CDS (Combined Defence Services) is a premier institute that trains the cadets (candidates) to get selected for recruitment into Indian Forces (Indian Naval Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Military Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy) as officers. Candidates may approach the academy by qualifying a national level entrance examination which is organized by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). The Examination is conducted two times is a year. Eligibility Criteria Citizenship The appearing candidate must be citizen on India, Nepal or Bhutan. A Tibetan refugee came India before 01 Jan, 1962 with mind set to become a permanent residence of India are also eligible. Educational Qualification for CDS Exam I.M.A. and OTA: Must have Degree of a recognized University or equivalent.

Must have Degree of a recognized University or equivalent. Indian Naval Academy (INA): ): Must have Degree in Engineering from a recognized institution.

): Must have Degree in Engineering from a recognized institution. Air Force Academy: TDegree of a recognized University with Mathematics & Physics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering Indian Navy and Air Force Must have passed 12th from a recognized board or university with physics and Mathematics as compulsory subject. Age Limit, Gender & Marital Status For IMA - Unmarried male candidates born not later than 01st January 2001 and not earlier than 02nd January 1996 only are eligible

Unmarried male candidates born not later than 01st January 2001 and not earlier than 02nd January 1996 only are eligible For Indian Naval Academy (INA)- Unmarried male candidates born not not later than 01st July 2000 and earlier than 02nd July 1995 and only are eligible

Unmarried male candidates born not not later than 01st July 2000 and earlier than 02nd July 1995 and only are eligible For Air Force Academy –

o The age of candidate should lie between 20 - 24 years as on 1st January 2019 (born not later than 01st January 2000 not earlier than 02nd January 1996).

o For the candidates holding valid & current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) the age is relaxable upto 26 years (not later than 01st January 1994 born not earlier than 02nd January 1994)

o The age of candidate should lie between 20 - 24 years as on 1st January 2019 (born not later than 01st January 2000 not earlier than 02nd January 1996). o For the candidates holding valid & current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) the age is relaxable upto 26 years (not later than 01st January 1994 born not earlier than 02nd January 1994) For Officers' Training Academy

o SSC Course for men - TMale candidates (married or unmarried) are eligible who are born not earlier than 2nd January 1995 & not later than 1st January 2001.

o SSC Women Non-Technical Course - For the candidates holding valid & current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) the age is relaxable upto 26 years (not later than 01st January 1994 born not earlier than 02nd January 1994)

Paper Subject Marks Paper I Mathematics 100 Paper II General Ability Test 100 Paper III English 100 Physical Standards Candidates must be physically and mentally fit as per the physical standards maintained by the Combined Defence Service Authority The detailed physical standards are mentioned below— Candidates are required physical requirements for the SSB Interview- Physically & mentally fit and fine

Free from any type of disease/disability

Check up of wax in ears, refractory error of eyes, a fungal infection of skin

Standard weight

Chest should be in fine

No disease of bones and joints

The application form can be filled and submitted via online process through the website (https://upsconline.nic.in).

The application form has been released from date.

Candidates are suggested to fill the application form carefully.

No change will be permitted after final submitting the application form Candidate must note down that here is no need to send the printed application form to the authority. Application Fee for CDS Exam Female /SC/ST candidates are exempted from payment of fee

Others are required to pay Rs 200/-

SC/ST candidates and wards or JCOs/NCOs/Ors are exempted from exam fee

The application fee payment can be done via cash payment in any branch of SBI Bank or through SBI Bank net banking visa/master/debit card.

CDS notification for exam dates and academic calendar has been released by UPSC twice in the year. The authority has been released the exam dates for both exam session. Paper Pattern Medium of Exam -Bilingual in Hindi as well as English

Exam Mode – UPSC conduct CDS (I) & (II) exam in pen paper based offline mode.

Number of Papers – Candidate appearing CDS paper will have to answer questions three papers – Mathematics and General Ability and English Test. For OTA it is only GK and English.

Exam Duration – The candidate can attempt questions in CDS exam within specified time duration of 2 hours each subject

Total marks – According to CDS exam pattern, the question paper of CDS carry 300 marks in total. For OTA it is 200

Marking Scheme – UPSC follows a negative marking policy according to the CDS exam pattern and as many as 0.33 of the total marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty. Moreover, if a candidate responses with more than one answer option, it will be treated as wrong answer; if a question is left unanswered no marks will be deducted or awarded. CDS Exam Pattern For Indian Military, Indian Naval and Air Force Academy Subject Code Duration Max Marks Mathematics 1 2 hours 100 General Ability test 2 2 hours 100 English 3 2 hours 100 Total 6 hours 300 For Officers’ Training Academy Subject Code Duration Max Marks General Ability test 1 2 hours 100 English 2 2 hours 100 Total 4 hours 200

The CDS syllabus has been divided into three sections Mathematics, English and General Ability Test. The General Ability test section will contain questions from different topics such as English, General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Geography and Current events. For better preparations candidates can prepare for the exam from the above mentioned topics. Selection procedure SSB Candidate’s selection will be based on the marks scored by the candidates in the written and SSB interview. The SSB interview consist of two stages i.e. stage 1 and stage 2. The stage (I) consist of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and Picture Perception & Description test (PP & DT). The stage (II) will comprise of Interview, group testing officer tasks, Psychology tests and the Conference. This test will be organized over 4 or 5 days.

The Admit card will be released by authority before two or three weeks from the examination date. Candidates can download the admit card through the official portal of UPSC. There is not any other method except online will be entertained to get the admit card available. Candidates note down it is mandatory to bring the admit card at the examination centre.

The result will be provided to students after one month from the examination. Candidates can check the result through the official site of UPSC. Candidates are advised to take printout of the result and keep it safe till the selection procedure. CDS written and final result will be declared separately. Before SSB written result will be declared and selected candidates will be called for further admission process.