The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the purpose of recruiting young officers into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This examination evaluates candidates on various subjects, including English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics, and those who pass will subsequently undergo a Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. Target Defence Academy offers tailored coaching for the CDS examination, providing expert instruction, practice tests, and physical fitness training to assist students in achieving success and securing a position in the Indian Armed Forces.
All About CDS Exam

Overview
Dear Aspirants, we have a complete guide for the candidates looking for a career in the Indian Armed Forces as an Officer. It’s an essential pathway for students who missed the NDA Exam after the 12th and want to join the Indian Armed Forces after completing their graduation.
Conducting Organization | UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) |
Exam Name | CDS (Combined Defence Services) |
Exam Level | National Level |
Exam Mode | Offline |
Frequency | Twice in a Year (April & September) |
Exam Phases | Written Test & SSB Interview |
Type of Questions | Objective Type |
Language of Question Paper | Hindi and English (Except English Paper) |
Total Marks | IMA, INA and AFA – 300 OTA – 200 |
Time | Two hours for each section of the test |
Official website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Important Links for the CDS Exam
Notification | Eligibility |
Syllabus | Admit Card |
Mock Test | Study Material |
Result | SSB Interview |
Previous Year Question Paper | Answer Key |
Who can apply for the CDS Exam?
Know who can apply for the CDS Exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Here we have detailed eligibility criteria like Age Limit, Educational Qualifications, and Physical requirements.
Eligibility Criteria:
Age Limit: Candidates whose age is 19 to 25 years can apply. If they have a Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) then can apply till 26 years for AFA.
Educational Qualification:
- For IMA and OTA: The Candidate must have a graduation degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
- For INA: The candidate must have a graduation degree in Engineering from a recognized University.
- For AFA: The Candidate must have a graduation degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.
Gender: Both male and female candidates are eligible for the CDS Exam. But female candidates can apply only for OTA whereas male candidates can apply for IMA, OTA, and AFA.
Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible for the CDS Exam; issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees who have not remarried are eligible.
Selection Process
Written Exam (Stage 1): Candidates who have applied for IMA, INA, and AFA have to give all three papers to English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Candidates who have applied for OTA only have to give English and General Knowledge papers.
- Paper 1 – English (100 questions): Objective-type questions that test candidates Basic Grammar, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.
- Paper 2 – General Knowledge (100 questions): The General Knowledge paper contains objective-type questions that cover Geography, History, Indian Polity, Current Affairs, Science and Technology. Objective-type questions that test candidates Basic Grammar, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.
- Paper 3 – Mathematics (100 questions): Objective-type questions that test candidates’ skills in areas like Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Number System, Mensuration, and Statistics.
SSB Interview (Stage 2): Candidates who have applied for IMA, INA and AFA have SSB interview of 300 marks while those candidates who have applied for OTA have SSB Interview of 200 marks and have to attempt a Computerized Pilot Selection System Test – CPSS.
- After qualifying written exam, candidates undergo a five-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
- This is a personality and intelligence assessment that includes tasks like group discussions, individual tasks, psychological tests, and physical fitness tests.
- The interview also evaluates leadership, communication skills, teamwork, and decision-making abilities.
Marking Scheme:
- English: 100 marks
- General Knowledge: 100 marks
- Mathematics: 100 marks
- Total Written Exam Marks: 200 marks for OTA & 300 marks for IMA, INA and AFA
- SSB Interview: 200 marks for OTA & 300 marks for IMA, INA and AFA
- Candidates who pass in written examination and SSB interview as well as medically fit. The name of those candidates comes in the merit list. And they are sent for training.
Summary:
- Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
- Age Limit: 19–25 years
- Exam Frequency: Twice a year (April and September)
- Training Duration: The training period after final selection may be 18 months to 74 months depending on their respective branch.
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