Exam guide · UPSC
UPSC CDS
Combined Defence Services Examination
UPSC's examination, held twice a year, for graduates to join the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy, and Short Service Commission courses at the Officers' Training Academy, Chennai.
Vacancies
451
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
Application fee
₹200
Notice published
20 May 2026
UPSC CDS notification: key dates and vacancies
| Notification | 20 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online application (last date) | 9 June 2026 (6 pm) |
| Written examination | 13 September 2026 |
| Course commencement | IMA, INA and AFA: July 2027; OTA: October 2027 |
| 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) |
Posts filled through this exam
- 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
Source: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (published 20 May 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is the Union Public Service Commission's examination for graduates who want to become officers in the armed forces. One examination fills courses at the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), the Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala), the Air Force Academy (Hyderabad) and the Officers' Training Academy (Chennai) for Short Service Commission. It is held twice a year; this guide covers the second examination of 2026.
CDS (II) 2026 lists about 451 vacancies across five courses. The IMA, INA and AFA courses commence in July 2027 and the OTA courses in October 2027. The written examination was held on 13 September 2026.
Selection runs through an objective written examination, a Services Selection Board (SSB) test and interview, and a medical examination. This guide explains each stage exactly as the notice prints it: vacancies by course, the age and marital rules that differ by academy, qualifications, the fee, the paper pattern and negative marking, the SSB procedure, training and stipend, and the application steps.
CDS (II) 2026 vacancies by course
The notice lists about 451 vacancies. OTA Chennai has the largest number (275 for men and 18 for women), followed by the Indian Military Academy (100), the Air Force Academy (32) and the Indian Naval Academy (26). Some IMA, INA and AFA vacancies are reserved for NCC 'C' certificate holders. The notice calls these figures tentative.
Approximate vacancies as printed in the notice
| Course | Commences | Vacancies | Of which reserved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun — 163rd (DE) Course | July 2027 | 100 | 13 for NCC 'C' (Army Wing) |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala — Executive Branch (General Service) / Hydro | July 2027 | 26 | 6 for NCC 'C' (Naval Wing) and 1 for Hydro |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad — (Pre-Flying) 222 F(P) Course | July 2027 | 32 | 3 for NCC 'C' (Air Wing) through NCC Special Entry |
| Officers' Training Academy, Chennai — 126th SSC (Men) (NT) | October 2027 | 275 | — |
| Officers' Training Academy, Chennai — 126th SSC Women (NT) | October 2027 | 18 | — |
| Total | 451 |
Tentative; may change.
Age, marital status and qualification by academy
Each academy has its own date-of-birth window and marital rule. Male divorcees and widowers are not treated as unmarried men and are not eligible for the IMA, INA, AFA or OTA courses. Women are considered only for the Short Service Commission course at OTA.
For the Air Force Academy, a candidate below 25 years of age must be unmarried. Married candidates aged 25 or above may apply, but during training they will not be given married accommodation and cannot live with family outside the premises. Marriage is not permitted during training at any academy — you must undertake not to marry until you complete your full training.
Final-year degree students can apply but must carry a bonafide certificate from their university or college to the SSB interview, and submit proof of passing by the course's deadline. The notice says no extension is given for delays in university examinations or results.
On nationality, you must be a citizen of India; a subject of Nepal; or a person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, listed East African countries or Vietnam to settle permanently in India. Candidates in the last two groups need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India; Gorkha subjects of Nepal do not.
Age and marital status (para 3(b))
| Course | Who can apply | Age | Born between |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | Unmarried men | 19–24 | 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2008 |
| INA | Unmarried men | 19–24 | 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2008 |
| AFA | Men; unmarried if below 25 | 20–24 as on 1 July 2027 | 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2007 |
| AFA — DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders | As above | Up to 26 | 1 July 2001 – 1 July 2007 |
| OTA (SSC Men) | Unmarried men | 19–25 | 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008 |
| OTA (SSC Women) | Unmarried women, and issueless widows and divorcees (with divorce documents) who have not remarried | — | 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008 |
Qualification and proof-of-passing deadline (para 3(c))
| Course | Qualification | Final-year proof due by |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | Degree of a recognised university or equivalent | 1 July 2027 |
| INA | Degree in Engineering, or B.Sc. with Physics as a core or elective subject; Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 | 1 July 2027 |
| AFA | Degree of a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, or Bachelor of Engineering | 13 May 2027 |
| OTA (Men and Women) | Degree of a recognised university or equivalent | 1 October 2027 |
Written examination pattern and negative marking
For the IMA, INA and AFA there are three papers — English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics — of 2 hours and 100 marks each, a written total of 300. For OTA there are two papers, English and General Knowledge, for a written total of 200. The Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB) carries 300 marks for IMA, INA and AFA and 200 marks for OTA.
