COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES (CDS)
OUR COURSES
COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES (CDS)
“The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is a standardised test conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of officer cadets into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the Indian Naval Academy (INA), the Air Force Academy (AFA), and the Officers Training Academy (OTA).”
Official Website : www.upsc.gov.in
Applications are invited each year in the months of December and May, and the examinations are conducted in April and September, respectively. Only unmarried graduates are eligible to appear for the examination, which is held twice annually. Candidates who successfully clear the written test are invited for an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB), after which they are admitted to the respective academies.
Commissioned officer positions in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force are offered to candidates who successfully pass the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS). Any graduate who meets the eligibility criteria may apply for the examination. The examination comprises two stages: a written test, followed by an interview conducted by the SSB for those who qualify.
The age eligibility for admission to the Indian Military Academy is between 19 and 24 years. Candidates applying to the Air Force Academy must be between 20 and 24 years of age. The Indian Naval Academy accepts applicants aged between 19 and 24 years, while the age limit for admission to the Officers Training Academy is between 19 and 25 years.
The educational qualifications required for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination are outlined below.
For admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), candidates must hold a degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification.
For the Indian Naval Academy (INA), candidates must possess a degree in engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification.
For the Air Force Academy (AFA), candidates must hold a degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level, or must possess a Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Technology degree.