Apply for UPSC CDS exam to become a commissioned officer in the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force. Check detailed eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, vacancies, and application process for CDS recruitment.
Conducted by: UPSC
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is a highly prestigious national-level competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select eligible candidates for various officer cadres in the Indian Armed Forces. This examination serves as a gateway for young aspirants to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) for Permanent Commission, and the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) for Short Service Commission in the Army. UPSC typically releases two CDS notifications annually, inviting applications from eligible graduates. The number of vacancies varies with each notification but generally ranges from 300 to 450 across all academies, making it a highly competitive selection process. The specific breakdown of vacancies for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA (for both men and women) is provided in detail in the official notification issued by UPSC. Successful candidates who clear the written examination, the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview, and medical examination undergo rigorous training at their respective academies. A career as a commissioned officer in the Indian Armed Forces offers unparalleled opportunities for leadership, adventure, national service, and professional growth. Officers receive an attractive salary, numerous allowances, and comprehensive benefits, along with a life of dignity and respect.
Nationality: Candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Bhutan, or a subject of Nepal, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. Age Limit: For IMA: 19-24 years (unmarried male candidates). For INA: 19-24 years (unmarried male candidates). For AFA: 20-24 years (unmarried male candidates for Flying Branch; upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA is relaxable up to 26 years). For OTA (Men): 19-25 years (male candidates, married or unmarried). For OTA (Women): 19-25 years (unmarried women, divorcees who have not remarried, and widows who have not remarried). Note: The exact age calculation date is specified in the official notification. Educational Qualification: For IMA & OTA: A Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent. For INA: A Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution. For AFA: A Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering/Technology. Marital Status: Unmarried status is mandatory for IMA, INA, and AFA. For OTA, married candidates are eligible within the prescribed age limits. Women candidates for OTA can be unmarried, widow, or divorcee. Number of Attempts: There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CDS exam, provided candidates meet the age and other eligibility criteria for each attempt.
| Stage | Type | Duration | Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination (IMA, INA, AFA) | MCQ | 2 hours per paper | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics | 100 marks per paper (Total 300 marks) |
| Written Examination (OTA) | MCQ | 2 hours per paper | English, General Knowledge | 100 marks per paper (Total 200 marks) |
| Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview | Personality Test, Group Testing, Psychology Test, Interview | 5 days | Assessment of Intelligence, Reasoning, and Leadership Qualities | 300 marks (for IMA/INA/AFA) / 200 marks (for OTA) |
| Medical Examination | Physical and Medical Fitness Check | Varies | As per Defence Forces Standards | Qualifying |
Visit UPSC Website: Go to the official website of UPSC (upsc.gov.in) and navigate to the 'Examinations' section. One-Time Registration (OTR): Candidates must first register through the One Time Registration (OTR) platform available on the UPSC portal. This involves providing basic personal details to create a unique OTR ID. Access Application Form: Log in using your OTR credentials and select the link for 'Online Application for Combined Defence Services Examination'. Fill Application Details: Complete Part-I of the application form with personal, educational, and contact details, and choose your preferred examination centre. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature in the format and size specified by UPSC. Pay Application Fee: Pay the requisite application fee online (General/OBC male candidates are required to pay; SC/ST/female candidates are exempted). Complete Part-II: After fee payment, proceed to complete Part-II of the application form which typically involves confirming details and accepting declarations. Review and Submit: Carefully review all entered information before final submission. No changes are permitted after submission. Print Confirmation: Take a printout of the submitted application form for future reference.
CDS stands for Combined Defence Services.
The UPSC CDS examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission.
Yes, female candidates are eligible to apply for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) only under the CDS examination.
Yes, there is negative marking. For every incorrect answer, one-third (1/3rd) of the marks assigned to that question are deducted.
The age limit for the Indian Military Academy (IMA) through CDS is typically 19 to 24 years for unmarried male candidates.
IMA (Indian Military Academy) is for permanent commission in the Indian Army, while OTA (Officers' Training Academy) is for Short Service Commission.
Yes, a bachelor's degree from a recognized university or equivalent is the minimum educational qualification required for the CDS exam.
Yes, candidates can indicate their preferences for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA in the application form, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each.