The CDS 1 2023 Notification has been released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on its website. Candidates seeking a career in India's defence forces can now mark their calendars for the national-level competitive exam set to take place twice a year. The notification was released on 21st December 2022 and has all the necessary details about the examination. UPSC CDS 2023 Application Dates are till 12th January 2023 by 6:00 pm due to server issues. The application process started on 21st December 2022. The exam for the same will be conducted on 16th April 2023. The UPSC conducts the CDS exams for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officer Training Schools. Check out the below-mentioned points to learn about the CDS 2023 Exam.

• UPSC CDS Application fees will be Rs. 200 for all categories. Also note that SC, ST, and female candidates are exempted from the application fee.
• The total number of vacancies for the position is 341.
• For the position, candidates will be selected based on a written test followed by an interview. Selected candidates will be hired in their respective departments after undergoing a period of training.
• The selected candidates will receive a stipend of Rs. 56,100.

Also, Check CDS Study Material Here

CDS Latest Updates

17th January 2023: UPSC CDS (I) 2022 Marks Released!

UPSC released the marks for the CDS (I) Exam on 17th January 2023. This is for the 2022 cycle. Check the marks of the candidates below.

UPSC CDS (I) 2022 Marks PDF

12th January 2023: UPSC CDS (I) 2022 OTA Final Results Released!

UPSC released the final results for the Officer's Training Academy (OTA) on 12th January 2023. This is for the 2022 cycle. Check the results below.

Direct Link to Check the UPSC CDS (I) 2022 OTA Final Results

10th January 2023: CDSApplication Dates Extended

UPSC has extended the application dates for UPSC CDS 2023 till 12th January 2023 6:00 pm. Check the notice for the same below.

Check UPSC CDS Date Extension Notice Here

What is CDS Exam?

The Union Public Service Commission holds the Combined Defence Services Examination (or CDS Exam) twice a year for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. The national-level defence entrance examination attracts thousands of candidates.

CDS Academies

Any candidate who will get selected for the CDS positions, he/she will be placed in the Academies nations in the below table:

CDS Exam Overview 2023

Check out the below table to have an overview of the CDS 2023 exam.

Download CDS (1) 2023 Official Notification

Download UPSC Exam Calendar

CDS Exam Dates 2023

The following table lists important dates for CDS (1) 2023 as per the official calendar and CDS (2) 2023 as per the UPSC exam calendar.

CDS Vacancy 2023

A total number of 341 vacancies have been released for the CDS (1) 2023 Recruitment. The detailed vacancy distribution is as follows:

CDS I 2023 Vacancies

Aspirants who are appearing for the CDS I 2023 can find the detailed expected vacancies out for the same in the following table. Take a glance over the same:

CDS II 2023 Vacancies (Expected)

Aspirants who are appearing for the CDS II 2023 can find the detailed vacancies out for the same in the following table. Take a look over the same. Also note that this is as expected.

Check CDS online Coaching Here!

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2023

Candidates applying for the CDS I Exam should keep in mind that they have to first fulfill all the CDS Eligibility Criteria like age limit, educational qualification, etc. to be applicable to apply for their desired post.

CDS Age Criteria

The very first criteria are the age criteria which vary in the case of various academies like the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, etc. as mentioned below. Let us check out the table below.

CDS Educational Qualification Criteria

The educational qualification criteria vary in each case as per the requirements of the respective academies like Officer Training Academy, Indian Air Force Academy, etc. The candidates can check out the educational qualification below:

(i) For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai — Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.
(ii) For Indian Naval Academy— Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution
(iii) For Air Force Academy—Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

CDS Nationality Criteria

A candidate for the UPSC CDS recruitment exam 2023 must be one of the following:

• A Citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal, or
• A subject of Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to settle permanently in India, or Indian origins who migrated to India from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Zaire, Zambia, and Ethiopia, or Vietnamese origins who migrated to India to settle permanently in India.

CDS Physical Fitness and Medical Standards

According to the UPSC rules, candidates must be physically and mentally fit. On medical grounds, a large number of qualified candidates are disqualified. As a result, candidates are highly urged to have a medical examination before applying for the Exam.

Some common defects are:

• Condition of Overweight / Underweight
• Under Sized Chest
• Piles
• Wax (Ears)
• Deviated Nasal Septum
• Tonsillitis
• Gynaecomastia
• Varicocele
• Hydrocele / Phimosis
• Male candidates must be at least 157.5 centimeters tall (157 cm for the Navy and 162.5 cm for Air Force). The minimum height requirement for female candidates is 152 cm. After all kinds of waivers/dispensations, the minimum height for all entries is 148 cm.
• Male candidates should have a well-developed chest. After complete inspiration, the minimum range of expansion should be 5 cm.
• The Body Mass Index of the aspiring candidates should be below 25.

