Combined Defence Service       

                  examination (cdse)

The cdse is the gateway to careers in the army, navy, and air force. there is much national pride and honour in serving in the line of defence. The remuneration and benefits offered are also attractive. The defence personal get free housing, Medical care, free rations ,subsidies canteen and travel, sports and entertainment  facilities, education of children, group insurance cover's oft loans, super annuation benefits and post retirement opportunities.

Entry route to defence services:
An early entry to the defence services is possible after +2/equivalent examination through
I .national defence academy (NDA)/naval academy
II .10+2 cadet entry scheme
III . medical/nursing service (refer nursing)

National defence academy/naval academy examination:

The NDA examination held twice yearly (April-may; September- October) is a possible means of entry in to officer cadre of the defence services in India -viz. army, navy, and air force.

Eligibility:
In terms of nationality, The eligibility criteria are the same as for civil services.

Age:
unmarried males in the age group of 16 & half-19 years
on first January/ july of the year of applying.

Education:

successful completion of +2/equivalent. Those interested in air force and naval wings should have studied physics and maths at +2 level

Physical standard:
height: 157.5 cms (162.5 cms for air force)for gorkhas and other from the north eastern hill regions of India,Garhwal and kumaon,a relaxation of 5cms is allowed. for candidates from lakshdweep, A relaxation of 2cms is permitted. if the medical board certifies that the candidate is likely to grow,a height relaxation of 2.5cms(5cms for navy) is allowed. For the air force the requisite standard are :
leg length : 99cms to 120cms.
thigh length: 64cms.
sitting height:81.5 cms to 96cms.
weight:standered very from 43 kgs to 47 kgs depending on height

Selection:
is on the basis of written examination of objective type the applicant has to appear for the two papers viz. maths and general ability. each paper is of two hours duration i maths:120 questions carry 300 marks. The paper evaluates the students ability in arthamatic,algebra,geometry,trignomentry,set theory and statistics.
II general ability: Test has part A and part b ,part a focuses on english language and grammar.part b focuses on such diverse topics as physics,chemistry, biology, geography,civics,history, economics,current affairs,general knowledge.  Questions are of multiple choice type and there is no negative marking. The candidate who qualify the written examination are called by the service selection board (ssb) for group test, psychological test and interview  . Those who wish to enter the air force have to undergo the pilot aptitude test also.

Those who passed out of NDA are awarded degrees from  JNU,delhi. After NDA .The army cadets go to Indian military academy (ima), air force cadets to the air force academy, Hydarabad or bfts ,Allah bad and naval cadets to the cadet training ship for further training.

10+2 (technical) cadet entry scheme:
The Indian navy recruits unmarried mail candidate between 16 & half-19 & half years (at time of joining) The option of specialise in the field of marine engineering ,electrical engineering and naval architecture. those who have passed +2/equivalent examination with atleast 70% aggregate in physics, chemistry, and maths and fulfill the physical norms for entry may apply.

physical standards:
157 cms height with proportionate weight,and chest with 5cms minimum expansion.eye sight unaided distant vision 6/12,6/18.

selection:
short listed candidates are called for the ssb interview at Bhopal, Banglore or Allahabad .candidates selected by the ssb have to be declared medically fit before being finally selected for training.

Training:
Total duration of training is 4 and half years consist of basic training of 6 months at IMA ,Dehradun followed by 2 and half years at college of military engineering, Pune,1 year at one of the following colleges viz. college of military engineering pune; military college of electrical and mechanical engineers at secunderabad; military college of telecommunications engineering at mhow. Thhe final stage of 6 month training is also completed in the above listed colleges. On completion of the programme the candidate will be awarded B.tech degree by JNU delhi.on completion of the course cadets will be granted permanent commission in the army in technical branches to join naval college of engineering Lonavala
Eligibility:
unmarried male candidate between 16 and 19 years (at time of joining) who have passed 10+2/equivalent examination with 70% aggregate marks in physics, chemistry, mathematics and 50% marks in english. Physical standard mentioned under cadet entry scheme also apply.

selection:
short listed candidates are called for ssb interviews at Bhopal or banglore. after ssb selected candidate selected for medical fitness.

training:
course duration is four and half years of which months of naval orientation course at naval academy, goa is followed by four years of engineering study at  naval college of engineering,lonavala.successful completion of course leads to b.tech degree of JNU delhi.on successful completion of course,cadets will be granted permanant commission in the nevy as tecnical officer.

CDSE :
is the option for male candidate who have crossed 19 years and are still interested in joining the defence services the cdse allows entry in to Indian military academy (ima) Dehradun and naval academy, Goa or air force station, Begumpet, Hydarabad or the officers training academy, Chennai.

The cdse entrance:
consist of 

I) written examination
II) interview

I) written examination for ima,naval academy and air force academy is as follows

subject: 1.english

hours :2

marks :100

subjects :general knowledge

hours :2

marks :100

subjects :mathematics

hours :2

marks  :100 

for ota candidates evaluation is done in english and general knowledge only.

II. The interview conducted by ssb is only for candidates who have cleared cdse. The interview consist of the intelligence test, group test and personality test to asses the officer like qualities (olq)of the candidates.

final selection:
is based on performance in written test and ssb test.

training:
candidate selected for the training at ima, undergo serious training for 18 months.on successful completion of training they are awarded permanant commission. Candidate selected for training to ota undergo training for the period of 9 months. on successful completion of training they are granted short service commission.

Candidate selected for the air force academy will be trained for 75 weeks an on completion of training pass out in the rank of pilot officer.Candidate selected to the naval academy undergo training in naval ships and establishments after which they 
will be appointed in the executive branch of the navy.

eligibility :ima

qualification :graduate

age/years :18-23

marital status :unmarried males

eligibility :naval academy

qualification :b.sc(phy.maths)/be

age/years
18.5-21.5

marital status
unmarried males

eligibility :air force
 
qualification :B.sc (phy.maths)/be

age/years :18-22

marital status :unmarried males

eligibility :ota

qualification :graduate

age/years :18-24

marital status :irrelevant

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