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The Combined Defence Services is the full form of the exam popularly known as the CDS exam. Coincidentally, CDS also stands for Chief of Defence Staff, which is the title of the Head of the Indian Armed Forces. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the UPSC CDS exam twice a year with the goal of recruiting candidates to various courses across the Indian Defence services.
In the Material Below, candidates can find a comprehensive list of details regarding the CDS exam, such as eligibility criteria, application form, exam dates, CDS salary and much more. Candidates are encouraged to read this article for information regarding the CDS exam. The CDS is a national-level exam and is generally conducted in the month of April and September. Candidates who clear the CDS are recruited for roles such as officer posts in IMA (Indian Military Academy), INA (Indian Naval Academy), AFA (Air Force Academy) and OTA (Officers Training Academy). There are three stages in the CDS Selection Process. The 3 stages in the selection process are the written exam, SSB Interview followed by the Medical Examination. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria of 2024 CDS can apply through the official UPSC website- upsc.gov.in.
Exam Name | Combined Defence Service |
Commonly known as | UPSC CDS Exam |
Frequency of the exam | Twice a year |
Conducted by | Union Public Service Commission |
Stages of the exam | Written Exam SSB Interview Medical Examination |
Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
CDS 1 Exam Dates
CDS 1 Events | CDS 1 Dates |
CDS 1 2024 Notification | December 20, 2023 |
CDS 1 2024 Application Form | December 20 to June 4, 2024 |
CDS 1 2024 Exam | April 21, 2024 |
CDS 2 Events | CDS 2 Dates |
CDS Notification 2024 | May 15, 2024 |
CDS 2 2024 Application Form | May 15, 2024 to June 4, 2024 |
CDS 2 2024 Exam | September 1, 2024 |
The eligibility criteria for CDS are divided into two sections - Nationality, Academic qualification, and age limit. Refer to the following table for the same.
Age Limit Criteria | Academic Qualification |
20-24 Years: Indian Military Academy (IMA) | IMA & OTA: Graduation Degree from a recognised University |
20-22 Years: Indian Naval Academy (INA) | INA: Graduation in B.Sc. with Physics & Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering |
20-23 Years: Air Force Academy (AFA) | AFA: B.Sc. Graduate with Physics/Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering |
20-25 Years: Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) |
UPSC releases the CDS 2024 notification twice a year. The notification dates and the CDS 2024 application form dates are the same. The notification consists of the important dates, eligibility criteria, steps to apply, CDS 2024 exam pattern, syllabus, and important instructions related to the exam in detail. It is mandatory to read the notification of CDS thoroughly before filling out the form.
Popular Online Competition Courses and Certifications:
The admit card of 2024 CDS is an important document that is mandatory for every candidate who is taking the exam. The admit card is issued by UPSC to those candidates who have successfully applied for CDS. If aspirants have made an error in filling up the application form, their candidature will be rejected and they will not be issued the UPSC CDS admit card. So it is important to fill out the UPSC NDA application form carefully and pay the application fee. The UPSC CDS 2024 admit card can be downloaded from the official website using the registration details and date of birth. The CDS admit card consists of all the important details like the candidate's name, roll number, registration number, exam centre address, reporting time, exam day guidelines etc. The UPSC CDS admit card 2024 has to be carried to the exam centre along with a valid ID proof to the exam centre.
Important - Check the Complete List of Full Forms
CDS exam is conducted across various exam centres in India. From the following table, aspirants can check the exam centres of 2024 CDS.
Agartala | Kochi |
Ahmedabad | Kohima |
Aizawl | Kolkata |
Bengaluru | Lucknow |
Bareilly | Madurai |
Bhopal | Mumbai |
Chandigarh | Nagpur |
Chennai | Panaji(GOA) |
Cuttack | Patna |
Dehradun | Port Blair |
Delhi | Prayagraj |
Dharwad | Raipur |
Dispur | Ranchi |
Gangtok | Sambalpur |
Hyderabad | Shillong |
Imphal | Shimla |
Itanagar | Srinagar |
Jaipur | Thiruvananthapuram |
Jammu | Tirupati |
Jorhat | Udaipur |
Visakhapatnam | -- |
CDS is one of the highest competitive exams in India. Just like NDA, CDS is the gateway for candidates who want to serve the nation by joining the Defence forces of India. The difficulty level of UPSC CDS 2024 is graduation as the minimum eligibility criteria is graduation only. Many aspirants join coaching institutes to prepare for CDS 2024 but there are a few more who also prepare from home by referring to the best 2024 CDS books etc. Here we have shared the CDS 2024 preparation tips for all the candidates who are planning to appear for the CDS exam.
Other exams conducted by UPSC:
The CDS 2024 answer key consists of all the answers to the questions asked in the exam. The unofficial answer key will be released by various coaching institutes on the day of the exam while the official answer key of CDS 2024 will be released on the official website of UPSC. Candidates preparing for the UPSC CDS exam can match the answer key along with the questions from the exam and spectate their chances of qualification.
UPSC will release the UPSC CDS 2024 result on the official website only. The result of 2024 CDS will be released after the exam is conducted in online mode. Candidates who qualify for the UPSC CDS exam as per the result will be able to appear for the next stage of the exam. The written exam CDS 2024 result is released in PDF format on the official website and has the academy wise roll numbers of all the shortlisted candidates.
