CDS 2011,CDS Forms, Notification, Syllabus, CDS Admit Card 2011

UPSC has just this Saturday issued exam notification for Combined Defence Services (CDS-I) Exam, 2010 (CDS 2011) and this blog post is made to tell you in a nutshell about the notification, eligibility required and how to apply for CDS Exam 2011. In a subsequent blog post, I would give you the study materials for CDS 2011: Exam Pattern, Sample papers, Books & Coaching institutes to help you prepare for it.

CDS Exam (I) 2011 notification can be found in the Employment News dated 26th September, 2010 (Sat) as well as this official UPSC CDS exam website.
Before going any further, let us know more about what is CDS Exam 2010 - 2011 ?.

What is CDS Examination ?

Combined Defense Services (CDS 2011) is the admission exam conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) jointly for four elite defense academies of India:

Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.
Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala.
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai.

CDS is conducted twice every year – in mid-February (called CDS-I) and in mid-September (called CDS-II). Subsequent to CDS written exam, shortlisted candidates are called for Interview, conducted by SSB (Services Selection Board). It is only after candidates clear the SSB Interview & the subsequent medical test that they are finally selected for the four defense academies.

The training conducted in these defence academies lasts for 49 to 74 weeks, depending on which institute you join in. At the end of the training period, you are commissioned as Lieutenant in Army/Navy or as a Flying Officer in Air force. Following table gives you a clear idea on the training program after CDS 2011:

Even during the training at these Defence Academies, the trainees (called as Gentleman/ Lady Cadets) are given fixed stipend of Rs. 21000/- per month for the entire duration of training.

Salaries and other service conditions post-training can be seen from this webpage.

CDS (I) Exam 2011 Important dates (Tentative) :
Date of notification & Form availability: 26/9/2010
Last date for receipt of filled form: 26/10/2010
Date of CDS (I) Exam 2011: 14/02/2011
Date of CDS (I) Exam 2011 result: June, 2011.

CDS (I) Exam 2011 Vacancies:

In each CDS Exam, 500 to 550 candidates are selected. Like other years, this year too 515 total vacancies exists for CDS (I) Exam 2011, with the institute-wise break –up as below:

CDS (I) 2011 Eligibility:
Age/Sex/Marital Status Eligibility:
Eligibility for CDS 2011 exam (Age/Sex/Marital Status) is given below institute-wise:

Academic Eligibility for CDS 2011:
Educational Qualifications for CDS exam 2011 is listed below institute-wise:
IMA, Dehradun & OTA, Chennai: Graduation.
NA, Ezhimala: B.Sc. (with Physics & Mathematics) or Bachelor of Engineering.
AFA, Hyderabad: Graduation (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

Final year Degree students can also apply provided they can provide the proof passing above qualification by following dates:
For IMA, Naval and Air Force Academy: 13th November, 2010.
For OTA, Chennai: 1st February, 2011.
The qualifications must be obtained from a recognised university or equivalent.

Physical Standard Eligibilities for CDS Exam:
On top of above Age & Educational eligibility, you also need to possess the physical standard, as given in this webpage.

CDS (I) Exam 2011 Forms:
How to apply for CDS Exam 2011?

You must apply in the Common Application Form devised by UPSC, which can be purchased from the Designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices, given in this webpage, against cash payment of Rs. 20/- (Rupees Twenty only). Each such form can be used only once and only for one examination. Do not use the photocopy of the forms!

While purchasing the CDS 2011 application form, buy a Central Recruitment Fee Stamp Rs. 100/= for CDS 2011 application form fee from the same post office and paste it firmly within the box. After pasting the CRF Stamp on the form, get it cancelled from the post office in the space provided.

While filling up the form, read carefully the "Instructions for filling up the Application Form" given in the information brochure accompanying the application form. After filling up the form properly, write exam name “Combined Defence Services Examination-(I) 2010” on the envelope and send the application to the following address:

Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur, House, New Delhi-110011.
Your application must reach above address within 26/10/2010.

CDS Exam Centers 2011:
CDS Exam is held through out the length and breadth of the country in following 41 city/towns:

Agartala, Gangtok, Panaji (goa), Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Patna, Aizwal, Imphal, Port Blair, Allahabad, Itanagar, Raipur, Bangalore, Jaipur, Ranchi, Bareilly, Jammu, Sambalpur, Bhopal, Jorhat, Shillong, Chandigarh, Kochi, Shimla, Chennai, Kohima, Srinagar, Cuttack, Kolkata, Thiruvanathapuram, Dehradun, Lucknow, Tirupati, Delhi, Madurai, Udaipur, Dharwad, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Dispur, Nagpur.

CDS Exam Notification/Schedule for CDS-2010 & CDS-2011:
Many of you may be attempting CDS exam again later and may be wanting to know when CDS(II)-2010 or CDS(I)-2011, CDS(II)-2011 would be held. To find these future exam dates, let us analyze the exam-date trends of last six CDS exams 2011:

Hope with above information you would be able to apply confidently for CDS exam 2011. Although the information was meant for CDS(I) 2010, same can also be used for CDS-2011/2012 aspirants as reference information.

Ever wonder why these notifications come out in Saturdays? Well these are Govt. exams and they are published in Employment News, which is a weekly, coming out in Saturdays. Easy, is not it?

As you can find from above, CDS(II)-2010 notification should come out on 24/4/2010 (Sat), CDS(I)-2011 notification should come out on 25/9/2010 (Sat) while that of CDS(II)-2011 should come out on 23/4/2011 (Sat). You can also find the exam dates of CDS(II)-2010, CDS(I)-2011 & CDS(II)-2011 in above.