The Combined Defense Services (CDS) exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for candidates who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces as officers. The CDS exam is conducted twice a year, and candidates who qualify for the exam can join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. In this blog, we will discuss in detail the eligibility criteria for joining the CDS.
Age limits
To apply for the CDS exam, candidates must first meet the eligibility criteria set by the UPSC. The first criterion is the age limit, which requires candidates to be between 19 and 25 years of age at the time of application. Candidates who are older or younger than this age range will not be eligible to apply for the exam.
Educational qualification
The second criterion is educational qualification. For joining the Indian Military Academy (IMA), candidates must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. For joining the Indian Naval Academy (INA), candidates must have an engineering degree from a recognized university. For joining the Indian Air Force Academy (AFA), candidates must have a bachelor's degree with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in 10+2 or an engineering degree from a recognized university. For joining the Officers' Training Academy (OTA), candidates must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university.
Nationality
The third criterion is nationality, which requires candidates to be Indian citizens or subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962. Male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the CDS exam
Physical fitness is the key
Apart from the above-mentioned criteria, candidates must also be physically fit and meet the medical standards set by the Armed Forces. The selection process consists of a written exam, followed by an interview, and successful candidates are then admitted to the IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA for training
Written examination syllabus
The written exam for the CDS consists of three papers, namely English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The English paper is of 100 marks, and the General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are of 100 marks each. The duration of each paper is 2 hours
SSB is the key in selection process
Candidates who qualify in the written exam are then called for an interview conducted by the Service Selection Board (SSB). The SSB interview is a five-day process that includes psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews. The SSB interview is designed to test the candidate's personality, leadership, and communication skills
Once the candidate clears the written exam and the SSB interview, he or she is then admitted to the IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA for training. The training period varies for each academy, and the candidates are trained in various aspects of military, naval, and air force operations. The training includes physical fitness, drills, weapon handling, tactics, and leadership
In conclusion, the CDS exam is a great opportunity for candidates who wish to serve their country and join the Indian Armed Forces as officers. Candidates who fulfill the eligibility criteria can apply for the exam and go through the selection process to become officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The training at the IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA is rigorous, but it prepares the candidates for the challenges they will face in their future careers as officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
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