CDS Selection Process 2021 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, Document Verfication
CDS Selection Process 2021 - Union Public Service Commission is the exam conducting authority for the CDS exam. The CDS exam is held twice every year. CDS 2/2021 exam is scheduled for November 14, 2021. The CDS selection process 2021 consists of two steps - written exam and SSB interview. Candidates who qualify for the written CDS exam 2021 are called for the CDS exam SSB interview round. The written exam in the CDS selection process is for testing the candidate's aptitude and reasoning abilities. Whereas the SSB round of the CDS exam 2021 selection process tests candidates psychological aptitude and mental condition. Candidates have to clear all the stages of the CDS 2021 selection process to get recruited as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. To know more about the CDS selection process 2021 read the article below.

CDS 2021 Overview
Name of the exam | Combined Defence Services Examination 2021 |
Official website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Commonly known as | CDS examination |
Conducting authority | Union Public Service Commission |
Frequency of exam | Twice per year |
Number of vacancies | To be announced |
Mode of application | Online |
Mode of exam | Offline |
Stages of exam |
|
CDS Selection Process 2021 - Stages
The CDS selection process has two stages. Applicants need to clear both to get recruited in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The two-stage of CDS selection process are:
Written Exam
SSB Interview
CDS Selection Process 2021 for Written Examination
The first stage of the CDS 2021 selection process is a written exam. According to the CDS exam pattern 2021, the CDS written exam comprises three papers - English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for admission in IMA, IFA and INA. For admission to Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), candidates just have to appear for two papers - English and General Knowledge. All the questions asked in the CDS written exam are multiple-choice questions. Candidates are given 2 hours time to attempt each paper. As per the CDS selection process 2021, candidates qualifying for the written examination are called for SSB Interview.
Quick links:
CDS Syllabus 2021
CDS Question Papers 2021
CDS Selection Process 2021 for SSB Interview
Candidates qualifying the stage 1 of the CDS selection process 2021 are called for the SSB interview stage. This stage of the CDS selection process is conducted over a period of 5 days to test applicants intelligence, personality, physical strength and more. The following table provides the day-wise breakup of the SSB interview round.
CDS SSB Interview selection process stage
Days | Events |
SSB Day 1 | Reporting, Filling of forms, Picture Perception and Description Test |
SSB Day 2 | Thematic Apperception Test, Self Description Test, Situation Reaction Test, Word Association Test |
SSB Day 3 | Group Testing Officers’ Tasks - Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Half Group Task, Progressive Group Task & Individual Obstacle Task |
SSB Day 4 | Individual Obstacle Task, Command Task, Final Group Task, Personal Interview & Individual Lecturette |
SSB Day 5 | Conference & Document Verification |
Quick links:
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2021
CDS Application Form 2021
CDS Selection Process 2021 - Medical Exam & Document Verification
After clearing the CDS SSB interview, applicants have to go through a medical CDS examination conducted by a Special Medical Board. A medical examination may last up to 4 to 6 days. While appearing for the medical exam, candidates are advised to keep all their documents ready. In case an applicant fails to produce the required documents will be disqualified from the CDS selection process.
CDS Salary 2021 - Rank Wise
Rank | Level | Pay Scale |
Lieutenant | Level 10 | Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500 |
Captain | Level 10 B | Rs 61,300 -Rs 1,93,900 |
Major | Level 11 | Rs 6,94,00 – Rs 2,07,200 |
Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | Rs 1,21,200 – Rs 2,12400 |
Colonel | Level 13 | Rs 1,30,600 - Rs 2, 15,900 |
Brigadier | Level 13A | Rs 1,39,600 - Rs 2,17,600 |
Major General | Level 14 | Rs 1,44,200 - Rs 2,18,200 |
Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 | Rs 1,82, 200 - Rs 2,24,100 |
HAG+Scale | Level 16 | Rs 2,05,400 – Rs 2,24,400 |
VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Level 17 | Rs 2,25,000/-(fixed) |
COAS | Level 18 | Rs 2,50,000/-(fixed) |
More Relevant Links
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - CDS Selection Process 2021 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, Document Verfication
Question: When is the CDS 1 2021 exam scheduled to be held?
Answer:
CDS 2021 exam is scheduled to be conducted on February 7, 2021.
Question: What is the minimum age to apply for the CDS exam?
Answer:
The minimum age to apply for the CDS exam is 19 years.
Question: What post does one get recruited to after clearing the CDS exam?
