The UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of officers into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Here’s a detailed overview of the UPSC CDS exam syllabus:
- For Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA):
a. English Language (Maximum Marks – 100):
- Grammar and usage
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Para Jumbles
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Improvement
b. General Knowledge (Maximum Marks – 100):
- Current Affairs
- Indian History
- Indian Geography
- Indian Polity
- Indian Economy
- Science and Technology
- Static General Knowledge
- Defence-related topics
c. Elementary Mathematics (Maximum Marks – 100):
- Arithmetic (Number System, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Time and Distance, etc.)
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
- For Officers’ Training Academy (OTA):
a. English Language (Maximum Marks – 100):
- Same as mentioned above for IMA, INA, and AFA.
b. General Knowledge (Maximum Marks – 100):
- Same as mentioned above for IMA, INA, and AFA.
Candidates applying for OTA do not need to appear for the Elementary Mathematics paper.
Note: The syllabus mentioned above is indicative and not exhaustive. Candidates should refer to the official UPSC CDS notification for the most accurate and updated syllabus.
In addition to the written examination, candidates who qualify are called for the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview, which assesses candidates’ suitability for the armed forces based on various psychological and physical aspects. The interview is conducted in two stages: Stage I (Officer Intelligence Rating Test and Picture Perception and Description Test) and Stage II (Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Interview, and Conference).
Candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly for both the written examination and the SSB interview to increase their chances of selection in the UPSC CDS examination.
