College of Defence Management CDM Recruitment 2026

The College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad, is a premier tri-service institution under the Ministry of Defence that conducts management and leadership training for senior military officers and defence civilians. CDM Recruitment 2026 invites applications for 8 various civilian posts including administrative, technical, and support staff positions. This recruitment offers an opportunity to work in a prestigious defence educational institution and contribute to the professional development of India's defence leadership. Selected candidates will be employed on regular/permanent basis and will be governed by Central Civil Services rules and regulations. The posts are open to Indian nationals meeting the prescribed educational qualifications and age criteria.

Important Dates

Note: Exact dates will be announced in the official notification. Candidates are advised to check the official CDM website regularly.

Vacancy Details (Typical/Indicative)

*EWS vacancies may be adjusted within UR quota as per government norms.

Note: The above distribution is indicative and subject to change as per the official notification. Horizontal reservations for PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and Women candidates will be applicable as per government guidelines.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

The educational qualification varies by post. Typical requirements include:

• Administrative Posts: Bachelor's degree from a recognized university
• Technical Posts: Diploma/Degree in relevant engineering/technical field
• Support Staff: 10th/12th pass from recognized board
• Specialized Posts: Relevant professional qualifications/certifications as specified

Candidates must possess the required educational qualification from a recognized university/board at the time of application.

Age Limit

Age as on closing date of application:

Age Relaxation:

Nationality

Applicants must be:

• A citizen of India, OR
• A subject of Nepal, OR
• A subject of Bhutan, OR
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with intention of permanently settling in India, OR
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Candidates falling under categories (2) to (5) must obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.

How to Apply

1. Visit Official Website: Go to the College of Defence Management official website (www.cdm.edu.in) or the designated recruitment portal

1. Read Notification: Download and carefully read the complete employment notification and instructions

1. Register: Click on 'New Registration' and provide basic details like name, email ID, mobile number to generate registration number

1. Login: Use registration number/email and password to login to the application portal

1. Fill Application Form: Complete all mandatory fields including personal details, educational qualifications, experience, and upload required documents (photograph, signature, certificates)

1. Pay Application Fee: Pay the prescribed application fee through online mode (Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI)

1. Submit Application: Review all entered information, make corrections if needed, and submit the application form

1. Take Printout: Download and save the submitted application form and fee receipt for future reference

Application Fee

*Fee exemption policy as per government guidelines.

Mode of Payment: Online only (Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI)

Note: Application fees once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Selection Process

The selection process comprises the following stages:

1. Screening of Applications: All received applications will be scrutinized to verify eligibility criteria including age, educational qualification, and experience. Only eligible candidates will be shortlisted for further stages.

1. Written Examination/Computer Based Test: Shortlisted candidates will be required to appear for a written examination or Computer Based Test covering General Intelligence, Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and job-specific subject knowledge.

1. Skill Test/Practical Test: For certain technical and specialized posts, candidates may be required to undergo skill tests, typing tests, or practical tests to assess their job-specific competency and proficiency.

1. Personal Interview: Candidates who successfully clear the written examination and skill tests will be called for personal interview before a Selection Board to assess their suitability, personality, communication skills, and knowledge.

1. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates after interview will be required to appear for document verification where all original certificates, mark sheets, identity proof, caste certificate, and other relevant documents will be verified.

1. Medical Examination: Finally selected candidates will undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet the prescribed medical standards for the post. Medical fitness certificate from authorized medical board is mandatory.

Final Merit List: The final selection will be based on combined performance in written test, skill test, and interview. Merit list will be prepared category-wise and selection will be subject to medical fitness and document verification.

Examination Pattern

Written Examination (Typical Pattern - Indicative)

Skill Test/Typing Test (For applicable posts)

Negative Marking: There will be negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in the objective type written examination.

Exam Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT) or Offline OMR based as specified in the notification.

Qualifying Marks: General/EWS - 40%, OBC - 35%, SC/ST - 30% (subject to normalization if exam held in multiple shifts).

