The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is held by the Union Public Services Commission twice every year. Candidates who clear it can take up courses at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehra Dun, the Naval Academy in Goa, the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad and the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai.

You have to apply using the Common Application Form (devised by UPSC for all its exams), which can be obtained from designated head post offices or post offices against a payment of Rs 20. The filled-in form has to be sent to the Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjehan Road, New Delhi-110069. For further details, visit the UPSC website (http:// www.upsc.gov.in).

Eligibility

Candidates must be unmarried males (except for the Officers Training Academy in Chennai which accepts married students) born not later than January 1, 1989. IMA candidates must not be older than 23 years, the Naval Academy does not accept candidates born before January 2, 1986, the Air Force Academy does not accept students older than 22, while only candidates born after January 2, 1983, are eligible for the Officers Training Academy. You need to have a bachelors degree from a recognised university for admission into IMA or Officers Training Academy. For admission into the Naval Academy you need a BSc (with physics and maths) or a BE while for the Air Force Academy (both of which also train NDA cadets) you need a BE or a bachelors degree with physics and maths at the Plus Two level.

Entrance exam

The CDS exam is held every February and September at 40 centres countrywide. Those who clear the written exam are called for a Service Selection Board (SSB) interview and a medical examination if they clear the interview. Names of centres and other details about the exam are published in the Employment News.

Pattern of exam

The CDS exam includes a written test, which comprises three papers of two hours’ duration each. The first paper is on English, the second on general knowledge and the third on elementary mathematics. However, those seeking admission in OTA, are exempted from taking the paper on maths.

Those who pass the written test, then undergo a series of intelligence and personality tests as part of the SSB. The tests, both verbal and non-verbal, are designed not only to judge the mental calibre of the candidate but also to assess his social traits and interest in current affairs. The group tests include group discussions, group planning and outdoor tasks.

How to prepare

You should read the newspaper regularly to keep abreast of current affairs. Read magazines like CSR, Competition Master and Banking Services Chronicle as well as CSR Year Book and Manorama Year Book.

To crack the maths paper, consult Quantitative Aptitude by Abhijit Guha and Objective Question Bank (Mathematics) by R.K. Gupta and J.P. Arya. For English, practise comprehension from Barron’s GMAT guide, revise English grammar from A.S. Hornby’s Guide to Patterns and Usage in English and increase vocabulary with Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis and the exercises in Enrich your Word Power, a Readers Digest publication.

sample test paper

Mathematics

ABCD is a parallelogram and E is the midpoint of side AD. EC meets BD in O. If the area of the parallelogram is 24 units, then the area of the triangle EOD is:

a) 4 units b) 3 units
c) 2 units d) 1 unit

English

There are two blank spaces in the following statement and five pairs of words below it. Find out which pair can be used to fill up the blanks in the same sequence to make it
complete.
The ______ for talks should be ______ on the ground realities
a) forum, placed
b) routine, implemented
c) system, advanced
d) agenda, based

General knowledge

Which is our country’s highest peace time gallantry award?
a) Kirti Chakra
b) Vir Chakra
c) Ashok Chakra
d) Mahavir Chakra

Which country has won the Football World Cup for the maximum number of times?
a) Germany
b) Brazil
c) Italy
d) Argentina