CDS Eligibility, what is the CDS Exam Qualification?

CDS  exam 

“Combined Defence Services” (CDS exam) Examination is conducted twice yearly by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) with the purpose of recruiting candidates into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. The UPSC conducts the CDS examination twice a year in February and September. To clear the exam, candidates must go through a written test, an interview round, and a medical examination for final selection. CDS 2022 has been administered already and the CDS 2022 results have also been announced.

The committee for the CDS exam makes sure that all the CDS eligibility criteria are met and the CDS age limit is respected and adhered. This is true for the CDS 2022 exam as well.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for graduates who wish to contribute to their country by joining the Indian Army, Navy, Airforce, Naval Academy, and Officers Training Academy and protecting India’s freedom.

CDS 2022

The CDS exam was conducted on 4th September. The UPSC has declared the CDS 2022 exam results on 23rd September 2022. The candidates can download the CDS 2022 result from the UPSC website under the “What’s New” section.

The exam date for CDS 1 2023 has been released on the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) website. The notification this year for the CDS 2023 will be released by the commission on 21st December 2022, comprising all the key information about the exam.

CDS Eligibility

The UPSC makes sure that the CDS exam follows the certain CDS eligibility criteria set on the norms of CDS exams. This CDS criteria includes age limit restrictions, marital status and some educational qualifications. It is mandatory for the candidates to adhere to the CDS eligibility before applying for the CDS exam.

CDS Age limit

There’s a certain age limit set that comes under the set criterion of CDS age limit.

For IMA – Unmarried male candidates born no earlier than 2nd January, 1999 and not later than 1st January, 2004 are only eligible. Similarly for Indian Naval Academy (INA) – Unmarried male candidates born no earlier than 2nd January, 1999 and not later than 1st  January, 2004 are eligible.

For Air Force Academy – Candidates must be  20 to 24 years as on 1st January, 2023, i.e. born not earlier than 2nd January, 1999 and not later than 1st  January, 2003 . Upper age limit for candidates holding valid Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable up to 26 yrs. i.e., those born not earlier than 2nd January 1997 and not later than 1st January, 2003 only are eligible to apply.

Marital Status

Candidates below the age of 25 years must be unmarried. Marriage is not permitted during training though married candidates above 25 years of age are eligible to apply; during the training period, they will not be provided married accommodation by the IAF and cannot live with family outside the premises.

To apply for the Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) – Unmarried male candidates born no earlier than 2nd January 1998 and not later than 1st January 2004 are eligible.

To apply for the Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course) – Unmarried women, issueless widows and issueless divorcees (in possession of their divorce documents) who have not remarried afterward are eligible. They should have been born not earlier than 2nd January 1998 and not later than 1st January 2004. It is important to note that Male divorcee/widower candidates cannot be treated as unmarried males for their admission in IMA/INA/AFA/OTA, Chennai courses, and accordingly, they are not eligible for these courses.

Education Qualification for CDS Eligibility

The minimum qualification required for the CDS exam is Graduation/Bachelor’s from a Government recognized university. For Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) a Bachelor’s Degree From a recognized university is required. For the Indian Naval Academy (INA) a Bachelor’s in Engineering from a recognized University is required. For Air Force Academy (AFA) a Graduation (with Physics and Mathematics at Class 12) or Bachelor of Engineering is required.

Syllabus For the NDA examination

The CDS exam comprises: Written Examination and Interview

The subjects of the written examination for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA) include English, General knowledge, and Elementary mathematics. 

In the English test, the maximum number of marks is 100 for a duration of 2 hours, covering topics that will assess the candidate’s understanding and effective use of the language. In the General Knowledge test, the maximum number of marks is 100 for a total duration of 2 hours covering topics related to Current Affairs, Geography, Indian History, and so on. Under Elementary Mathematics, the maximum number of marks is also 100 for a total duration of 2 hours covering topics under Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.

The subjects of the written examination for admission to Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) include: English and General Knowledge

• English:  maximum marks being 100 for a duration of 2 hours 
• General Knowledge: maximum marks being 100 for a duration of 2 hours 

 The tests in all subjects have objective-type questions.

Candidates who clear the written tests go on to the SSB interview procedure which is divided into two stages: Under Stage I – Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT). And Under Stage II – Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. Only the individuals who have cleared Stage I will be shortlisted to be tested under Stage II.