Combined Defence Services Examination

(CDSE)
(Introduction, Eligibility, Selection process, Exam Pattern and Courses)

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

❑ The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) is conducted by the Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC) twice every year for admission to courses at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun;
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala; Air Force Academy, Hyderabad; and Officers Training Academy,
Chennai.
❑ The Notifications for the exams are published by the UPSC in November and July-August. The CDSE (I)
is conducted in February-March and the CDSE (II) is conducted in October-November.
❑ The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) comprises:
o Written examination
o Service Selection Board (SSB) Intelligence and Personality tests of shortlisted candidates at one of
the Services Selection Centers
Introduction continues on the next slide…

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

❑ The candidates selected for the courses become Commissioned Officers in the Armed forces after
successfully completing their training.
❑ The CDSE (II) 2018 was conducted by the UPSC on Sunday, 18 November 2018 for admission to the
under mentioned courses:
Approximate number
Name of the Course
of vacancies
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun-147th (DE) Course commencing in July 2019 100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala-Course commencing in July 2019 Executive
45
(General Service) / Hydro
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad-(Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in July
32
2019 i.e. No. 206 F(P) Course
Introduction continues on the next slide…

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

Approximate number
Name of the Course
of vacancies
Officers Training Academy, Chennai-110th SSC (Men) Course (NT) commencing
225
in October 2019
Officers Training Academy, Chennai-24th SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course
12
commencing in October 2019

❑ Some of the above vacancies are reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders.
❑ CDSE provides an opportunity for the students who have completed their graduation to join Indian
defence forces.

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

Age limits and Marital status

❑ For Indian Military Academy and Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier
than 02 July 1995 and not later than 01 July 2000.
❑ For Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2019 (Upper age limit for candidates holding valid
and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable up to 26 years)
❑ For Officers Training Academy (SSC Course for men): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than
02 July 1994 and not later than 01 July 2000.
❑ For Officers Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course): Unmarried women, issueless
widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees who have not remarried are eligible. They
should have been born not earlier than 02 July 1994 and not later than 01 July 2000.
Eligibility continues on the next slide…

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

Educational qualifications
❑ For Indian Military Academy and Officers Training Academy: Degree of a recognized University or
equivalent.
❑ For Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering from a recognized University / Institution.
❑ For Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level)
or Bachelor of Engineering.

Physical standards
❑ Candidates aspiring to pass the Combined Defence Services Examination must be physically fit
according to physical standards given in the guidelines issued by the UPSC.
Eligibility continues on the next slide…

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

❑ A number of qualified candidates are rejected subsequently on medical grounds. It is advisable to get
yourself medically examined before submitting your application to avoid disappointment at the final
stage.

NOTE
The above eligibility criteria under each section are applicable to CDSE (II) 2018 and are given for general
informational purposes only. Please read the detailed conditions of eligibility in the Combined Defence
Services Examination Notification available on the UPSC website.

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

❑ You are required to apply online on UPSC website. Detailed instructions for filling up the online
Application form are available on the above mentioned website.
❑ The eligible candidates can download the e-Admit card three weeks before the commencement of the
examination from the UPSC website.
❑ The application process for CDSE (II) 2018 is now closed.

Important Dates for CDSE (II) 2018

Date of Notification 08 August 2018
Last date for submission of online application 03 September 2018
CDSE (II) 2018 exam date Sunday, 18 November 2018
CDSE result declaration December 2018

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

Written exam pattern

Exam mode: Offline / Paper-pen based | Question type: Objective multiple choice (four alternatives and only
one correct answer) | Exam language: General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics question papers
will be in Hindi and English
❑ The format of the written exam for admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air
Force Academy:
Code No. Subject Duration Maximum marks
01 English 2 hours 100
02 General Knowledge 2 hours 100
03 Elementary Mathematics 2 hours 100
Exam Pattern continues on the next slide…

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

❑ The format of the written exam for admission to Officers Training Academy:

Code No. Subject Duration Maximum marks

01 English 2 hours 100
02 General Knowledge 2 hours 100

❑ For each incorrect answer one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to the question will be deducted as
penalty.
❑ All candidates who pass the written test receive call up letter for the SSB Intelligence and Personality
tests / Interview at one of the Services Selection Centers.

Exam Pattern continues on the next slide…

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

SSB Intelligence and Personality tests

The SSB Interview is a five day selection process conducted at SSB Selection Centers and consists of two
stages: Stage I and Stage II. Only those candidates who clear Stage I are permitted to appear for Stage II.
❑ Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Discussion Test
(PP & DT).
❑ Stage II comprises of Psychology Tests, Group Tests, Interview and the Conference. These tests are
conducted over 4 days.
In case you qualify in the Stage II testing, you shall be required to undergo a Special Medical Board (SMB)
over the next four to six days. The final selection will be made in order of merit subject to medical fitness
and suitability in all other respects and number of vacancies available.

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

❑ Indian Military Academy, Dehradun: The candidates joining the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun will
undergo a course of training for about 18 months. Candidates will be enrolled as Gentlemen Cadets. On
successful completion of training Gentlemen Cadets are granted Permanent Commission in the rank of
Lieutenant.
❑ Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala: Candidates selected for training at the Indian Naval Academy
will be appointed as Cadets in the Executive Branch of the Navy under the Graduate Cadet Special Entry
Scheme (GSES) Course. The cadets shall be commissioned in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant after
successful completion of approximately 18 months of training.
❑ Air Force Academy: The approximate duration of training for Flying Branch (Pilots) at the Air Force
Academy will be 74 weeks. After successful completion of training, the candidates pass out in the rank
of Flying Officer.
Training Courses continues on the next slide…

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 Combined Defence Services Examination
Introduction Eligibility Selection Process Exam Pattern Training Courses

❑ Officers Training Academy, Chennai: Candidates finally selected will undergo a course of training at the
Officers Training Academy, for an approximate period of 49 weeks. Candidates will be enrolled as
Gentlemen / Lady Cadets. On successful completion of training Gentleman / Lady Cadets are granted
Short Service Commission in the rank of Lieutenant.
o University of Madras will award “Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic
Studies” to all cadets who successfully complete Pre-commissioning training at Officers Training
Academy, Chennai.
o Short Service Commission Officers (Male and Female) join the army and serve as a Commissioned
Officer for 10 / 14 years. At the end of 10 years, they have three options: (i) elect for a Permanent
Commission; (ii) opt out; or (iii) get a 4 year extension. They can resign at any time during this
period of 4 year extension.

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 Thank You!
We hope that this presentation helped you understand the Combined Defence Services Examination
(CDSE). If you have any queries, please feel free to contact us.

You can get more information about CDSE below:

CDSE - Eligibility, Selection Process and Course Details
CDSE - Pattern, Syllabus, Previous Results and SSB Interview

Check out our online exam prep courses for CDSE and prepare for the exam online anywhere, anytime, at
your own pace.

The information contained in this document is provided for informational purposes only. Please check the
UPSC CDSE (II) 2018 Notification for latest updates on the exam.

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