All questions are objective. The General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are set in both Hindi and English; the English paper is in English.
One third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer. Marking more than one answer counts as wrong; a question left blank carries no penalty.
The Commission may fix qualifying marks in any or all subjects. You must reach the minimum qualifying marks separately in the written examination (set by the Commission) and in the SSB tests (set by the SSB).
Scheme of the examination
| Paper | Code | Duration | IMA / INA / AFA | OTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 hours | 100 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 hours | 100 | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 hours | 100 | Not taken |
| Written total | 300 | 200 | ||
| SSB (Intelligence and Personality Test) | 300 | 200 |
CDS syllabus and standard of papers
- English: designed to test your understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
- General Knowledge: set at roughly the standard expected of a graduate.
- Elementary Mathematics: Matriculation level, with topics under Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration and Statistics.
SSB Intelligence and Personality Test
Candidates who qualify the written examination are called for the SSB, which follows a two-stage process. Stage I comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and the Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Stage II comprises an interview, Group Testing Officer tasks, psychology tests and a conference, conducted over 4 days.
There are three modes of entry to the Air Force flying course: CDSE, NCC and AFCAT. Air Force Academy candidates take the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS). A candidate who fails CPSS cannot be tested for the flying branch of the IAF and is considered for the other services they preferred.
Candidates are placed in order of merit on the total marks of the written examination and the SSB tests. Separate merit lists are prepared for SSC (NT) Men and SSC (NT) Women, and for Air Force direct entry and NCC candidates.
Medical standards
Medical standards for officers in the armed forces are governed by the Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces (1st Edition), published on joinindianarmy.nic.in under 'Policies'.
- Permanent body tattoos are permitted only on the inner face of the forearm, from the inside of the elbow to the wrist.
- Read Appendix III of the notice in full before applying; it sets out the medical examination procedure.
Training and stipend
Candidates finally selected for the Indian Military Academy train for about 18 months. Navy cadets at the Indian Naval Academy do a 44-week Naval Orientation Course and are commissioned after about 18 months of training. Flying Branch (pilot) training at the Air Force Academy lasts about 74 weeks.
Cadets receive a stipend of ₹56,100 per month (starting pay of Level 10) during training. A Lieutenant is in Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500), with Military Service Pay of ₹15,500 per month fixed. Allowances are paid as per rules; the notice does not print an in-hand figure, so none is shown here.
How to apply for CDS
- 1
Register on the UPSC online portal
Apply only on upsconline.nic.in. Your Universal Registration Number (URN) is registered once in a lifetime and reused for later examinations.
- 2
Keep a photo ID ready
You need the details of one photo ID card, which you must also carry to the examination and the SSB.
- 3
Upload and capture your photograph
You must upload a photograph and also capture a live photograph while filling the Common Application Form.
- 4
Fill your course preferences carefully
Specify the services in order of preference in the examination-specific module; at least one preference is mandatory. A man who wants only Army Short Service Commission should give OTA as his one and only choice. Women are considered only for OTA.
- 5
Choose your centre early
Centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis, so apply early to get the centre you want.
- 6
Pay the fee and submit
The fee is ₹200 by net banking, Visa/MasterCard/RuPay card or UPI; no other mode is valid. Female, SC and ST candidates are exempt. For this cycle the form closed at 6 pm on 9 June 2026.
- 7
Check before submitting
No correction is allowed in any field after submission, and an application cannot be withdrawn once submitted.
- 8
Download the e-Admit Card
The e-Admit Card is issued on the last working day of the week before the examination.
Documents needed at the SSB
- Original Matriculation / Secondary School certificate.
- Degree or provisional certificate. Graduates whose first choice is Army, Navy or Air Force must submit proof of graduation or provisional certificates on the day the SSB interview begins.
- Final-year students: an original certificate from the Principal of the college or institution, and a bonafide certificate from the university or college.
- The photo ID you gave in the application.
- Candidates without the original certificates will not be permitted to appear for the SSB test and interview.
Latest UPSC CDS recruitment
No active trusted recruitment is published for this exam right now.
Exam overview
Reviewed editorial
Who it is for
Graduates and final-year students who want to become commissioned officers in the Army, Navy or Air Force.
Eligibility, age and qualification
Exact limits are set per post in each official notice.
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)
Educational 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)
Upper age relaxation
| AFA: holders of a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence | Upper age limit relaxable to 26 years |
Application fee
₹200. All female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempted from the fee. OBC and EWS candidates get no exemption.
