Crack CDSE and join defence services

Ranjan K Baruah *

If you want to serve the nation and its people then the best option is joining the defence forces as an officer. An Indian defence force which includes Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force provides opportunities for men and women to join the forces as an officer and become a leader.

One of the best options for graduates to join defence forces as officer is through Combined Defence Service Examination which is conducted by Union Public Service Commission every year. The exact number of vacancy might vary every year which is according to available vacancy.

Though one may join defence forces after senior secondary by cracking National Defence Academy Entrance but that is only limited to male and CDS is for both men and women depending on their qualification. The next written examination of CDS shall be conducted on 8th September and aspirants may apply only on or before 6 pm of 8th July.

Name of the Course and Approximate No. of Vacancies are as follows:
1. Indian Military Academy, Dehradun— 100
2. Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala— 45
3. Air Force Academy, Hyderabad—(Pre-Flying) 32
4. Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) — 225
5. Officers Training Academy, Chennai— 15
(26th SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course commencing in October, 2020)
Total Vacancy 417

Unmarried male and unmarried female or issueless divorce female with valid documents may apply for the vacant posts and age limit is different for those who are applying for OTA. For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai — Degree of a recognised University or equivalent is required.

For Indian Naval Academy—Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution and for Air Force Academy—Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering is must. The fee for the exam is INR 200 and the same is relaxed for female and students from Scheduled Tribe and Schedules Caste.

After cracking the written test conducted by UPSC aspirants need to undergo Psychological Aptitude Test and intelligence Test which has been introduced at Service Selection Boards

Written Exam’s Marks
(a) For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy:—
1. English 2 Hours 100
2. General Knowledge 2 Hours 100
3. Elementary Mathematics 2 Hours 100

(b) For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy:—
1. English 2 Hours 100
2. General Knowledge 2 Hours 100

There will be penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers marked by a candidate in the objective type question papers. There are four alternatives for the answer to every question and for each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate one third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

If a candidate given more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happens to be correct and there will be same penalty as above for that question and If a question is left blank i.e. no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.

Aspirants must be aware that few seats are also available amongst total vacancy of 417 which are for entry through National Cadet Corps and NCC ‘C’ holders may apply for the same. NCC ‘C’ certificates holders may also apply for Non UPSC entry for OTA. Interested may visit the website of UPSC for the exam notification and websites of Indian Army / Indian Navy / Indian Air Force for the eligibility.

It is a matter of pride for us that there are officers from North Eastern region who have served the forces in the top position and to name a few is Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, Lt Gen Pranab Bharali (Retired), Lt Gen Himalaya Singh (Retired), Air Marshal Anjan Gogoi (Retired) and Air Marshal P K Borbora (Retired) and Commodore Kamalesh Choudhury .

There are many officers who have bought awards and laurels and serving in top position. Aspirants must prepare well and try to crack the written and clear interview and medical test and serve the nation and bring pride and honour.