CDS/CAPF(ASSISTANT Commandant)

1. CDS Exam Overview

Exam Stages

1. Written Exam (Objective)

2. SSB Interview (Personality Test, Medical Exam)

Key Details

• Conducted by: UPSC (twice a year: February & November).

• Posts:

  • Indian Military Academy (IMA): Army Officers.

  • Indian Naval Academy (INA): Naval Officers.

  • Air Force Academy (AFA): Air Force Officers.

  • Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): Short Service Commission (Men & Women).

2. CDS Exam Pattern

Written Exam

• Total Papers: 3 (varies by post).

• Subjects & Marks:

  • IMA/OTA:

    • English (100 marks).

    • General Knowledge (100 marks).

    • Elementary Mathematics (100 marks).

  • INA/AFA:

    • English (100 marks).

    • General Knowledge (100 marks).

    • Mathematics (100 marks).

• Duration: 2 hours per paper.

• Negative Marking: 0.33 marks per wrong answer.

SSB Interview

• Marks: 300 (Personality Test, Psychological Tests, Group Tasks).

• Final Merit: Written Exam + SSB Interview.

3. CAPF (Assistant Commandant) Exam Overview

Exam Stages

1. Written Exam (Objective + Descriptive).

2. Physical Standards/Efficiency Test.

3. Interview/Personality Test.

Key Details

• Conducted by: UPSC (once a year).

• Posts: Assistant Commandant in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB.

4. CAPF Exam Pattern

Written Exam

• Paper I (Objective):

  • General Ability & Intelligence (250 marks).

  • Topics: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Science, Current Affairs.

• Paper II (Descriptive):

  • Essay, Precis Writing, Comprehension (200 marks).

• Negative Marking: 0.33 marks per wrong answer (Paper I).

Physical Standards

• Men: 165 cm height, 50 kg weight, Chest: 77-82 cm.

• Women: 157 cm height, 46 kg weight.

Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

• Tasks:

  • 100m race (16 sec for men / 18 sec for women).

  • 800m race (3 min for men / 4 min for women).

  • Long Jump (3.5m for men / 3m for women).

Interview

• Marks: 150 (Personality Test).

• Final Merit: Written (450) + Interview (150) = 600 marks.

5. Eligibility Criteria

CDS Exam

• Nationality: Indian.

• Age (as of exam date):

  • IMA/INA: 19–24 years.

  • AFA: 19–23 years.

  • OTA: 19–25 years.

• Education:

  • IMA/OTA: Bachelor’s degree.

  • INA: B.E./B.Tech (Mechanical, Naval Architecture, etc.).

  • AFA: Bachelor’s degree (with Physics & Maths) or B.E./B.Tech.

CAPF (AC)

• Nationality: Indian.

• Age: 20–25 years (relaxation for SC/ST/OBC).

• Education: Bachelor’s degree.

6. Syllabus Highlights

CDS Written Exam

• English: Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension.

• General Knowledge: Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity.

• Mathematics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry.

CAPF Written Exam

• General Ability: Current Affairs, Mental Ability, General Science.

• Descriptive Paper: Essay (national issues, security), Precis Writing.

7. Key Strategies

CDS Exam

• Maths Focus: Practice NCERT Class 10–12 topics (especially Algebra & Trigonometry).

• GK Prep: Follow The Hindu’s defence section and Yojana magazine.

• SSB Prep: Practice group discussions, psychology tests, and physical fitness.

CAPF (AC) Exam

• Current Affairs: Focus on internal security, border issues, and paramilitary operations.

• Physical Fitness: Start training early for PET tasks (running, jumping).

• Descriptive Writing: Practice essay topics like “Cyber Security in India” or “Role of CAPF in Disaster Management”.

8. Critical Resources

CDS

• Books:

  • Quantitative Aptitude: R.S. Aggarwal.

  • English: Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi.

  • GK: Manorama Yearbook.

• SSB Guides: “Cracking SSB Interviews” by SSBCrack.

CAPF (AC)

• Books:

  • General Ability: Tata McGraw Hill CAPF Guide.

  • Essays: “Essays for Civil Services” by Pulkit Khare.

• Physical Training: Follow CAPF-specific fitness YouTube channels.

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• CDS: Ignoring the Mathematics section (high-scoring for INA/AFA).

• CAPF: Neglecting PET preparation (many aspirants fail here).

• Both: Overlooking current affairs related to defence and internal security.

10. Important Dates

• CDS 2024:

  • Notification: October 2023 (for Feb 2024 exam).

  • Exam: February 2024.

• CAPF (AC) 2024:

  • Notification: April 2024.

  • Exam: August 2024.

• Check upsc.gov.in for updates.