CDS

Course Description

The Combined Defence Service Exam is organized by the Union Public Service Commission of India. It’s scheduled twice a year for recruitment of the officer cadre for the Army, Navy and Air force. If you complete the exam successfully then you’re qualified for the interview round that is conducted by the Service Selection Board. Once you clear the interview round then based on your merit ranking and as per your choice, you’re asked to join the following institutes for orientation training.

• Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
• Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
• Air Force Academy, Hyderabad
• Officers Training Academy , Chennai
• Officers Training Academy, Chennai 23rd SSC Women (Non-Technical)

From the above – mentioned training, the 5th one is for women candidates only is OTA – Office Training Academy, Chennai.

You’re one of them who joins the first three institutes then you’re eligible for permanent commission. The Cadre clearing the Office Training Academy are eligible for a short service commission. At the time of filling out the application form, you need to mention your preferences.

1. Educational Qualifications For CDS

• 1. For IMA /OTA(Officers Training Academy): For IMA and OTA officers training, you need a degree certificate from a known University or equivalent.
• 2. For Indian Naval Academy: For selection purposes, you need a degree in Engineering from a known University/ Institution.
• 3. For Air Force Academy: To qualify for the Air Force Academy, you need a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from a known University or 10+2 including physics and Mathematics

2. Age Qualification for CDS

IMA

If you’re an unmarried or bachelor male candidate with the age group of 19-24 years who was born on 1st January or 1st July of the year succeeding the year of examination i.e born not earlier than 2nd January 1995 and not later than 1st January 2000 is only eligible.

For the Indian Naval Academy

The qualification includes unmarried male candidates between 19-22 years on 1st January or 1st July of the year completing examination i.e born not earlier than 2nd January 1995 and not later than 1st January 2000 is only eligible.

For Air Force Academy

It consists of qualification that includes unmarried male candidates in the age group of 20-24 years born on 1st January or 1st July of the year completing examination i.e born not earlier than 2nd January 1995 and not later than 1st January 1999 is only eligible.

For Officier’s Training Academy (SSC Course for men):

It required both married or unmarried male candidates born between 19-25 years on 1st January or 1st July of the year completing the examination i.e born not earlier than 2nd January 1994 and not later than 1st January 2000 only eligible.

For Officers Training Academy—(SSC Women Non -Technical Course)

If you’re looking to work in the women’s category then this one is for you, you must be an unmarried woman, an issueless widow who has not remarried and issueless divorcees ( must – have divorce documents also). Their born year should be between not earlier than 2nd January ,1994 and not later than 1st January , 2000

Steps to apply for CDS

• To apply for CDS, candidates need to apply online only with the help of the website: http://www.upsconline.nic.in/

You can read the information and fill out the form accordingly.

Application fees for CDS

• Candidates are required to pay Rs.200/- (Rupees Two Hundred only) either by depositing the money in any branch of SBI by cash or using net banking facility of SBI, State Bank of Hyderabad / State Bank of Patiala/ State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur / State Bank of Mysore / State Bank of Travancore or by using Master/Visa Debit/Credit Card.
• Payment of fees is not applicable for female/SC/ST candidates.

Exam dates and scheduled

Tentatives dates

• You can refer to famous newspapers or employment news between the period of August and March to get a notification of exam dates.

Conduct of Examination

• Exam period will be from February/March and September/ October

Nationality

Candidates must be from following countries:

• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Bhutan, or
• A subject of Nepal, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st January, 1962 and wants to settle down permanently in India, or
• A person of Indian nationality who has migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma and East African Countries of Uganda, Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire and Ethiopia and Vietnam and wants to settle down permanently in India, or
• Additionally, candidates belonging to above mentioned categories which are 2,3,4 and 5 need a certificate of eligibility issued by the government of India.