UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination — Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination twice a year for recruiting officers into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and the Officers' Training Academy (OTA). It is a gateway for graduates to join the armed forces as commissioned officers. The selection process is known for its comprehensive nature, testing candidates on their academic knowledge, physical fitness, and officer-like qualities through a two-stage process: a Written Examination and an extensive Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview.
📌 Eligibility Criteria 🇮🇳
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to permanently settle here.
Age Limit & Marital Status
Candidates for all academies must be unmarried. The age limits vary by academy:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA): Born between July 2, 2002, and July 1, 2007.
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): Born between July 2, 2002, and July 1, 2007.
- Air Force Academy (AFA): 20 to 24 years old as of July 1, 2026 (Born between July 2, 2002, and July 1, 2006).
- Officers' Training Academy (OTA - Men & Women): Born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2007.
Educational Qualifications
- For Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers' Training Academy (OTA): A degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
- For Indian Naval Academy (INA): A degree in Engineering from a recognized university.
- For Air Force Academy (AFA): A degree from a recognized university (with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.
Final-year students can also apply but must submit proof of graduation by a specified date before the course commences.
✍️ Exam Syllabus & Pattern
Stage I — Written Examination
The written exam consists of objective-type questions. The pattern differs for candidates based on the academy they have applied for.
For Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), & Air Force Academy (AFA)
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | - | 300 |
For Officers' Training Academy (OTA)
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | - | 200 |
Syllabus for Written Exam
- English: Tests the candidate's understanding of English and proficient use of words. Topics include sentence arrangement, error correction, synonyms, antonyms, and reading comprehension.
- General Knowledge: Covers current affairs, history, geography, and general science. The focus is on matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects.
- Elementary Mathematics (Class 10 Level):
- Arithmetic: Number System, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Percentages, Simple and Compound Interest.
- Algebra: Basic Operations, Simple Factors, HCF & LCM, Quadratic Equations.
- Trigonometry: Sine, Cosine, Tangent ratios, Simple Trigonometric Identities.
- Geometry: Lines and Angles, Triangles, Circles, and their properties.
- Mensuration: Area of Squares, Rectangles, Triangles, and Circles; Surface Area and Volume of Cuboids, Spheres, and Cylinders.
- Statistics: Collection and tabulation of data, histograms, bar charts, pie charts.
Stage II — Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview
Candidates who clear the written exam are called for the SSB interview. This is a comprehensive five-day personality and intelligence test.
- Stage 1 (Screening): Consists of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and a Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
- Stage 2 (Psychology, GTO, Interview): This stage lasts for the remaining four days and includes:
- Psychological Tests: Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT).
- Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks: Group discussions, group planning exercises, progressive group tasks, and obstacle races.
- Personal Interview: A one-on-one interview with a senior officer.
👉 Note
- Candidates who are recommended by the Service Selection Board undergo a thorough medical examination before the final merit list is prepared. Physical and medical fitness are crucial for final selection.
- For full official syllabus & eligibility, refer to UPSC official notification.
☞ Tip for Aspirants: Always refer to the latest official notification for syllabus and eligibility details as they may change year to year.