To provide you with a comprehensive overview of the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam in a table format, I’ll organize the information into key sections such as eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, and important dates.
CDS Exam Overview Table
Section
Details
Exam Name
Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination
Conducting Body
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Frequency
Twice a year (CDS I and CDS II)
Purpose
Recruitment for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)
Mode of Exam
Offline (Pen and Paper-based)
Language of Exam
English and Hindi (except for the English section)
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Indian Military Academy (IMA)
Indian Naval Academy (INA)
Air Force Academy (AFA)
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)
Age Limit
19-24 years
19-24 years
19-24 years
19-25 years
Educational Qualification
Graduation from a recognized university
B.E./B.Tech from a recognized university
Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or B.E./B.Tech from a recognized university
Graduation from a recognized university
Marital Status
Unmarried
Unmarried
Unmarried
Unmarried (for Men) and Unmarried/Divorcee (for Women)
Exam Pattern
Paper
Subject
Marks
Duration
For IMA, INA, AFA
English
100
2 hours
General Knowledge
100
2 hours
Elementary Mathematics
100
2 hours
For OTA
English
100
2 hours
General Knowledge
100
2 hours
Syllabus
Subject
Topics Covered
English
Comprehension, Synonyms, Antonyms, Sentence Improvement, Spotting Errors, Fill in the Blanks, Ordering of Words, Cloze Composition, Para Jumbles
General Knowledge
Current Affairs, History of India, Geography, Politics, Economy, Science and Technology, Environment, Sports, Defense, Awards and Honors, Important Days
Elementary Mathematics
Arithmetic (Number Systems, Percentages, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion), Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics
Selection Process
Stage
Description
Written Examination
Candidates must clear the written examination conducted by UPSC, which consists of objective-type questions.
SSB Interview
Candidates who clear the written exam are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, which includes Psychological Aptitude Test, Intelligence Test, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Personal Interview, and Conference.
Medical Examination
Candidates who clear the SSB Interview are required to undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet the medical standards set by the armed forces.
Merit List
Final merit list is prepared based on the candidate’s performance in the written examination and SSB interview.
Important Dates
Event
CDS I
CDS II
Notification Release
December (Previous Year)
May/June
Application Period
December – January
May – June
Admit Card Release
2-3 weeks before the exam
2-3 weeks before the exam
Exam Date
February
September/November
Result Announcement
March – April
November – December
Physical Standards
Criteria
Men
Women
Height
157.5 cm (IMA/INA), 162.5 cm (AFA)
152 cm (OTA)
Weight
Proportional to height
Proportional to height
Vision Standard
6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other (uncorrected without glasses) for Air Force. Others: Vary as per service.
6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other (uncorrected without glasses)
This table format provides a comprehensive overview of the CDS exam, covering all essential aspects. If you need any more specific details or additional sections, feel free to ask!
