CDS (1) 2012 – Combined Defence Services Exam

About the Exam

The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts the CDS examination (Combined Defence Services) to recruit officers for the Army, Navy and Air Force. 

CDS is conducted twice a year. Once in February (CDS I) and once in September (CDS II).

If you clear the written test, you will be interviewed by the Service Selection Board(SSB) and if selected you would be sent to the Indian Military Academy(IMA), the Indian Naval Academy or the Air Force Academy as well as the and Officers Training Academy(OTA), Chennai for your orientation training. 

Those joining the first three institutes get permanent commission while cadets passing out of OTA, Chennai get short service commission. You have to mention your preferences while filling up the application forms.


Courses & Seats Available

• Indian Military Academy, Dehradun:  250 seats [including 32  vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders].
  134th Course commencing in January, 2013
• Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala : 40 seats (2 for Hydro,38 for Executive-General Service) ) (including 6 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate holders (Naval Wing).
  Course commencing in January 2013, Executive (Hydro/General Service
• Air Force Academy, Hyderabad: 32 seats
  (Pre-Flying) Training Course i.e. No.193rd F(P) Course commencing in January, 2013
• Officers Training Academy, Chennai:  175 seats
  97th SSC Course (for Men) commencing in April,2013.
• Officers Training Academy, Chennai: 30 seats
  11th SSC Women (NonTechnical) Course commencing in April, 2013

Eligibility

Educational Qualifications:

• For IMA /OTA : A degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
• For Naval Academy: B.Sc. with Physics and/or Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering.
• For Air Force Academy: B.Sc. of a recognized University or equivalent with Physics and/or Mathematics as subjects or Bachelor of Engineering

Age:

• For IMA: Unmarried male candidates between 19-24 years on 1st January or 1st July of the year succeeding the year of examination.
• For Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates between 19-22 years on 1st January or 1st July of the year succeeding; the year of examination.
• For Air Force Academy: Unmarried male candidates between 19-23 years on 1st January or 1st July of the year succeeding the year of examination.
• For Officers Training Academy: Male candidates (married or unmarried) between 19-25 years on 1st January or 1st July of the year succeeding the year of examination.

Important Dates

Online Applications:  29th Oct 2011 -  28th Nov 2011
Exam Date: 12th Feb 2012



How to Apply

Candidates are required to apply online only here.
CDS Sample Tests


Results of CDS (I) 2011