CDS Height and Weight Standards:

• Male candidates must be at least 157.5 cm tall to be considered. (The Navy's is 157 cm, while the Air Force's is 162.5 cm for Flying Branch and 157.5 cm for Ground Duty).
• The minimum permissible height for female candidates is 152 cm.
• Gorkhas and people from the hills of India's north-eastern region, such as Garhwali and Kumaon, will be allowed to be 5 cm shorter.
• The minimum permissible height for candidates from Lakshadweep can be lowered by 2 cm. After all kinds of waivers/dispensations, the minimum height for all entries is 148 cm. If not, the candidate will be labeled a dwarf.

Read About CDS interview questions here.

CDS Air Force Visual Standards

It is required for candidates to fulfill the CDS visual requirements, which consist of Myopia, BCVA, Hypermetropia, Lasik/equivalent surgery, and Colour Perception. The table below mentions the required visual standards for CDS in detail:

CDS Gender and Marital Status Requirements

The Gender and marital status requirement for each Indian force are different. The table below mentions the Gender and Marital Status Requirements for each department:

CDS Application Form 2023

Completing the application process for CDS 2023 is the first step to applying for recruitment by the Combined Defence Services. Candidates should be careful to enter the correct information here as the same will be printed on their CDS I admit cards. Go through the step-by-step procedure given below to be able to apply it smoothly.

Direct Link To Apply For The CDS (1) 2023 Exam

Step 1: You should first enter the official website of UPSC to apply for the CDS (1) 2023 Exam.

Step 2: You have to enter your credentials under the heading “Part I” of your application form.

Step 3: You should first check the eligibility criteria & then apply for the respective academy which you wish for. (Indian Naval Academy, Indian Air Force Academy, etc.)

Step 4: A registration ID will be generated after “Part A” and you can proceed to “Part B” of the CDS 1 application form.

Step 5: Upload all scanned documents & signatures in the specified format. (PDF, JPEG, etc.). The candidates can use the Testbook Resize Tool for this purpose.

Step 6: Finally, you need to pay the application fee and select your examination center.

Step 7: Double-check all details and finally click on “Submit”

Step 8: Keep the application number generated safely.

Step 9: Take a printout of the application form for future reference.

Documents Required for CDS Application Form

• Candidates require ID proof like a Passport, PAN Card, Aadhar Card, etc.
• Recent passport-size photographs of the applicant
• Signature of the applicant in the required format. (JPEG, PDF, etc.)
• Educational Qualification mark sheets are required (10th, 12th, graduation, etc.)
• Caste certificates(if applicable)
• Jammu & Kashmir domicile-related documents(if applicable)

For details on the CDS Apply Online process refer to the linked article.

CDS Application Fees 2023

The CDS 1 2023 Application Form will only be completed if you pay the application fee along with the application forms. Remember the following pointers for clarity.

• The application fee is Rs.200/- for all categories.
• The SC/ST/females do not have to pay any fees as they are exempted.
• You can pay via depositing money in SBI Bank by cash, Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or by using the internet banking facility of any Bank.
• You can pay offline at any branch of the State Bank Of India.

CDS Selection Process 2023

The CDS selection process involves a few stages that the candidates have to clear with flying colors to go a step closer to obtaining their desired post in their desired academy like AFA, IMA, etc. The various selection stages include

• Written Examination: The first phase in the CDS selection procedure is the written exam. It comprises 2 hour papers. Candidates will just have to attempt the English and General Knowledge sections of the examination for admission to the officer training academy. Candidates for the Indian Naval Academy, Indian Maritime Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy must pass all three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
• SSB Interview or Personality Test: The personality exam or SSB interview is the second phase in the CDS selection process. Stage I and Stage II of the SSB technique are two-stage selection processes. Only those applicants who have passed Stage I are eligible to take Stage II.
• Document Verification: In this stage, all required documents of the candidates will be verified.
• Medical Examination: All of the shortlisted candidates will undergo a medical examination to determine whether or not they are medically fit. A Board of Service Medical Officers conducts a medical examination of the applicants nominated by the Services Selection Board. Women applicants are examined by a Medical Board made up of male and female doctors, specialists, and gynecologists. A Lady Medical Officer will also be a member of the Board. Only those candidates who have been deemed fit by the Medical Board will be allowed into the Academy.

Note: A final merit list will be prepared for the shortlisted candidates who clear all these stages successfully.

What is the CDS Selection & Interview Procedure For 2023?

