CDS Selection Process includes two phases’ i.e. written test and SSB Interview round. For selection in IMA, INA and AFA attempt 3 papers in the first stage whereas OTA Candidates only have to attempt 2 papers. The second stage of the CDS Exam includes the Interview session which is designed to test a candidate’s intelligence, personality and psychological aptitude. The final cutoff will be released by the exam authority UPSC after the entire procedure of tests.
CDS Selection Process
CDS Selection Process 2020 – Highlights
| Exam Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Stages | 1. Written Exam
2. SSB Interview |
| Job Opportunities | 418 |
CDS Selection Process: Stage 1
For admission in Indian Military, Naval and Air Force Academy – It incorporates only 3 papers i.e. English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics
Candidates need to show up for two papers just – English and General Knowledge For admission in Officers’ Training Academy.
CDS Written test will be objective in nature, with scheduled opening of 2 hours for each paper.
Those who will qualify the written test stage 1 will get shortlisted for the second phase of CDS SSB Interview.
CDS Selection Process- Stage 2
Stage 2 – SSB Interview.
CDS SSB Interview 2020 is a 5-day process which includes exceptional examination of aspirants covering all the significant parts of the general character.
Applicants are judged genuinely, intellectually and mentally also.
At the Officer Intelligence Rating and PPDT – Candidates are scrutinized for their verbal and non-verbal abilities.
Officer Intelligence Rating
The test contains two areas Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning. In this test, aspirants need to respond to some 55-60 inquiries from both the areas combined.
Verbal Reasoning Section: Within the time period of 30 minutes, candidates were asked 50 questions to clear this phase of verbal reasoning in order to get qualified for the non-verbal reasoning section.
Non-Verbal Reasoning Section: Within the time span of 25 to 30 minutes, 50 questions were asked to clear this section.
Next, the PPDT (Picture Perception and Description Test) is given to attempt, once done with the officer intelligence rating test.
Picture Perception and Description Test
This test is designed to examine the applicants’ memory retention along with the abilities to comprehend situations. Within the time frame of 30 seconds, candidates need to analyse a hazy picture and expound on it within 3 minutes. Within this limited time frame, candidates have to focus upon seven basic parameters-
- Age
- Sex
- Mood
- Character
- Past (what happened in the picture situation just before the click)
- Present (what events currently take place)
- Future (what will happen next in the picture)
CDS 2020: Day-wise Interview Schedule
| Dates | Events |
| Day 1 | Reporting, Filling of forms, Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT) |
| Day 2 | Psychological Test- This includes TAT (Thematic Apperception Test), WAT (Word Association Test), SRT (Situation Reaction Test). SD (Self- Description) |
| Day 3 | Group Tasks to test physical as well as mental prowess. The tasks allotted to candidates include Group Discussion, Military Planning Exercise, Progressive Group Task, Group Obstacle Race, Half Group Task |
| Day 4 | Individual Obstacle Task (IOT), Command Task, Final Group Task (FGT), Personal Interview and Individual Lecturette |
| Day 5 | Conference and Document Verification |
Navy candidates who have cleared the CDS stages can download their call up letters from the naval website www.nausena-bharti.nic.in or send email at officer-navy”nic.in 3 weeks after the declaration of CDS 2020 results.
In case of not receiving the interview call letter, candidates should write to-
Army HQ/Rtg. (CDSE Entry/ SSC Women Entry for Officers Training Academy)
175, West Block-III,
Ramakrishnapuram, New Delhi- 110066
OR contact on telephone No. 26176028
For similar query by the Navy/Air Force candidates, having first choice, should write to Naval HQ or Air HQ (in case of non-receipt of call letter).
What after the CDS Interview 2020?
After the SSB procedure of CDS 2020 is finished, the applicant’s confirmation happens which incorporates the archive check. After the clearance of interview, candidates need to submit their original documents along with the duplicates. Given underneath is the rundown of reports that are to be conveyed at the hour of the choice procedure.
Original certificates will be returned after the admission. Guaranteed genuine copies or Photostat copies of the certificates won’t be acknowledged regardless.
- Qualification Certificates
- Verification of Identity (Pan Card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID and so on.)
- Birth Certificate
- Passport Size Photographs
- Category Certificate for the Reserved Category Candidates
- Verification of Residence
To get a complete confirmation for being a suitable fit, a candidate should clear the medical tests. As it is the last step of the recruitment process. This check is a must. For conclusive enrollment, you need to clear all the confirmation customs.
CDS – Change in Communication Address
Selected candidates, who have changed their communication address must notify at the following address along with the unstamped self-addressed envelope-
- For IMA/SSC as the first choice
Army Headquarters,
A.G’s Branch, Rtg. (CDSE Entry Section for males & SSC Women Entry Section for women candidates)
West Block-III, Ground Floor, Wing 1,
Ramakrishnapuram, New Delhi-110066
- For Navy as the first choice
IHQ of MOD (Navy) DMPR (OI&R Section),
Room No. 204, ‘C’ Wing,
Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011
- For Air Force as the first choice
PO 3 (A) Air HQS. ‘J’ Block,
Room No. 17, Opp. Vayu Bhawan,
Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi-110011
Failure to comply with this instruction will deprive them in the event of their not receiving the call letter for an interview.
For all the inquiries with respect to the distribution of centres, date of interview, merit list, Joining Instructions, and some other important data in regards to the CDS 2020 choice procedure, applicants can visit the site www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. Candidates can contact the Recruiting Directorate on Telephone No-011-26173215 and Fax No-011-26196205 between 2PM to 5PM on every single working day in case candidates have IMA or OTA as their first decision.
CDS Disqualification Criteria
If any candidate does not possess officer qualities, then their candidature will be rejected. He/she will not get admission in Special Entry Naval Cadets, Indian Navy Academy, Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), NCC.