UPSC CDS

Typical CDS cycle flow:

1. Notification release

2. Online application window

3. Admit card release

4. Written examination

5. Written result

6. SSB interview

7. Medical examination

8. Final merit list

Recent cycle references:

• CDS 1 2026: Notification in December 2025, exam in April 2026
• CDS 2 2026: Notification in May 2026, exam in September 2026

1) Nationality

• Candidate must be an Indian citizen.

2) Marital Status

• Candidates must be unmarried for CDS entry to the defence academies covered here.

3) Age Limit

The age range is course-wise 19 to 25 years.

4) Educational Qualification

• OTA: Graduation in any discipline
• IMA: Graduation in any discipline
• INA: Engineering degree / B.Tech
• AFA: 12th with Physics and Mathematics, or equivalent qualification as prescribed in the notification

Age Relaxation / Age Window Table

Age is counted as per the official notification’s cut-off date.

Service-wise Educational Snapshot

CDS follows the Government of India reservation policy where applicable.

• Category quota: SC, ST, OBC, and EWS as per central policy
• Horizontal reservation: Not applicable as a separate written-stage quota in the exam framework; selection is ultimately based on merit, medical fitness, and eligibility

Defence recruitment also depends on:

• service requirements
• academy-wise vacancy
• medical standards
• final merit

Selection Stages

• Written examination
• SSB interview
• Medical examination

Written Exam Structure

Marking Summary

• Each wrong answer carries 1/3 negative marking
• SSB is a 300-mark stage
• Final selection depends on written performance, SSB, and medical fitness

Selection Process

1. Qualify written exam

2. Receive SSB call-up

3. Clear SSB interview and allied tests

4. Clear medical examination

5. Final merit based on combined performance and vacancy

1) English

• Reading comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Synonyms and antonyms
• Sentence correction
• Grammar
• Fill in the blanks
• Spotting errors
• Para jumbles
• Idioms and phrases

2) General Knowledge

• Current affairs
• History
• Geography
• Indian polity
• Economy
• Science
• Environment
• Defence-related awareness
• Sports and important national/international events

3) Elementary Mathematics

• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Trigonometry
• Geometry
• Mensuration
• Statistics
• Number system
• Percentages
• Ratio and proportion
• Profit and loss
• Time and work
• Time, speed and distance

Official syllabus reference: https://upsc.gov.in

Candidates recommended after the SSB must clear the medical examination.

Common expectations include:

• good general health
• proper vision as per academy/service requirements
• sound hearing
• no major deformity or chronic disabling condition
• fitness for military training and officer duties

Final medical fitness is determined only by the authorized medical board.

Applications are submitted online through UPSC.

Application Steps

1. Visit the UPSC online application portal

2. Complete registration

3. Fill the CDS application form

4. Upload required documents, photograph, and signature

5. Pay the application fee

6. Submit the form and save the confirmation

Document and Photo Guidelines

• Use a recent passport-size photograph
• Signature should be clear and legible
• Keep educational documents ready
• Use valid identity and contact details
• Review all entries before final submission

Correction Window

If UPSC opens a correction facility for the cycle, use it within the specified dates on the official portal.

• General / OBC: ₹200
• SC / ST / PwBD: Exempted

Mode of payment is through the online application system.

Total Vacancies: Last 5 Years

Vacancies are released academy-wise in the official notification for each CDS cycle.

A commissioned CDS officer typically enters service at the rank of Lieutenant.

Entry-Level Pay

• Starting basic pay: ₹56,100
• Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500
• Other allowances: admissible as per posting, service, and location

Rank Progression

• Lieutenant
• Captain
• Major
• Colonel

For the written examination, recent qualifying performance has broadly been around:

• General category written cutoff: 100–120 out of 300

Final selection depends heavily on:

• SSB performance
• medical fitness
• vacancy availability

4–6 Month Plan

Month 1–2

• Build basics in English, mathematics, and current affairs
• Start daily newspaper reading
• Revise NCERT fundamentals

Month 3–4

• Increase practice with mock tests
• Focus on speed and accuracy
• Strengthen weak areas in maths and grammar

Month 5–6

• Solve full-length papers
• Revise static GK
• Begin intensive SSB preparation

Subject-wise Focus

• English: grammar, comprehension, vocabulary
• GK: daily current affairs + core static subjects
• Maths: formula revision + timed practice
• SSB: communication, confidence, leadership, physical fitness, and personality development

After selection and commissioning, CDS candidates move through the officer ladder:

• Lieutenant
• Captain
• Major
• Lieutenant Colonel
• Colonel
• and higher ranks based on service and merit

CDS offers a respected career in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force with leadership responsibility, service discipline, and long-term growth.

• UPSC official website: https://upsc.gov.in
• UPSC online application portal: https://upsconline.gov.in

1. What is UPSC CDS and which defence academies does it cover?

UPSC CDS is the Combined Defence Services Examination. It covers IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.

2. Which body conducts the CDS examination?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CDS examination.

3. How many times is CDS conducted in a year?

CDS is conducted twice a year.

4. What is the full form of CDS?

CDS stands for Combined Defence Services.

5. What is the minimum educational qualification for CDS?

Graduation is the minimum qualification for most academies. INA requires an engineering degree, and AFA requires prescribed Physics and Mathematics qualification.

6. Is graduation mandatory for all CDS academies?

No. Graduation is required for IMA and OTA, while INA and AFA have different educational conditions.

7. What is the age limit for UPSC CDS?

The age limit is course-wise and generally falls within 19 to 25 years.

8. Are unmarried candidates only eligible for CDS?

Yes, unmarried candidates are eligible for the CDS defence academies covered here.

9. Is there any nationality requirement for CDS?

Yes. The candidate must be an Indian citizen.

10. What is the exam pattern for CDS written परीक्षा?

The written exam has objective-type papers. IMA, INA, and AFA have three papers; OTA has two papers.

11. How many papers are there in CDS for IMA, INA, and AFA?

There are three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.

12. How many papers are there in CDS for OTA?

OTA has two papers: English and General Knowledge.

13. Is there negative marking in the CDS exam?

Yes. There is 1/3 negative marking for wrong answers.

14. What is the syllabus for CDS English paper?

The English syllabus includes grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, sentence correction, and related language topics.

15. What topics are covered in CDS General Knowledge paper?

It covers current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, science, environment, and defence-related awareness.

16. What topics are included in CDS Elementary Mathematics?

It includes arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration, statistics, and basic quantitative topics.

17. What is the application fee for CDS?

The application fee is ₹200 for General and OBC candidates. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted.

18. What is the selection process after the written exam?

After the written exam, qualified candidates are called for SSB interview, followed by medical examination and final merit preparation.

19. What is the starting salary for a CDS officer?

The starting basic pay is ₹56,100, along with MSP of ₹15,500 and admissible allowances.

20. How can I apply for UPSC CDS online?

You can apply online through the UPSC portal by registering, filling the form, uploading documents, paying the fee, and submitting the application.