Combined Defence Services (C.D.S.)

Combined Defence Services (C.D.S.) 

The CDS examination is conducted by UPSC twice a year in May and October for which the notification is published in the "Employment News" in November and April respectively.

Eligibility

Educational Qualification

1. For IMA and Officers Training Academy : Degree of a recognised University or equivalent
2. For Naval Academy : B.Sc. with Physics and Mathematics
3. For Airforce Academy : Degree of a recognised University or equivalent with Physics and/or Maths as subjects. Candidates who have passed their degree examination with subjects other than Physics and/or Maths are also eligible provided they have passed their Higher Secondary Examination or 12th standard examination under the 10+2 system or an equivalent examination with Mathematics and Physics, as subjects of the examination.

Age :

• IMA : Unmarried male candidates. 18 years to 23 years
• Naval Academy : Unmarried male candidates. 18 years to 21 years.
• Airforce Academy : Unmarried male candidates. 18 years to 22 years
• Officers\' Training : Male candidates (married or Academy bachelor). 18 years to 24 years

Pattern Of Examination :

The competitive examination comprises :

a) A written examination
b) An interview

Written Examination :

I. For admission to Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy : 

Subjects	Duration	Maximum Marks
1 English	2 Hours	100
2 General Knowledge	2 Hours	100
3 Elementary Mathematics	2 Hours	100

II. For admission to Officers Training Academy :

Subjects	Duration	Maximum Marks
1 English	2 Hours	100
2 General Knowledge	2 Hours	100

Following the written examination selected candidates are called for an interview.

In addition to the Interview candidates are also given the following tests :

✦ Intelligence Test (verbal and non-verbal)
✦ Group Tests (group discussions, group planning, out-door group tasks)
✦ Brief lectures on specified subjects.

All these tests are intended to judge the mental calibre of the candidate. In broad terms this is really an assessment for not only one\'s intellectual qualities but also one\'s social traits and interests in current affairs.