What is CDS?

The Combined Defence Services Examination or the CDS Exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy.

The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of India. They consist of the Army, Navy and Air Force, supported by three paramilitary forces (the Coast Guard, Assam Rifles, and Special Frontier Force) and various inter-service institutions such as the Strategic Forces Command.

Why Defence services?

For those young and courageous individuals who nurture a patriotic sentiment, who are willing to take on any kind of challenges and dedicate their lives to defending the country and its people, the Common Defence Service Test is the path to join the nation's Defence forces.

Analysis of the Central Intelligence Agency indicates that India is projected to possess the fourth most capable concentration of power by 2015. According to a report published by the US Congress, India is the developing world's leading arms purchaser.

Ongoing efforts at modernization of the armed forces adds upto the importance of this exam, India is also investing huge to build a dedicated and secure optical fiber cable (OFC) network for exclusive use of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Eligibility

• For Indian Military Academy/Officers' Training Academy: Degree from a recognized university or equivalent
• For Naval Academy: B.Sc. with Physics & Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering
• For Air Force Academy: Degree of a Recognized University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering

Age Limit

Indian Military Academy 19-24 Years

Air Force Academy 19-23 Years

Naval Academy 19-22 Years

Officers' Training Academy 19-25 Years

Marital status

Only unmarried graduates are eligible to write the exam

Test Structure

For Indian Military Academy / Naval Academy / Air Force Academy all the papers are of objective type and subjects asked will be English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics

Candidates successful in the written exam are then called for an interview by a Services Selection Board which evaluates a candidate's suitability for a career in the Indian Armed Forces. The SSB interview lasts for approximately a week, during which a candidate undergoes various physical and psychological tests to ascertain whether or not he is officer material. Candidates cleared by the SSB and if selected, depending upon the choice given by the candidates and their merit list ranking, are sent to one of the following institutes for orientation training: -

(a) Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun

(b) Naval Academy, Goa

(c) Air Force Academy, Begumpet, Hyderabad

(d) Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai

Those joining the first three institutes get permanent commission, however cadets passing out of OTA get short service commission. Applicants are required to mention their preferences while filling up the application form.

How to apply?

The Notification for the examination is usually released in the months of October and June and the examination is conducted in February and September respectively.

Blank application forms and other particulars are published by  UPSC in leading newspapers and Employment News in the month of May/June and November/December. A candidate seeking admission must apply to The Secretary, UPSC, New Delhi on prescribed application form. The application forms are available on payment of the requisite amount from any of the designated post office throughout the country. The examination is held in over 40 centres spread all of the country.