Combined Defence Service Examination or CDS Exam is a gateway to join the prestigious forces of India. Through CDS exam one can join the Army, Navy or the Air Force. It is basically a two-step test. The first Step is the written exam and the second step is the personality test. CDS exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission of India i.e. UPSC. CDSE gives a chance to the male candidates to join Army Navy or Airforce and to the female candidates to join the Army.

What are the opportunities after CDSE?

Men candidates have the opportunity to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers training Academy (OTA), Airforce Academy (AFA) and Naval Academy (NA). While the women candidates can join the Officers Training Academy (Non-Tech course). The allotment of Service (Army, Navy, Airforce) is based on the choice preference, vacancy, eligibility and merit position of a candidate.

What comes in CDSE?

CDSE Written in total consists of three papers English, General Knowledge and Mathematics. All the three papers are of 100 marks each and they consist of 120 questions each. There is a negative marking for any wrong answer (1/3^rd of a correct answers mark). The time duration for each paper is 2 hours. While the aspirants of IMA, NA and AFA have to give all the three papers, aspirants of OTA have to give only two i.e. GK and English. The candidates who clear the written are called for a personality test. This personality test is called the Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview. The details for which you can read on our SSBCrack blog.

CDSE Eligibility Criteria

• AFA: Candidates willing to apply for Air force academy should have studied Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level along with a degree from recognized university or bachelor degree in engineering /technology. The age must lie between 19- 23 years at the time of course commencement
• IMA: Aspirants willing to apply of Indian military academy should have a degree from recognized university. The age of the aspirant must lie between 19-24 at the time of course commencement.
• NA: Aspirants applying for Indian naval academy should have engineering degree from any recognized university or institute. The age must lie between 19-22 years at the time of course commencement
• OTA: All other men candidates as well as women candidates applying for Officers training academy should have a degree from a recognized university. The age must lie between 19-25 years.

When is CDSE exam held?

CDS Exam is held twice every year. The first is held in the month of February and the notification comes in the month of December for it. The second is held in the month of August/September and the notification for the same is released in the month of June.