Know All About the Combined Defence Civil Services Exam (CDS)
What is UPSC CDS?
First things first, let’s start with the simplest possible question: what exactly is the CDS exam?
“CDS” is an acronym for “Combined Defence Services” Examination. The “Combined Defence Services”Examination (CDS) is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy.
After completing our undergrad course most of us go through this dilemma of what next?? A post graduate degree in your subject of graduation, a UPSC or an MBA is the option that comes to mind. But have you ever explored the option of working for your nation? Then the Combined Defence Services exam is your chance to join the army, navy or air force. Think about it?? What can be more fulfilling than making working for your country and making a real difference to the lives of people, protecting civilians and feeling a sense of accomplishment that stays with you throughout your life? We get this opportunity twice in a year as the CDS Exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice in a year for recruitment to the Army, Navy and Air force.
“CDS” is an acronym for “Combined Defence Services” Examination. The “Combined Defence Services”Examination (CDS) is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy.
After completing our undergrad course most of us go through this dilemma of what next?? A post graduate degree in your subject of graduation, a UPSC or an MBA is the option that comes to mind. But have you ever explored the option of working for your nation? Then the Combined Defence Services exam is your chance to join the army, navy or air force. Think about it?? What can be more fulfilling than making working for your country and making a real difference to the lives of people, protecting civilians and feeling a sense of accomplishment that stays with you throughout your life? We get this opportunity twice in a year as the CDS Exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice in a year for recruitment to the Army, Navy and Air force.
Stages of the Recruitment process involve:
1. Qualifying the written test.
2. Appearing for an interview with the Service Selection Board.
3. If selected, you get admitted to one of the following-
4. Indian Military Academy, Dehradun – Permanent Commision
5. Naval Academy, Goa – Permanent Commission
6. Air Force Academy, Begumpet – Permanent Commission
7. Officers Training Academy, Chennai – Short Service Commission
8. Officers Training Academy, 18th SSC Women(Non-technical) – Short Service Commission
On the basis of your preferences and ranking in the merit list.
One small thing though, Women candidates are eligible for the Officers Training academy only!
One small thing though, Women candidates are eligible for the Officers Training academy only!
CDS Exam: Recruitment Process
Elaborating the recruitment process:
1. Qualifying the written test
Before writing the exam you need to check if you fulfill the eligibility criteria for CDS. These are mentioned in detail on the website www.upsconline.nic.in
The CDS is an objective paper that tests your general knowledge, elementary Math and English aptitude. There are two different exams:
A. One for the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy aspirants.
The pattern for this exam is
Section
|
No. of questions
|
Maximum marks
|
English
|
120
|
100
|
General Knowledge
|
120
|
100
|
Elementary Mathematics
|
100
|
100
|
The questions are in the MCQ format with 4 options for each question. There is a negative marking of 0.33 marks for every wrong answer. The 340 questions need to be attempted in 360 minutes (3 hours).
B. The second is for the Officer Training Academy aspirants
This exam does not have a Mathematics section and is of 200 marks with each section of 100 marks each.
Section
|
No. of questions
|
Maximum marks
|
English
|
120
|
100
|
General Knowledge
|
120
|
100
|
The English section is aimed at testing a candidate’s basic English skills. Questions in the English section include Synonyms, Antonyms, Reading comprehension, Jumbled sentences, Sentence correction and Fill in the blanks.
The General Knowledge section requires you to have up-to-date knowledge of Current Affairs, scientific inventions, History, Geography and any other topics of importance.
The Elementary Mathematics section tests your knowledge on all topics that have been taught up to the class 10 level.
The General Knowledge section requires you to have up-to-date knowledge of Current Affairs, scientific inventions, History, Geography and any other topics of importance.
The Elementary Mathematics section tests your knowledge on all topics that have been taught up to the class 10 level.
Cut Offs: Combined Defence Services Exam?
Course
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
IMA
|
237
|
231
|
235
|
INA
|
231
|
231
|
229
|
AFA
|
266
|
266
|
272
|
OTA (Men)
|
158
|
158
|
160
|
OTA (Women)
|
159
|
160
|
158
|
Clearing the cut-offs ensures an interview call.
What happens after the CDS Exam?
2. The Interview
· The Union Public Service Commission will declare the list of candidates short-listed for the interview based on the written test.
· The Selected candidates will be appearing before a Service Selection Board for the Intelligence and Personality test. The candidate will also be put through a series of group activities and asked to give lectures and brief topics. These tests are aimed at getting an overall assessment of your intellectual and social traits.
· Candidates for the INA and IAF will also have to undergo a Pilot Aptitude Test.
· Based on their performance in these tests the candidates will be evaluated out of 200 marks for the OTA and 300 marks for the IMA, INA and IAF.
· Candidates who qualify the minimum cutoff requirements for the SSB and written examinations will be placed in order on the basis of the marks received.
