The Combined Defense Services (CDS) exam is a highly prestigious and competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. It is held twice a year to select candidates for admission into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA). The CDS exam provides an opportunity for individuals to pursue a career in the Indian Armed Forces and serve the nation.
The CDS exam is designed to assess a candidate's aptitude, knowledge, and suitability for the Indian Armed Forces. It is open to both men and women, with separate entry schemes for each academy. The IMA, INA, and AFA admit male candidates, while the OTA accepts both male and female candidates. The CDS exam is considered one of the most challenging competitive exams in India, demanding a high level of academic proficiency, physical fitness, and leadership qualities.
Name of the Exam | CDS (Combined Defense Services) |
---|---|
Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
Exam Occurrence | Twice a year (April and September) |
Number of Vacancies | To be announced |
Application Fee | ₹ 200 |
Admit Card availability | Online |
Paper Language | Hindi and English |
Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen and paper mode) |
Selection Process | Written test and SSB interview |
Exam Type | National Level |
Age Limit | Minimum Age- 19 Years Maximum Age- 25 Years |
Date of Exam for UPSC CDS I 2023 | 16th April 2023 |
Date of Exam for UPSC CDS II 2023 | 3rd September 2023 |
The CDS Exam will be held twice a year in April (CDS 1) and September (CDS 2).
To be eligible for the CDS exam, candidates must meet certain criteria related to age, nationality, educational qualifications, and physical standards. Here are the key eligibility requirements:
The CDS exam consists of a written examination followed by an interview and personality test conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). The written examination comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and is conducted in an offline mode. The exam pattern varies for different academies, as outlined below:
Note: There is a penalty for wrong answers marked in the objective type question papers. For each incorrect response, one-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to that question are deducted.
Name of the Academy | City |
---|---|
Indian Naval Academy | Ezhimala |
Indian Military Academy | Dehradun |
Air Force Academy | Hyderabad |
Officers Training Academy (SSC Women) | Chennai |
Officers Training Academy (SSC Men) | Chennai |
About the Exam | CDS I 2023 Exam | CDS II 2023 Exam |
---|---|---|
Date of CDS Exam 2023 | 16th April 2023 | 3rd September 2023 |
CDS Exam Application Form release date | 21st December 2022 | 17th May 2023 |
Closing date for submission of Applications form | 10th January 2023 | 6th June 2023 |
Admit Card Issuance date | TBA | TBA |
Exam Date | 16th April 2023 | 3rd September 2023 |
CDS Exam Result Declaration | TBA | TBA |
Timings of CDS (II) Exam
Paper | Exam Timings |
---|---|
English | 09.00 am to 11.00 am |
General Knowledge | 12.00 pm to 02.00 pm |
Elementary Mathematics | 03.00 pm to 05.00 pm |
CDS 2023 Exam Vacancy Details
Vacancies for CDS 2023 recruitment will be notified through the official notification. The same will be updated here once the official notification is released.
UPSC CDS (I) 2023 Vacancies | |||
---|---|---|---|
Academy | Course | Reserved for NCC Vacancies | Total Available Vacancies |
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala | Course commencing in Jan 2023 Executive (General Service)/ Hydro | To be announced | 22 |
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun | 150th (DE) course commencing in January 2023 | To be announced | 100 |
Officers Training Academy, Chennai | 119th SSC (Men) Course (NT) commencing in April 2024 | To be announced | 170 |
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad | (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January 2024 | To be announced | 32 |
Officers Training Academy, Chennai | 33th SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course commencing in April 2024 | To be announced | 17 |
Total | - | 341 |
UPSC CDS (II) 2023 Vacancies | |
---|---|
Academy | Total Available Vacancies |
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala | To be announced |
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun | To be announced |
Officers Training Academy, Chennai | To be announced |
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad | To be announced |
Officers Training Academy, Chennai | To be announced |
The syllabus for the CDS exam covers a wide range of topics. It is crucial for candidates to have a comprehensive understanding of the prescribed subjects. Here is an overview of the syllabus for each paper:
To crack the CDS exam, candidates should adopt effective preparation strategies. Here are some key tips to enhance your chances of success:
The selection process for the CDS exam consists of two stages:
Subject | Marks | Duration | Nature of question |
---|---|---|---|
General Awareness | 100 | 2 hours | Objective type questions |
English | 100 | 2 hours | Objective type questions |
Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours | Objective type questions |
Total | 300 |
Subject | Marks | Duration | Nature of question |
---|---|---|---|
General Awareness | 100 | 2 hours | Objective type questions |
English | 100 | 2 hours | Objective type questions |
Total | 200 |
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