CDS Selection Process 2023 - Written Test, SSB Interview for CDS 1 and CDS 2
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the dates for CDS 2023 and the CDS selection process. On December 21, 2022, a notification for CDS 1 2023 will go public. Between December 21, 2022, and January 10, 2023, the application form will open.
The 2023 CDS 1 will take place on April 16. Notification for UPSC CDS 2 selection process will be announced and accessible on May 17, 2023. The application form will be available from May 17 through June 6, 2023. The CDS 2 exam for 2023 will take place on September 3rd.
The UPSC will hold the CDS Selection Process in 2023 to determine applicants for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy. The written exam, followed by the SSB interview for an intellect and personality test, determines which candidates will get selected or not.1,182,50 of the 2,343,43 applicants who applied to take the exam in 2020 actually showed up.
Within two weeks of the written test results being announced to the public, all candidates who pass the written exam must register online at joinindianarmy.nic.in, the website for the Indian Army's recruitment programme. Following that, dates for SSB interviews and selection centres will get available to the candidates.
Two stages of the CDS Selection Process
The written test and the SSB interview are the two stages of the selection process for the CDS exam.
- First Stage
Candidates for the IMA, INA, and AFA must complete three papers in the first stage (written exam), whereas there is just a requirement of two papers for candidates for the OTA. Candidates may begin studying the previous year's CDS Exam papers with solutions for better preparation.
- Second Stage
They must participate in an interview to determine their psychological aptitude, personality, and IQ at the second step of the hiring process. The candidate must meet stage 1 and stage 2 requirements to be eligible for CDS 2023. Soon after the procedure, UPSC will announce the final cut-offs for the CDS 2023 exam.
CDS Selection Process 2023 Highlights
Candidates chosen by CDS become commissioned officers. They receive instruction at the appropriate defence academies. Some significant Selection Processes of CDS exam highlights for the CDS selection process 2023 are available in the table below.
NDA Features | Details |
Exam name | Combined Defence Services Examination |
Conducting institute | Union Public Service Commission |
Exam level | National |
CDS syllabus | Math, English and General Ability Test (GAT) |
CDS pattern | Pen and paper offline mode for the written examination. |
No. of test cities | More than 70 |
Exam frequency | Twice a year |
Exam fees |
INR 200 (candidates who are SC/ST/Women/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are spare from paying the fee) |
Eligibility | Passed the graduation exam or will be taking the same |
number of applications | 2,343,43 (2020) |
Number of test takers | 1,182,50 (2020) |
Exam purpose |
Entry requirements for applicants to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training |
Exam website | upsc.gov.in |
Written test for the CDS Selection Process
- The written test for admission to the Indian Military, Naval. Air Force Academies is the first stage in the CDS selection process 2023. The written test consists of three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
- Candidates must only take the English and General Knowledge exams in order to get admission to the Officers' Training Academy.
- CDS written exam is objective in nature, the CDS written exam will have a 2-hour time limit for each paper.
- The second step of CDS, the interview, will be open to candidates who pass the written test.
SSB Interview for the CDS Selection Process
- SSB Interview is the next step in the CDS selection process.
- A 5-day process called the CDS Interview 2023 entails a thorough examination of applicants covering all the key facets of their overall personalities.
- Candidates undergo psychological, cognitive, and physical evaluations. But before moving on to stage 2, candidates must pass the stage 1 exams.
- Officer Intelligence Rating and PPDT are going to schedule for one day. We carefully evaluate each candidate's linguistic and nonverbal abilities.
Officer Intelligence Rating
Stage 2 selection via CDS Interview 2023 begins with the Officer Intelligence Rating test. There are two portions of the test: Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. On this test, candidates must collectively respond to 55–60 questions from both sections.
Verbal Reasoning Section:
There are 50 questions in the OIR test's Verbal Ability Reasoning portion. Before going on to the Non-Verbal Reasoning Section, the test will give candidates 30 minutes to complete the first section.
Non-Verbal Reasoning Section:
Candidates have 50 questions to answer in this segment of the CDS Interview Stage 2 within the allotted 25 to 30 minutes.
Candidates who pass this examination go to the next round of assessment, the Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT).
