A career for your country

Updated on: Monday, August 23, 2010

As one of the India’s largest employers, the defence service offers outstanding training that is widely recognised and respected. Be it the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun; Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala; Air Force Academy, Hyderabad or the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, the benefits of a defence training will last you a lifetime.

There are many entry routes to the forces — one being right after graduation — through the Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE). Held twice a year (February and September), the CDSE is a written examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The test comprises three papers — English, General Knowledge and elementary Maths of 100 marks each. The duration of each is two hours; those vying for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) do not have to appear for the last paper on elementary Maths.

CDSE II — to be held on September 19, 2010 — will admit aspirants for permanent commission to the IMA, Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy for their courses commencing in July next year and to the OTA for its October 2011 batch for a subsequent five-year Short Service Commission. An approximate vacancy break-up is as follows: IMA - 250, Naval Academy - 40, Air Force Academy - 35, OTA - 175.

Applicants for the IMA, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy must be unmarried males in the age group of 19-24 years, 19-22 years and 19-23 years respectively, as on July 1, 2011. Married applicants, in the age group of 19-25 years are also eligible for the OTA. A Bachelors degree in any discipline is the minimum qualification if you want to appear for the CDSE. However, applicants for the Naval Academy must have Physics and Maths at the graduation level or a Bachelors degree in Engineering. There are also some prescribed physical standards required, details will be available in the advertisement published by the Employment News nearer the exam date.

The CDSE exam has questions based on your elementary knowledge. The first paper on English tests your vocabulary, reading and comprehension skills and grammar. GK assesses your grasp on History, Geography, current events etc. And Maths is at the basic level.

Once you have aced the CDSE, the next hurdle is the Selection Service Board (SSB) interview. In a five-day long session, the SSB evaluates you on the essential qualities required to become a defence officer. Informs a spokesperson for the Indian Air Force, “Those applying for the Flying Branch have to appear in an additional test called the ‘Pilot Aptitude Battery Test’.

All these tests are personality and skill based.’’ So if you can take on the rigours of military life and enjoy the benefits too — this is the career for you!

A career for your country

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