CDS
Introduction
/ / CDS
UPSC officer recruitment exam for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA
Conducted twice yearly by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Quick facts
- Eligibility: Graduate for IMA/OTA; B.E./B.Tech for INA; Graduate with Maths & Physics at 10+2 level or B.Tech for AFA
- Academies: IMA, INA, AFA, OTA
- Stages: Written exam → SSB interview → Medical exam
- Official website: https://upsc.gov.in
The Combined Defence Services Examination, commonly called CDS, is a national-level recruitment exam conducted by UPSC to select candidates for officer training in the Indian Armed Forces academies.
Through CDS, candidates are selected for:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA) for Army officers
- Indian Naval Academy (INA) for Navy officers
- Air Force Academy (AFA) for Air Force officers
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) for Army short-service commission
Successful candidates move into training and then receive commission as officers. Typical career entry ranks include:
- Lieutenant in the Army
- Sub-Lieutenant in the Navy
- Flying Officer in the Air Force
Important Dates
UPSC announces exact dates in the official notification for each cycle.
Recent cycle timeline
| Cycle | Notification Date | Application Window | Exam Date | Result Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDS I/2025 | Dec 2024 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 | Apr 2025 | 2025 |
| CDS II/2024 | May 2024 | May 2024 to Jun 2024 | Sep 2024 | 2024 |
| CDS I/2024 | Dec 2023 | Dec 2023 to Jan 2024 | Apr 2024 | 2024 |
| CDS II/2023 | May 2023 | May 2023 to Jun 2023 | Sep 2023 | 2023 |
| CDS I/2023 | Dec 2022 | Dec 2022 to Jan 2023 | Apr 2023 | 2023 |
Stages after written exam
- Written result
- SSB interview call-up
- Medical examination
- Final merit list
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- Candidate must be an Indian citizen.
Educational Qualification
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| **IMA** | Graduate in any stream |
| **OTA** | Graduate in any stream |
| **INA** | B.E. / B.Tech |
| **AFA** | Graduate with Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level, or B.Tech |
Age Limit by Academy
| Academy | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| **IMA** | 19 to 24 years |
| **INA** | 19 to 22 years |
| **AFA** | 19 to 24 years |
| **OTA** | 19 to 25 years |
Age Relaxation / Eligibility Notes
CDS age rules are applied according to the official UPSC notification for each cycle. Candidates should check the notification for cut-off date calculations and any academy-specific conditions.
| Category / Condition | Rule |
|---|---|
| **General age requirement** | Must meet the academy-wise age band on the prescribed date in the notification |
| **Marital status** | Candidates should follow the marital status conditions stated in the latest UPSC notification |
| **Physical / medical standards** | Must be medically fit as per Armed Forces standards |
Physical / Medical Eligibility Highlights
- Candidate must be fit for military training and service.
- Medical standards are applied after the SSB stage.
- Vision, hearing, height, weight and general fitness are checked as per service norms.
Reservation
CDS follows Government of India reservation rules.
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
Horizontal Reservation
- PwBD
- Ex-servicemen
Exam Pattern
Stage 1: Written Examination
| Academy | Papers | Total Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMA / INA / AFA | English, General Knowledge, Mathematics | 300 | 2 hours each | 1/3 for each wrong answer |
| OTA | English, General Knowledge | 200 | 2 hours each | 1/3 for each wrong answer |
Stage 2: SSB Interview
| Stage | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SSB Interview | 300 | 5 days |
Stage 3: Medical Examination
- Conducted for candidates recommended by SSB
- Mandatory for final selection
- Fitness is assessed as per defence medical standards
Academy-wise Pattern Comparison
| Academy | English | GK | Mathematics | Total Written Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | Yes | Yes | Yes | 300 |
| INA | Yes | Yes | Yes | 300 |
| AFA | Yes | Yes | Yes | 300 |
| OTA | Yes | Yes | No | 200 |
Selection Process
The CDS selection process has three main stages:
1. Written Examination
- Candidates appear for the academy-specific written papers.
- UPSC shortlists candidates based on written performance.
2. SSB Interview
- Shortlisted candidates are called for the Services Selection Board interview.
- The interview assesses officer-like qualities, leadership, reasoning, personality, and suitability for defence service.
3. Medical Examination
- Candidates who clear SSB undergo a medical check-up.
- Final selection depends on written marks, SSB marks, merit position, and medical fitness.
Final Merit
- Final merit is prepared using written exam marks + SSB interview marks.
- Medical fitness is compulsory for commission.
Syllabus
English
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Sentence improvement
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Reading comprehension
- Spotting errors
- Fill in the blanks
- Idioms and phrases
General Knowledge
- History
- Geography
- Polity
- Economics
- General science
- Defence-related awareness
- Current affairs
- Environment and national/international events
Mathematics
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
- Probability
- Number system
- Basic 10+2 level mathematics
Preparation Note
CDS Mathematics is based on 10+2 level concepts, while English and GK test speed, accuracy, and conceptual clarity.
