The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted bi-annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit graduate men and women as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
While the NDA recruits candidates immediately after school (10+2), CDS is designed exclusively for college graduates and final-year university students.
Major Academy Pathways Through CDS
Through a single application, candidates can compete for four prestigious training academies:
| Training Academy | Location | Arm of Service | Nature of Commission | Typical Age Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | Indian Army | Permanent Commission (Men only) | 19 to 24 Years |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Ezhimala, Kerala | Indian Navy | Permanent Commission (Men only) | 19 to 24 Years |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Dundigal, Hyderabad | Indian Air Force | Permanent Commission (Men only) | 20 to 24 Years |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Indian Army | Short Service Commission (SSC) for both Men and Women | 19 to 25 Years |
Short Service Commission (SSC) officers serve an initial tenure of 10 years, extendable by 4 years, with options for permanent commission depending on vacancies and merit.
Educational Qualification by Academy
- For IMA and OTA (Chennai): Degree of a recognized University or equivalent (in any academic stream: B.A., B.Com, B.Sc., BBA, B.Tech, etc.).
- For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) from a recognized university.
- For Air Force Academy (AFA): Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR Bachelor of Engineering (B.Tech).
Candidates in the final year of their graduation degree are eligible to apply provisionally, provided they have no backlogs and can submit proof of passing before academy reporting dates.
Written Examination Pattern
The written examination structure depends on whether the candidate opts for Permanent Commission academies (IMA/INA/AFA) or the Short Service Commission (OTA):
Pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA (300 Marks / 6 Hours)
- English: 120 Questions | 100 Marks | 2 Hours
- General Knowledge: 120 Questions | 100 Marks | 2 Hours
- Elementary Mathematics: 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 2 Hours
- Total: 300 Marks. 1/3rd negative marking per wrong answer.
Pattern for Officers Training Academy - OTA (200 Marks / 4 Hours)
- English: 120 Questions | 100 Marks | 2 Hours
- General Knowledge: 120 Questions | 100 Marks | 2 Hours
- (Elementary Mathematics is completely exempt for OTA candidates).
- Total: 200 Marks. 1/3rd negative marking applies.
Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview
Candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks in each paper (usually 20%) and clear the aggregate cut-off are called for the SSB Interview:
- SSB for IMA, INA, AFA: Carries 300 Marks.
- SSB for OTA: Carries 200 Marks.
- The 5-day SSB protocol comprises Stage 1 screening (OIR and PPDT), followed by Stage 2 Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD), Outdoor GTO Tasks, and the Personal Interview.
Medical Examination & Rank Commissioning
Recommended candidates undergo rigorous medical boards at designated military command hospitals. Upon clearing medical fitness and achieving merit ranking:
- Training Duration:
- IMA: 18 Months
- INA: 18 Months
- AFA: 18 Months (Flying / Ground Duty)
- OTA Chennai: 49 Weeks
- Stipend: Officer cadets receive a fixed monthly stipend of ₹56,100 during their final training period.
- Commissioned Rank: Cadets pass out as Lieutenant (Army), Sub-Lieutenant (Navy), or Flying Officer (Air Force) at Pay Level 10 (Basic ₹56,100 + Military Service Pay ₹15,500 + DA + allowances).
Read our companion guide on What is NDA and Defence Physical & Medical Standards.