Answer:
After clearing the CDS exam candidates are recruited as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Question: Does UPSC release the CDS official answer key?
Answer:
Yes, UPSC releases the official CDS answer key on its website - www.upsc.gov.in.
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Questions related to CDS
My DOB is June 23 1998 I am I eligible for CDS 2021?
Hello Dear,
Yes, The candidate born between 02 Jan 1998 to 01 Jan 2003 . So you will are eligible according to this years' eligibility criteria. CDS Notification is published by Union Public Service Commission. CDS follows a three-stage recruitment process it consists of:
- Written Test
- SSB Interview
- Medical Examination
- Merit List
Follow the link below for more information:
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
Good Luck
my dob is April 2004 ,am I eligible for cds paper 2in 2022
Hello,
As per as your Date Of Birth, you will be 18 years of old by April 2022, which does not fulfill the required CDS Eligibility Criteria 2022 as per Age Limit which is 19 - 25 years of old( unmarried).
Candidates should be graduates and between the age group of 19 to 25 years. CDS eligiblity criteria 2021 is based on age limit, educational qualification, nationality and more.
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
Can 1st year BCA student apply for CDS OTA ?
Hi
I am extremely sorry to tell you dear but you are not eligible for CDS OTA if you are in the first year of BCA
This is because,
To be eligible for CDS OTA you should have completed your graduation course, also students who are in the final year of their degree examination are eligible
but you are still in the first year of your BCA ,thus you are not eligible. You can apply for CDS OTA either after the completion of your bca or in the final year of your BCA.
For your reference CDS eligibility criteria is provided below:-
*Nationality :-
-)you should be indian/nepali/bhutani
-) or you should be a tibetan refugee who came here before January, 1962 in india to settle permanently .
-)or you should be of indian origin migrated from following countries to settle here in India permanently :-
-> Burma,
->Pakistan,
->Sri Lanka & East African Countries
The age limit and marital status for different CDS courses is provided below:-
*Indian Military Academy :- you should be between 19 to 24 years and unmarried
*Indian Naval Academy :- you should be between 19 to 24 years and unmarried
*Air Force Academy :- you should be between 20 to 24 years and unmarried
*Officers' Training Academy (Men) :- you should be between 19 to 25 years and can be either unmarried or Married
*Officers Training Academy (Women, Non-Technical) :- you should be between 19 to 25 years and unmarried or widow or a Divorcee
Educational qualifications required for CDS is provided below:-
*Indian Military Academy :- you need a bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Those who are in final year of their degree are also eligible.
*Indian Naval Academy :- Must have bachelor's degree in engineering or should be in final year of your engineering.
*Air Force Academy :- You should have bachelor's degree in engineering or Bachelor's Degree in any discipline with physics and mathematics in your 10+2 level . Those who are in final year of their degree are also eligible
* OTA (Men) :- you need a bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Those who are in final year of bachelor's degree are also eligible.
* OTA (Women - Non-Technical) :- you need a bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Those who are in final year of their degree are also eligible
For detailed information you can visit our page the link for the same is provided below :-
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/ cds -eligibility-criteria
If you have any other doubt then you can always reach us to clear them :) we are always available to help you out and guide you
Thank you
i have a 60.62% marks in 12th science so....can i apply for cds and afcat examination.. .
Hello,
You need to hold a graduation degree in order to apply for both of the CDS and AFCAT exam. Your class 12th marks won't pose any hindrance.
The education qualification needed for CDS are:
-
For I.M.A. and OTA, candidates should have a bachelor's degree from a university or equivalent degree from institutions that have been recognized by the Central/State Government.
-
For INA candidate needs to have a Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/institution.
-
Also, to apply to Air Force Academy, the candidates need a degree from a recognized university( with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2) or a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
Also, apart from educational eligibility criteria, you also need to fulfill the other criteria to be eligible. Check the link below for more information regarding this
CDS: https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
AFCAT: https://competition.careers360.com/articles/afcat
Good luck!
BSc(cbz) is ok to Join AFA in CDS ? PLEASE ANSWER
Hello,
I am not very sure of BSc(CBZ) acceptance for CDS.
But I can provide you these links to check out:
https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/
http://careerairforce.nic.in/
These are the official sites of the Indian Airforce. You can check the career options from these sites.
Through these links, you can also check out which branch (flying or technical or non technical) you are eligible.
Also, please note that, CDS is not the only entrance for AFA. You have options like AFCAT and NCC Special Entry also. You can check these also through the links provided.