UPSC CDS Exam 2023- Exam Date, Application Form, Eligibility, & More!
To select commissioning officers for the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Air Force Academy, and the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the (UPSC) Union Public Service Commission conducts the CDS Examination twice a year.
Applicants who want to apply for the Indian Armed Forces and are interested in serving their country must pass a competitive written exam and SSB interview.
CDS Exam in 2023
For CDS recruitment, UPSC conducts written tests and interviews. The selected applicants are then sent to the Indian Naval Academy in Goa, the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, the Officer Training Academy in Chennai, and the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad.
Official Notification for CDS 1 Exam 2023
On 21st December 2022, the comprehensive advertisement and official notification for the CDS (I) 2023 Examination will be made available on the authorised website of the UPSC www.upsc.gov.in. This notification will include all the information required for the exam, including the number of openings, the application process, crucial dates, and other information.
An Overview of CDS 1 Exam 2023
The CDS test must be passed to join one of the three Indian Armed Forces. The aspirants who fulfill the eligibility requirements of CDS are considered eligible for the CDS exam even though the eligibility requirement is different for recruitment in the top three Indian Academies. Please see the article below for complete information on the CDS Exam, exam format, eligibility requirements, salary scale, and selection process.
An Overview of CDS Exam 2023
| Name of the Agency | Union Public Service Commission |
| Name of the Examination | Combined Defence Service Examination (I) 2023 |
| CDS 1 Opening | Yet to be announced |
| Mode of Registration | Online |
| Online Application starting date | December 21st, 2022 to January 10th, 2023 |
| Selection Criteria | Written Test- Personal Interview- Medical Test |
| Language | Bilingual |
| Mode of Examination | Offline |
| Question Type | MCQs |
| Eligibility Criteria | Unmarried Females & Male |
| CDS Exam Time | 2 hours (each paper) |
| Marking Scheme | 1/3 for each incorrect answer |
| Job Location | All Over India |
| Authorised Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Exam Pattern of UPSC CDS
Number of Openings in CDS 1 Exam 2023
Along with the official CDS 1 Notification 2023, new positions that will be filled through the CDS-I 2023 test will be released. Last year there was a total of 399 openings for the IMA, IAF, Officer’s Training Academy, and Indian Naval Academy were released by the authority. Check the distribution of vacancies from the previous year 2022.
| CDS 2 Openings in 2022 | |
| Academy | Number of Openings |
| Air Force Academy in Hyderabad | 32 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala | 22 |
| Officers Training Academy in Chennai SSC Women | 16 |
| IMA in Dehradun | 100 |
| Officers’ Training Academy in Chennai (Madras) SSC Men | 169 |
| Total Openings | 339 |
Registration of Online CDS Exam 2023
From December 21st, 2022, the CDS I Exam application process will be available online. The deadline to submit an online application is January 10, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. To avoid any last-minute difficulty, interested aspirants must apply before the deadline. All qualified aspirants may apply online for the CDS I exam in 2023 by visiting the UPSC’s official website www.upsc.gov.in once the link is available.
CDS Exam Registration Fee for 2023
Except for ST/SC/females, all categories must pay Rs. 200 as the exam fee for the CDS 2023 Exam. You can make the payment offline or online (using a Mastercard, Net Banking, or debit card, or by making a cash deposit at any SBI Bank branch).
Application Procedure for CDS 1 in 2023
The following are the processes to complete the UPSC CDS Registration Form:
- First, visit the authorised website of the U PSC www.upsc.gov.in.
- Locate and click on the Part-1 link area.
- Select the new registration tab and finish the registration process.
- To register, enter your personal and academic information.
- If your registration is successful, you will receive an email with your password and registration number.
- On the menu, enter your login details and select “Apply Now.”
- Upload and submit all necessary papers in the correct format and quality.
- Carry on with the application fee payment procedure and make your offline or online application fee payments.
- Once the fee has been successfully paid, save a copy of the application form (available as a pdf) and the fee payment receipt for future reference.
Eligibility Criteria for CDS Exam 2023
To move on in the selection process, applicants must be well-versed in CDS 2023 eligibility requirements and satisfy each requirement. The eligibility requirements have four stages: the age restriction for UPSC CDS, physical requirements, nationality, and educational requirements. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements for CDS 2023:
Physical Requirements:
According to the official CDS notification, applicants who have applied for various positions in CDS 2023 must be both mentally and physically fit to meet the physical standard requirements.
Nationality:
An applicant must be a resident of India, a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who has moved to India before January 1st, 1962, to settle permanently to be eligible for the CDS exam in 2023.
CDS Educational Requirements
View the chart below to see what qualifications are needed in terms of education for various employment positions.
| Profile | Educational Requirement |
| OTA
|
Graduate degree from a certified University |
| IMA
|
Graduate degree from a certified University |
| AFA
|
Engineering Degree (Maths & Physics at 12th) or B. Tech from a certified University |
| IMA | Graduate degree from a certified University |
Age Requirement for CDS Exam 2023
Applicants must fulfill the age criteria set by the commission to avoid having their application cancelled at any stage of the selection criteria. The CDS age range for all open positions is 20 years to 24 years.
Selection Criteria for CDS Exam 2023
The CDS selection criteria consist of a few steps that applicants must pass to get their desired post at their selected institution, such as IMA, AFA, etc. The various steps of selection include
Written Examination:
The written exam is the initial stage of the CDS selection process. There are two-hour papers in it. Only General Knowledge & English are the two sections of the exam that will need to be taken by applicants.
General Knowledge, English, and Elementary Mathematics are the three exams that applicants have to clear to get qualify for the job at Indian Maritime Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy.
Test of Personality or SSB Interview:
The second stage of the CDS selection procedure is the personality test or SSB interview. The SSB approach has two selection processes: Stage I and Stage II. Only those applicants who made it through Stage I can move on to Stage II.
