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Exam comparison · from official notices

UPSC CDS vs UPSC CAPF AC: salary, eligibility, exam pattern and syllabus

  • UPSC CDS is conducted by UPSC; UPSC CAPF AC is conducted by UPSC.
  • Qualification — UPSC CDS: IMA and OTA: degree of a recognised university or equivalent. UPSC CAPF AC: Bachelor's degree of a university incorporated by an Act of the central or a state legislature in India.
  • Age limit — UPSC CDS: IMA and INA: 19–24, unmarried men born 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2008. AFA: 20–24, born 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2007 (up to 26 for DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders: born 1 July 2001 – 1 July 2007). OTA Men: 19–25, unmarried, born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008. OTA Women: born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008 (as on Date-of-birth windows printed in the notice (para 3(b)); AFA age counted as on 1 July 2027). UPSC CAPF AC: 20–25 years (born 2 Aug 2001 – 1 Aug 2006) (as on 1 August 2026).
  • UPSC CDS has 2 stages in its printed pattern; UPSC CAPF AC has 3.

UPSC CDS vs UPSC CAPF AC: side by side

Each cell is copied from the exam's latest official notice. Always confirm in the notice before applying.

FactUPSC CDSUPSC CAPF AC
Conducting body
  • UPSC
  • upsc.gov.in
  • UPSC
  • upsc.gov.in
Latest notice
  • Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (published 20 May 2026)
  • Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 08/2026-CAPF (published 20 February 2026)
Application status
  • Applications closed on 9 June 2026.
  • Applications closed on 12 March 2026.
Posts
  • Indian Military Academy, Dehradun — 163rd (DE) Course
  • Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala — Executive Branch (General Service) / Hydro
  • Air Force Academy, Hyderabad — (Pre-Flying) 222 F(P) Course
  • Officers' Training Academy, Chennai — 126th SSC (Men) (NT) Course
  • Officers' Training Academy, Chennai — 126th SSC Women (NT) Course
  • Assistant Commandant (Group A) in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB
  • Force allocation by merit position and the force preferences given in the online application
Pay (as printed)
  • Not printed in the notice data shown here
  • Not printed in the notice data shown here
Age limit
  • IMA and INA: 19–24, unmarried men born 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2008. AFA: 20–24, born 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2007 (up to 26 for DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders: born 1 July 2001 – 1 July 2007). OTA Men: 19–25, unmarried, born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008. OTA Women: born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008 (as on Date-of-birth windows printed in the notice (para 3(b)); AFA age counted as on 1 July 2027)
  • 20–25 years (born 2 Aug 2001 – 1 Aug 2006) (as on 1 August 2026)
Qualification
  • IMA and OTA: degree of a recognised university or equivalent
  • INA: degree in Engineering, or B.Sc. with Physics as a core or elective subject, with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2
  • AFA: degree of a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, or Bachelor of Engineering
  • Final-year students may apply; proof of passing is due by 1 July 2027 (IMA, INA), 13 May 2027 (AFA) and 1 October 2027 (OTA)
  • Bachelor's degree of a university incorporated by an Act of the central or a state legislature in India
  • Candidates appearing in (or intending to appear in) the qualifying examination in 2026 may apply, and must later prove they passed within the time limit
  • Both men and women are eligible
Selection stages
  • Written — IMA, INA and AFA (2 hours per paper)
  • Written — OTA (SSC Men and Women) (2 hours per paper)
  • Paper-I: General Ability and Intelligence (2 hours (10 am – 12 noon))
  • Paper-II: General Studies, Essay and Comprehension (3 hours (2 pm – 5 pm))
  • Interview / Personality Test (—)
Negative marking
  • Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer.
  • Same negative marking.
  • Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer; no penalty for an unanswered question.
Vacancies
  • 451 (approximate): IMA 100, INA 26, AFA 32, OTA SSC Men 275, OTA SSC Women 18 — including NCC 'C' vacancies at IMA (13), INA (6) and AFA (3)
  • 349 (tentative: BSF 108, CRPF 106, CISF 70, SSB 53, ITBP 12)
Application fee
  • ₹200
  • All female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempted from the fee. OBC and EWS candidates get no exemption.
  • ₹200
  • All women and SC/ST candidates are exempted from the fee. OBC and EWS candidates get no exemption and must pay the full fee.
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UPSC CDS

UPSC CAPF AC

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between UPSC CDS and UPSC CAPF AC eligibility?

UPSC CDS: age IMA and INA: 19–24, unmarried men born 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2008. AFA: 20–24, born 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2007 (up to 26 for DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders: born 1 July 2001 – 1 July 2007). OTA Men: 19–25, unmarried, born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008. OTA Women: born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008 as on Date-of-birth windows printed in the notice (para 3(b)); AFA age counted as on 1 July 2027; IMA and OTA: degree of a recognised university or equivalent. INA: degree in Engineering, or B.Sc. with Physics as a core or elective subject, with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2. AFA: degree of a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, or Bachelor of Engineering. Final-year students may apply; proof of passing is due by 1 July 2027 (IMA, INA), 13 May 2027 (AFA) and 1 October 2027 (OTA). UPSC CAPF AC: age 20–25 years (born 2 Aug 2001 – 1 Aug 2006) as on 1 August 2026; Bachelor's degree of a university incorporated by an Act of the central or a state legislature in India. Candidates appearing in (or intending to appear in) the qualifying examination in 2026 may apply, and must later prove they passed within the time limit. Both men and women are eligible. Both from the latest official notices.

How is the selection process of UPSC CDS different from UPSC CAPF AC?

UPSC CDS: Written examination by UPSC (objective): three papers for IMA, INA and AFA; two papers for OTA; Intelligence and Personality Test at a Services Selection Board (two stages; Stage II over 4 days); Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) for Air Force Academy candidates; Medical examination. UPSC CAPF AC: Written examination: Paper-I (objective) and Paper-II (descriptive), both on 19 July 2026; Physical Standards Tests (PST) and Physical Efficiency Tests (PET); Interview / Personality Test (150 marks); Medical Standards Tests (for candidates who appeared in the interview).

How many vacancies are there in UPSC CDS and UPSC CAPF AC?

UPSC CDS: 451 (approximate): IMA 100, INA 26, AFA 32, OTA SSC Men 275, OTA SSC Women 18 — including NCC 'C' vacancies at IMA (13), INA (6) and AFA (3). UPSC CAPF AC: 349 (tentative: BSF 108, CRPF 106, CISF 70, SSB 53, ITBP 12). As printed in each latest notice.

What is the application fee for UPSC CDS and UPSC CAPF AC?

UPSC CDS: ₹200. UPSC CAPF AC: ₹200. Fee exemptions are listed in each notice.

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