CDS Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview is conducted for candidates who qualify for the written exam. CDS SSB Interview assesses candidates on physical, physiological, and analytics level. Here are certain tips which will help candidates in CDS SSB interview.
How to Prepare for CDS SSB Interview?: Aspirants who qualify in all the three papers of CDS exam make it to the interview. Service Selection Board Interview is a unique process and is conducted for five days. CDS SSB Interview comprises two stages-Stage 1 is Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT) and Stage 2 is Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference. CDS SSB interview is a lengthy process and it assesses a candidate's overall personality, teamwork, and basic outlook toward life in general. Knowledge, as well as personality, plays an important role in the CDS SSB interview.
- CDS SSB Interview
- CDS SSB Interview Centres
- SSB Interview Structure
- How to Prepare for CDS SSB Interview?
CDS SSB Interview
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prepares a list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. Candidates whose name appears in the merit list of the written exam are called for CDS SSB Interview for intelligence and personality test. For prepare for SSB interview, candidates should start their preparations by running daily. Physical fitness plays an important role in SSB Interview. Candidates must enhance their thinking by being more realistic. Read newspapers and current affairs. Candidates must introspect themselves by knowing their strengths and weaknesses. CDS exam 2023 is conducted for admissions to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy courses.
Yes, the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam have physical test in the selection process. A lot of candidates are rejected after the physical test as they were not physically sound. The candiatesneed to clear the written, mental, physical test and a interview in order to get enrolled for the Indian Armed Forces Academies. The candidates are advised to take the physical and medical test prior filling out the CDS application form.
CDS SSB Interview Centres
The list of CDS SSB Interview centres for Army, Navy and Navy across the country is given below:
For Indian Army
How to Prepare for CDS SSB Interview?
The various tests are designed to bring out the officer like qualities. Accordingly, candidates are recommended or not recommended at the SSB. Candidates need can follow the preparation tips for CDS SSB Interview:
- For OIR and PP-DT, candidates should focus on basic aptitude, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, Image recognition, story writing in 4 to 5 mins, narrating stories, articulating the group discussion ability, etc.
- Candidates must get over the fear of speaking. Start practising public speaking. The best way is by contributing to discussions taking place with family and friends. Also, try to interact with people, it will help in boosting confidence. This will help candidates in GD rounds.
- Candidates can also stand in front of a mirror and talk. Read poems/stories. This will help candidates to improve body language, expression, and pronunciations. It will contribute to overall personality development.
- There are certain questions such as aim in life and determination and family background are asked frequently in SSB Interview. Keep their answers ready in the best possible way.
- There are physical activities in the SSB interviews for which candidates need to have a fit body.
Candidates need to do well in SSB Interview. They need to secure the prescribed minimum qualifying marks in the test. The final selection of candidates is done based on SSB Interview and written exam.
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Student Forum
Answered a month ago
Some of the books, help candidates in their CDS preparation are given below:
- High School English Grammar & Composition Edition by Wren and Martin
- Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- English Grammar & Composition by S.C Gupta
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The authority released a total of 453 vacancies for the CDS 2 exam 2025 for admission to the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy for courses.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
It is advised to the candidates to reach the CDS exam centre one hour before the given time. They should carry hall ticket along with them otherwise they will not be able to give the exam.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Yes, the English section of the CDS exam is scorable if it is prepared properly. Usually the difficulty level of the exam is moderate.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Candidates can check the cut off marks for the CDS exam by visiting the official website at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC will release the cutoff according to the academy or course.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The methods to check the CDS cut off marks is provided below:
- Visit at upsc.gov.in.
- Click on the :Examination" tab.
- Go to the "Cut Off Marks" dropdown menu.
- Click on the download link and save it for future reference.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Yes. In the CDS exam there is a negative marking. One-third mark will be deducted for an incorrect answer. No mark will be deducted for unanswered questions.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The CDS exam is conducted offline or pen and paper mode. Objective questions will be asked in the examination. Candidates need to mark their choices of answers in the sheet that was provided during the exam. CDS 1 2026 notification will be released on December 10.
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, the CDS 2 application last date to apply was extended to June 20 from June 17, 2025. A one-time extension was provided by the commission. The application correction window was opened from July 7 to July 9, 2025.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
