CDS Exam

To be recruited into Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy candidates must take the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS). CDS is conducted by UPSC twice a year. Candidates successful in the written exam are called for an interview by a Services Selection Board (SSB) for evaluating the candidate’s suitability for a career in the Indian Armed Forces. The SSB interview lasts for approximately a week, during which the candidate undergoes various physical and psychological tests.

Armed forces offer very exciting and adventurous careers to young men and women in several fields. Indian Armed forces expects the candidates to possess qualities like Reasoning Ability, Self Confidence, Determination, Organizing Ability,  Courage,  Cooperation, Sense of Responsibility, Stamina, Group Influencing Ability, Liveliness, Social Adaptability and Speed of Decision.

Eligibility:

To begin with the candidate should be an Indian Citizen. If not, candidate can be a subject of Bhutan/Nepal or a Tibetian refugee with intention of permanently settling in India. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from any of these places with the intention of permanently settling in India can also apply:

All the above persons require a certificate of eligibility recognized by government of India except Gorkha subjects of Nepal.

For Indian Military Academy/Officers’ Training Academy: Interested candidates should have degree from a recognized university or equivalent

• Candidate Age Group: 19-24 years(IMA), 19-25 years(OTA)
• Candidate Marital Status:

For IMA – Unmarried Male candidates only

For OTA – SSC Course for Men- Male Candidates, Married or Unmarried

• For Naval Academy: Interested candidates  should have Bachelor of Engineering degree
  • Candidate Age group:19-22 years
  • Candidate Marital Status: Unmarried Male candidates only
  • For Air Force Academy: Interested candidates  should have a degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at class 12 level or a Bachelor of Engineering degree
    • Candidate Age group:19-23 years
    • Candidate Marital Status: Unmarried Male candidates only

How to Apply?

Interested candidates can apply for the CDS exam online through the UPSC website www.upsconline.nic.in. Candidates are required to fill two forms in order to register– Part I and Part II.

In the website, drop down menus are available for PART I and II of registration. Candidate can click on the same and complete the registration process as per the instructions available on the menus.

Before filling the form, candidate should have his/her photograph and signature duly scanned in .jpg format such that each file does not exceed 40KB each and must not be less than 3KB in size for photograph and 1KB in size for signature.

Application Fee:

Candidates (except Female / SC / ST candidates who are exempted from payment of fee ) are required to pay a fee of 200 INR  either by depositing the money in any branch of SBI or by using Net Banking Facility of SBI/State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur / State Bank of Hyderabad / State Bank of Mysore / State Bank of Patiala / State Bank of Travancore or by using Visa / Master Credit / Debit Card.

Official Notification of CDS can be found here