Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam – Online Application Process, Eligibility, Exam Pattern
Combined Defence Services (CDS) I exam was conducted in the month of February and the CDS II exam is scheduled to be held in the month of November. The official notification for the same will be released in the second week of August. Here is the complete information on CDS exam.
Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The exam is conducted for recruitment of eligible candidates for various courses offered at the following academies:
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
Air Force Academy, Begumpet, Hyderabad
Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai
Recruitment is done for both permanent and short—service commission. The exam is conducted twice a year as CDS I and CDS II.
Following are the eligibility criteria for joining various defence academies through CDS examination:
Bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) or equivalent from a recognized University.
Degree in Engineering from a recognized University.
B.Sc. degree from a recognized University (with Mathematics and Physics as compulsory subjects at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.
Candidates who are studying in the final year/semester course and are yet to pass the final examination can also apply for the exam. You can check out the detailed eligibility criteria once the official notification for the CDS exam is out.
Online Application Process
Application for the exam can be submitted online through the official website – www.upsconline.nic.in.
Complete the application form with all the asked details. Make sure you provide correct information as per your education certificates and other documents.
Candidates are advised to apply only through a single application form. Even if due to any reason, he/she submits multiple application forms, the form with higher Registration ID will be considered final. So, make sure it is complete as incomplete forms will be rejected.
The application fee for General and OBC category candidates is Rs. 200/- to be paid by cash in any of the SBI branch or by using net banking or Visa/Master Credit/Debit card.
Female candidates and those belonging to SC and ST categories are exempted from fee payment.
The selection for various defence academies is done through:
Interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB)
For admission to IMA, NA, and AFA, candidates are tested on English, Elementary Mathematics, and General Knowledge. Paper for each subject will be of 100 marks and 2 hours duration.
For admission to OTA, candidates will be tested only on English and General Knowledge. Each paper will be of 100 marks and 2 hours duration.
UPSC prepare a merit list of candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks in the written examination. Such candidates are required to register themselves on the official website of recruiting directorate – www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. Registered candidates receive a call-up for the SSB interview. The final result is declared on the basis of candidate’s performance in both written examination and SSB interview. Final selection is subject to qualifying the medical fitness test.
For detailed information on the exam, refer to the official information brochure.