What is CDS Entry & CDS Eligibility Criteria?

The Combined Defence Services Examination or CDS is a path of great esteem for individuals aspiring to enlist as officers in the Indian Armed Forces. Candidates who have completed their graduation can utilize the CDS Entry program to be directly sourced into the Army, Navy and Air Force. At Trishul Defence Academy, we firmly believe that the most essential key to gaining success on the CDS Entry test will be an in-depth understanding of the Eligibility and Test Format.

In this blog; we will cover: What is CDS exam, when is CDS exam conducted, CDS exam pattern and syllabus, CDS eligibility criteria, CDS training period, how to apply for CDS, CDS entry age limit, and related questions.

What is CDS Entry in Army?

CDS Entry is the procedure by which candidates undergo selection for officer-cadet status into the Indian Armed Forces via a national examination conducted by the UPSC. This examination is held twice a year. The selected candidates will have the opportunity to participate in training at one of the four premier academic institutions within the Indian Armed Forces:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA) – (Army)

• Indian Naval Academy (INA) – (Navy)

• Air Force Academy (AFA) – (Air Force)

• Officers Training Academy (OTA) – (Short Service Commission- Army (DDE))

Through Operator Cadet training (Army, Navy, Air Force), graduates from accredited universities have the opportunity to qualify as commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces.

When CDS Exam is Conducted?

Aspirants can take advantage of the CDS Exam twice per year, with the current cycle being referred to as CDS -1 or CDS -2 respectively, allowing for adaptability in scheduling when taking the exam.

CDS Entry Eligibility: Who Can Apply?

Prior to submitting an application for the CDS Examination, all applicants must confirm that they meet all eligibility criteria established by the UPSC. The following are the primary categories of eligibility required by the UPSC:

– Nationality

The candidate must be either a citizen of India or meet certain conditions to be eligible to take the CDS test if they are originally from a refugee/migratory background. 

– Educational Qualification (CDS Exam Qualification)

Depending on what academy you are applying to:

IMA/OTA – Must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from a recognized institution (www.jagranjosh.com).

INA – You must have completed (or will complete before your enrollment) a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) or a recognized equivalent to the Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (www.jagranjosh.com).

AFA – Either (a) must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized institution in addition to having taken both Physics and Mathematics as part of your Grade 12 education, or (b) Must have completed an Engineering degree as applicable for the Engineering Branch (www.jagranjosh.com).

The UPSC does NOT have a fixed minimum mark mandate; however; candidates must hold a recognized Graduation Degree and/or meet the education requirements for whichever academy for which they meet above criteria.

– Age Limit (CDS Entry Age Limit)

Age limits vary depending on the academy/branch: 

Academy/Branch	Age Limit at Time of Joining
IMA (Army)	19-24 years
INA (Navy)	19-24 years (or per engineering-degree requirement)
AFA (Air Force)	20-24 years (or upper age relaxable to 26 years for valid CPL-holders)
OTA (Army – SSC, Men & Women)	19-25 years

The marital status will also be relevant (some courses may require you to provide this information) in line with the published notification. 

CDS Exam Pattern & CDS Syllabus

The CDS Exam Pattern and CDS Syllabus are essential in establishing a successful strategy for passing the exam.

Written Exam Pattern

• For IMA, INA, AFA: Three papers – English, General Knowledge (GK), and Elementary Mathematics.

• For OTA (Men & Women): Two papers – English and GK.  OTA does not require a Mathematics paper. 

All papers are for 2 hour durations and will consist of MCQs only. Depending on the language of your choice, and the GK/English paper, you can expect the examinations to occur in either English or bilingual.

Total marks for IMA/INA/AFA: 300. For OTA: 200. 

Syllabus Overview (CDS Exam Syllabus)

• English Paper: Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, and Usage. 

• General Knowledge (GK): History, Geography, General Science, Current Affairs, Polity, and Economics.

• Elementary Mathematics Paper (for IMA / INA / AFA): The mathematics paper will cover Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, Mensuration, etc., 

CDS Training Period

Regardless of whether you are preparing for theCDS IMA training period or CDS OTA training period, being informed of training time lines allows candidates to better plan their career path.

The table below outlines a side-by-side comparison of the training duration (or length) at all four academies.

