If you want to serve the nation as an officer in Indian Armed Forces, CDS is the way. Conducted by UPSC twice a year, CDS opens the doors to IMA, INA, AFA, OTA. But clearing the written exam is just the beginning. To become a commissioned officer, candidates have to pass the grueling SSB Interview process.
In this blog, we will take you through the complete selection process, including CDS written exam and SSB interview stage. This will help you understand the journey step by step.
1. CDS Written Exam: The First Step
CDS written exam tests a candidate’s academic knowledge, logical reasoning and general awareness. Exam pattern varies slightly for each academy.
CDS Written Exam Pattern:
- IMA, INA, AFA
- English – 100 Marks
- General Knowledge – 100 Marks
- Elementary Mathematics – 100 Marks
- Total Duration – 6 hours (2 hours per paper)
- OTA (Men & Women)
- English – 100 Marks
- General Knowledge – 100 Marks
- Total Duration – 4 hours
Preparation Strategy:
To excel in CDS written exam, a solid foundation in basic concepts is must. Subjects like English grammar, current affairs, history, polity and elementary mathematics are key areas to focus.
Top institutes offering CDS Coaching in India provide dedicated mock tests, subject-wise analysis and time management strategies. For aspirants based in Rajasthan, CDS Coaching in Jaipur has gained popularity for its competitive environment and result oriented teaching.
2. Result Declaration and Cut-Off
After written exam, UPSC declares the result along with cut-off for each academy. Candidates who clear the cut-off are shortlisted for SSB Interview.Cut-off varies based on number of candidates, difficulty level of paper and vacancies. Institutes like Invicta Defence Academy, known for No.1 CDS Coaching in Jaipur, help students to predict cut-offs through expert analysis.
3. SSB Interview: The Final Test
Once written exam is cleared, candidates are called for SSB interview. This is a five day selection process conducted by Indian Army, Navy and Air Force at different SSB centres across the country.
Day-wise Breakdown of SSB Interview:
Day 1: Screening Test
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
- Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)
- Candidates are shortlisted based on their performance in these two tests.
Day 2: Psychology Test
- Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
- Word Association Test (WAT)
- Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
- Self Description Test (SDT)
- These tests assess the mental fitness and personality traits of candidates.
Days 3 & 4: GTO Tasks (Group Testing Officer)
- Group Discussions
- Group Planning Exercise
- Progressive Group Task
- Half Group Task
- Lecturette
- Command Task
- Final Group Task
These activities are designed to evaluate leadership, decision-making, and communication skills.
Day 5: Personal Interview & Conference
- One-on-one interview with an officer
- Final board conference with assessors to determine selection status
The SSB interview is the most unique selection process in the world that tests a candidate’s ability to lead, communicate and adapt under pressure.
4. Medical Examination
Candidates selected by the SSB board undergo a detailed medical examination at military hospitals. Fitness standards vary for different academies and even minor issues can lead to disqualification.
Proper diet, exercise and regular health check-ups should be part of your preparation especially if you’re attending CDS coaching for girls, where attention to female-specific medical standards is also important.
5. Final Merit List and Joining Letter
After medical test, final merit list is prepared on the basis of written exam scores and SSB interview performance. Top scorers are issued joining letters for their respective academies.
Why Join a CDS Coaching Institute?
Success in CDS requires the right strategy, practice and guidance. That’s where a good coaching institute can make all the difference.
Key Benefits of Joining a CDS Coaching Institute:
- Subject experts for each paper
- Weekly tests and performance evaluation
- SSB Interview simulation and outdoor GTO tasks
- One-on-one mentoring sessions
- Current affairs and defence knowledge classes
Top CDS Coaching in Jaipur
For students from Rajasthan and nearby states, Invicta Defence Academy is the best platform for CDS preparation. Recognized for its dedicated faculty and high selection ratio, Invicta offers:
- Special batches for CDS coaching for girls
- English medium classes with Hindi support
- Physical fitness training and interview grooming
- Hostel facilities for outstation students
- Weekend doubt sessions and current affairs classes
Whether you’re preparing for CDS 2025 or looking to improve your previous attempt, joining the No.1 CDS Coaching in Jaipur can give you an edge.
Conclusion
The journey from a CDS aspirant to an officer is tough but rewarding. It requires a balance of academic excellence, personality development, physical fitness and mental toughness. Now you know the CDS written + SSB interview process, get started today, be consistent and trust the process.For structured guidance, expert faculty and result-oriented training join Invicta Defence Academy – the best CDS Coaching in India.