Verification of Documents:
All of the candidates’ necessary documents will be examined at this step.
Medical Examination:
To assess whether or not the shortlisted applicants are medically fit, they will all go through a medical exam. The applicants recommended by the Services Selection Board undergo a medical examination by a Board of Service Medical Officer.
A Medical Board comprised of female & male specialists, physicians, and gynecologists evaluate female applications. The Board will also include a lady medical officer. Only applicants who have been approved by the medical board as fit will be permitted to the academy.
Note: A final merit list will be created for the shortlisted applicants who complete all of these processes.
Helpful Preparation Tips for the CDS Exam 2023
Applicants who want to pass the UPSC CDS exam 2023 need to be aware of a few preparation hacks and tactics. Here are some essential tips for candidates’ preparation that will help them perform well in the UPSC CDS exam:
- Always read the NCERTs before you begin your preparation.
- Create a fixed schedule and adhere to it strictly. Improve your time-management abilities.
- Avoid wasting time daydreaming, on your phone, on social media, at weddings, and with your family when studying for the exam.
- Practice the previous year’s question papers.
- Pay attention to the static general knowledge. Applicants spend most of their time preparing for current affairs. The majority of the paper only comprises the big portions of G.K.
- Be self-assured and maintain a positive attitude.
- Avoid starting from scratch when learning a new subject. Revise the topics you have already learned throughout the previous week.
- Make notes of important topics.
Syllabus & Exam Pattern of UPSC CDS 2023
The 2023 CDS curriculum was developed by Central Defense Service officers and tests applicants based on intelligence. Candidates must fully understand all course requirements and study for the exam in order to pass. Applicants will do better on the exam if they understand the topics covered in the UPSC CDS 2023 syllabus.
PayScale & Other Benefits for CDS Recruitment 2023
After graduation, individuals who are interested in the army most eagerly anticipate the UPSC CDS exam 2023 since it offers a good career opportunity. After passing the exam, the individual may be offered a position in the Indian Navy, Indian Army, or Airwing. A lieutenant will receive between Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500 per month after being chosen.
The applicants receive a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100 per month during the training duration. The fixed Military Service Pay for officers in the ranks of Lieutenant to Brigadier is Rs 15,500 per month. The following is the UPSC CDS Salary Structure:
| Position | Salary/PayScale | Level | |
| Major Post | Rs 69,400 – Rs 2,07,200 | Level -11 | |
| Captain Post | Rs 61,300 – Rs1,93,900 | Level- 10 B | |
| Lieutenant Colonel Post | Rs 1,21,200 – Rs 2,12,400 | Level- 12 A | |
| Brigadier Post | Rs 1,39,600 – Rs 2,17,600 | Level- 13 A | |
| Colonel Post | Rs 1,30,600 – Rs 2,15,900 | Level-13 | |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale Post | Rs 1,82,200 – Rs 2,24,100 | Level- 15 | |
| Major General Post | Rs 1,44,200 – Rs 2,18,200 | Level- 14 | |
| Army CDR/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) Post | Rs 2,25,000 (Fixed) | Level- 17 | |
| Scale + HAG Post | Rs 2,05,400 – Rs 2,24,400 | Level- 16 | |
| Lieutenant Post | Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500 |
Level- 10 |
|
| COAS Post | Rs 2,25,000 (Fixed) |
Level- 18 |
|
Other Benefits:
The applicants who get selected will earn a salary, as well as several bonuses and incentives, including
- Free lodging and travel expenses are provided by Indian Railways
- College tuition is free through INA, IMA, and AFA
- Free firearm training
- Medical Advantages
Other Special Compensation
The opportunity to pursue the dream of your life is the most significant perk, as CDS is one of India’s most renowned careers.
This is what we have covered in this article about UPSC CDS Exam 2023. To find the latest information about the exam dates and other important details, don’t forget to bookmark this page. We will update this article as soon as an official notification will be released by the authority. Meanwhile, check out our article for the latest exam pattern & syllabus for the CDS exam 2023 to prepare well.
All the best for your future endeavors!
Frequently Asked Questions for CDS Exam 2023
How many applicants submit applications for the CDS Exam?
Every year, between 2 and 3 lakh applicants apply for the CDS exam, but only 300 to 350 of them are ultimately chosen.
Can someone who is married apply for the CDS exam?
No, at the time of application, the applicant must not be married. In addition, girls can only apply for the Officers Training Academy and nowhere else for the CDS exam.
Do students who fall under the reserved category get relaxation from the CDS exam?
No relaxation exists; the only exception is application fees. The cut-offs and screening procedure are the same for all aspirants since CDS wants to choose only the talented ones among all applicants.
Can I Give CDS exam after finishing high school?
No, a graduation degree is the required educational requirement for the CDS 2023 exam. Applicants who have not completed their diplomas are ineligible to take the exam.
Can women apply for the CDS Exam?
Yes, female aspirants are eligible to apply for the CDS. Girls who meet all the requirements can apply for the Officers Training Academy on the UPSC CDS website or by visiting the direct link given on the website.
What is the amount of the training period stipend granted to applicants who pass the CDS exam?
A stipend is granted to applicants once they pass the CDS exam and enroll in the Academies. General cadets receive a monthly allowance of Rs 56,100/-.
How candidates will be chosen for UPSC CDS 2023?
The written exam and the SSB Personal Interview are the two stages of the CDS selection process.
How much time is allotted for each paper during the CDS written examination phase?
In the CDS written examination stage, each paper has a 2-hour time limit.
What is the registration fee for CDS Exam 2023?
The registration fee for the UPSC CDS exam 2023 is Rs 200/ – except for the SC/ST/female category.