Exam dates and application windows change every year. Details here can go out of date — always confirm on the official website, or ask Sahayak below for the latest guidance.
CDS (Combined Defence Services)
Information last verified: September 2026 · Always verify on the official portal before payment.
UPSC exam for graduate entry into IMA, OTA, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy — written + SSB.
Conducted by
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Age Limit
IMA 19–24, OTA 19–25, INA 19–24, AFA 19–24 (flying branch). Mostly unmarried — check notice for marital rules.
Education
IMA/OTA: degree any stream. INA: engineering degree. AFA: degree + PCM in 12th. Final-year candidates may apply.
Physical Standards
SSB + Services medicals per academy standards (height/vision norms in the notice appendix).
Application Fee
Rs. 200 online. Exempt: female, SC and ST candidates.
Documents Needed
- Degree / final-year proof
- Photo + signature per UPSC specs
- Photo ID
- Category certificate if applicable
How to Apply
- One Time Registration on upsc.gov.in when notification opens
- Fill academy preferences + centre, pay fee, submit
Selection Process
- Written (IMA/INA/AFA: 3 papers; OTA: 2 papers)
- 5-day SSB
- Services medicals
- Final merit (written + SSB)
Exam Pattern
English 100 marks + GK 100 marks (all); Elementary Maths 100 marks (IMA/INA/AFA only). 2 hrs each, objective with negative marking.
Correction Window
Usually ~7 days after closing (OTR edit window). Check notice.
Admit Card
e-Admit cards on upsc.gov.in ~3 weeks before. SSB call-ups separately. Never by post.
Download admit card — candidate loginResult
Written-result PDFs on upsc.gov.in; OTA and academy-wise final merits after SSB/medicals.
Check result — candidate loginWho can apply
Graduate (stream per academy); largely unmarried; 19–25 age band.
How the yearly cycle usually works
- Two notifications a year (usually ~Dec and ~May pattern).
- Written usually ~February and ~November.
- SSB + medicals over following months.
Also searched as: cds form kaise bhare, cds eligibility graduation, cds ota vs ima, cds exam pattern english gk maths, cds age limit, cds fees, cds ssb interview, graduation ke baad army officer, cds admit card, cds result
Was this helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for CDS 2026?▾
Unmarried graduates: IMA/OTA any stream; Naval Academy engineering degree; Air Force Academy degree with PCM in 12th. Age 19–24 (OTA up to 25). Final-year students may apply.
What is the CDS exam pattern?▾
IMA/INA/AFA: English 100 + GK 100 + Maths 100 (2 hrs each). OTA: English + GK only. Then 5-day SSB + medicals.
What are the CDS fees?▾
Rs. 200 online. Exempt: female, SC and ST candidates.
IMA vs OTA — what is the difference?▾
IMA (Dehradun): Permanent Commission after ~18 months training. OTA (Chennai): Short Service Commission, ~11 months training. OTA skips the Maths paper.
When are CDS exams usually held?▾
Twice a year (usually ~February and ~November pattern). Check the UPSC annual calendar.