Picture Perception and Description Test
Because it examines candidates' comprehension and memory recall abilities, this part of the Stage 1 CDS Interview is particularly challenging. This screening test is fascinating to do because candidates have only 30 seconds to inspect a hazy image and give a thorough analysis of it within three minutes. During this brief time, candidates must focus on seven essential elements:
- Age
- Sex
- Mood
- Character
- Past (what happened in the photo condition right before the click)
- Present (what events currently take place)
- Future (what will be coming next in the photo)
SSB Interview Schedule for the CDS Selection Process
Date | Events |
Day 1 | Reporting, form completion, and a test of visual perception and description (PPDT) |
Day 2 |
TAT (Thematic Apperception Test), WAT (Word Association Test), and SRT are examples of psychological tests (Situation Reaction Test). SD (Self-Description) (Self-Description) |
Day 3 |
Group Tasks, the most significant component of the CDS Interview, require applicants to demonstrate their physical and mental strength. Additionally, these responsibilities serve as the basis for evaluating officer-like qualities. Group Discussion, Military Planning Exercise, Progressive Group Task, Group Obstacle Race, and Half Group Task are among the assignments given to applicants. |
Day 4 |
Personal Interview, Individual Lecturette, Command Task, Final Group Task, and Individual Obstacle Task |
Day 5 | Verifying documents at a conference |
- Interview postponement requests:
will only get into consideration in the most real of situations. If it is practical, it will be get into consideration, with Army headquarters, Air Headquarters, or Naval HQ acting as the sole decision body. The right course of action is to send such requests to the selection centre where students receive the invitation to the interview.
- Three weeks following the release of the CDS 2023 results, aspirants for the Navy can send emails to officer-navy"nic. in'' or obtain their call-up letters from the naval website www.nausena-bharti.nic.in
Note: Candidates should write to the following address if they have not received an interview call letter by the scheduled date.
(CDSE Entry/SSC Women Entry for Officers Training Academy) Army HQ/Rtg.
West Block-III, Room 175
Ramakrishnapuram, 110066 New Delhi
OR call 26176028 (telephone).
Candidates for the Navy or Air Force should contact the Naval Headquarters or the Air Headquarters for similar inquiries (in case of non-receipt of call letter).
CDS Selection Process Medical Exam 2023
The Special Medical Board (SMB) is in charge of organizing the final phase of the CDS Selection Process, where all candidates who passed the SSB Interview are mandatory to take a medical examination. They might be required to present the following documents for verification during the procedure, which will take 4 to 6 days to complete. See the paperwork that applicants must bring to the UPSC CDS Selection Process:
- Photographs passport size
- Documentation of Residence
- Certificates of Achievement
- Birth Certificate
- Identification Proof (Pan Card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID, etc.)
- Category Certificate for Reserved Category Candidates
What will happen following the 2023 CDS Interview?
Following the conclusion of the CDS 2023 interview process, the candidate's verification process, which includes document verification, takes place. After the interview, qualified candidates must provide their required set of original papers, together with two copies that have been self-attested, at the SSC (Services Selection Center). Below is a list of the documents you'll need to bring during the selection process.
The candidates will receive their original certificates back after the verification. Under no circumstances will candidates accept certified genuine copies or photostat copies of their certificates.
- Certificates of Qualification
- Identification proof (Pan Card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID, etc.)
- Birth Registration
- Passport-size images
- Category Certificate for Candidates in the Reserved Category
- Evidence of Residency
The final but most significant phase is the medical examination. This phase determines whether the chosen candidate is physically fit to serve in the officer cadre. This confirmation is necessary. If you want to pass the interview, you must complete all of the verification requirements.
