Combined Defence Services Examination

The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is a standardised test conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment of officer cadets in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).

Combined Defence Services Examination
AcronymCDS
TypePaper-based
AdministratorUnion Public Service Commission
Skills testedEnglish, general knowledge, elementary mathematics
PurposeRecruiting cadets to Indian military academies
Duration6 hours
4 hours (OTA)
Score range0 - 300
0 - 200 (OTA)
OfferedTwice a year
RegionsIndia
LanguagesEnglish
PrerequisitesGraduation
Fee200
Used byIndian military academies

Qualifications

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The applications are invited every year in the months of December and May, and examinations are conducted in April and September, respectively. Only unmarried graduates are eligible to sit for the exam. Examination is conducted twice a year. Successful candidates are admitted into the respective Academies after an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB).

Officer jobs are available in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force after passing the Combined Defence Services Exam (CDS). Any student can take this exam after graduation. This exam has two steps. First, there is a written test and after passing it there is the SSB interview.[1][2]

Indian Military Academy 19–24 years[3]
Air Force Academy 20–24 years[3]
Indian Naval Academy 19–24 years[3]
Officers Training Academy 19–25 years[3]

CDS Exam Educational Qualifications is given below.

For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy Degree from a recognized University or equivalent
For Indian Naval Academy Degree in Engineering from a recognized University or equivalent
For Air Force Academy Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering

Personality test

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The SSB interview process consists of a two-stage Selection process – stage I and stage II. Only those candidates who successfully clear the stage I SSB interview will be permitted to appear for stage II. All candidates who apply for the Air Force through more than one source will be interviewed/tested at the Air Force Board Selection only once. [citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Shyam, Radhe (29 August 2023). "CDS-Combined Defence Services Examination, 2023". eduvala.com. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  2. ^ Shyam, Radhe (29 August 2023). "CDS-Combined Defence Services Examination, 2023". Edu Vala.
  3. ^ a b c d "Forthcoming Exams" (PDF). UPSC. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2019.