Officers Training Academy (OTA) is one of the defence training academies which recruits cadets through UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam. Other than OTA, the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the Indian Naval Academy (INA), and the Indian Air Force Academy (IAFA) also recruit cadets through the CDS exam. The competition for this exam is fierce. One will have to work hard to crack the exam. To get some idea one must solve CDS previous years question papers. In this article, we give you some of the CDS OTA previous year question papers so that you can get beforehand experience of the exam. Read this article till the end to know more about the CDS OTA exam. Also, acknowledge the best coaching for UPSC IAS in India. Go through the article to join the best online coaching for UPSC IAS.
CDS OTA Exam Pattern
The OTA exam is taken in two stages:
- Written exam
- SSB interview (personality 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.
CDS Exam Eligibility
For a candidate to be eligible for the CDS exam he or she must fulfil the limits of the following criteria:
- Nationality
- Age limit, sex, and marital status
- Educational qualification
- Physical standards
Let us understand each criterion in detail.
Nationality
The aspiring candidate should be a citizen of India or the subjects of the following countries are also eligible:
- Bhutan
- Nepal
Apart from this, a Tibetan refugee who migrated to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently living in India is also eligible.
Age Limit, Sex, and Marital Status
The aspiring candidate should be unmarried and should be equal to or less than 25 years. The age limit for different academies are:
| Academy | Age limit | Marital Status |
| Indian Military Academy | 19 to 25 | Unmarried |
| Indian Naval Academy | 19 to 25 | Unmarried |
| Indian Air Force Academy | 19 to 24 | Unmarried |
| Officers Training Academy ( For Male) | 19 to 25 | Unmarried |
| Officers Training Academy ( For Female) | 19 to 25 | Unmarried |
Minimum Education Qualification
A candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university. Candidates in their final year are also eligible provided they don’t have any backlogs in final semesters. In such a valid proof of the candidate should be submitted by the candidate.
Physical Standards
The CDS Officers Training Academy purpose is to prepare cadets to fight in any war or warlike situation for the protection of the nation. While doing so the officers will have to work and survive in extreme physical as well as mental conditions without any medical support. Therefore it is fair that the candidate should be physically as well as mentally fit for the job.
CDS OTA Syllabus
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
CDS OTA Previous Years Question Papers
OTA GK Question Papers
Here are some previous year question papers for CDS GK.
For the year 2020:
For the year 2019:
For the year 2018
For the year 2017
For the year 2016
Also Read: CDS Exam GK Syllabus & Questions: A Preparation Guide for UPSC CDS GK Paper
OTA English Question Papers
Here are question papers for English:
For the year 2020:
For the year 2019
For the year 2018
For the year 2017
For the Year 2016
Also Read: CDS OTA Cut-off 2020-2021: Here’s All About CDS OTA Expected & Previous Years Cut-offs
Conclusion
It is very important to practise previous year question papers. It not only gives an idea of the actual exam but it also helps one to recognize their strengths and weaknesses. By analyzing them you do your preparation strategically. Females are also eligible for the CDS OTA exam. Candidates who want to serve the nation as well as pursue their own goals join OTA. If you are also aspiring for Officers Training Academy, then let us know in the comment section below. Thr UPSC Pathshala website provides all the relevant information and practice material to the candidates. It is the best coaching for UPSC IAS in India because of its offerings. You can visit the best online coaching for UPSC IAS to make your dreams come true.
