Career in Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) Info, Exams and Eligibility Criteria

The "Combined Defense Services" Examination or the CDS Exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy. The Notification for the examination is usually released in the months of August and March and the examination is conducted in February and August respectively. Only unmarried graduates are eligible to write the exam. Successful Candidates are admitted into the respective Academies after an interview conducted by SSB (service selection board).


Eligibility Criteria

For Indian Military Academy/Officers' Training Academy: Degree from a recognized university or equivalent
For Naval Academy: B.Sc. with Physics & Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering
For Air Force Academy: Degree of a Recognized University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering

Age Limit

Age Limits
Indian Military Academy : 19-24 Years
Air Force Academy : 19-23 Years
Naval Academy : 19-22 Years
Officers’ Training Academy : 19-25 Years

Scheme of Examination

Indian Military Academy / Naval Academy / Air Force Academy
All the papers are of objective type.

Subject and  Marks
English 100 marks
General Knowledge 100 Marks
Elementary Mathematics 100 Marks
Total 300 marks

Officers' Training Academy (OTA)
All the papers are of objective type.

Subject and Marks
English 100 Marks
General Knowledge 100 Marks
Total 200 marks

Candidates successful in the written exam are then called for an interview by a Services Selection Board which evaluates a candidate's suitability for a career in the Indian Armed Forces. The SSB interview lasts for approximately a week, during which a candidate undergoes various physical and psychological tests to ascertain whether or not he is officer material. Candidates cleared by the SSB are finally admitted into the above mentioned academies, and after successful completion of training, they are inducted into the armed forces.

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