CDS Full Form - What is the Full form of CDS Exam?
CDS Full Form - The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CDS exam. The full form of CDS is Combined Defence Services. Few people also refer to CDS full form as Chief of Defense Staff, which is a rank given to head of Indian Armed Forces, It is a recently inducted rank and doesn't have any significance with CDS exam. UPSC conducts the CDS exam twice a year. CDS is a national-level exam and is generally conducted in the month of February and November. It is a national-level exam conducted to recruit candidates for officer posts in IMA (Indian Military Academy), INA (Indian Naval Academy), AFA (Air Force Academy) and OTA (Officers Training Academy).
Latest Updates for CDS
- 18 May 2022:
UPSC CDS 2 application form 2022 released
- 18 May 2022:
UPSC CDS 2 notification 2022 released
- 13 Apr 2022:
UPSC CDS 1 question papers 2022 released
Stay up-to date with CDS News

Just like the previous year, CDS 2022 will be conducted in three stages. As per the CDS selection process, the stages are written exam, SSB Interview followed by the Medical Examination. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria of CDS will be able to apply for it by visiting the official website @upsconline.nic.in and fill it from there. In this article of CDS full form, we will share all the information related to CDS like eligibility criteria, application form, exam dates, CDS salary and much more. If you are planning to prepare for the CDS exam, read this article till the end.
CDS Full Form Overview
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 Exam Dates 2022
CDS 1 Exam Dates
CDS 1 Events | |
CDS Notification 2022 | December 22, 2021 |
CDS 1 2022 Application Form | December 22, 2021 to January 11, 2022 |
CDS 1 2022 Exam | April 10, 2022 |
CDS 2 Exam Dates
CDS 2 Events | Dates |
CDS 2 2022 Notification | May 18, 2022 |
CDS 2 2022 Application Form | May 18 to June 14, 2022 |
CDS 2 2022 Exam | September 4, 2022 |
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2022
The eligibility criteria of CDS are divided into two sections - Nationality, Academic qualification, and age limit. Refer to the following table for the same.
Eligibility Criteria of CDS 2022
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) |
CDS Notification and Application 2022
CDS 01/2022 notification was released on December 22, 2021 and CDS 2/2022 notification will be released on May 18, 2022. The UPSC releases the CDS notification twice a year. The notification dates and the CDS application form dates will be the same. The CDS notification consists of the important dates, eligibility criteria, steps to apply, CDS exam pattern, syllabus, important instructions related to the CDS 2022 in detail. It is mandatory to read the notification of CDS thoroughly before filling out the form.
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CDS Admit Card 2022
The admit card of 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 only 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 admit card. So it becomes of utmost importance to fill out the application form carefully and pay the application fee. The admit card can be downloaded from the official website by 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 admit card has to be carried to the exam centre along with a valid ID proof to the exam centre.
CDS Exam Centre 2022
CDS exam is conducted across various exam centres in India. From the following table, aspirants can check the exam centres of CDS.
CDS Exam Centres
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 | -- |
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How to prepare for CDS?
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 defense forces of India. The difficulty level of CDS is graduation as the minimum eligibility criteria are graduation only. Many aspirants join coaching institutes to prepare for CDS but there are a few more who also prepare from home by referring to the best CDS books etc. Here we have shared the CDS preparation tips for all the candidates who are planning to appear for the CDS exam.
CDS Answer Key 2022
The CDS answer key consists of all the answers to the questions asked in the exam. The unofficial answer key is released by various coaching institutes on the day of the exam while the official answer key of CDS is released on the official website of UPSC. Candidates preparing for the CDS exam can match the answer key along with the questions from the exam and spectate their chances of qualification.
CDS Result 2022
UPSC will release the CDS 01/2022 result on the official website only. The result of CDS will be released after the exam is conducted in online mode. Candidates who qualify for the CDS exam as per the result will be able to appear for the next stage of the exam and will subsequently qualify for the CDS exam. The written exam result is released in PDF format on the official website and has the academy-wise roll number of all the shortlisted candidates.
CDS Final Merit
The final merit list of CDS is released after the complete recruitment process is over. The merit list of 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 recruitment.
Other exams conducted by UPSC:
- NDA 2022
- UPSC IAS 2022
- UPSC ESE 2022
- UPSC IES/ISS 2022
- UPSC Combined Geo Scientist 2022
- UPSC CMS 2022
- UPSC CAPF 2022
- UPSC EPFO
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - CDS Full Form - What is the Full form of CDS Exam?
