How to clear Combined Defence Service Exam(CDSE) in the first attempt?

The Combined Defence Service Exam is an exam conducted by UPSC for officer entry into the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy. This exam is held twice a year in February/March and September/October every year. After clearing this exam, the aspirant can join the Indian Military Academy, Officer Training Academy, Air Force Academy, and Indian Naval Academy(based on qualification and choice). Female candidates are eligible for OTA only. You can find best CDS coaching academy in Chandigarh very easily.

What’s in there in the exam?

In total there are 3 papers.     

 Paper I- English Paper II- General Knowledge Paper III- Elementary Mathematics

Aspirants applying for OTA, have to appear for the first two papers only. Each paper is of 100 marks and there is a sectional cutoff of 20 marks in each subject which a candidate has to obtain for clearing an overall cutoff list.

How to prepare for the exam?

English and Maths exam is relatively easy and it is easy to score high marks in both of them but General Knowledge paper is the one which makes difficulties for the aspirant. English papers generally consist of topics like Error finding, Jumble sentences, Para Jumbles, comprehension, Synonyms, and Antonyms. Mathematics exam consists of topics like Time and Work, Mensuration, Geometry, Profit loss, Speed and Distance, etc. Aspirants can easily prepare for these two exams, but for the General Knowledge paper, an aspirant should take guidance from somebody. We at Innovative Future Academy provide the best guidance and best study material for CDSE which make us the best CDS academy in Chandigarh.

General Knowledge paper consists of many subjects like Indian polity, Indian History, Geography, Science and Current Affairs. Firstly an aspirant should go through the previous year’s question papers which give him a brief idea of what type of question comes in the exam and which subjects are having what kind of weightage. After this, he should thoroughly start studying for each subject. Generally, it is suggested to start from NCERT books of class 6 and onwards but if the aspirant has some well-written notes he can start reading those notes and make hisher own notes. He/She should side by side should be going through the current affairs(Weekly or Monthly). If the aspirant has Science-related subjects in Graduation, he/she should focus on science and other one or two subjects. If the aspirant has Humanities related subject in graduation, he/she should focus on subjects like Polity, Geography, and History.

Myths about clearing CDSE?

1. It is difficult to clear CDSE on the first attempt. 

It is wrong if someone says that CDSE can’t be cracked in the first attempt. Many students of Innovative Future Academy crack CDSE in their first attempt which makes us the best CDS coaching academy in Chandigarh.

2. You should read the Hindu newspaper daily for current affairs.

An aspirant has to prepare detailed notes of current affairs, it does not matter which newspaper he/she reads. So aspirants should focus on detailed notes of current affairs, not on a particular newspaper.

3. Hindi medium students face difficulties in appearing for the exam.

Both Paper II and Paper III are bilingual ie. in both Hindi and English so Hindi medium students do not have any difficulty.

4. Aspirant should prepare for all subject to clear General Knowledge paper.

An aspirant should focus on his strongest subjects in the General knowledge paper. By cramming information of subjects he may be get puzzled. They should focus on few subjects but go through them in best possible way.

1. Never lose confidence while preparing.

Things to keep in mind:

2. If possible take proper guidance from any source possible.

3. Attempt as many practice papers as possible before the paper because the more question you practiced the more chances to clear the exam.

4. Make a strategy for your exam and follow that strategy while attempting the exam.