Combined Defense Service Exam

Combined Defense Service Exam (CDSE) is a combined written exam conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) twice in a year. This exam is conducted for commissioning in Army, Navy and Air Force as per the Schedule (Tentative) notification for the first exam comes in the month of November and exam takes place in the month of February and the notification for the second exam is published in May and exam takes place in the month of September.

Candidates passing the written exam are called for SSB Interview and those who clear SSB Interview are then sent for medicals and finally, all India merit list is prepared by the commission, those who are in merit are sent to one of the training establishments.

Pattern

Time for Each Paper – 2 Hours
Questions – 120 (G.K and English)
Questions – 100 (Maths)
Marks – 100
Correct Answer – (+)0.83 Marks (For G.K & English)|(+)1 Marks (For Maths)
Wrong Answer – (-)0.27 Marks (For G.K & English)|(-)0.33 Marks (For Maths)

Eligibility Criteria

Indian Military Academy

Age – 19-24 Years
Educational Qualifications – Degree of a recognized University or equivalent
Papers – English + General Knowledge + Elementary Mathematics = 300 Marks

Indian Naval Academy

Age – 19-22 Years
Educational Qualifications – B.Sc. with Physics & Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering.
Papers – English + General Knowledge + Elementary Mathematics = 300 Marks

Air Force Academy

Age – 19-23 Years
Educational Qualifications – B.Sc. with Physics and/or Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering.
Papers – English + General Knowledge + Elementary Mathematics = 300 Marks

Officers Training Academy

Age – 19-25 Years
Educational Qualifications – Degree of a recognized University or equivalent
Papers – English + General Knowledge = 200 Marks

There is no Percentage bar for CDSE. Final year students can also apply.

Syllabus

English (Code No. 01)

The question paper will be designed to test the basic understanding of English language which includes synonyms, antonyms, sentence improvement, comprehension, common error and arranging sentences.

General Knowledge (Code No. 02)

Questions in General Knowledge includes knowledge of current events and of various matters of everyday life and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject. Question on History and Geography of India which does not require any special study will be asked in the exam.

Elementary Mathematics (Code No. 03)

Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, Number System, Rational and Real numbers, Integers, Fundamental Operations addition, division, multiplication, subtraction, Decimal, fractions, Square roots. Unitary method, time and distance, time and work, percentages, applications to simple and compound interest, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, variation. Elementary Number Theory- Division algorithm. Prime and composite numbers. Tests of divisibility, Multiples, and factors. Factorization Theorem. H.C.F. and L.C.M., Logarithms.

Each paper is objective in nature i.e. each question will have four alternatives and you have to mark the correct answer on your answer sheet, there will be negative marking of one third (1/3) Marks for every wrong answer, each paper is of Maximum 100 Marks and time allotted is 2 Hours. Age limits and educational qualification is taken from UPSC website and can change with time so you must see the particular advertisement for eligibility.

Previous Year Question Papers

CDSE I 2017 – English, General Knowledge, Maths
CDSE II 2016 – General Knowledge, Maths

About SSB Interview

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4 comments

  1. Sir , Can LASER eye operationed person can apply for CDS exam ? Is there any objections .

    • Laser surgery is acceptable with certain conditions like surgery must be done one year before and the eyes must be stable after surgery. The final decision will be made by doctors. But you can apply for CDS exam.

  2. Sir,
    If the question asked in CDS has no correct answer among the options given below will that be a deduction of marks if we answer that question??

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