Indian Military Academy (IMA) ; Dehradun

Indian Naval Academy; Ezhimala

Air Force Academy; Hyderabad

Officers Training Academy (OTA); Chennai. For both Men and Women

HOW TO APPLY FOR CDS/OTA EXAMINATION?

The Notification for the CDS written exam is issued in the months of November and July. UPSC holds the exam in the months of Feb and October. Students can apply for the CDS and OTA written examination online only on UPSC website.

ELIGIBILITY FOR CDS WRITTEN EXAMINATION

Educational: Graduates- qualified or appearing (final year) are eligible to sit for CDS written exam. For Air Force and Navy candidates must have engineering /physics and mathematics subjects. For details check the notification. For OTA, Graduates and final year students can to apply.

Age: 19 ½ to 24 years on date of joining IMA. For OTA, age must be between 19 ½ to 25 years on date of joining.

Sex: Only male candidates can sit for the CDS written exam. Both ladies and men can apply for OTA exam.

EXAM PATTERN OF CDS/OTA WRITTEN EXAMINATION

The CDS written exam consists of three papers:

General Knowledge - 100 Marks

English - 100 Marks

Mathematics - 100 Marks

The OTA Written exam consists of only two of the above mentioned papers:

General Knowledge - 100 Marks

English - 100 Marks

OTA Candidates are exempted from Mathematics exam. The remaining two papers of OTA written exam are of 100 marks each and the total of the OTA written exam is of 200 marks.

SYLLABUS FOR CDS/OTA WRITTEN EXAMINATION

The CDS written exam tests the candidates in diverse fields like English, History, Polity, Economics, Geography, Maths, Life Science, Physics, Chemistry, Current Affairs, GK, etc. For OTA exam, syllabus is the same as CDS expect, OTA candidates do not have to sit for mathematics paper.

RESULTS OF CDS/OTA EXAMINATION

UPSC declares the result of CDS/OTA written exam in 3-4 months after the written exam. The same can be viewed on the UPSC website. Being a competitive exam and there is no fixed cut off percentage for passing. Candidates who perform better are sent the call letters for SSB interviews. The final merit list is prepared after the SSB interviews final result and displayed on the UPSC website. Joining instructions are sent to students based on vacancies available as per the merit list.

WHEN TO JOIN:

Since Centurion Academy runs regular batches for CDS examinations, Aspirants should take coaching as soon as they are able to spare time from their daily routines. It is advised to take coaching few months before the exam to ensure enough time is left for practice, revision and self study. Seats are limited and available on first come first served basis.

What to bring?

For Class: Students are not required to bring any books. All study material is issued to the students upon admission. Students must bring personal registers or note books and stationary like pens.

For Hostels: Beds and mattresses are provided, but students should bring their own bedding i.e. bed sheets (2 Nos.) and Pillow. For winter months students should bring thick blankets and razai.

Personal Items: Students are expected to dress smartly for class, please bring personal clothing accordingly. Students should carry all personal toiletries. Sports shoes are a must. Please avoid bringing expensive personal items or cash. Even though lockers are provided, students are responsible for their own personal belongings.

CRASH COURSES: We provide crash courses prior to exam dates. Please call us for crash course queries.

Note:

Coaching should be taken from an Academy of repute. Defence aspirants who want to take up coaching are advised to first check from references or visit any institute they may be considering and then make their final decisions. Candidates should not to be convinced by fake advertisements and misleading photos published on pamphlets, hoardings and websites.