DefenceUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC)

CDS 2025 — Combined Defence Services

CDS is conducted by UPSC twice a year for commissioning as officers into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA Chennai) for both men and women.

Apply Now — Official Portal ↗
~400–500 per examAge: 19–24 years for IMA/INA/AFA; 19–25 years for OTAGraduation (any degree for…
Opening Details & Application

CDS Vacancy, Eligibility, and Apply Link

Use this section for recruitment information and the official application portal. Practice resources are kept separately below, so users can quickly choose whether they want to apply or prepare.

Vacancies
~400–500 per exam
Education
Graduation (any degree for OTA); Engineering degree for IMA Technical; Graduation with Physics & Maths for Air Force
Age Limit
19–24 years for IMA/INA/AFA; 19–25 years for OTA (women also eligible for OTA)
Apply on Official Portal

Opening Timeline

CDS I 2025February 2025
CDS II 2025 NotificationMay 2025
CDS II 2025 ExamSeptember 2025
SSB InterviewAfter written result

Eligibility Criteria

Educational QualificationGraduation (any degree for OTA); Engineering degree for IMA Technical; Graduation with Physics & Maths for Air Force
Age Limit19–24 years for IMA/INA/AFA; 19–25 years for OTA (women also eligible for OTA)
NationalityIndian citizen

Exam Pattern

IMA/INA/AFA WrittenEnglish (100 marks, 2 hours) + General Knowledge (100 marks, 2 hours) + Elementary Mathematics (100 marks, 2 hours) | Total: 300 marks
OTA WrittenEnglish (100 marks) + General Knowledge (100 marks) | Total: 200 marks
SSB Interview300 marks (IMA/INA/AFA) or 200 marks (OTA)
Negative Marking1/3 marks per wrong answer

Syllabus

Elementary Mathematics

  • Arithmetic (Number System, HCF/LCM, Ratio, Percentage, Simple Interest)
  • Algebra (Quadratic Equations, Polynomials)
  • Geometry (Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles)
  • Mensuration (Area, Volume)
  • Trigonometry (Identities, Heights & Distances)
  • Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode)

General Knowledge

  • Current Events
  • History of India
  • Indian Geography
  • Polity & Constitution
  • Economics & Finance
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Computer Science

English

  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Spotting Errors
  • Antonyms/Synonyms

Frequently Asked Questions — CDS

What is the difference between NDA and CDS?+

NDA is for Class 12 students (17.5–19.5 years) and leads to a 3-year joint training programme. CDS is for graduates (19–24 years) and leads directly to commissioning into IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA. NDA prepares future officers through academic and military training, while CDS selects already-educated candidates for direct officer training.

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