CDS : (Combined Defense Services)

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is a selection process conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. The CDS exam is held twice a year for the recruitment of candidates into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). It is one of the most sought-after defense exams in India, attracting lakhs of applicants.

The examination aims to select officers for the Indian Armed Forces and includes written tests followed by an interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB), which includes psychological and group testing, as well as medical tests. Here’s a brief overview:

1. Eligibility: Candidates need to be Indian nationals, unmarried, and meet age criteria (which varies for different academies). They also need to have a degree from a recognized university. For Air Force Academy, a degree in Engineering is preferred. For Naval Academy, candidates need to have a degree in Engineering.

2. Examination Pattern: The written examination is different for candidates applying for the Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy, and Naval Academy compared to those applying for the Officers Training Academy.

For IMA, INA, and AFA, the written exam comprises three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.

For OTA, there are only two papers: English and General Knowledge.

1. Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview: Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the SSB interview process which lasts for approximately a week. During this time, candidates go through various tests including psychological tests, personal interviews, group discussions, and group tasks.
2. Medical Examination and Merit List: After clearing the SSB interview, candidates undergo a medical examination. A final merit list is prepared based on the aggregate scores in the written exam and the SSB interview.

3. Training: Candidates who are finally selected go through rigorous training at the respective academies.

4. Posts: After successful completion of training, candidates are commissioned as officers in the Indian Armed Forces. Depending on the academy they are selected for, they are commissioned into the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

Candidates preparing for the CDS examination usually focus on building a strong foundation in English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge, and also work on their physical fitness and personality development to perform well in the SSB interviews.