CDSConducted by Union Public Service Commission
Combined Defence Services Examination
Official website ↗- Purpose
- Graduate entry to the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers' Training Academy.
- Eligibility
- Graduates. IMA/OTA: any degree; INA: engineering degree; AFA: degree with Physics and Mathematics at Class 12 (or engineering). Verify the current notification.
- Age limits
- Academy-specific bands roughly between 19 and 25 years — verify the current notification.(may change — verify at the official source)
- Attempt limits
- No formal attempt limit; the age band caps attempts in practice.(may change — verify at the official source)
- Stages
- Written examination → SSB interview → Medical examination → Merit list
- Pattern
- English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics (AFA/INA/IMA); OTA candidates do not sit Elementary Mathematics.
- Subjects
- English, General knowledge, Elementary mathematics
- Total marks
- IMA/INA/AFA: 300 marks; OTA: 200 marks (long-standing scheme)
- Duration
- 2 hours per paper
- Interview / personality test
- Yes — SSB interview.
- Physical test
- Fitness assessed within the SSB and at academy entry.
- Medical test
- Yes — Service medical standards apply.
- Held
- Twice a year(may change — verify at the official source)
- Notes
- Marital status rules differ between academies. Verify everything against the current UPSC notification.