The final selections will be made on the basis of the vacancies available.
Wish you all the best for the exam!
Best Books For the preparation for the CDS and Defence Services
Best Books for CDS : With the UPSC CDS exam date nearing, aspirants must be exhausting themselves for its preparation. It is not just preparation but the quality of your preparation that matters for this exam. In order to have a sound preparation, candidates should have the best resource.
Aspirants should have the best books for CDS to assist them to crack the exam. Having loads and loads of books does not help until you have the best ones. Note that you can crack the exam even with a single but the best reference.
Best Books for CDS
Let us bring you the different stages of CDS exam. CDS Exam has 2 selection stages:
- Stage I: Written Examination
- Stage II: SBB Interview
CDS Exam has only one Written Test. It comprises 3 sections namely Elementary Maths, English Language and General Knowledge. These sections are for aspirants applying for admission in Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. Candidates applying for admission in Officers’ Training Academy has only English Language and General Knowledge sections. Before getting into the list of the best CDS study material, candidates should be aware of CDS Exam Pattern.
Look below for the best books for CDS for each section:
Best Books for CDS for Mathematics
This section is for aspirants applying for admission to Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Indian Naval Academy (INA). This section of CDS exam tests your mathematical knowledge. The level of questions asked here is of matriculation level.
Best books for CDS for Mathematics
|
|
Books
|
Description
|
Mathematics for CDS by R.S.Aggarwal
|
This book is the best package for all the mathematical topics. CDS aspirants can practice all kinds of questions from all the chapters from this singular book. It has solutions by short-cut methods as well. This assists the candidates in solving problems in less time. The book covers every important topic like Arithmetic, Mensuration, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, and Statistics.
|
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S.Aggarwal
|
This book extensively covers and explains all the topics required for you to score well in the examination. The book covers topics from all the branches of Mathematics- Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry. When it comes to scoring high in the exam, this book is highly dependable.
|
Best Books for CDS for English Language
This section is for every aspirant wanting to get admission into Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Officers’ Training Academy. English Language section examines your grammar and vocabulary knowledge. It also tests your skill at playing around with words.
Best books for CDS for English Language
|
|
Books
|
Description
|
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
|
The book has everything that is required to improve a candidates’ vocabulary. Along with teaching different topics like idioms, synonyms, antonyms, preposition etc, this book also teaches its readers about the correct usage of similarly spelt words.
|
English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
|
This high school English Grammar and Composition book provide aspirants guidance in sentence building, comprehension, composition, correct usage of words, autobiography, letter writing, essays etc. This is an effective self-guide book to refer to.
|
Objective General English by SP Bakshi
|
Apart from the theory part, this book assists aspirants in practising too. The book has practice papers for each topic covered. It basically helps candidates in an overall preparation for the exam.
|
Best Books for CDS 2018 for General Knowledge
This section is for every aspirant wanting to get admission into Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Officers’ Training Academy. GK section tests your general knowledge on the current events. Along with the books, you should also read newspapers like the Hindu, the Indian Express, etc. and journals for your reference on the current affairs.
Best books for CDS for General Knowledge
|
|
Books
|
Description
|
Manorama Yearbook by Malayala Manorama Publishers
|
This magazine updates aspirants on events surrounding Science and Medicine, Census reports, Election results, Economic indicators, Art, National days, List of Union Cabinet Ministers, GK, Awards, Books etc.
|
General Knowledge by Manohar Pandey
|
This study material has topics related to Indian History, Indian Economy, Indian Polity, Geography, General Science etc. This book also deals with current affairs and events.
|
Important Topics For CDS Exam
We have mentioned a list of important topics for each section below:
Mathematics
Below are the important topics for Mathematics:
Important Topics For CDS Mathematics
|
|
Natural numbers
|
Quadratic equation
|
Square roots
|
Simultaneous linear equation
|
Percentage
|
Theory of polynomials
|
Prime and Composite numbers
|
Trigonometry
|
Factorisation
|
Theorems
|
Logarithms
|
Mensuration
|
Laws of indices
|
Statistics
|
English Language
Below are the important topics for English Language:
Important Topics For CDS English Language
|
|
Spotting errors
|
Sentence arrangement
|
Synonyms
|
Antonyms
|
Selecting words
|
Ordering of sentences
|
Comprehension
|
Ordering of words in a sentence
|
Fill in the blanks
|
Composition
|
General Knowledge
Below are the important topics for General Knowledge:
Important topics For CDS General Knowledge
|
|
Indian Polity:
Constitution of India
President of India
Judiciary
|
Indian Geography:
Ores & Minerals
Oil Mills
Lakes of India
Rivers, Tributaries and their directions
Clouds
Longitude and Latitude
Islands of India
States Comparison by Population and Area
|
Indian History
|
Military knowledge
|
Current affairs:
Awards
Government welfare schemes
International trades of India
FDI
|
Applied science:
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
|
