CDS

The medical standard fixed for CDS  including eyesight i.e., - for a male candidates the minimum acceptable visual acuity are distant Vision (corrected) better eye 6/6 and worse eye 6/18 and for women candidates the minimum acceptable visual acuity are distant Vision (corrected) better eye 6/6, worse 6/18, Myopia of not more than minus 5.5 D including Astigmatism.The medical standard fixed for OTA including eyesight i.e., the candidates should have at least 6/12 uncorrected vision (vision without glasses) and a corrected vision of 6/6 (with glasses) The candidates should not have Myopia or nearsightedness of more than 0.75 i.e., the candidate should not have a power of more than - 0.75.

General knowledge and English are the two main courses included in the CDS OTA test program. Each section has a set time limit of two hours, and the exam carries 200 total marks, 100 marks for each section. For applicants wishing to sit for the Indian Military, Indian Navy, and Air Force Academy Exams, there are three portions in the CDS 2024 Exam Pattern. In contrast, there are two sections for the Officers' Training Academy Exam. In every section, there will be 100 questions altogether, worth 100 marks.Each CD has a sectional cut-off of 20 marks for each paper. For you to pass the overall cut-off, you must score higher than the minimum of 20 in each paper. 

Exam preparation for the National Defense Academy (NDA) and Combined Defence Services (CDS) SSB (Services Selection Board) necessitates a thorough strategy that includes comprehension of the exam structure, concentrated study, and both mental and physical preparation.  Regular exercise, running, and participation in sports activities to build stamina and physical fitness is mandatory. One should participate in mock interviews and group discussions to build confidence and improve their overall performance. You should stay updated with current affairs, read newspapers, and develop good reading habits. Work on communication skills, leadership qualities, and other personality traits relevant to the armed forces.  

Candidates who clear the CDS exam undergo Cadet Training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).Indian Military Academy, Dehradun - Candidates finally selected will undergo a course of training for about 18 months. Candidates will be enrolled under the Army Act as Gentlemen cadets.Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - The duration of training at INA, Ezhimala for Naval Orientation Course will be 74 weeks. The cadets shall be commissioned after successful completion of approximately 18 months of training.Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - The approximate duration of training for Flying Branch (Pilots) at the Air Force Academy will be 74 weeks.Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai - Finally selected candidates will undergo a course of training at the Officers Training Academy, for an approximate period of 49 weeks. Candidates will be enrolled as Gentlemen/Lady Cadets.

National Defence Academy (NDA) is the joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces. Here, the cadets of the three services, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force train together before they go on to the respective service academies for further pre-commissioning training. Combined Defence Services (CDS) is the examination for recruitment into Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. NDA is conducted for candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12. Whereas, CDS exam is conducted for candidates who have passed or are appearing in Graduation. NDA has two stages: a written exam followed by an interview by the Service Selection Board (SSB). The written exam consists of two papers. The total duration of the exam is 5 hours. CDS also has a written exam followed by an SSB interview. The written exam consists of three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The total duration of the exam is 6 hours.