The “Combined Defence Services” (CDS) examination is conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year for recruitments into Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Indian Air Force Academy (IAFA). The examination notification is generally released in the month of October and June and the entrance exams are conducted in February and November. Only unmarried graduates are eligible for sitting in the entrance exam. Successful candidates are called for Interviews conducted by SSB (Services Selection Board).
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Exam Dates: Important dates regarding CDS.
| Events CDS-I | Tentative Dates | Events CDS-II | Tentative Dates |
| Starting Date of Online Application Form | October | Starting Date of Online Application Form | June |
| Closing Date of online application form | November | Closing Date of online application form | July |
| Issue of Admit card | January | Issue of Admit card | August |
| CDS Written | February | CDS Written | September |
| Declaration of Result | March | Declaration of Result | December |
Age Limit: Certain age restriction for the different academy which is as follows:
| Academy | Years |
| Indian Military Academy | 19-24 years |
| Indian Air Force Academy | 19-24 years |
| Indian Naval Academy | 19-24 years |
| Officer’s Training Academy | 19-25 years |
Exam pattern:
All papers are objective types in the CDS exam.
For- Indian Military Academy/ Indian Air force academy/ Indian Naval Academy:
| Subjects | Marks |
| English | 100 |
| General knowledge | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 |
| Total | 300 |
For- Officer’s Training Academy:
| Subjects | Marks |
| English | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 100 |
| Total | 200 |
- Stage I- It consists of Officer Intelligence rating, Picture perception, and Description Test.
- Stage II- It involves Interview, Grouping Testing Officer Task, Psychology test and Conference.
CDS Syllabus:
| Sections | Portions |
|---|---|
| English |
|
| Elementary Mathematics |
|
| General Awareness (GK) |
|
CDS Preparation Tips:
1. Thorough about the Exam Pattern and Syllabus:
1. Going to the preparation the first step for a candidate to know the syllabus properly and thoroughly.
2. This helps the student to know the question that occurs in the examination, previous year question. Every year there is a change in the syllabus. If you clear about the syllabus then you don’t have to miss any topic.
3. The exam pattern is important because it tells about the selection procedure and the step.
4. Aside from there is required of a physical standard test, which has to prepare very first the preparation and simultaneously a candidate has to prepare for intelligence test and personal interview test.
2. Take coaching for CDS:
The CDS exam is one of the tough defense exams in India conducted by UPSC. It should be better for a candidate to take coaching. But keeping in mind you have to choose the good coaching center because in this emerging time a lot of fake centers are there for making money, so you should care about. Good institution means reputed faculties, good materials, good experience, etc, which lead you to crack the exam.
3. Take the mock test for CDS:
4. Collection Of Previous year Paper:
5. Taking out the Cut-Off marks:
6. Excellent in Mathematics:
1. Have speed with accuracy
2. Get a proper collection of notes
3. Use short-cut and techniques
4. Focus on time management
7. Master in English:
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Some time it is very important for a candidate to clear about English. All interested candidates are not from English medium background, some are from their Local State Board, so it is very difficult for a student to understand the question because questions are in English format. Topics asked in the exam includes Spotting Error, Sentence arrangement, Fillers, Synonyms & Antonym, selecting Words or Phrases, Ordering of Sentence, Comprehension, etc. For better English, students have to follow certain things:
1. The habit of reading newspapers, books, magazines, etc.
2. Enhance writing skills, Speaking Skills, Listening habits, etc.
3. Take Primary grammar thoroughly.
4. Taking online test of English series. -
Either this is the hardest or easiest topic among 3. This section is totally based on facts. Those candidates are regularly touched with a newspaper they must take good attempts in the GK section. Some smart ways of preparation for GK are as follows:
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1.Through with the NCERT books.2. Make a habit of revising the topic like Capital, Currency, Culture, Folk dances, Dynasties, Geography, Politics, Economics, History, etc.3. Keep in touch with General Science Physics, Chemistry, Biology, IT, Innovation and technology, etc.4. Take note of Sports award, World prizes, Contest winner, etc.5. Take newspaper regularly The Hindu, The Telegraph, Times of India, etc.6. A various website that gives an online test, touch with them.
9. Take your Priority:
Candidates should solve the sections and questions as per their priority. If a question seems easy and less time consuming, it must be attempted first. The questions which are seemed easy but calculative should be solved later.10. No new topic during the last week of exam:
It is good to read, practice and revise that topic which you are through with. But don’t go for the new topics during the last time of the exam because that creates confusion. Because it is very difficult to remember topics without proper revision.11. Prepare self notes:
Everyone has a different level of capacity for capturing, understanding, and perusing the information. So it is always better for a candidate to prepare their notes.
Read here: Tips to Crack CDS Exam
Also read: CDS (Combined Defence Service): Know the Exam Details and Syllabus
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