CDS Full Form

CDS Full Form: Definition, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and Tips to Crack CDS Exam

What is the CDS Full Form? The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is one of the most sought-after exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruiting candidates for the Indian Armed Forces. If you are interested in joining the Army, Navy, or Air Force, CDS is one of the most popular options. In this article, we will discuss the CDS full form, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and tips to crack the exam.

Introduction to CDS

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is a national-level exam conducted by the UPSC twice a year. The exam is conducted for recruiting candidates into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as officers. The CDS exam is conducted in two stages – a written exam and an SSB interview. The written exam consists of three papers – English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.

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CDS Full Form

The full form of CDS is Combined Defence Services.

CDS Exam Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the CDS exam, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:

Nationality

Candidates must be either:

• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Bhutan or Nepal, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Age Limit

The age limit varies for different academies and is as follows:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 1998, and not later than July 1, 2003.
• Indian Naval Academy (INA): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 1998, and not later than July 1, 2003.
• Air Force Academy (AFA): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 1998, and not later than July 1, 2002.
• Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): Male candidates (married or unmarried) born not earlier than July 2, 1997, and not later than July 1, 2003.

Educational Qualification

The educational qualification varies for different academies and is as follows:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA): Graduation degree from a recognized university.
• Indian Naval Academy (INA): Engineering degree from a recognized university/institution.
• Air Force Academy (AFA): Graduation degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level from a recognized university/institution, or Bachelor of Engineering.
• Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): Graduation degree from a recognized university.

CDS Exam Pattern

The CDS exam pattern consists of two stages – a written exam and an SSB interview.

CDS Exam Stages

The written exam consists of three papers – English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The exam is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper-based) and each paper is of 2 hours duration.

• SSB Interview: The candidates who qualify in the written exam are called for the SSB interview. The SSB interview is a five-day process that includes various tests such as psychological tests, group discussions, and personal interviews.

CDS Exam Subjects

The CDS exam consists of three papers – English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The subject-wise details are given below:

• English: The English paper is designed to test the candidate’s understanding of the English language and its usage. The paper consists of objective-type questions and is of 2 hours in duration. The paper is divided into four sections – Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Verbal Ability.
• General Knowledge: The General Knowledge paper is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of current events, general awareness, and understanding of the world around them. The paper consists of objective-type questions and is of 2 hours in duration. The paper is divided into two sections – General Knowledge and Current Affairs.
• Elementary Mathematics: The Elementary Mathematics paper is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of mathematics up to the 10th standard. The paper consists of objective-type questions and is of 2 hours in duration.

CDS Exam Marking Scheme

Each paper in the CDS exam is of 100 marks. For every correct answer, candidates will be awarded 1 mark, and for every wrong answer, 1/3rd mark will be deducted. However, there is no negative marking for unanswered questions.

CDS Exam Syllabus

The CDS exam syllabus is designed to test the candidate’s understanding of the subjects they studied in their previous academic years. The syllabus is divided into three papers – English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Let’s take a closer look at each paper’s syllabus.

CDS Exam Syllabus for English

• Reading Comprehension
• Grammar and Usage
• Vocabulary
• Parts of Speech
• Spotting Errors
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• Idioms and Phrases

CDS Exam Syllabus for General Knowledge

• History
• Geography
• Indian Polity
• Economics
• Current Affairs
• Science and Technology

CDS Exam Syllabus for Elementary Mathematics

• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Mensuration

Tips to Crack CDS Exam

Preparing for the CDS exam requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Here are some tips that can help you crack the CDS exam.

Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

It is essential to know the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. Understanding the exam pattern and syllabus will help you prepare better and manage your time efficiently.

Prepare a Study Plan

Preparing a study plan is crucial to crack the CDS exam. A study plan helps you organize your time and focus on your weak areas.

Practice Previous Year’s Question Papers

Practicing the previous year’s question papers is one of the best ways to prepare for the CDS exam. Solving previous year question papers helps you understand the exam pattern, types of questions asked, and time management.

Stay Updated with Current Affairs

Keeping yourself updated with current affairs is crucial for the General Knowledge paper. Reading newspapers, and magazines, and watching news channels can help you stay updated with current affairs.

Improve Time Management

Time management is crucial to crack the CDS exam. You should learn how to manage your time efficiently and give equal importance to all the subjects.

Conclusion

The CDS exam is one of the most popular exams for candidates who want to join the Indian Armed Forces. To crack the CDS exam, candidates need to be well-prepared, hardworking, and dedicated. They must know the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly and practice the previous year’s question papers. Staying updated with current affairs, improving time management, and preparing a study plan are also essential for cracking the CDS exam.

Frequently Asked Questions