Hi Anurag!

It's rather interesting to know that you've already decided to join the armed forces at a young age and all you need to do is start focusing on developing yourself as an officer right from the beginning. Of course, it is too early to really say anything about pursuing the course of your interest but before that let's look at what the CDS or combined defense services exam means and what it wants from the candidate -

So basically, you'd be filling in the seats or posts in various armed forces academy like the below

• Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

• Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala

• Air Force Academy, Hyderabad

• Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai

And here’s the eligibility criteria.

• I.M.A: Degree from a recognized University

• Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering from a recognized university

• Air Force Academy: Degree from a University  (Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

So basically, it depends on where you want to enter. If you want to enter the Naval and the Air force academy it is important that you take up engineering and if you want Military academy then any degree should suffice. You can even apply for the exam if you’re in your final year of engineering. Please look into the height and eye chart to see if you meet their requirements.

Here's the pattern of the exam.

It has written ability as round 1 and then you're called to the service selection board for your interviews.

The first round has 3 subjects

• English - 2 hours-100 marks
• GK - 2 hours - 100 marks
• Maths - 2 hours - 100 marks ( elementary)

This is applicable only for Air force and naval academy. For Officer's academy, only English and GK should suffice. It would be an OMR sheet based question and you'd have to answer the correct option.

Once you're shortlisted from round 1 you'd get calls for your interview and you'd have to reach the service selection board where the process would last for 5 days maximum which includes physical test and also your personal interview. When you fulfill all the criteria as an officer you get to enter the academy.

Good luck. Feel free to contact for further queries.

Hello Anurag,

Science stream in 11th and 12th will do the job.

Specifically, there is no requirement of choosing any particular subject for CDS in graduation because it is conducted by UPSC so you need to have all your basics till 12th clear. After that, you need to focus on all the subjects equally in order to clear the exam. Maths and English should be given more emphasis for CDS exams coz these two subjects have more weightage.

There is no bar of percentage marks. If you possess any bachelor degree, you will be fully eligible for CDS Examination. If you have the B. Tech degree, then you have somewhat benefit of the right to apply for TECHNICAL BRANCH of Airforce & Navy. Now, you have to decide yourself with deep consideration.

Hope this helps.