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The UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is a highly competitive process aimed at selecting candidates for officer positions in the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The UPSC CDS selection process consists of a written examination, an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB), a medical test by Indian Navy (Naval candidates only) and the final shortlisting for the CDS result 2024.
The final appointment letter for the shortlisted candidates after the UPSC CDS selection process is drafted by IHQ MoD/DMPR. The CDS officer training period for the successful candidates commences in Jan/Jul and the advertisement for it will be published in Nov/Jul.
After the declaration of UPSC CDS result 2024 for the written test, those who qualify are invited for the SSB interview, which comprises various psychological and physical tests along with group discussions and personal interviews. The SSB evaluates candidates' leadership potential, planning & organising ability, social adaptability, social effectiveness, dynamic ability and overall suitability for a career as an officer. The CDS selection process for the SSB interview round is as follows:
(i) Stage - I: It involves an OIR test and PPDT (Picture Perception and Discussion test).
(ii) Stage - II : It involves Psychological testing, Group testing (GTO) and Personal Interview.
Candidates who successfully clear the SSB interview have to further undergo a Medical examination for around 3-5 days.
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Reporting day: The candidates are required to report at the SSB board for document verification and filing PIQ forms. Candidates are also required to report to the place listed in the call letter which is usually the Moment Control Office (MCQ).
The first testing stage of the SSB interview involves screening through an OIR test and PPDT. OIR (Officers’ Intelligence Rating test) is a Verbal and Non-verbal Test which tests the candidate’s basic aptitude. This round is followed by PPDT (Picture Perception and Discussion Test) which involves story writing and group discussion. For this round, the candidate is shown a picture for 30 secs and given 3 minutes to construct a story around it. The candidates are further divided into groups and made to narrate their story in the group and have a group discussion on it. With this PPDT round, the first stage of testing is concluded. The selected candidates move onto the second stage of testing.
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In the second round of testing, the psychological suitability of a candidate is measured through multiple psychological tests such as Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT) and Self Description Test (SD).
After the psychological tests, in the GTO (Group Testing), the physical agility and group performance of the candidate is tested through numerous outdoor tasks such as Group Planning Exercise (GPE), Progressive Group Task (PGT), Half Group Task (HGT), Individual Obstacles Task (IOT), Command Task, Snake race/Group Obstacle Race, Individual Lecturette, Final Group Task (FGT). In this series of tests, candidates are required to work in collaboration with the group without competing with the other candidates.
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The final round of the SSB interview procedure is a personal interview. This is an essential part of the CDS selection process as the SSB questions and answers determine whether the candidate will get shortlisted or not. In this round, each candidate has to face the SSB group members and answer the questions posed by the interviewing officers.
After successful completion of training, candidates selected through CDS exams are given the rank of Lieutenant.
The candidate must be mentally sound and physically fit according to the guidelines issued by the Commission.
The CDS exam is conducted in two stages, the written exam and the SSB interview.
The CDS training is scheduled for 1.5 years for Army cadets, 37 to 40 months for Navy cadets and 74 months for Air Force cadets.
NDA provides joint training for Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets, while CDS selects candidates for specific academies like the Indian Military Academy and Indian Air Force Academy.
As per the CDS Salary Structure, the selected candidates will join as Lieutenant on the pay scale of Rs 56,100 -1,77,500 per month after training.
Application Date:12 April,2025 - 11 May,2025
Application Date:25 April,2025 - 24 May,2025
Advertisement Date:23 June,2025 - 23 June,2025
For CDS 2 2025, with a date of birth of 6th October 2001, you are eligible for both IMA and OTA. The age limits for IMA are 19-24 years and for OTA are 19-25 years as of 1st January 2025, making you eligible for both academies.
Hello Gunal,
As a student born on 05-11-2001 you will have many opportunities to take the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam conducted by UPSC. Age Limits will vary depending on the courses:
You are eligible, based on your DOB for:
Best Books for CDS Preparation:
Required Documents for CDS SSB/Verification:
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.
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