How to Apply
1. Visit https://upsconline.nic.in**
2. Open the CDS notification and read the instructions carefully
3. Complete registration on the UPSC online portal
4. Fill the application form with correct personal, academic, and category details
5. Upload required documents and photograph/signature as per instructions
6. Pay the fee, if applicable
7. Submit the form and download the confirmation page for records
Always use the official UPSC portal for application and updates.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹200 |
| SC / ST | Exempt |
| Women candidates | Exempt |
Vacancies
| Year / Cycle | Total Posts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (CDS I) | 450 | IMA / INA / AFA / OTA |
| 2024 (CDS II) | 450 | IMA / INA / AFA / OTA |
| 2024 (CDS I) | 450 | IMA / INA / AFA / OTA |
| 2023 (CDS II) | 350 | IMA / INA / AFA / OTA |
| 2023 (CDS I) | 340 | IMA / INA / AFA / OTA |
Trend
- Vacancy levels have remained broadly in the 340 to 450 range in recent cycles.
- Posts are spread across the defence academies based on service requirement.
Salary
Selected candidates join as officers after training and commission.
Initial Pay
- Lieutenant pay: ₹56,100 at Level 10
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500
- Additional allowances apply as per service rules
Career Benefits
- Uniformed officer career
- Structured promotions
- Field, command, and staff appointments
- Defence-specific allowances and perks
Cutoff
| Year | IMA Gen | OTA Gen |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 130 | 95 |
Cutoff Note
CDS cutoffs vary by academy, paper difficulty, vacancies, and candidate performance. For CDS preparation, a strong target should be set above the recent cutoff trend.
Preparation
3-Month Preparation Plan
- Month 1: Build basics in English grammar, GK foundation, and mathematics formulas
- Month 2: Solve topic-wise practice questions and start timed tests
- Month 3: Take full-length mocks, revise weak areas, and begin SSB basics
Subject-wise Approach
- English: Daily vocabulary, grammar rules, comprehension practice
- GK: Read newspapers, revise static GK, and follow current affairs regularly
- Mathematics: Focus on formulas, shortcuts, and speed-based practice
SSB Basics
- Work on communication skills
- Practice group discussions and speaking confidence
- Build awareness of current issues, defence topics, and personal experiences
- Improve physical fitness and discipline
Recommended Resources
- NCERT books
- Pathfinder CDS
- Standard newspapers and monthly current affairs sources
Career Path
After commissioning, CDS officers can progress through the following ranks:
Lieutenant → Captain → Major → Colonel
Career progression also includes staff duties, command responsibilities, specialised appointments, and leadership roles across the Armed Forces.
Official Sources
- UPSC official website: https://upsc.gov.in
- UPSC online application portal: https://upsconline.nic.in
FAQs
1. What is the CDS examination?
CDS stands for Combined Defence Services Examination. It is a UPSC exam for recruitment of officers to Indian defence academies.
2. Which organization conducts the CDS exam?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CDS exam.
3. What are the academies covered under CDS?
CDS covers Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy.
4. How many times is CDS conducted in a year?
CDS is conducted twice a year as CDS I and CDS II.
5. What is the full form of CDS?
The full form of CDS is Combined Defence Services Examination.
6. What is the eligibility for CDS for IMA and OTA?
For IMA and OTA, a candidate must be a graduate in any stream and must satisfy the prescribed age criteria.
7. What is the eligibility for CDS for INA?
For INA, a candidate must have a B.E. or B.Tech degree and meet the age requirements.
8. What is the eligibility for CDS for AFA?
For AFA, a candidate must be a graduate with Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level, or have a B.Tech degree.
9. What is the age limit for CDS candidates by academy?
The age limits are: IMA 19 to 24 years, INA 19 to 22 years, AFA 19 to 24 years, and OTA 19 to 25 years.
10. What is the exam pattern of CDS written test?
IMA, INA, and AFA have English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics papers. OTA has English and General Knowledge papers.
11. Is there negative marking in the CDS exam?
Yes. There is negative marking of one-third for each wrong answer in the written exam.
12. What subjects are asked in CDS?
The main subjects are English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics.
13. How is the CDS selection process completed?
Selection is completed through a written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination.
14. What is the syllabus for General Knowledge in CDS?
The GK syllabus includes history, geography, polity, economics, science, current affairs, environment, and defence-related awareness.
15. What is the syllabus for Mathematics in CDS?
The Mathematics syllabus includes arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration, statistics, probability, number system, and 10+2 level topics.
16. What is the salary of a CDS-selected officer?
A newly commissioned officer generally starts at the Lieutenant level with pay of ₹56,100 in Level 10 plus MSP of ₹15,500 and allowances.
17. What is the application fee for CDS?
The fee is ₹200 for General and OBC candidates. SC, ST, and women candidates are exempt.
18. Which official website should candidates use for CDS?
Candidates should use the UPSC website https://upsc.gov.in and the online portal https://upsconline.nic.in.
19. What are the career prospects after clearing CDS?
Candidates can join the Army, Navy, or Air Force as officers and grow through ranks such as Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Colonel.
20. How can I prepare for CDS effectively?
Prepare with NCERTs, Pathfinder CDS, newspaper reading, daily practice, mock tests, and SSB-focused personality development.