Combined Defense Services (CDS): Complete guide on selection process
Published by Editorial Team on
Introduction: Combined Defense Services (CDS) is the name of the entrance exam designed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for candidates interested in joining Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. CDS is the chance for applicants who missed entry in the Indian defense services through National Defense Academy (NDA) entrance process.
Never the less the UPSC organizes the CDS entrance exam twice a year which gives chance to both men and women to join the defense services. Especially for female candidates interested in the any three commission services should take up this entrance exam.
Along with the details of the CDS examination our team has also organized few pointers that are generic and will prove to be very helpful to complete all the tests and procedure successfully. The key to join the defense services is not just limited to clear the written exam but one has to prove both physically and mentally that they are capable of handling situations when it is time for a showdown.
Perhaps, you require both passion and capability to make your way into the training academy; the admission process will test your intelligence, physical capabilities, psychological maneuvering, and medical fitness. Applicants should really look within themselves for all these qualities before appearing for the Combined Defense Services, if you match up with the admission process then only you could get the entry in training academy.
Other nationalities like Nepal, Tibetan refugee, Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Burma, East African countries of Uganda, Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire and Ethopia or Vietnam can also appear for CDS but after fulfilling criteria by Government of India.
Age Eligibility
Program
Age Limit
Marital Status
Qualification
Indian Military Academy (IMA)
19 to 24 years
Unmarried
Degree from a recognized University or equivalent
Indian Naval Academy (NA)
19 to 24 years
Unmarried
Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution
Air Force Academy (AFA)
20 to 24 years
Unmarried
Degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Men)
19 to 25 years
Unmarried and Married
Degree from a recognized University or equivalent
Officers Training Academy (OTA – Women, Non-Technical)
19 to 25 years
Unmarried, Widow and Divorcee
Degree of a recognized University or equivalent
Personal Interview by Service Selection Board (SSB) for CDS
When a candidate has success fully cleared his/her written examination after which they are invited by the Service Selection Board (SSB) for another round of selection process which is the personal interview.
The personal interview and SSB assessment is done in minimum of 3 to 4 days where the applicants are assessed upon their various capabilities like Personality, Intelligence, and Psychological well being. With that been said, all these tests are performed through series of tasks and participation in many mock drills where moderators keep an eye on all the applicants.
Medical Checkup (Interview) Combined Defense Services (CDS)
This is the most crucial part of the admission procedure to the defense training academy for all applicants across be it male or a female. The concern for physical fitness and medical well being is of utmost importance as you will be joining the prestigious defense team of India. A word of advice to all the aspiring applicants would be to get primary medical checkup done before you appear for official medical checkup.
However along with the medical check the physical fitness of the appearing candidate is also checked out with drills and other sports activity. The process of medical checkup is after the SSB interview and also it lasts up to 3 to 4 days so be prepared for hard 4 days of your life. The physical activities and assessment pattern is different for different service commissions so please follow the CDS format.
Some useful pointers for Combined Defense Service (CDS)
Preparing for Entrance Exam: Appearing candidates must focus on the syllabus, pattern of questions, and solving questions in a prescribed timeline. The best reasonable way is to start the preparation of exam by solving previous years question papers. This will help you cover the syllabus better and you will feel more confident.
Learn Discipline: Army life is not an easy life it is both mentally and physically demanding life and one has to follow a strict discipline. Obviously if one will lack the discipline then it will be very difficult for you to sustain military life. So start learning discipline in advance it will also help you to focus better on tasks at hand and achieve your goals in time.
Physical Workout: Advance physical training in the form of running, resistance training with weights and practice of workout drills will give you an added advantage. Physical training is a must guideline to clear the combined defense service assessment process. Without preparation you will stand nowhere and during the time of the performance you will lack confidence and strength so make a plan and start working out daily.
Build Confidence: Slowly by working upon yourself you could also build confidence. The key to strong confidence is to know about you, it means knowing one’s strength and weaknesses. Make your strong points more polished and work on your weakness. With that in mind for sure one could build upon confidence easily.
