to know all about the CDS OTA exam syllabus and more.
CDS OTA Exam Pattern
The OTA exam is taken in two stages:
- Written Exam
- SSB Interview (Personality and Physical Test)
A candidate can advance in further stages only if he or she is able to secure minimum qualifying marks. The written consists of two papers:
- English
- General Knowledge
The questions in the written exam are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). There will be a deduction of ⅓ marks for every wrong answer. There will be no penalty for wrong answers. The exam pattern is:
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
OTA SSB Interview
The SSB interview consists of two stages:
- Officers Intelligence Tests (OIT)
- Stage two is an interview, Group Testings Officers Task (GTO), psychological tests, and the conference.
The Officers Intelligence Tests are Pictures Perception and Description Tests (PP & DT). A candidate will need to pass these tests to advance in stage two of the SSB interview.
OTA Syllabus for English
The question paper will be designed to test the candidates’ understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
OTA Syllabus for General Knowledge
General Knowledge including knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject. The paper will also include questions on the History of India and Geography of nature which the candidate should be able to answer without special study
Also Read: CDS Exam GK Syllabus & Questions: A Preparation Guide for UPSC CDS GK Paper
OTA Syllabus for English
The question paper will be designed to test the candidates’ understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
OTA Syllabus for General Knowledge
General Knowledge including knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject. The paper will also include questions on the History of India and Geography of nature which the candidate should be able to answer without special study
Also Read: What is OTA in CDS?: Know All About UPSC CDS exam for OTA
CDS OTA Question Papers for GK
Here are some previous year question papers for CDS GK.
For the year 2020:
For the year 2019:
For the year 2018
CDS OTA Question Papers for English
Here are question papers for English:
For the year 2020:
For the year 2019
For the year 2018
CDS OTA Cut-off
The cut-off depends on many factors. The factors are:
- The difficulty of the paper
- Number of candidates appearing for the paper
- Number of seats available
Some previous year cut-off were:
| Years | Cut-off (Men) | Cut-off (Women) |
| CDS 2 2019 | 95 | 95 |
| CDS 1 2019 | 78 | 78 |
| CDS 2 2018 | 80 | 80 |
| CDS 1 2018 | 69 | 69 |
| CDS 2 2017 | 86 | 86 |
| CDS 1 2017 | 82 | 82 |
Also Read: CDS Exam for Girls: Can Girls Apply for CDS? Learn More on CDS
Conclusion
Except for OTA for a candidate who wants to be a part of IMA, INA or IAFA will have to give Elementary Methamtices exam in the Written Tests. Therefore you can say that the Officers Training Academy exam is simpler in comparison to other defence academies exam. Women are also eligible to give the exam. Officers Training Academy is a great choice for those who want to serve the nation and at some time want to achieve their personal goals in life.
Are you also preparing for OTA? What would you like to pursue after your commission? Tell us all about it in the comment section below.
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