Detailed Syllabus

General Intelligence & Reasoning

• Analogies and similarities
• Differences and classifications
• Space visualization and spatial orientation
• Problem solving and analysis
• Decision making and judgement
• Visual memory and discrimination
• Observation and relationship concepts
• Arithmetical reasoning and figural classification
• Semantic and symbolic operations
• Trends and figure patterns
• Number series and coding-decoding
• Statement and conclusions

General Awareness

• Current Affairs (National and International)
• Indian History and Freedom Movement
• Indian Polity and Constitution
• Geography (India and World)
• Indian Economy and Economic Development
• General Science and Scientific Research
• Defence and Military Affairs
• Sports and Culture
• Books and Authors
• Awards and Honors
• Important Days and Events
• General knowledge relevant to College of Defence Management

Quantitative Aptitude

• Number Systems and Simplification
• Decimals and Fractions
• HCF and LCM
• Ratio and Proportion
• Percentage and Averages
• Profit and Loss
• Discount and Simple/Compound Interest
• Time and Work
• Time and Distance
• Mensuration (Area and Volume)
• Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts)
• Basic Algebra and Geometry

Technical/Professional Knowledge

• Subject-specific topics as per the post applied for
• Job-related technical knowledge
• Professional best practices
• Relevant standards and procedures
• Contemporary developments in the field
• Practical applications and problem-solving

Computer Knowledge (If applicable)

• Computer Fundamentals and Hardware
• Operating Systems (Windows, Linux basics)
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Internet and Email usage
• Networking basics
• Computer Security and Cyber awareness

Salary Structure (Typical/Indicative for Group C Posts)

Other Benefits and Allowances:

• Medical facilities for self and dependents
• Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
• Children Education Allowance
• Annual increment as per rules
• Pension and gratuity benefits (NPS for new recruits)
• Canteen facilities
• Leave encashment
• Festival advance and other welfare schemes

Note: Actual salary depends on the specific post, pay level, and place of posting. DA is revised quarterly as per government notifications. Deductions include GPF/NPS, Income Tax, and other statutory deductions.

Career growth in College of Defence Management offers structured progression through higher pay levels based on performance, experience, and departmental promotion policy. Employees can advance from Group C to Group B posts through departmental promotion exams and selection processes, with opportunities for skill development through training programs. Long-term career prospects include supervisory and administrative roles with increased responsibilities and salary increments as per 7th CPC norms and subsequent pay commission revisions.

Admit cards for the written examination will be released approximately 10-15 days before the exam date on the official CDM recruitment portal. Candidates must login using their registration number and password to download their admit card, which will contain exam date, timing, venue, and important instructions. No physical admit card will be sent by post, and candidates must carry a printed copy along with valid photo ID proof to the examination center for entry.

Results for each stage of selection (written exam, skill test, interview) will be declared on the official website within 3-4 weeks of completion of that stage. The final result will contain roll numbers or registration numbers of selected candidates along with their merit position, and candidates will be informed about document verification schedule through email/SMS. Scorecard with detailed marks can be downloaded from the recruitment portal after result declaration.

Expected cutoff marks vary by category and post, with typical ranges being 50-65 marks out of 100 for General category, 45-60 for OBC, and 40-55 for SC/ST candidates in the written examination. Actual cutoffs depend on factors including number of vacancies, difficulty level of exam, total applications received, and normalization procedures if applicable. Category-wise final merit lists are prepared separately based on combined performance across all selection stages.

Examination Centres

Examinations will be conducted in major cities across India:

North: Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dehradun, Jammu, Shimla

South: Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Coimbatore

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Ranchi, Guwahati

West: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Indore, Bhopal

Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Agartala

Central: Lucknow, Bhopal, Indore, Raipur

Note: Exam center allocation is subject to availability and administrative feasibility. Candidates will be allotted centers based on their preference, but final allocation is at the discretion of the recruitment authority.