Only candidates who clear the written examination stage will proceed to the UPSC CDS interview round. It will comprise two stages as given below:

Stage I: This stage will involve a Picture Perception & Description Test which will test the Officer’s Intelligence.

Stage II: This stage will test how the minds of the candidates work via psychological tests, interview rounds, group testing office tasks as well as a conference rounds.

Note: You have to qualify for the personality tests mentioned above to proceed to the document verification and medical test rounds.

CDS Exam Pattern for Written Test

The candidates who are applying to these respectable academies as mentioned above should be well aware of the latest examination pattern to have a well-informed idea about the important topics and sub-topics from an examination point of view. The table below shows the exam pattern for Indian Naval Academy, Indian Military Academy & Indian Airforce Academy.

CDS Exam Pattern For Officers Training Academy

The written exam pattern for the CDS I Examination varies in the case of the OTA or Officer Training Academy. Let us look at the tabulated forms below for a better idea.

CDS Interview 2023

The CDS SSB Interview will be held for candidates who pass the written exams. The CDS SSB Interview is divided into two stages, each of which includes an intelligence and personality test:

• Officer Intelligence Rating, Picture Perception, and Description Test make up Stage 1.
• Interview, Group Testing Officer Task, Psychology Test, and Conference are all part of Stage 2.
• The CDS SSB Interview lasts four days. During the interview round, candidates are assessed physically, mentally, and psychologically.

CDS Syllabus 2022-23

Candidates willing to apply for this examination should be well aware of the comprehensive and expected syllabus for the CDS 2023 Exam. It includes the following subjects of which they should know the important topics and sub-topics as given below:

General Knowledge

Questions on History, Physics, Biology, Geography, Political Science, and current affairs from all the happenings around the world, Defence-related news, Environment-related, Sociology, etc.

To get the detailed UPSC CDS Syllabus, candidates can visit the linked article.

English

Questions will be asked on Grammar, Synonyms & Antonyms, Reading Comprehension Solving, Error Spotting, Para Jumbles, Direct and Indirect Speech, Idioms and Phrases, Active and Passive Voice, etc.

Elementary Mathematics

Questions will be asked on Prime & composite numbers, Simple & compound interest, Areas of Squares, Rectangles, Parallelograms, Collection and tabulation of statistical data, Circles and their properties including tangents and normals and LociHCF & LCM, Euclidean algorithm, Geometry, Logarithms, Trigonometry, Statistics, Ratio and proportion, Variation, Elementary Number Theory: Division algorithm, Prime and composite numbers, etc.

CDS Admit Card 2023

Candidates must download the CDS Admit Card without any hassle or confusion. Given below are the steps to download the CDS Admit Card 2023:

Step 1: Visit the official website to download your Admit Card.

Step 2: Search for the UPSC CDS Admit Card.

Step 3: The admit card will appear in front of you. After reading all the instructions, select the option of downloading the admit card through Registration ID or Roll Number.

Step 4: After that, fill in your date of birth and captcha. Click the Submit button.

Step 5: Print the Admit Card on a clear sheet and keep it safe.

To get the detailed UPSC CDS Admit Card, candidates can visit the linked article.

CDS Cut-Off 2023

Candidates who will take the CDS recruitment 2023 written examination should know how to check the cut-off marks. To do so, follow the steps outlined below to determine the UPSC CDS cut-off marks for 2022 as the official cutoff for 2023 will be released by the commission after the exam. The aspirants can check the expected CDS Cut-Off 2023.

How to Check Cut off for CDS 2023

Below are the steps to check the CDS cut-off:

Step 1: Visit the official website to download the CDS Cut-Off.

Step 2: Press on the examination tab.

Step 3: Now go to the "Cut Off Marks" dropdown.

Step 4: Now find the link for CDS Cut off marks in the recent link.

Step 5: Click on the download link and save it for future reference.

CDS Previous Year Papers

These question papers will help you understand what topics you should focus on, you can also make your study time - table accordingly. CDS Previous Year Question Papers will help you ace the exam and stay ahead of the crowd. The syllabus of this exam is not overwhelming, the exam pattern only comprises three sections - English, Elementary Mathematics and General Knowledge.

CDS II 2022 Question Papers PDFs - SET A and B

Practicing CDS Previous Year Papers for each subject will help you to understand the importance of topics covered in the exam. We Have Provided Set Wise CDS II Question Papers for the year 2022. Candidates can download the UPSC CDS Previous Year Papers PDFs for sets A and B from here. If candidates find this helpful they can download and solve more CDS Previous Year Papers from here.

