The CDS (Combined Defense Services) examination is conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) for recruiting commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces (IAF), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. Notification for this exam is released twice in the year in the month of May and December. This particular exam has two phases i.e. written and SSB (Service Selection Board) interview.
Now, a days many youth in India dreams or have the ambition to serve the nation by joining the Defense Forces but before going into this field they have to qualify the exams conducted by UPSC CDS. Earlier it was not that tough to tackle this exam, but with the passage of time its cut off has increased due to which it becomes important to have clear vision about this exam pattern, syllabus and right approach or strategy. One needs to have full focus and dedication to prepare for this exam, then the selection can be found in it very soon.
It is without a shadow of a doubt that clearly the CDS exam is not a walk in the garden. First you need to have a plan, but it is entirely a different game to have a plan, and that plan will work for you as I have already mentioned above that this exam is not your cup of tea. Never feel that you have a best plan which is going to work hundred percent for you as there will always be a few attributes lacking in the path of preparation. CDS examination has two stages i.e. Stage I- written and Stage II- SSB Interview.
Also Read :- NCERT Recruitment
Stage- I (Written Exam)
Written exam is the main part of this exam which takes more time and dedication. Subjects that are part of this examination :
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
| English | 2 hrs | 100 |
| General Studies | 2 hrs | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hrs | 100 |
Note – For OTA (Officers Training Academy) elementary mathematics is eliminated.
Few strategies to crack CDS examination
- If you want to become officer in Defense Services, start your preparation from a young age. One of the major reasons for starting preparation early in life is that this examination has a limited age limit i.e. 23yrs for AFA & IMA and 25yrs for OTA.
- Read NCERT books
- Solve mock test daily
- Solving previous year paper will help you the most
- Keeping up with current affairs is very much important.
- Some useful links which can help you out through your journey is :
- Press information Bureau (PIB)
- Google maps for geography
Stage II- SSB Interview
SSB interview is conducted to check an aspirant possessing “Officers Like Quality.” It is of 5 day process.
Day 1- Screening
Day 2- Psychology test
Day 3- Group testing
Day 4- Lecturette
Day 5- Conference.
