The CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit graduates as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Selected candidates are admitted to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) or Officers Training Academy (OTA) after clearing the written exam and the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
- The CDS exam is conducted twice a year by UPSC
- The CDS-I 2026 written exam was held on 12 April 2026 and the CDS-II 2026 exam is scheduled for 13 September 2026
- The training stipend is Rs 56,100 per month and the application fee remains Rs 200, with SC, ST and women candidates exempted.
What Is the CDS Exam?
The CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam is a national-level test conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit graduates as commissioned officers. Successful candidates train at the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy or Officers Training Academy before being commissioned into the Army, Navy or Air Force.
Only unmarried graduates who meet the nationality, education and age requirements are eligible to sit for the exam. The CDS exam is one of the most popular routes for young Indians to become officers in the armed forces.
How Many Times a Year Is the CDS Exam Held?
The CDS exam is held twice a year as CDS-I and CDS-II. UPSC usually issues the CDS-I notification in December and the CDS-II notification in May. The written exams typically take place in April and September respectively, followed by the SSB interview for shortlisted candidates.
For the 2026 cycle, the CDS-I 2026 written exam was held on 12 April 2026, while the CDS-II 2026 written exam is scheduled for 13 September 2026. Exact notification, registration and admit-card dates are announced on the UPSC website for each cycle.
What Is the CDS Exam Pattern?
For the IMA, INA and AFA the written exam has three papers, English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, of 100 marks each, totalling 300 marks. The OTA has only two papers, English and General Knowledge, totalling 200 marks. Each paper lasts two hours and carries one-third negative marking.
| Paper 2026 | Subjects | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDS for IMA, INA and AFA | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics | 300 | 2 hours per paper |
| CDS for OTA | English, General Knowledge | 200 | 2 hours per paper |
All questions are objective type with four options. One-third of the marks allotted to a question are deducted for each wrong answer, and there is no penalty for unattempted questions. Candidates who clear the written exam are called for the SSB interview, which tests intelligence and personality.
How to Get a Scholarship to Study AbroadRead →What Is the CDS Syllabus?
The CDS syllabus covers three subjects. English tests grammar, vocabulary and comprehension. General Knowledge covers current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics and general science. Elementary Mathematics, required only for the IMA, INA and AFA, spans arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration and statistics at the matriculation level.
Elementary Mathematics topics
- Arithmetic: number system, HCF and LCM, decimals and fractions, square roots, time and work, time and distance, percentage, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, ratio and proportion
- Algebra: basic operations, factorisation, polynomials, quadratic equations, linear equations, set language and notation, laws of indices
- Trigonometry: sine, cosine and tangent, simple identities, heights and distances
- Geometry: lines and angles, triangles, parallelograms, rectangles, squares, circles and their properties, loci
- Mensuration: areas of squares, rectangles, triangles and circles, surface area and volume of cuboids, cones, cylinders and spheres
- Statistics: collection and tabulation of data, bar charts, pie charts, histograms, frequency polygons, measures of central tendency
English topics
- Spotting errors
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Sentence arrangement and ordering of words
- Fill in the blanks
- Reading comprehension
- Selecting the correct word
The General Knowledge paper covers current affairs and everyday observation along with Indian history, geography, polity, economics, general science and defence-related awareness. Candidates are expected to answer without specialised study, so regular newspaper reading is important.
What Are the CDS Eligibility Criteria?
To apply for the CDS exam a candidate must be an unmarried Indian citizen (or an eligible subject of Nepal, Bhutan or a specified migrant) and hold a graduate degree. The INA requires an engineering degree, while the AFA requires Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 or an engineering degree. Age limits vary by academy.
Nationality
- A citizen of India
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 to settle permanently
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka or specified East African countries to settle permanently in India
Educational qualification
| Academy 2026 | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| IMA and OTA | A degree from a recognised university or equivalent |
| INA | A degree in engineering from a recognised university |
| AFA | A degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, or a Bachelor of Engineering |
Age limit
| Academy 2026 | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| IMA | 19 to 24 years |
| INA | 19 to 24 years |
| AFA | 20 to 24 years |
| OTA (Men and Women) | 19 to 25 years |
The exact date-of-birth window changes with every notification, so candidates should confirm the precise eligibility dates in the current CDS notification on the UPSC website before applying.
Can Women Apply for the CDS Exam?
Yes, unmarried women graduates can apply for the CDS exam, but only for the Officers Training Academy, which grants a Short Service Commission in the Indian Army. The IMA, INA and AFA, which lead to a Permanent Commission, currently admit only unmarried male candidates through the CDS examination.
What Is the CDS Application Fee?
The CDS application fee is Rs 200 for general and OBC male candidates, payable online or by cash at SBI branches. SC and ST candidates and all female candidates are exempted from the fee. The application form is submitted online through the UPSC website during the notification window.
What Is the Salary of a CDS Officer?
During training at the academy, cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100 per month. After being commissioned as a Lieutenant (or equivalent), an officer is placed in Pay Level 10, with a pay range of Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500 per month, plus military service pay and allowances.
The training period is not counted as commissioned service. Beyond the basic pay, officers receive Military Service Pay, dearness allowance and other benefits such as subsidised accommodation, medical care and pension, which together make the package attractive.
Best Countries to Study Abroad for Indian StudentsRead →How Should You Prepare for the CDS Exam?
Start by understanding the CDS syllabus and exam pattern, then build a study plan that strengthens weak areas. Solve previous years' question papers and take regular mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Read newspapers daily for General Knowledge, revise mathematics fundamentals and practise English grammar and comprehension consistently.
- Know the syllabus thoroughly and map the topics you are confident about against your weak areas
- Solve previous years' papers and take timed mock tests to build accuracy and manage negative marking
- Keep your fundamentals clear, since the exam rewards concept-based problem solving
- Focus on high-weightage topics first and revise them regularly
- Attempt the questions you are sure of first to maximise your score
Recommended books for English
- High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
Recommended books for General Knowledge
- General Knowledge by Manohar Pandey
- Manorama Yearbook
- A daily newspaper such as The Hindu for current affairs
Recommended books for Elementary Mathematics
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal
- Pathfinder for CDS by Arihant Publications
Where Are the CDS Exam Centres?
UPSC conducts the CDS exam at dozens of centres across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Agartala and Gangtok. Candidates choose their preferred centre while filling the application form, and seats are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
Because centre allotment is on a first-apply-first-allot basis, it is wise to apply early to secure your preferred city. The full list of centres for each cycle is published with the official notification on the UPSC website.