CDS Exam Preparation Guide – Part 1

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is a key entry route to the defence forces in India. It is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice every year, as a selection procedure for recruiting officers for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The Notification for CDS exam usually comes out in the months of March and August, and the examination is conducted in August and February respectively. The exam is conducted on a single day either starting from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. or from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The CDS exam tests a candidate’s General Knowledge, Mathematical Skills and English Proficiency.

Considerations for taking this exam

For those who are pervaded with a patriotic zeal, joining the defence services could be a great a career option.  As a Defence Personnel, the candidate has a disciplined and honoured life. A career in the armed forces, in addition to just being a career, is also an adventure full of thrills and challenges.

An officer in the armed forced service and his family is provided with a number of privileges like free medical aid, accommodation, insurance schemes and canteen facilities.

Eligibility criteria

UPSC conducts this exam for unmarried graduates, with the following eligibility criteria:

Educational Qualification

• Eligibility for Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officer’s Training Academy (OTA) is any Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university.

• Eligibility for Naval Academy is either a B.Sc degree (with Physics and Mathematics) or Bachelor of engineering degree (B.Tech or B.E).

• Eligibility for Air Force Academy is either a B.Sc degree (with Physics and/or Mathematics) or Bachelor of engineering (B.Tech or B.E).

Candidates who are in the final year of their Degree Course are also eligible for this examination, but they are required to submit the proof of finally passing their degree course by the specified dates. The dates are specified in the public notice for CDS Examination.

Age Limit

• Indian Military Academy – 19-24 Years
• Naval Academy – 19-22 Years
• Air Force Academy – 19-23 Years
• Officers’ Training Academy – 19-25 Years

Note: Only “unmarried” graduates (both males and females) are eligible to appear in this exam.

Registration and Fees

Aspirants can apply only through online registration.

• The respective candidate can log on to the official website of UPSC i.e. www.upsconline.nic.in.
• He/she can then select “CDS Application Form 20xx”.
• He/she can then fill up all the mandatory details mentioned in the form along with uploading their passport size photographs and signature.
• The candidate can pay the fee either through debit card, credit card or a cash deposit form.

The candidate is required to fill his/her order of preference for Army, Navy, Air Force and OTA. While the male candidates can give the order as per their choice, female candidates, being eligible only for OTA, should carefully give OTA as their first and only preference.

Note. The candidate must save and take a print out of his/her application form

All the applicants (except female/SC/ST candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) have to pay a fee of Rs 200/- either by depositing the cash money in an SBI branch or through net banking facility of SBI, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur/State Bank of Hyderabad/State Bank of Mysore/State Bank of Patiala/State Bank of Travancore or through a Visa/Master Credit/Debit Card.

Note:  Female candidates and candidates belonging to SC/ST category do not have to pay any fee.

Continue to the Next Part of Exam Guide –> CDS Exam Guide Part 2