Combined Defense Services examination -CDS Exam

Combined Defense Services examination

The "Combined Defense Services" examination is conducted twice an year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy also known as IMA, Officers Training Academy (OTA), Naval Academy(NA) and Air Force Academy(AFA). The notifications for the examination are usually released in the months of October and June, and the examinations are conducted in February and November respectively.

Age criteria are strict as only unmarried graduates are eligible to sit for this exam. Successful candidates are admitted into their respective Academies after an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB), which occur at different parts of the country.

Name of the Post: CDS - Combined Defense Service Examination

No. of Vacancies: Total of 509 vacancies in all Departments.

Department wise vacancies:
 
             01. Indian Military Academy(IMA): 250.
             02. Indian Naval Academy(NA): 40.
             03. Air Force Academy(AFA): 32.
             04. Officers Training Academy(OTA): 187(Total).
                   (a) SSC Course for Men: 175.
                   (b) SSC Women Non-Technical Course: 12.

Education Qualifications:

• For I.M.A. and O.T.A : Degree from a recognized University/   institute or equivalent.

• For Indian Naval Academy : Valid Degree in Engineering.
• For Air Force Academy : Valid Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

Note: Graduates who have first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force have to submit proof of graduation or provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB venue.
 

Age Limits:

•  For Indian Military Academy, the male candidates should not be born earlier than 2nd January, 1991 and not later than 1st January, 1996.

•  For Indian Naval Academy, the male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 1993 (2nd January, 1991 in case of NCC Naval Wing ‘C’ Certificate holders) and not later than 1st January, 1996.

•  For Air Force Academy, the candidate should be not born earlier than 2nd January, 1992 and not later than 1st January, 1996.

•  For Officers' Training Academy (SSC Course for Men), the candidates should not be born earlier than 2nd January, 1990 and not later than 1st January, 1996.

•  For Officers Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course), the unmarried Women, issue-less widows who have not remarried and issue-less divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible. They should not be earlier than 2nd January, 1990 and not later than 1st January, 1996.

Application Fee: General and OBC candidates need to pay an amount of Rs. 200/- towards application fee and SC/ST/Female candidates are exempted from any payment of application fee for the exam. Fee must be paid in cash at any State Bank of India (SBI) branch or can also be paid through online mode using Visa/Master credit or debit card of SBI or any other subsidiaries of SBI and not any other bank.

How to Apply: Candidates are required to apply only through online, using the website 'www.upsconline.nic.in'. Detailed instructions are available on the website.

Selection criteria for CDS Exam

Eligible candidates will be selected on the basis of performance in Test and Interview/Personality Test through SSB procedure. The interviews are aimed at checking general aptitude, psychological testing, and team skills as well as physical and social skills, along with medical tests of the shortlisted candidates.