What is the CDS Exam?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is a prestigious national-level exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice every year. It is the gateway to a career in the Indian Armed Forces.
CDS selects candidates for:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA) — Dehradun
- Indian Naval Academy (INA) — Ezhimala
- Air Force Academy (AFA) — Dundigal
- Officers Training Academy (OTA) — Chennai
Eligibility Criteria
Age Requirements
- IMA: 19-24 years
- INA: 19-24 years
- AFA: 20-24 years
- OTA: 19-25 years
Educational Qualification
- IMA & OTA: Graduation in any stream
- INA: Engineering degree required
- AFA: Graduation with Physics & Maths, or Engineering degree
CDS Exam Pattern
For IMA, INA & AFA
- English — 100 marks (2 hours)
- General Knowledge — 100 marks (2 hours)
- Elementary Mathematics — 100 marks (2 hours)
For OTA
- English — 100 marks (2 hours)
- General Knowledge — 100 marks (2 hours)
All papers are objective (MCQ) with negative marking (1/3 marks deducted for wrong answers).
Selection Process
- Written Exam — conducted by UPSC
- SSB Interview — psychological tests, group tasks, personal interview
- Medical Examination — strict physical and medical standards
- Final Merit List — based on combined performance
Salary & Benefits
After completing training, officers start at the rank of Lieutenant with a salary range of Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500 plus allowances. Benefits include housing, medical facilities, pension, and canteen privileges.
Tips to Crack CDS
- Solve previous year papers regularly
- Focus on time management during practice
- Read newspapers daily for current affairs
- Practice mock tests under exam conditions
- Start SSB interview preparation early
- Use NCERT (Class 6-10) for Mathematics