CDS or combined defence services exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year. CDS is just like NDA & only difference is CDS is for graduates and NDA is for 10+2. Selected candidates are admitted to various branches of armed forces like
- Indian Military Academy
- Officers Training Academy
- Indian Naval Academy
- Indian Air Force Academy
In 2016 around 3 million candidates across India are expected to appear for CDS written exam. If you are selected in one of the branches of armed forces then you are set for your rest of the life. Apart from getting pay, perks and pension you also get many benefits that are missing in a private job.
Exam Pattern of CDS:
a) For Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy
- English: 100 Marks
- General Knowledge: 100 Marks
- Elementary Mathematics: 100 Marks
Total: 300 Marks
|
Subject |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
|
English |
120 |
100 |
|
General Knowledge |
120 |
100 |
|
Elementary Mathematics |
100 |
100 |
|
Total |
340 |
300 |
b) For Officers Training Academy
- English: 100 Marks
- General Knowledge: 100 Marks
Total: 200 Marks
Selection Process:
The selection procedure will consist of the following:
- Written Examination
- Interview for intelligence and personality test at Services Selection Centre (SSC).
Intelligence and Personal Test:
Marks for Service Selection Board Interviews:
- Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy: 300 marks
- Officers Training Academy: 200 Marks
The SSB procedure will consist of two stage selection process Stage I and Stage II.
Stage I: It comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests. these tests are picture perception (PP & DT).
Stage II: Those candidates who clear Stage I will be called for Stage II. This will consist of Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and conference, conducted over 4 days.
The personality of candidates will be assessed by three different assessor’s viz. the Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO) and Psychologist.
Salary:
|
RANK |
PAY BANDS/SCALE |
GRADE PAY |
|
LIEUTENANT |
15600-39100 |
5400 |
|
CAPTAIN |
15600-39100 |
6100 |
|
MAJOR |
15600-39100 |
6600 |
|
LT COLONEL |
37400-67000 |
8000 |
|
COLONEL |
37400-67000 |
8700 |
|
BRIGADIER |
37400-67000 |
8900 |
|
MAJOR GENERAL |
37400-67000 |
10000 |
Other Allowances:
- Dearness Allowance
- A kit maintenance allowance Rs 400 pm
- Field Area allowance to officers posted in field: INR 6,780 to INR 8,400 pm.
- High Altitude Allowance to officers posted at height of 9000ft and above: ₹1,060 to ₹ 11,200 pm.
- Uniform Allowance: Initial allowance for one time kit @ Rs 14,000 and Rs 3000 for every three years.
- Free rations
- Transport Allowance: Transport allowance: Rs 3200 + DA thereon pm in A-1/A cities and Rs 1600 +DA thereon at other places.
Stipend during training at Service Academies: Fixed Stipend Rs 21,000/- for entire duration of training.
Career Growth:
- Apart from getting pay, perks and pension you also get many benefits that are missing in a private job.
- Your job can be challenging depending upon which type of armed force you join.
- Your job can be very tough and disciplined so you have to prepare yourself for it.
However if you are not ready for a challenging lifestyle then it is advised that you do not go for UPSC CDS.
NDA
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the Joint Services academy of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the three services, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force train together before they go on to pre-commissioning training in their respective service academies. NDA exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). National Defence Academy Entrance Exam which is held twice a year, generally in the month of April and September.
Exam Pattern for NDA:
The entrance for National Defense Academy comprises of a Written Exam followed by and Intelligence and Personality Test. The details follow:
Written Examination: The written exam consist of two papers:
|
Paper |
Subject |
Duration |
Maximum Marks |
|
I |
Mathematics |
2.5 hours |
300 |
|
II |
2.5 hours |
600 |
|
|
Total |
900 |
||
General (but important) instructions about written examination
The General Ability Test consists of:
|
Part |
Subject |
Maximum Marks |
|
Part A |
English |
200 |
|
Part B |
400 |
|
|
|
Total |
600 |
Selection Process:
Applicants have to go through the recruitment process which comprises of Written Examination, Psychological Aptitude Test, and Intelligence Test. Contenders are forwarded for next round only if they clear the initial rounds.
Salary:
Pay scale in commissioned service:
|
Rank |
Pay Band (Rs.) |
|
Lieutenant to Major |
Rs.15,600-39,100(PB-3) |
|
Lieutenant Colonel to Major |
Rs. 37,400-67,000(PB-4) |
|
General Lieutenant Gen HAG |
Rs. 67,000 (annual scale increment @ 3%) – 79,000 |
|
General Lieutenant Gen HAG |
Rs. 67,000 (annual scale increment @ 3%) – 79,000 |
|
VCOAS/Army Cdr /Lt Gen(NFSG) |
Rs. 80,000(fixed) |
|
COAS |
Rs. 90,000 (fixed) |
Grade Pay:
|
Lieutenant |
Rs.5,400/- |
|
Captain |
Rs.6,100/- |
|
Major |
Rs.6,600/- |
|
Leiutant Colonel |
Rs.8,000/- |
|
Colonel |
Rs.8,700/- |
|
Brigadier |
Rs.8,900/- |
|
Major General |
Rs.10,000/- |
A fixed sum of Rs.6, 000/- p.m. is also payable as Military Service Pay (MSP) to the officers from the rank of Lt to Brig.
Other Allowance:
- A kit maintenance allowances of Rs. 400/- p.m.
- Highly active Field Area Allowance: of Rs. 6,780/- to Rs.8, 400/- p.m.
- Compensatory Field Area Allowance: Rs. 4,200– 5,200/-p.m.
- Compensatory Modified Field Area Allowance: Rs. 1,600/ – 2,000/- p.m.
- High Altitude category I (9000 feet to 15000 feet and uncongenial Areas below 9000 feet): Rs. 1,060– 11,200 p.m.
- Uniform allowance: Initial Outfit allowance is Rs. 14,000/-
- Renewal outfit allowance Rs. 3,000/- for every three years.
- Transport allowance is provided to officers who are not provided with Government accommodation within a distance of 1 KM from the place of duty or campus housing
- 3,200/- p.m. in ‘A-1’ and ‘A’ class cities
- 1,600/- per month at other places
- Insurance
- Retirement Benefits: Pension, gratuity and casualty pensionary award will be admissible in accordance with the rules in force from time to time.
All the best!!!!!
