CDS Selection Process 2025, Written Exam and Inverview

• Stage 1 involves Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT) for screening.
• Stage 2 consists of Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Interview, and Conference.

The SSB Interview assesses intelligence and personality through various tests and tasks.

SSB Interview: Day 1-Screening Test

On day 1 SSB test consists of:

• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)
• Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT)

SSB Interview: Day 2-Psychology Tests

This test of the SSB Interview is viewed as generally precarious to break as it is assessed by logical techniques by the SSB assessors. Psychological test in the SSB Interview consists of the following series:

• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
• Word Association Test (WAT)
• Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
• Self Description Test (SDT)

SSB Interview: Day 3 & 4-Group Testing (GTO Tasks)

GTO consists of the following group exercises:

• Group Discussion
• Group Planning Exercise
• Progressive Group Tasks (PGT)
• Half Group Tasks
• Individual Obstacles
• Group Obstacles Race or Snake Race
• Command Task
• Final Group Task

SSB Interview: Day 5-Conference

After completion of all the tasks, the result is announced on the last day of the SSB Interview procedure and the selected candidates undergo the medical examination and then after a few months, a final merit list of the recommended candidates is announced.

Medical Examination

Applicants recommended by the Services Selection Board will undergo a mandatory medical examination conducted by a team of Service Medical Officers. Female applicants will undergo their medical examination with a Medical Board that includes male or female doctors, specialists, and gynecologists, with at least one female medical officer on the board. Only candidates declared fit by the Medical Board will be admitted to the Academy.

What After CDS Selection?

After successfully passing the CDS selection process, candidates follow the given things in each respective academy:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officer Training Academy (OTA):
• Gentlemen or Lady Cadets receive a stipend of INR 56,100 during the training period
• At IMA, candidates undergo military training for 18 months
• Upon successful completion of training, Gentlemen Cadets are granted a Permanent Commission in the rank of Lt., subject to medical fitness
• Indian Naval Academy (INA):
• Candidates joining INA are under probation until the completion of their initial training.
• After successful completion of approximately 18 months of training, cadets are commissioned in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant.
• Air Force Academy (AFA) – Flying Branch (Pilots):
• The approximate duration of training for the Flying Branch (Pilots) at the Air Force Academy is 74 weeks.

These training programs aim to prepare candidates for their respective roles and responsibilities within the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, ensuring they are well-equipped for their duties as officers.

Disqualification Criteria for CDS Selection Process 2025

Here are the disqualification criteria for the CDS Selection Process:

• Candidates who were previously admitted to prestigious military academies like the Air Force Academy, Indian Military Academy, National Defence Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officer’s Training Academy but were dismissed due to misconduct will not be considered for readmission to these academies or for the Army’s Short Service Commission.
• Similarly, candidates who voluntarily left the Indian Military Academy due to a lack of Officer-Like Qualities (OLQ) will also not be eligible for re-admission.
• Candidates who were previously selected as Special Entry Naval Cadets but were later withdrawn from the National Defence Academy or Naval Training Establishments due to a lack of Officer-like qualities will be ineligible for admission to the Indian Naval Academy.
• Furthermore, candidates who dropped out of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), National Cadet Corps (NCC), or any graduate course due to a lack of officer-like qualities will not be considered for a Short Service Commission in the Army.