Academy	Training Period	Details
IMA (Indian Military Academy)	18 months	CDS is the place where trainees can receive their longest duration of training. Trainees at CDS will be trained in combat skills and leadership values, as well as physical fitness and how to prepare officers for the Permanent Commission.
OTA (Officers Training Academy)	49 weeks (Approx. 11 months)	The CDS also prepares short service commissioned officers through focus on leadership skills, discipline, tactics, and physical endurance.
AFA (Air Force Academy)	74 weeks (Approx. 1 year 5 months)	Air Force officers receive training in flying, physical conditioning, academic studies, and basic military drills. (If necessary.)
INA (Indian Naval Academy)	74 weeks (Approx. 1 year 5 months)	Navy personnel receive training in navigation, seamanship, naval warfare, and physical fitness training. (If necessary.)

CDS Selection Process – Step by Step

1. Once you have received the announcement, you must apply online through the Official UPSC Site. 
2. All applicants must pass the written examination (English, General Knowledge and Mathematics according to the academy selected). 
3. After you have passed the written exam, you will then go through the SSB panel interviews and personality assessments.
4. A medical examination and verification of documents will occur. 
5. Candidates who have been selected will receive their names on the final merit list and begin their course by attending the academy they chose. 

At Trishul Defence Academy, we assist our candidates throughout the recruitment and SSB stages, including assistance for written examinations and a complete guide regarding Physical and Medical Readiness for each candidate at their selected location.

How to Apply for CDS Entry in Army

1. All applicants must monitor the latest official announcements from UPSC approximately twice a year. 
2. All candidates must verify all CDS eligibility requirements (degree, age, citizenship, etc.) before applying online using the official form. 
3. All candidates must submit the application with all supporting documentation (Proof of Identity, Educational Documents, Photograph, Signature, etc.). 
4. All candidates must pay a non-refundable application fee as stated in the application notification. 
5. All candidates should download their Admit Card, appear for the examination, and if selected, attend the SSB and medical exams, and complete the final joining process. 

Trishul Defence Academy strongly encourages candidates to begin gathering or preparing documents as soon as possible, to make a firm decision on which academy they want to attend, and begin the structured preparation as early as possible.

Is CDS Exam Tougher Than NDA? A Quick Comparison

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) and the National Defence Academy examinations (NDA) are two entry points into the armed forces. However, there are some fundamental differences between these two examinations

For example, the NDA is for students who have completed 10+2 education, while a bachelor’s degree is required for a student to be eligible to take the CDS exam. Because of this difference, a student approaching the NDA will have different levels of maturity, a different level of syllabus complexity, and likely more competition than a student who has graduated.

After proper preparation and training at a Best Coaching Academy like Trishul Defence Academy, a graduate can take the CDS and become an officer in the Indian Armed Forces. A graduate must possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in order to be eligible for the CDS exam. If a student only has passed Class 12, he/she does not qualify to take the CDS exam.

Why Choose Trishul Defence Academy for CDS Entry Preparation?

At Trishul Defence Academy, we provide:

• A comprehensive coaching programme to meet the CDS eligibility criteria, examination format and syllabus.

• Graduate level assistance in English, General Knowledge (GK), and Mathematics.

• Training in SSB Interview process, including mock interviews and personality development training.

• Training in Physical Fitness and Medical Readiness in accordance with Defence Standards.

We at Trishul Defence Academy, not only create exam-takers but are also developing disciplined, knowledgeable, and confident future officers.

Conclusion

Graduate students wishing to serve in the Indian armed forces through CDS Entry have a significant chance.

Understanding CDS eligibility criteria, CDS exam pattern, when CDS exam is conducted, and CDS training period helps you make informed decisions.

Through every stage of the application process and throughout the entirety of the selection and training phases, we at Trishul Defence Academy will assist you. If you are committed to becoming an officer, begin your journey with us now.

FAQs

1. Can I apply for CDS after 12th / Class 12?

It is not possible to apply for the CDS Examination after completing Class 12, as eligibility requires either possession of a Bachelor’s Degree or being enrolled at the time of application in your final year of study towards obtaining your Bachelor’s Degree.

2. How many times CDS exam is held in a year?

The CDS exam is administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and it is typically conducted twice a year, referred to as CDS-1 and CDS-2.

3. How many exams are there in CDS?

The examination includes three papers for candidates applying for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and the Indian Air Force Academy (AFA) (English, General Knowledge (GK), and Mathematics). The Officiating Training Academy (OTA) exam has two papers (English and General Knowledge).

4. What is the CDS training period / CDS OTA training period / CDS IMA training period (after selection)?

All successful candidates receive military training at IMA, INA, AFA or OTA, depending on the branch they applied for, and the duration of training may differ between the academy and the service branch.

5. When is the CDS exam conducted?

The CDS exam is conducted twice every year, once in February (CDS 1) and once in September (CDS 2) by UPSC.