How many candidates apply for the CDS exam?

So, starting with the number of cadidates who apply for the UPSC CDS exam. CDS exam is conducted two times every year by the UPSC for the defence aspirants who want to join the Army, Airforce and Navy as an officer. Every time around 5 lakh+ candidates apply for CDS exam, so in one year around 10 lakh+ candidates apply for the CDS exam.

How many candidates clear the CDS exam?

Now coming to the curicual part, how many candidates actually clear the CDS exam? Looking at the previous CDS results, around 7000 to 9000 candidate only clear the CDS written exam. You can find the details on number of candidates cleared CDS exam from previous years.

ExamNo. of candidates clear CDS written exam
CDS 2 2021Exam Date: 14th November 2021
CDS 1 20216552 
CDS 2 20206727
CDS 1 20207081
CDS 2 20198120
CDS 1 20197953
CDS 2 20187650
CDS 1 20188261
CDS 2 20178692
CDS 1 20178548

How many candidates clear the CDS SSB Interview?

Clearing SSB interview is very challenging, not because of the tests conducted at the SSB but because of the low success rate. Out of 100 candidates only 5 - 6 candidates clear the SSB interview, not to forget the SSB SCREENING TEST i.e. OIR TEST AND PPDT, Stage-1 testing where 60% candidates fail. Now coming to how many candidates clear the CDS SSB interview, you may find the details below:

ExamNo. of candidates clear CDS SSB interview
CDS 1 2021To Be Updated
CDS 2 2020To Be Updated
CDS 1 2020 Merit List95 (50+39+6) (IMA INA AFA) & 147 (*96 + ^51 ) OTA Men and Women
CDS 2 2019196 (106+76+14) (IMA INA AFA) & 241 (*174 + ^67 ) OTA Men and Women
CDS 1 2019129(IMA AFA INA) + 267 OTA
CDS 2 2018295
CDS 1 2018272
CDS 2 2017419
CDS 1 2017441

How many candidates clear CDS Merit List?

As we are observing since a few years, no one gets merit out through UPSC entry, if you clear the SSB interview and medical examination, there are 100% chances of you getting the joining instructions for the respective training academy.

Hope this analysis will help the CDS aspirants to understand the competition level and they can prepare better for their upcoming examination.

Jai Hind !