WHAT is CDS?

CDS stands for Combined Defence Services. Those candidates who want to be a part of Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy(OTA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA)  have to apply for the Combined Defence Services Examination. CDS exam is conducted twice in a year by UPSC (Union Public Services Conducted), candidates who have cleared CDS written exam will be called for interview by Service Selection Board (SSB) and the successful candidates will be appointed with respective training academies.

The Notification for the CDS exam is usually released in the months of October  (CDS-1) and June (CDS 2). CDS exam is conducted twice in a year in the months of February and November.

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 Eligibility criteria for UPSC conducted CDS Exam:

• Age Limit for CDS Exam

Indian Military Academy: 19-24 years
Air Force Academy: 19-24 years
Naval Academy: 19-22 years
Officers’ Training Academy: 19-27 years

• Educational Qualification for CDS Exam

A degree of a recognized University or equivalent for IMA and OTA

B.Sc. with Physics & Mathematics or Bachelor of Engg for Naval Academy

B.Sc. with Physics and/or Mathematics or Bachelor of Engg for Air Force Academy

Note:

For CDS exam, applicants can be from any stream but for entry to Air Force and Navy, candidates should have studied physics and maths up to Class 12. Candidates who are studying in the final year degree course and have yet to pass the final year degree examination can also apply for CDS Exam.

• Syllabus for CDS Exam

Candidates who have opted for IMA, NA, and AFA are going to write objectively type three papers each of 100 marks on – English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.

You can also read – CDS 2014 Question Papers

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2017

For IMA, Naval Academy, and AFA Services

For OTA (Officer’s Training Academy)

CDS Question Paper 2019