Dear Aspirant,

CDS or Combined Defence Services Exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission for recruiting candidates for the Army through Indian Military Academy.

After the exam, CDS is given, the candidate has to got through SSB or Services Selection Board and medical examination. After this you get selected into Indian Military Academy for training. After getting trained, GC's (Gentleman Cadets) are introduced to history and various regiments of the Indian Army.

For joining Para Commando or PARA SF, there are two ways from here.

1. You can choose Parachute Regiment at IMA
2. You can become an officer and then apply for PARA SF before completing 5 years of service.

Both the choices are voluntary.

Even if officers at the academy see capability, they would ask you to join PARA SF. But still it would be your choice. Once you volunteer for para commando in whichever way you wish to, you will have your probation period. Your ranks will be taken away from you and you would be called a Probationer or a Probe. It is the toughest probation in the army and is bound to put you under immense stress and sleep deprivation. There maybe times when there is lack of food and water. They will test your physical and mental strength. The whole process continues for 180 days. After this period you will be temporarily taken into PARA SF. After that you will be sent to Agra for the basic training. After that they expect you to work in a war zone which is currently Jammu and Kashmir. After your first confirmed kill, you would be given the Balidaan badge and you are permanently absorbed in PARA SF.

So it takes about 5 years to join Para Commando through CDS.

Hope this helps. All the best!