Combined Defence Services (CDS)
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Combined Defence Services (CDS)
Aura Defence & Careers Institute is a vibrant and forward-thinking academy committed to fostering excellence and leadership. We offer a comprehensive CDS coaching program tailored for aspirants aiming to serve in the Indian Armed Forces. Our institute is a hub of innovation, learning, and personal growth, where talent is nurtured and potential is transformed into achievement.
Founded with the vision to create a strong foundation for a career in the defence services, Aura Defence & Careers Institute provides a focused academic pathway to success in the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination. Our course structure is designed to thoroughly prepare dedicated students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset required to excel in this competitive field.
Backed by a team of experienced and committed professionals, we ensure that every student receives the guidance and training necessary to meet the high standards of the defence forces. With a disciplined yet inspiring environment, we prepare our cadets to rise to the challenges of a dynamic defence career.
A Brief About CDS Exam:
About CDS Exam
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA).
Notifications for the exam are typically released in June and October, with the exams held in November and February, respectively.
Only unmarried graduates are eligible to apply. Candidates who qualify the written examination are called for an interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB) before gaining admission into their respective academies.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Nationality
1. A citizen of India, or
2. A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
3. A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
4. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam) with the intention of permanently settling in India.
2. Age Limit, Gender, and Marital Status
Indian Military Academy (IMA):Unmarried male candidates aged between 19 and 24 years as of January 1, 2024 (i.e., born between January 2, 2000, and January 1, 2005).
Indian Naval Academy (INA):Unmarried male candidates aged between 19 and 24 years as of January 1, 2024 (i.e., born between January 2, 2000, and January 1, 2005).
Air Force Academy (AFA):
1. Candidates aged between 20 and 24 years as of January 1, 2024 (i.e., born between January 2, 2000, and January 1, 2004).
2. Upper age limit for candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable up to 26 years (i.e., born between January 2, 1998, and January 1, 2004).
3. Candidates below 25 years of age must be unmarried. Marriage is not permitted during training. Married candidates above 25 years of age are eligible to apply, but during the training period, they will neither be provided married accommodation nor can they live with family out of the premises.
Officers' Training Academy (OTA) – SSC Course for Men: Unmarried male candidates aged between 19 and 25 years as of January 1, 2024 (i.e., born between January 2, 1999, and January 1, 2005).
Officers' Training Academy (OTA) – SSC Women Non-Technical Course: Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried, and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried, aged between 19 and 25 years as of January 1, 2024 (i.e., born between January 2, 1999, and January 1, 2005).
3. Educational Qualifications
For IMA and OTA:A degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
For INA: A degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution.
For AFA: A degree from a recognized university (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.
4. Physical Standards
Candidates must be physically fit according to the physical standards for admission to the CDS examination as prescribed by UPSC. They should be in good physical and mental health and free from any disease/disability that can interfere with the performance of duties. The minimum acceptable height for male candidates is 157.5 cm (157 cm for Navy and 162.5 cm for Air Force). For female candidates, the minimum acceptable height is 152 cm. There are relaxations in height for candidates belonging to certain regions.
CDS Exam Pattern for For IMA, INA, AFA:
| Sr. No | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | 2 hrs | 100 |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 2 hrs | 100 |
| 3 | Elementary Mathematics | 2 hrs | 100 |
CDS Exam Pattern for OTA:
| Sr. No | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | 2 hrs | 100 |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 2 hrs | 100 |
SSB Interview Procedure:
The SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview is a two-stage selection process designed to assess a candidate’s potential to become a successful officer in the Armed Forces.
Stage I: Screening Test
Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test – Includes verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions.Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT) – Candidates are shown a picture for a brief time, after which they must write a story and later participate in a group discussion.
Stage II: Comprehensive Assessment (4 Days)
Psychological Tests – To evaluate the candidate's mental stamina, thought process, and personality traits.Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks – Involves multiple group activities to assess leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
Personal Interview – One-on-one interaction to understand the candidate’s background, motivation, and aspirations.
Conference – All assessors come together to discuss each candidate’s performance and make the final recommendation.
English Language:
| Antonyms | Sentence improvement | Synonyms | Word substitution |
| Ordering of sentences | Spotting Errors | Selecting Words | Ordering of words in a sentence |
General Knowledge:
| Economics | Physics | Current Affair's | Politics |
| Chemistry | Sociology | History | Defence |
| Award | Geography | Environment | Sport |
| Biology | Cultural | Book | Statement true/false |
Elementary Mathematics:
Algebra
| Basic Operations | Simple Factors |
| Remainder Theorem | HCF & LCM |
| Theory of Polynomials | Solutions of quadratic equations |
| The relation between its roots and Coefficients (Only real roots will be considered) | Simultaneous linear equations in two unknown-analytical and graphical solutions |
| Simultaneous linear inequations in two variables and their solutions | Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one |
| Variable & their solutions | Set Language and set notation |
| Rational Expressions and Conditional Identities | Law of Indices |
Trigonometry:
- Sine ×, cosine ×, Tangent × when 0°
- Simple trigonometric identities
- Use of trigonometric tables
- Simple cases of heights and distances
Geometry:
Lines and Angles, Plane and plane figures, Theorems on Properties of angles at a point, Parallel lines, Sides and angles of a triangle, Congruency of triangles, Similar triangles, Concurrence of medians and altitudes, Properties of angles, sides and diagonals of a parallelogram, rectangle and square, Circles and its properties including tangents and normal and Loci.
Mensuration:
- Areas of squares
- Rectangles
- Parallelograms
- Triangle and Circle
- Areas of figures which can be split up into these figures (Field Book)
- Surface area and volume of cuboids
- Lateral Surface
- Volume of Right Circular Cones, cylinders and Surface
- Area and volume of spheres
Statistics
| Collection and Tabulation of Statistical Data | Graphical Representation Frequency Polygons |
| Histograms | Bar charts |
| Measures of Central Tendency | - |
Important Dates
CDS 1 – 2025
Notification Release: December 11, 2024
Application Period: December 11, 2024, to January 1, 2025
Admit Card Release: April 3, 2025
Exam Date: April 13, 2025
CDS 2 – 2025
Notification Release: May 28, 2025
Application Period: May 28, 2025, to June 17, 2025
Exam Date: September 14, 2025