Question: What is the salary of a CDS officer?
Answer:
A CDS officer gets a starting salary of Rs 15600-39100.
Question: What is the eligibility criteria to apply for CDS?
Answer:
As per the eligibility criteria of CDS, the academic qualification is graduation while the age limit for CDS is 20-25 years.
Question: What is the difference between the NDA and CDS exam?
Answer:
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.
Question: What is the frequency of the CDS exam?
Answer:
CDS is conducted twice a year by UPSC.
Question: What is the CDS selection process?
Answer:
CDS selection process has 3 stages - Written exam, SSB as well as Medical Exam.
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Questions related to CDS
my dob is 15/10/2003 and i will complete my btech degree around july 2026, so am i eligible for the cds exam after the completion of my degree ?
Hello Aspirant,
By August 2026 you will be of approx. 23 years old and according to your age and current eligibility criteria you would be eligible for all the CDS 2026 courses so you can appear for it and for your reference the age criteria for different courses is mentioned below :-
>> Indian Military Academy - 19 to 24 years
>> Indian Naval Academy - 19 to 24 years
>> Air Force Academy - 20 to 24 years
>> Officers' Training Academy (Men) - 19 to 25 years
>> Officers Training Academy (Women, Non-Technical) - 19 to 25 years
Apart from the age criteria there are some other parameters upon which your eligibility will be determined like your educational qualification which goes like :-
**Indian Military Academy - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute
**Indian Naval Academy - Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/ College
**Air Force Academy - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor degree in engineering
**OTA (Men) - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute
**OTA (Women - Non-Technical) - Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute
For detailed eligibility criteria kindly check out the link given below :-
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
I hope this information helps you.
Good Luck!!
Sir can b.com SOL student applying for cds
Hello, Hope you are doing well
UPSC CDS examination is conducted by UPSC twice a year to recruit young officers in indian armed forces Army,Navy & Air force.
Main eligibility for CDS is graduation in any stream and there is not any percentage bar as well. There is not any condition that graduation must be regular or distance So, you can apply for UPSC CDS Examination.
To know more about UPSC CDS exam syllabus,paper & exam pattern visit link given below
GOOD LUCK!!
Hope it Helps,
Thanks.
(javascript%3A;)
respected sir what is the eye limits for cds for army incase of myopia
Dear Aspirant,
CDS Examination is conducted by Union Public Service Commission twice a year in the month of april and december to select young boys and girls in indian armed forces as officers.
Medical standard of eyesight for CDS is as follows-
A candidate should be able to read in a distant vision chart 6/6 in better eye and 6/9 in worse eye with or without glasses. Myopia should not be more than 2.5 D and hypermetropia not more than 3.5 D including Astigmatism.
Glasses are allowed in CDS medicals
Medical standard of eyesight for CDS is given below:-
A candidate should be able to read in a distant vision chart 6/6 in better eye and 6/9 in worse eye with or without glasses. Myopia should not be more than 2.5 D and hypermetropia not more than 3.5 D including Astigmatism.
To know more about CDS medical standards you can visit the link given below
Hope it will be help full to you,
Thanks.
my birth date is 25april1998, am I eligible for cds 1,2023?
Dear aspirant!
Hope you are doing well !
Here is the eligibility criteria for CDs OTA 2023 ;-
Your age in the year 2023 will be 25 years so you can only choose OTA but you must have born in between July 2, 1999 and July 1, 2005 . As your date of birth is earlier than July 2, 1999 you are not eligible to appear for CDS 2 2023.
Hence you will not be eligible for the next year cds exam .
Hope it helps you !
Thanking you!
Is Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vidyapith Pune, IMA (CDS) approved for or not?
Hello aspirant,
The university offers undergraduate and graduate programmes. Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University offers 12 undergraduate and seven graduate courses. Except for M.C.A. and B.Lib.I.Sc., the varsity provides all of its courses online. Candidates can apply for B.Com, B.Sc., B.B.A, M.Sc., M.A., M.B.A, and other YCMOU Nashik courses. The university offers three Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) programmes: Computer System Administration, Industrial Science, and Media Graphics and Animation.
For more information you can visit our site by clicking on link given below.
https://www.careers360.com/university/yashwantrao-chavan-maharashtra-open-university-nashik/courses
Thank you
Hope this information helps you.