Change of Communication Address
After the announcement of the CDS 2023 results, it is our advice for selected applicants who have changed their communication address to notify the new address as soon as possible. Candidates must send a self-addressed, unstamped envelope to the following address with their notification:
- IMA/SSC as the top option
Army General Staff,
The branch of A.G. (For men, the CDSE Entry Section; for women, the SSC Women Entry Section)
Wing 1, Ground Floor, West Block-III
New Delhi, India, 110066 Ramakrishnapuram
- For the Navy as the top option
MOD (Navy) DMPR IHQ (OI&R Section),
Room 204 in the "C" Wing
Sena Bhawan, 110011 New Delhi
- For the Air Force as the top option
Air HQS 'J' Block, PO 3 (A),
Space No. 17, Next to Vayu Bhawan,
New Delhi, India, 110011 Motilal Nehru Marg
If the candidates don't receive the call letter for the interview, failing to follow this requirement will invalidate any claim to consideration.
Candidates may visit the website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in for all inquiries regarding the allocation of centres, date of the interview, merit list, joining instructions, and any other pertinent information surrounding the CDS 2022 selection process. If IMA or OTA is the candidate's first choice, they can reach the recruiting department by phone at 011-26173215 and by fax at 011-26196205 between 2 and 5 PM on all working days.
Exam centres:
The cities where the written exam will take place in 2023 are the CDS exam centres. More than 70 cities around the nation will participate in the exam. Candidates can specify a preferred exam city when filling out the application. The first-come, first-served principle will be the method to choose the exam centres.
Exclusion/Disqualification Criteria
- Candidates who got admission to the Air Force Academy, Indian Military Academy, National Defence Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officers' Training Academy in Chennai but got termination because of unacceptable behaviour, it will not get allowed in any manner or get considered admission to the Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy, or for a short service commission in the Army.
- Candidates who got termination from the Indian Military Academy for lacking officer-like qualities (OLQ) will not get permission to reapply.
- The National Defence Academy or the Naval Training Establishments will not admit candidates who had previously got a chance as Special Entry Naval Cadets but had left due to a lack of officer-like skills.
- Candidates who dropped out of the NCC, Officer Training Academy, Indian Military Academy, or Graduate degree due to a lack of officer-like skills would not get a chance for an Army short service commission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is the interview process for CDS 2022 a one-day process?
Ans. No, the interview doesn't take place on a single day. Stage 1 and Stage 2 are also involved. Each step takes four days to complete.
Q2. How does the Officer Intelligence Rating Test work?
Ans. This is the first step in stage 1. It involves verbal and non-verbal reasoning sections. Candidates must respond to between 55 and 60 questions overall.
Q3. The address listed on the application form changed after I submitted my application for the Air Force exam. How can I handle that?
Ans. Send a self-addressed, unstamped envelope and a notice of the new address to the address listed below.
Room No. 17, Opp. Vayu Bhawan, Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi-110011, PO 3 (A) Air HQS.
Q4. For CDS, is 60% required?
Ans. The Indian Air Force Must Meet Minimum Percentage
CDS Exam: Once more, there is no set percentage for the CDS exam; all the requirement is that you be a graduate and, of course, pass the CDS exam. Exam AFCAT: Candidates must have a minimum cumulative score of 60% in order to apply.
Q5. Are CDS exam clearing simple?
Ans. The UPSC administers the CDS exam each year, yet it is neither difficult nor straightforward. We frequently advise all of your aspirational students that they should stop when they begin to believe that the CDS exam is challenging or difficult. when their subconscious begins to indicate a desire to pass the CDS exam
Q6. What type of GK comes in the CDS exam?
Ans. The General Knowledge exam is necessary for all applicants. The General Knowledge section's syllabus is fairly extensive and includes topics like history, geography, science, politics, economics, and current affairs. There are 120 questions overall, and each incorrect answer results in a loss of marks.
Q7. How Do I Begin Preparing for CDS 2023?
Ans.
- Recognize the syllabus and exam structure.
- If you wish to pass the CDS exam, look over the exam syllabus and format.
- Exam practice with past year's papers and mock exams.
- Keep Your Basics Simple.
- Pay attention to crucial issues.
- Begin by posing simpler queries.
- Establish A Reliable Schedule.
Q8. Can someone who is 24 give CDS?
Ans. As of July 1, 2023, the candidate must be between the ages of 20 and 24. The candidate's birthdate should not have been sooner than 2 July 2000 or later than 1 July 2004. The candidate's birthdate should not have been sooner than July 2, 1999, or later than July 1, 2004, respectively.