CDS Exam Pattern #Exam Eligibility #Exam Date

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is one of the most coveted examinations for candidates who aspire to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA). The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CDS exam twice a year. It is a highly competitive exam, and candidates need to be well-prepared to crack it. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the CDS exam pattern.

• The CDS exam pattern varies for each academy, but the exam usually consists of three papers for IMA, INA, and AFA, and two papers for OTA. The papers are of 2 hours duration, and each paper carries 100 marks. The English paper is common to all academies and is designed to test a candidate's proficiency in the English language. The other papers differ according to the academy, as described below.

For IMA, INA, and AFA:

• English: This paper comprises questions from comprehension, grammar, sentence formation, synonyms, antonyms, and vocabulary.

• General Knowledge: This paper covers topics such as current affairs, history, geography, and science.

• Elementary Mathematics: This paper covers topics such as arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, and geometry.

For OTA:

• English: This paper comprises questions from comprehension, grammar, sentence formation, synonyms, antonyms, and vocabulary.

• General Knowledge: This paper covers topics such as current affairs, history, geography, and science.

• The CDS exam is a pen-and-paper based exam, and the question paper is set in both English and Hindi languages, except for the English paper, which is only set in English. Candidates have to mark their answers on an OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheet using a black ballpoint pen. It is essential to note that there is negative marking in the exam. For every wrong answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.

• Once a candidate qualifies in the written exam, they are called for an interview by the Service Selection Board (SSB), which evaluates their personality, intelligence, and potential for leadership. The SSB interview is a five-day long process, and candidates are evaluated on various parameters such as physical fitness, communication skills, and overall personality.

CDS Exam Date 2023

Cutoff date of September 2021, the exam dates for CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2023 had not been announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) yet. The dates for the exam are usually announced by the UPSC on its official website, upsc.gov.in, and in leading newspapers a few months prior to the exam.

• However, based on the past trends, the CDS exam is usually conducted twice a year, in the months of February and November. So, it is likely that the CDS exam 2023 will also be held around the same time. I would recommend keeping an eye on the UPSC website or other reliable sources for updates on the exam date.

CDS Exam Eligibility

To be eligible for the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam, a candidate must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

1. Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Bhutan, or a subject of Nepal, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

2. Age limit: The age limit varies according to the academy for which the candidate is applying. The candidate must be:

• For IMA: Unmarried male candidates between 18-22 years old as on 1st January or 1st July of the year of examination.

• For INA: Unmarried male candidates between 18-22 years old as on 1st January or 1st July of the year of examination.

• For AFA: Unmarried male and female candidates between 18-23 years old as on 1st January or 1st July of the year of examination.

• For OTA: Male and female candidates who are unmarried and between 18-24 years old as on 1st January or 1st July of the year of examination.

3. Educational Qualification:

• For IMA and OTA: Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree from a recognized university or institution.

• For INA: Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in engineering from a recognized university or institution.

• For AFA: Candidates must have completed their 10+2 education with Mathematics and Physics as subjects, or a bachelor's degree in engineering from a recognized university or institution.

4. Physical Standards: Candidates must be physically fit according to the prescribed physical standards by the respective authorities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cracking the CDS exam requires thorough preparation and a deep understanding of the exam pattern. Candidates need to have a strong command of the English language, be aware of current affairs, and possess mathematical aptitude. It is recommended that candidates follow a structured study plan and refer to quality study material to prepare for the exam. With dedication and hard work, one can crack the CDS exam and fulfill their dream of serving the nation.