Exam Centers for the UPSC CDS 2023

The CDS written exam will be held in 75 different cities. The CDS exam center information will be printed on the admit card. Candidates will choose their exam centers when filling out the application form. Candidates were assigned CDS exam centers on a first-come, first-served basis.

CDS Books for Preparation 2023

The candidates who apply for the CDS recruitment should always have access to proper study material. Most students are confused about the books they should buy or refer to while preparing for the exam. In the below-given table, we have provided the list of books candidates can use to prepare for the examination.

Check CDS for girls in detail here.

For details on the UPSC CDS Books refer to the linked article.

CDS Answer Key 2023

If you applied for the CDS Recruitment, you must understand how to use the CDS Answer key as well as the procedure for downloading it.

After the exam, the answer key is posted on the UPSC's official website.

Step 1: Visit the official website to download the CDS Answer Key.

Step 2: Once on the site search for the answer key and download it.

Step 3: Save the answer key for future references

Step 4: Check your answers from the UPSC CDS Answer Key

CDS Salary 2023

Those who pass the CDS exam will be paid a stipend during their training days. They will be paid a stipend of Rs 21,000 per month. The candidates who qualify for this prestigious UPSC CDS examination will receive a handsome salary as per the 7th pay Commission. It is quite sought after by the commissioned officers recruited via CDS. The CDS salary range varies rank-wise and also with the years of service rendered by the officers. Let us look at the table below for a better understanding:

Also, check out the SSC GD Salary in detail here for additional career options!

CDS 2023 Salary: Additional Benefits

Aspirants who are aiming to become future Indian Army Officers can go through the following to know the additional perks that an Army Officer earns:

• CDS officers can encash their leaves.
• Free medical services are provided for the officers and their dependents.
• Canteen benefits for officers and their dependents.
• Accommodation, house on rent, and family assistance services are provided to officers’ dependents.
• Children’s Education Allowance, Field Area Allowance, Dearness Allowance, Flying Allowance, Transport Allowance, Uniform Allowance, High Attitude Allowance, and Siachen Allowance are provided for Officers serving at Fields.

CDS 2023 Roles and Responsibilities

• Choosing Armed Force is a lifestyle and not a profession.
• Adventurous Job profile with high-risk as well as honour.
• Candidates need to be disciplined and organized and must possess essential Officer-Like Qualities
• Candidates must possess 15 Officer-Like Qualities.
• Candidates who are retiring will enjoy paid allowance for the rank they retired.

To get the detailed UPSC CDS Salary & Job Profile, candidates can visit the linked article.

Preparation Tips for CDS

Aspirants who wish to crack the CDS exam must know a few tips and strategies on how they can prepare better for the exam. Below we have provided a few preparation tips for the UPSC CSE exam. Check the points mentioned below.

• Know the Syllabus & Exam Pattern Well
• Prepare with the help of previous years' question papers.
• Focus on important topics.
• Have an idea about all the topics.
• Know the basics.
• Set a proper study plan.

Download CDS Previous Year Papers PDF here in the linked article.

CDS Results 2023

The UPSC released the CDS II Result on 23rd September 2022. The UPSC CDS Exam results help you check your final cumulative scores as well as serve as a final confirmation of if you finally bagged your desired position or not. Go through the steps below to make sure you know how to download the results:

Step 1: The first step is to visit the official website of UPSC as given above.

Step 2: Navigate to the “CDS Results 2022” link on the homepage and click on it.

Step 3: The login page will ask for personal credentials to enter your registration number and password.

Step 4: The results are to be downloaded in PDF format.

Step 5: Save and print a hard copy for future reference.

CDS Exam Day Guidelines For 2023

Candidates are advised to follow the below-mentioned guidelines/instructions on the day of the examination.

• Applicants must carry a hard copy of their admit card & copies of passport-size photographs as proof of identity on the day of the examination.
• Applicants won’t be allowed to attempt the examination without an admit card.
• Applicants can carry items like a writing pad and blue/black ball pen to the examination center.
• Rough work material will be provided to the candidates during the examination.
• Applicants should not carry any items like electronic gadgets, books, rough pages, calculators, smart watches, or log tables to the center.

Advantages for NCC Certificate Holders In CDS Exam

Candidates who participated in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) throughout their college years and received a “C” certificate will have an advantage in the UPSC CDS entrance test. Read the given below points to see how!

• Candidates can apply for the SES (Special Entry Scheme), which entails being chosen for the SSB (Interview) round without having to take the written exam.
• Applicants can attend IMA because a limited amount of seats are designated for holders of NCC certificates (“C”).
• NCC “C” certificate holders who attempt the CDS written test shall receive bonus marks

Check CDS Exam paper Analysis Here.

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