Exam Guide
UPSC CDS 2026 — Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Apply Online
UPSC CDS 2026 guide — Combined Defence Services eligibility, written exam pattern, SSB interview, academy training, and step-by-step apply online process.
UPSC CDS 2026 (Combined Defence Services) is a national-level exam for graduate candidates seeking officer training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). UPSC conducts CDS twice a year. This guide covers eligibility, written exam pattern, SSB interview, and apply online steps.
CDS Entries Overview
- IMA (Indian Military Academy): Permanent commission in the Indian Army — graduate candidates with specified age limits.
- INA (Indian Naval Academy): Navy officer training — often engineering graduates; compare with Indian Navy SSC direct entries.
- AFA (Air Force Academy): Flying and ground duty branches for Air Force officer aspirants.
- OTA (Officers Training Academy): Short Service Commission (SSC) for Army — men and women as per notification.
Eligibility Criteria
- Education: Bachelor’s degree for IMA/INA/AFA; degree for OTA (specific streams as per notice).
- Age: Varies by academy — typically 19 to 24 years for IMA/INA/AFA; up to 25 for OTA (check official notification).
- Marital status: Unmarried for most entries (exceptions for OTA as notified).
- Physical standards: Height, vision, and fitness criteria apply — verified at SSB and medical board.
Exam Pattern
- Written Exam (UPSC): English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA/INA/AFA). OTA candidates take English and GK only.
- SSB Interview: Five-day personality assessment — psychological tests, group tasks, and interview.
- Medical Examination: At designated military hospitals after SSB recommendation.
- Final Merit: Combined written + SSB marks; training begins at respective academies.
How to Apply Online
- Visit upsc.gov.in when CDS notification is published (usually Feb and Sep cycles).
- Register on the UPSC online portal, fill Part-I and Part-II of the application.
- Pay fee, choose exam centre, and download the e-admit card when released.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for UPSC CDS? Unmarried graduate candidates meeting age and physical standards for IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA entries.
What is the CDS exam pattern? Written exam (English, GK, Maths for most entries) followed by SSB interview and medical test.
How often is CDS conducted? UPSC typically holds CDS twice a year in February and September cycles.
Disclaimer: Confirm all details on upsc.gov.in. BecomeSarkari is an independent portal, not affiliated with UPSC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for UPSC CDS?
Unmarried graduate candidates meeting age and physical standards can apply for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA entries as specified in the CDS notification.
What is the CDS exam pattern?
CDS has a written exam (English, GK, and Mathematics for IMA/INA/AFA; English and GK for OTA) followed by SSB interview and medical examination.
How often is CDS conducted?
UPSC conducts CDS twice a year — usually in February and September cycles with applications opening on upsc.gov.in.
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