Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is an opportunity for brave and chivalrous Indian youth who aspire to have a prestigious career. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) organizes the CDS exam every year. Qualifying the CDS exam is not a difficult task for those looking forward to serving the nation and dream of a reputed career. 

Through CDS exam, a candidate gets a selection in one of the four main army academies in the country-

•  Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
•  Indian Naval Academy (INA), Goa
•  Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad
•  Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai

Eligibility Criteria

Academy	Educational Qualification	Age	Marital Status
IMA	Graduation or Equivalent	19-23 years	Unmarried
INA	B.E./B.Tech. (Degree in Engineering)	19-23 years
AFA	Graduation with PCM in 10+2 / B.E. / B. Tech. ((Degree in Engineering)	20-24 years
OTA	Graduation or Equivalent	19-24 years	Unmarried / Married / Widow / Divorce

CDS Exam is usually held twice a year, in February and September. The written test is followed by a personality and intelligent test conducted by the Service Selection Board (SSB), commonly known as the SSB Interview. Physical examination checking a candidate’s suitability for the various posts and the respective academy is also conducted. 

IMA, INA & AFA Exam Pattern-

• Papers: Three objective-type papers 
• Subjects: English, GK and Elementary Mathematics
• Duration: Two Hrs. each
• Marks: 100 Marks each
• Negative marking: Yes, ⅓ mark is deducted for every wrong answer

OTA Exam Pattern-

• Papers: Two objective-type papers 
• Subjects: English, and GK 
• Duration: Two Hrs. each
• Marks: 100 Marks each
• Negative marking: Yes, ⅓ mark is deducted for every wrong answer

SSB Interview

The SSB Interview (i.e. personality & intelligence test) is a panel interview where a candidate is questioned regarding different aspects of one’s personality including verbal and non-verbal intelligence. At times, if the board finds it suitable, they may conduct a group discussion. A candidate’s awareness of the current affairs is on test during the interview. 

Overall the SSB Interview is a five-day process including-

• Picture perception and description test 
• Group discussion
• Psychological test
• Personal interview and group tests
• Obstacle race
• Participate in a conference

Physical / Medical Standards for SSB Interview

1. Height – Minimum acceptable height (men): 157.5 cm, women: 142 cms 

2. Weight – Sync between height, weight, and age is required 

3. Chest – The minimum range of expansion after full inspiration should be 5cms. X-ray of the chest is compulsory.

4. Bones – No diseases permissible

5. Mental fitness – No history of a mental break down or fits

6. Hearing – Normal, should be able to hear a forced whisper with each ear at a distance of 610 cms 

7. Heart & Blood Vessel- No sign of functional or organic disease of the heart and blood vessel, Blood pressure should be normal.

8. Abdomen – No enlargement of the liver is permissible for the last  six months 

9. Urine- No abnormality permitted

10. Skin- No disease permitted

11. Vision:

• IAF- Distant vision 6/6 without glasses
• For others- Distant vision 6/6 with or without glasses

12. Myopia- Shouldn’t be more than 3.5 D

13. Color Vision- Standard is CP-3. A candidate should be able to recognize RED and GREEN colors.

18. Teeth – Minimum of 14 dental points acceptable when 32 teeth are present

Tips to prepare for CDS Exam 

• It is important to take note of the success mantras discussed in this video to appear for the CDS exam. Take a note of the exam syllabus and the pattern of the question paper for the last five years. Prepare your notes and practice regularly. 
• Prepare for GK from NCERT textbooks and monthly magazine Pratiyogita Nirdeshika.
• Focus on Current Affairs. 
• Speed and accuracy are important for mathematics questions. 
• Prepare well for English grammar for the English question paper from books by Rajendra Prasad Sinha and Wren and Martin. 
• Practice regularly through mock tests. 
• Focus on time management.

If you prepare using good reference material with full dedication, you are sure to get through a prestigious career related to national security post clearing the CDS examination. 

Follow us on Facebook for more updates.

Watch our Youtube Videofor more updates on CDS Exam