CDS Full Form - What is the Full form of CDS
CDS Full Form - The full form of CDS is Combined Defence Service. UPSC conducts CDS Exam twice a year. CDS exam is a national-level exam and is conducted to recruit candidates for IMA (Indian Military Academy), INA (Indian Naval Academy), AFA (Air Force Academy) and OTA (Officers Training Academy). CDS is generally held in the month of February and November. Through CDS graduate candidates can choose defence as their career option. There are three stages in UPSC CDS - Written examination (Pen and Paper Mode), SSB interview and Medical Examination. Candidates need to qualify in each stage to be eligible and get recruited in the forces. Another CDS full form is Chief of Defence Staff who is the head of the Indian Armed Forces. Along with the full form of CDS, candidates should be aware of the complete details on Combined Defence Service.
Latest - UPSC has released the CDS 2020 Exam Dates
CDS - Combined Defence Service 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 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria of Combined Defence Service depends upon two categories - academic and age criteria.
Age Limit Criteria -
20-24 Years: Indian Military Academy (IMA)
20-22 Years: Indian Naval Academy (INA)
20-23 Years: Air Force Academy (AFA)
20-25 Years: Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)
Academic Qualification -
IMA & OTA: Graduation Degree from a reputed University,
INA: Graduation in B.Sc. with Physics & Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering
AFA: B.Sc. Graduate with Physics/Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering
CDS Notification and Application
UPSC releases the CDS Exam notification twice a year which contains the CDS Full Form. Along with the notification, it also releases the application form of CDS. The notification contains crucial information like the CDS eligibility criteria, CDS exam pattern, CDS syllabus, CDS vacancies, steps to fill the application form, application fees, exam day guidelines etc. Combined Defence Service application fee is Rs. 200 for General and OBC candidates while female and SC/ST candidates are exempted from paying the application fees.
CDS Admit Card
Candidates who successfully fill the application form will be issued the admit card by UPSC. The admit card is also the hall ticket necessary for candidates to appear for the CDS exam. The admit card contains candidate's name, scanned signature and photo, roll number, exam centre details and venue, exam day guidelines. The CDS admit card is mandatory to carry to the exam centre along with a valid photo ID - Voter ID, Aadhar Card, Passport, Driving License etc.
CDS Answer Key
UPSC releases the official answer key after the complete recruitment process is over however candidates can download the unofficial answer key. This unofficial answer key will be released by coaching institutes and are memory based. These answer keys help candidates check their responses and calculate their probable score.
CDS Result
UPSC will release the result and cut off of CDS after the exam is conducted in online mode. Candidates need to score the marks equal to or more than the prescribed cut off marks in order to get selected for SSB. SSB is the acronym for Service Selection Board. The SSB is set up by the Ministry of Defence for India to recruit officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
CDS Final Merit
After successfully conducting the SSB, UPSC will release the final merit list of the candidates who are shortlisted for the SSB. The merit list will have the name of the candidates and the academy where they have been recruited for. The final merit list will be released in PDF format.
How to Prepare for CDS?
Combined Defence Service (CDS) is not tough but considering the number of candidates who apply in the exam it becomes a bit difficult to crack. Although, if candidates prepare in a strategic way and plan their studies better they will be able to crack it.
Follow these steps to prepare for CDS:
Know the syllabus of CDS and the exam pattern
Solve previous year CDS question papers at least 20 or 30 papers. This practice will help you feel confident before going to appear for the exam
Keep yourself aware with the latest topics and events
Refer to CDS best books
Preparation Books for English
Vocabulary- Norman Lewis
English Grammar- S.P. Bakshi
General Knowledge
Lucent and Arihant General Studies
Preparation Books for Mathematics
Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Kumar Verma
Try to give the preliminary mock test at least one month before the exam.
Other Related Links
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - CDS Full Form - What is the Full form of CDS
Question: What is the salary of a CDS officer?
Answer:
The starting salary of CDS is Rs 15600-39100.
Question: What is the eligibility criteria of CDS?
Answer:
The academic qualification is graduation while the age limit is 20-25 years.
Question: What is the difference between the NDA and CDS?
Answer:
The basic difference is the eligibility criteria, for NDA candidates need to be 10+2 qualified while for CDS it is graduation. In NDA, only male candidates can apply while in CDS both male as well as female candidates can apply.
Question: How many times the CDS is conducted?
Answer:
CDS is conducted twice a year.
Question: What is the selection process of CDS?
Answer:
According to UPSC, CDS selection process has 3 stages - Written exam, SSB as well as Medical Exam.
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Questions related to CDS
is there any use of ncc c certificate for girls in cds exams in OTA category?
A separate merit list is prepared for NCC Cadets who have "C" Certificate. You have to apply for SSB which happens twice a year. So through SSB, you can get into OTA. But for that you should have completed your Graduation in any discipline with a minimum aggregate of 50% and should be between 19-25 years. But if you are still in our 2nd year of Bachelor's degree, you need to wait until the next year.
Answer laterI am a women studing in b.sc 2nd year with ncc c certificate so can i apply for cds in OTA category? is there any use of ncc c certificate for a girl in cds exsms?
Usually a separate merit list is prepared for NCC Cadets who have "C" Certificate. You have to apply for SSB which happens twice a year. So through SSB, you can get into OTA. But for that you should have completed your Graduation in any discipline with a minimum aggregate of 50% and should be between 19-25 years. But if you are still in our 2nd year of Bachelor's degree, you need to wait until the next year.
there is any use of ncc c certificate in cds exams for women in OTA
Dear Srujana,
Thank you for your query.If you have a NCC C certificate then you have a lot of benefits when it comes to the CDS Exams. The C certificate gives you priviledge over others who are attempting the CDS Exam.
All the best
Hli I am in my degree 2nd year which will be completed in upcoming months (courseB.sc 2nd CBZ) can i apply for CDS exams now? and min height for women? in CDS. and how physical exam is conducted for women in CDS exams?
Women can only apply for OTA which is Officer's Training Academy which is SSC Women Non Technical Course. The age group should be between 19-25 years. Unmarried women, issueless widows, who have not remarried and issueless divorcees who have relevant documents can apply. You should a Bachelor's degree of any University or equivalent degree from Institutions that have been recognised by Central or State Government. Minimum acceptable height is 152cms. You have to wait to apply for CDS until next year.
how physical exam is conducted for women in cds exams?
Hello aspirant
Women can also apply for CDS.
The minimum acceptable height for make candidates is 157.5 cm.For women candidate the minimum height is 152 cm.
The minimum age limit is 19 years for women. Women candidates are only eligible to apply for OTA. Tech candidates can apply for IMA, INA, AFA also.
Officer Training Academy ( CDs OTA,) for women - conducted in offline mode ( pen paper base) test consisting of objective type questions to test a candidate's English and general awareness.
Related E-books and Sample Papers
CDS II Question Paper - General Knowledge-GK (2016)
CDS II Question Paper - Elementary Mathematics (2016)
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