The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a government body which is entrusted with a number of functions, the most important one being the recruitment of eligible candidates to the civil services.

The other functions include controlling and regulating the entire recruitment, examination and appointment process related to civil services and other posts under the government, in the service of the union.

It lays down guidelines for the same and also acts as an advisory body for the government on issues brought to it.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), recently issued a notification inviting all interested candidates to apply for the Combined Defense Services (CDS) examination (I) 2020.

The candidates who meet all aspects of the eligibility criteria can go on to apply for the same, online on the website www.upsconline.nic.in.

The application process for the CDS Examination (I) 2020 began on the 30^th of October 2019, the deadline for which is 19^th of November 2019.

The UPSC CDS Examination (I) has been scheduled for February 2^nd, 2020, which happens to be a Sunday.

An option for withdrawing the online application will also be available to all candidates, and they will be able to do so from 26^th November 2019 to 3^rd December 2019 latest by 6.00 PM.

All candidates can easily apply for the posts online, on the official website of UPSC, which is www.upsc.gov.in by paying an application fee of Rs. 200.

UPSC CDS Exam 2020: Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Female applicants and those belonging to the SC and ST category will not have to pay anything. The final selection process consists of stages, the most important ones being-

• Written Test– After successful completion of the application process, all candidates will have to sit for a written examination.
• Intelligence and Personality Test– This is a very crucial part of assessing the candidates. All those who qualify in the written examination will be eligible for this test and will have to appear before the Service Selection Board for the same.

The final selection will be done on merit basis and will also depend on- physical fitness, a number of vacancies and other similar criteria. The recruitment process conducted will fill up around 418 vacant posts.

The following courses shall be available under the UPSC CDS-

1. 150^th DE course at the Indian Military Academy (IMA)- 100 vacancies
2. Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala course- 45 vacancies
3. Air Force Academy (AFA) Hyderabad training course- 32 vacancies
4. 113^th SSC Men NT in Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai- 225 vacancies
5. 27^th SSC Women NT in Officers Training Academy, Chennai- 16 vacancies.

All these courses will have a certain number of seats reserved for NCC ‘C’ certificate holders in respective wings.

Stay connected with fellow students on PaGaLGuY for Combined Defence Services Exam (CDS) 2019

The age limit for applicants vary for the different course categories-

• Those applying to the IMA and INA must have been born not before 2^nd January 1997 and not after 1^st January 2002. Unmarried males are only eligible.
• Those applying to the IFA must have been born not before 2^nd January 1997 and not after 1^st January 2001, which implies that the age must be between 20 to 24 years on 1^st January 2021.
• For Officers Training Academy (both men and women), unmarried candidates will only be eligible born not before 2^nd January 1996 and not after 1^st January 2002.

All applicants must possess a degree from a recognized educational institution (college/university) while those applying to the Air Force must have had Physics and Mathematics at their higher secondary level and must possess either a degree from a recognized educational institution or a bachelor’s degree in engineering.