What is the full form of CDSE?

Introduction

Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE) is a national level exam. This exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year. Candidates who get selected through this exam get an opportunity to study in prominent academies of the country that belong to the sectors of navy, air force and military.

In this article we will briefly discuss the eligibility, selection process, exam pattern and career opportunities of the exam.

About CDS

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) holds the "Combined Defence Services" (CDS) Examination two times a year to select applicants for the Indian Military Academy, Officers’ Training Academy, Indian Navy Academy, and Indian Air Force

Academy. The CDS exam is conducted in the months of February and September, by the UPSC.

Candidates must check the official notification of the exam because it includes the detailed information on eligibility of the CDS under the regulation of UPSC. This is important because if a candidate is found not eligible at any point in the recruiting process they may be disqualified directly. Merely receiving the admission certificate or the Admit Card does not guarantee the admission or recruitment of the candidates.

With reference to the original documents, UPSC verifies the qualifying requirements. Once a candidate is selected for the interview and personality test, verification is completed. A candidate for who requires an eligibility certificate is required may be admitted to the examination, but may receive the offer of appointment only after the Government of India has supplied the individual with the required eligibility certificate.

Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for CDS I are −

• Only unmarried male candidates who were born between January 2nd, 1999, and January 1st, 2004 are eligible for the IMA.

• Only unmarried male candidates who were born between January 2nd, 1999, and January 1st, 2004 are eligible for admission to the Indian Naval Academy (INA).

• For the Air Force Academy, candidates must be between the ages of 20 and 24 as of January 1, 2024, which means that they must have been born between January 2, 1999, and January 1, 2004, respectively.

• The upper age limit for candidates who have Commercial Pilot Licence issued by the DGCA of India has been relaxed to 26 years. This means that they must have been born between January 2, 1997, and January 1, 2003, respectively.

• Only single male candidates who were born between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2004, are eligible for the Officers' Training Academy (SSC Course for Men).

• Unmarried women, widows without children who haven't remarried, and divorcees without children (with divorce papers in hand) who haven't remarried are all eligible for the Officers' Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course). They should not have been born later than January 1, 2004, and no later than January 2, 1998.

Some Important notice regarding eligibility

• Applicants under the age of 25 must be single. During training, marriage is not authorised. Candidates who are married and over 25 years old are eligible for applying, however during the period of training they will not be given married housing and cannot live with family outside of the facility.

• Male divorcee/widower candidates cannot be admitted to the IMA/INA/AFA/OTA, Chennai programmes as unmarried males, and as a result, they are not qualified for these programmes. Simply put, only single applicants are permitted to take the CDS exam.

• Candidates should be aware that only the Date of Birth listed on their Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate, or any other equivalent certificate will be accepted by the Commission and any requests for change won't be taken into account.

Selection process

The process of selection to the CDSE is conducted right from the release of official notification followed by conducting the national entrance and then the SSB interview. In the initial process only eligible candidates can apply for the entrance via online application form. Besides the eligibility of qualification and nationality candidates must also be aware of their physical fitness as per the guidelines of UPSC.

Candidates with permanent tattoos on their body parts are considered non-eligible but in case of tribes who have tattoos due to their cultural distinctiveness and traditions can be considered on the basis of their cases.

Career opportunities

Candidates willing to appear for CDSE can get an opportunity to become part of the top tier officers of the defence sector in India. Starting from the initial official ranks to the the top ranks candidates can seek to become Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier, Major General, Lieutenant General, Chief of Army Staff and Field Marshal of the Indian Army.

In the Navy the initial position is Sub-Lieutenant. Then following the hierarchy, it is Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander, Commander, Captain, Commodore, Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral, Admiral of the Fleet. Flying Officer is the initial rank in the Air Force. From there candidates can seek to become Flying Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain, Air Commodore, Air Vice Marshal, Air Marshal, Air Chief Marshal and Marshall of the Air Force.

Conclusion

CDSE is a highly competitive national level exam in India. Candidates passing this exam get an opportunity to become part of the highly prestigious official ranks within the Indian government’s defence sector. This is also a very respectable job in Indian society where officials get an opportunity to serve the country. It comes with several governmental benefits and perks not only for the officers but also their families.

FAQs

Q1. What is the Indian Naval Academy?

Ans: The Indian Naval Academy provides training to the newly recruited Officers of Navy, Coast Guard and other Officers belonging to the Special Duties List. It was established in 1979 in Ezhimala, Kerala.

Q2. What is the Indian Military Academy?

Ans: Indian Military Academy was established in 1932 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. This is one of the oldest training academies built for training cadet officers of the Indian Army with the aim of promoting them to Lieutenants.

Q3. What is the Officers’ Training Academy?

Ans: Officers’ Training Academy is situated in Chennai. It provides training to candidates for the commissioned ranks. This academy was established in 1962 and following its establishment it started the first Emergency Commission course.