The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is a national-level competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of candidates into the Indian Armed Forces. Through this exam, candidates are selected for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
CDS is one of the most popular defence entrance exams in India for graduates who want to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force as commissioned officers.
UPSC CDS Exam Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam |
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Job Type | Defence Services |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Selection Process | Written Exam + SSB Interview |
| Official Website | UPSC Official Website |
CDS Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Non-Technical Entries (Any Graduation Stream)
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university |
| OTA (Officers Training Academy) | Graduation in any stream or equivalent degree |
Technical Entries (Engineering / Science Stream)
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | Engineering degree (B.Tech / B.E) from a recognized university |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR an Engineering degree |
CDS Age Limit
| Academy | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| IMA | 19 to 24 years |
| INA | 19 to 24 years |
| AFA | 20 to 24 years |
| OTA | 19 to 25 years |
Age is calculated as per the official notification issued by UPSC.
CDS Selection Process
The CDS selection process consists of two main stages:
Stage 1 – Written Examination (UPSC)
- Exam Mode: Offline (Pen & Paper test)
- Conducting Body: UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
- Goal: Clear the academy-specific cut-off marks
- AFA / IMA / INA Papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics
- OTA Papers: English and General Knowledge only (Mathematics is excluded)
Stage 2 – SSB Interview & Final Merit
- Duration: 5-day residential testing process
- Phase 1 Screening: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and PPDT
- Phase 2 Testing: Psychological Tests, Group Tasks (GTO) and Personal Interview
- Medical Exam: Conducted for recommended candidates after clearing the SSB
- Final Selection: Merit list based on combined Written Exam + SSB Interview scores
CDS Exam Pattern
For IMA, INA and AFA
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 |
- Duration: 2 Hours for each paper
- Negative Marking: Yes
For OTA (Officers Training Academy)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 100 |
- Mathematics is not included for OTA candidates
- Duration: 2 Hours per paper
CDS Syllabus Overview
English
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Grammar
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Improvement
- Fill in the Blanks
General Knowledge
- Current Affairs
- History
- Geography
- Indian Polity
- Economy
- Science
- Defence-related News
Mathematics (For IMA/INA/AFA only)
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
- Number System
CDS Salary
Candidates selected through CDS receive a good salary along with defence benefits.
Core Pay & Stipend Structure
- Stipend During Training: ₹56,100 per month (fixed amount for cadets)
- Starting Basic Pay: ₹56,100 per month (Level 10 under 7th CPC)
- Rank Upon Commissioning: Lieutenant (Indian Army) or equivalent rank
- Military Service Pay (MSP): Fixed ₹15,500 per month added once commissioned
- Allowances: High Active Field Area, Dearness (DA), and Uniform allowances
Perks, Privileges & Life Benefits
- Lifestyle Perks: Free fully furnished service accommodation
- Healthcare: Comprehensive medical facilities for officer and dependents
- Shopping Privileges: Access to Canteen Stores Department (CSD) facilities
- Travel Benefits: Annual Leave Concessions (LTC) and free travel passes
- Retirement & Security: Defined pension scheme and substantial insurance cover
Why Choose CDS?
A career through CDS offers:
- Respect and honour in society
- Permanent government job
- High salary and perks
- Opportunity to serve the nation
- Adventure and disciplined lifestyle
CDS Preparation Tips
- Focus on basic concepts in Mathematics and English
- Read newspapers daily for current affairs
- Practice previous year question papers
- Take mock tests regularly
- Improve time management and accuracy
- Prepare separately for SSB interview skills
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CDS is a defence entrance exam conducted by UPSC for recruitment into Indian Armed Forces.
CDS is moderate to difficult, depending on preparation and subject strength.
Yes, female candidates can apply for OTA posts.
Yes, CDS is generally conducted twice a year.
SSB is challenging but can be cleared with proper preparation and personality development.