The final merit list of CDS will be released after the complete recruitment process is over. The merit list of 2024 CDS is released in PDF format on the official website and has the academy-wise roll number and name of all the candidates who have qualified the exam and have been shortlisted for the CDS 2024 recruitment.
A CDS officer gets a starting salary of Rs 15600-39100.
As per the eligibility criteria of CDS, the academic qualification is graduation while the age limit for CDS is 20-25 years.
The basic difference between both these exams is the eligibility criteria, for NDA candidates the academic qualification is 10+2 while for CDS it is graduation. In NDA, only male candidates can apply and in CDS both male as well as female candidates can apply.
2024 CDS is conducted twice a year by UPSC.
CDS 2024 selection process has 3 stages - A written exam, the SSB interview as well as a Medical Exam.
The full form of the CDS exam is the Combined Defence Services Exam.
Application Date:12 April,2025 - 11 May,2025
Advertisement Date:25 April,2025 - 25 April,2025
Advertisement Date:27 May,2025 - 27 May,2025
Dear aspirant !!
Hope you are doing well !!
For CDS (Combined Defence Services) exams, the eligibility criteria regarding age depend on the specific course you are applying for. Here’s a breakdown based on your date of birth (08-05-2001) and the requirements for CDS 2 2025:
For 2025 cds 2;-
Indian Military Academy (IMA) :
Indian Naval Academy (INA) :
Air Force Academy (AFA) :
Officers Training Academy (OTA) :
You can attempt CDS 2 2025 for the Indian Military Academy (IMA) , Air Force Academy (AFA) , and Officers Training Academy (OTA) . However, you are not eligible for the Indian Naval Academy (INA) .
for details,visit the below link ;-
Careers360
https://competition.careers360.com
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
Thanks for asking
hello,
yes, a distance degree from Swami Vivekanand University(SVU) is valid for UPSC CDS (IMA/OTA) if it is UGC and DEB approved. ensure that the university and its distance courses are recognized at the time of admission to avoid issues in SSB verification. always check the UGC website for the latest approval status before applying.
For a cost-effective BA program in Hyderabad while preparing for NDA/CDS, consider government colleges offering BA programs and supplementing your preparation with coaching from reputable NDA/CDS institutes.
Here's a breakdown to help you choose:
1. BA Colleges in Hyderabad (Government vs. Private):
Government Colleges:
Pros: Lower fees, potentially better academic rigor.
Cons: May have limited course options or placements.
Examples: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Osmania University.
Private Colleges:
Pros: Wider course options, potentially better infrastructure and placement opportunities.
Cons: Higher fees.
Examples: Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology, Swami Vivekananda Degree & PG College.
2. NDA/CDS Coaching Institutes in Hyderabad:
Reputable Institutes:
Hyderabad Defence Academy: Offers NDA and CDS coaching, along with intermediate education.
Sri Netaji Study Circle: A popular institute for NDA coaching.
Impact Academy Of Human Excellence: Another well-regarded institute for NDA preparation.
Dice Academy: Known for its coaching for NDA and CDS.
Yuvatarang Defence Academy & Junior College: Offers NDA and CDS coaching.
Consider these factors when choosing a coaching institute:
Faculty: Experienced and qualified teachers.
Infrastructure: Study materials, library, and other facilities.
Fees: Compare the cost of different institutes.
Location: Choose a location that is convenient for you.
3. Balancing BA Studies with NDA/CDS Preparation:
Time Management:
Effective time management is crucial to balance studies and coaching.
Study Groups:
Form study groups with fellow aspirants to share resources and motivate each other.
Online Resources:
Utilize online platforms for additional study materials and practice tests.
Physical Training:
Don't neglect physical fitness, which is a crucial part of the NDA/CDS selection process.
4. Important Notes:
The NDA exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year. The CDS exam is also conducted by the UPSC, and the selection process includes a written test and an interview conducted by the Service Selection Board (SSB).
Eligibility:
Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for both NDA and CDS, including age, educational qualifications, and physical standards.
Multiple Attempts:
You can appear for both NDA and CDS exams in different years, maximizing your chances of joining the armed forces.
BA Courses:
The National Defence Academy (NDA) offers Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees with various specializations.
Hello Kanchan,
You are eligible to appear for the CDS (Combined Defence Services) Exam based on your date of birth (16 October 2003) and graduation timeline. Here’s when you can apply:
Since your
graduation will be completed next year (2025)
, you can
apply in your final year
, but you need to submit proof of graduation before the
final selection
.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
To determine if you're eligible to give the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam in 2027, let's check the age criteria:
Age Criteria for CDS Exam
- For Indian Military Academy (IMA): 19-24 years
- For Indian Naval Academy (INA): 19-24 years
- For Air Force Academy (AFA): 19-24 years
- For Officers' Training Academy (OTA): 19-25 years
Your Age in 2027
- Born in 2003
- Age in 2027: 24 years
Considering the age criteria, you'll be eligible to appear for the CDS exam in 2027 for:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Indian Naval Academy (INA)
- Air Force Academy (AFA)
However, you'll be at the upper age limit for these academies. For Officers' Training Academy (OTA), you'll still be within the eligible age range.
Please note that these eligibility criteria are subject to change, and you should verify the age limits and other eligibility criteria with the official UPSC website or notification before applying.
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