Listed: Top Defense Exams For Those Who Want To Serve The Nation

Every year hundreds of thousands of candidates appear for exams conducted by the Governmental bodies to seek a career in the Armed Forces. However, there is a vast bifurcation in the Defence services, which the candidate needs to be sure of before appearing for any exam.

The exams may be conducted for the post in the Indian Army/Navy/Air Force/Coast Guard, depending upon the exam the candidate undertakes. Here, we shall discuss the top-rated Defence Exams in India featuring on the Prepp portal.

The top-rated exams for the citizens who wish to serve their nation are:

• National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA)
• Combined Defence Services (CDS)
• Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
• Indian Coast Guard
• Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)

Top 5 Defense Exams worth Applying for!

Let us have a look at each exam in detail below.

1. National Defence Academy and Naval Academy

• This exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission of India twice every year.
• The exam comprises 2 stages to seek a career in the service: an offline exam and an interview round.
• Candidates who have completed their 12th or equivalent qualification or expect their results are eligible for taking this examination.
• Once both the stages are cleared, candidates will be posted initially at NDA in Khadakwasla, a town near Pune, to complete a 3-year course.
• After completing the 3-year course, candidates will be awarded a Bachelor’s degree by Jawaharlal Nehru University.
• Once the candidate receives their degree, the cadets are then sent to their respective academies for further training. This training is for one year, after which the candidates are eligible for joining the services.

NDA Exam Highlights:

NOTE: The official notification for the NDA exam has been declared on 30^th December 2020, and the candidates can apply for the same till 8^th July 2021.

2. Combined Defence Services exam

• The Combined Defence Services exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission of India twice every year to recruit candidates for the posts of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army / Navy / Air Force.
• The exam is conducted in 2 stages namely – an offline exam, and the interview round.
• Either Graduate candidates or the candidates in their final year of graduation are eligible to take this examination.
• Once both the stages of the exam have been cleared, the shortlisted candidates will be allocated with one of the following academies for their further training: Indian military academy, Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Indian Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, Officers Training Academy, Chennai
• The duration of the training at the allocated academy will be one year.

CDS Exam Highlights:

NOTE: Women candidates appearing for the CDS examination will be eligible to apply only for Officers Training Academy.

3. Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT):

• The exam is conducted by the Indian Air Force twice every year to recruit candidates for the posts of – Flying Branch, Ground Duty Branch (Technical / non-technical).
• The AFCAT is conducted in 3 stages namely; Online Test, an Interview round, and a Medical Fitness Test (must be done by the prescribed doctor).
• Candidates who have completed their graduation or are in the final year of their graduation are eligible for taking this exam.
• The exam is conducted in online mode (Computer-based) with a total of 100 questions from Aptitude, General Awareness, English, Numerical and verbal ability, and Reasoning.

Highlights of AFCAT:

NOTE: Candidates appearing for AFCAT must be a single candidate. Widows / Widowers below the age of 25 years are also NOT eligible to appear for the exam.

4. Indian Coast Guard:

• The Coast Guard Navik exam is conducted by the Indian Coast Guard (founded approximately 41 years ago in 1979). The exam aims at recruiting candidates for the General Duties (Naviks) in offline mode.
• The exam comprises 3 stages which include – an offline exam, an interview round, and a Medical / Physical Test (must be done by the prescribed Dr. or any Dr. who provides a duty to the Indian Coast guards.)
• The exam form can be filled in Online mode ONLY (No Application Fee).
• Candidates who have completed their graduation or are in their final year of graduation are eligible to apply for the Indian Coast Guard exam.

Indian Coast Guard Exam Highlights:

NOTE: Physically challenged candidates will not be eligible for appearing in the exam.

5. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF):

• The exam for CAPF recruitment is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission of India once every year.
• The candidates are recruited for various posts in the paramilitary forces such as – Border Security Forces (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central industrial Police Force (CIPF), and Indo – Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
• The exam will be conducted in 3 stages – an offline exam, Physic + Medical Fitness check, and Personal interview.
• The minimum eligibility criterion for the candidate is to be a graduate of a recognized University.
• Candidates need to fulfill the Physical requirements as specified by the conducting authorities to pass various stages of the test.

CAPF Exam Highlights:

That’s all! Students planning to serve the country in the future can choose any of these exams and refer to the Prepp portal for guidance. All the best for the future!

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