Source: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (published 20 May 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
- Nationality (Indian citizens, and certain other categories with a certificate of eligibility)
- Date-of-birth window that differs by academy
- Marital status rules that differ by academy
- Graduation (engineering or subject conditions for the Naval and Air Force Academies)
- Physical and medical standards of the armed forces
Selection process and exam pattern
Stages of selection
- 1Written examination by UPSC (objective): three papers for IMA, INA and AFA; two papers for OTA
- 2Intelligence and Personality Test at a Services Selection Board (two stages; Stage II over 4 days)
- 3Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) for Air Force Academy candidates
- 4Medical examination
Written — IMA, INA and AFA
2 hours per paper
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English (code 11) | See notice | 100 |
| General Knowledge (code 12) | See notice | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics (code 13) | See notice | 100 |
Written total 300; SSB 300. Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer.
Written — OTA (SSC Men and Women)
2 hours per paper
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English (code 11) | See notice | 100 |
| General Knowledge (code 12) | See notice | 100 |
Written total 200; SSB 200. Same negative marking.
Source: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (published 20 May 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Reviewed editorial
Selection is through an objective written examination conducted by UPSC, followed by an Intelligence and Personality Test at a Services Selection Board and a medical examination. Merit is on the combined written and SSB marks; exact details are confirmed from each cycle's official notice.
Syllabus and subject-wise prep
- English
- General knowledge and current events
- Elementary mathematics (not for OTA)
- SSB interview and psychology tests
- Physical and medical fitness
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Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for 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, counted as on Date-of-birth windows printed in the notice (para 3(b)); AFA age counted as on 1 July 2027, as per the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II. Category-wise upper age relaxation is given in the notice.
What qualification is needed for UPSC CDS?
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).
When can I apply for UPSC CDS?
Online application (last date): 9 June 2026 (6 pm), as per the notice published on 20 May 2026. Applications are made only on upsc.gov.in.
What is the UPSC CDS exam pattern?
Written — IMA, INA and AFA: English (code 11), General Knowledge (code 12), Elementary Mathematics (code 13) (2 hours per paper). Written total 300; SSB 300. Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer. Written — OTA (SSC Men and Women): English (code 11), General Knowledge (code 12) (2 hours per paper). Written total 200; SSB 200. Same negative marking.
How many vacancies are there in 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), according to the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II.
How many vacancies are there in CDS (II) 2026?
About 451: 100 at IMA, 26 at INA, 32 at AFA, 275 for OTA SSC Men and 18 for OTA SSC Women.
What is the age limit for CDS (II) 2026?
IMA and INA: 19–24 (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. OTA: born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008.
Can women apply for CDS?
Yes, but only for the Short Service Commission (Women) course at OTA Chennai. Unmarried women, and issueless widows and divorcees who have not remarried, are eligible. Women are exempt from the fee.
What qualification is needed for CDS?
A degree from a recognised university for IMA and OTA. INA needs a degree in Engineering or a B.Sc. with Physics, and AFA needs a degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 or a Bachelor of Engineering.
Can final-year students apply for CDS?
Yes. Proof of passing must reach by 1 July 2027 for IMA and INA, 13 May 2027 for AFA and 1 October 2027 for OTA, and a bonafide certificate is required at the SSB.
What is the CDS exam pattern?
IMA, INA and AFA: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks and 2 hours each. OTA: English and General Knowledge only. The SSB carries 300 marks (IMA/INA/AFA) or 200 marks (OTA).
Is there negative marking in CDS?
Yes. One third (0.33) of the marks of a question is deducted for each wrong answer; multiple answers count as wrong.
What is the CDS application fee?
₹200. All female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempt; OBC and EWS candidates must pay.
Do NCC 'C' certificate holders get reserved seats in CDS?
Yes, in this cycle: 13 of the IMA vacancies, 6 of the INA vacancies and 3 of the AFA vacancies (through NCC Special Entry).
Can married candidates apply for CDS?
Men must be unmarried for IMA, INA and OTA. For AFA, candidates below 25 must be unmarried; married candidates aged 25 or above may apply but get no married accommodation during training. Marriage is not permitted during training.
How is the CDS merit list prepared?
On the total marks of the written examination and the SSB tests, after clearing the qualifying marks in each separately.
What is the stipend during CDS training?
₹56,100 per month (starting pay of Level 10) during training.
What is UPSC CDS?
UPSC's examination, held twice a year, for graduates to join the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy, and Short Service Commission courses at the Officers' Training Academy, Chennai.
Who is UPSC CDS for?
Graduates and final-year students who want to become commissioned officers in the Army, Navy or Air Force.
How is UPSC CDS selection described?
Selection is through an objective written examination conducted by UPSC, followed by an Intelligence and Personality Test at a Services Selection Board and a medical examination. Merit is on the combined written and SSB marks; exact details are confirmed from each cycle's official notice.
Niyookti is not part of UPSC. The official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) and its notices are the only final source. Always confirm details there before applying.