CDS Exam or Combined Defence Service Examination is an exam conducted twice every year by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is an exam to induct officers into the Indian Defence Forces i.e. the Army and the Airforce.

Eligibility

Nationality: A candidates must either be:

(i) a Citizen of India, or

(ii) a subject of Bhutan, or

(iii) a subject of Nepal, or

(iv) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st January, 1962 with the intention of permanently setting in India, or

(v) a person of India origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently setting in India. Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (ii), (iii),

(iv) and (v) above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Govt of India

Certificate of eligibility will, however, not be necessary in the case of candidates who are Gorkha subjects of Nepal

A candidates in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary, may be admitted to the examination provisionally subject to the necessary certificate being given to him/her by the Govt. before declaration of result by UPSC.

AGE LIMITS, SEX AND MARITAL STATUS

i) For Indian Military Academy (IMA): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02nd July 1993 and not later than 1st July 1998 only are eligible

ii) For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Unmarried Male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 1993 and not later than 01st July 1998 only are eligible

iii) For Air Force Academy (AFA) – Age: 20 to 24 years as on Present Date and Year i.e. born not earlier than 02nd July 1993 and not later than 01 July 1997 (Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 yrs. i.e. born not earlier than 02nd July 1991 and not later than 01st July 1997) only are eligible

Note: Candidate below 25 years of age must be unmarried

iv) For Officers Training Academy (SSC Course for Men): Male candidates (married or unmarried) born not earlier than 02nd July 1992 and not later than 01st July 1998 only are eligible

v) For Officer Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course): Unmarried Women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorces (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible

They should have been born not earlier than 02nd July 1992 and not later than 01st July 1998 are eligible.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

i) For Indian Military Academy / Officers’ Training Academy: Degree from a recognized university or equivalent

ii) For Indian Naval Academy: Bachelor of Engineering

iii) For Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognized University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering

Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of graduation provisional certificate on the date of commencement of the SSB interview at the SSB

For CDS exam, applicants can be from any stream but for entry to Air Force and Navy, candidates should have studied physics and maths up to Class 12

Candidates who are studying in the final year degree course and have yet to pass the final year degree examination can also apply but they will be required to subject proof of passing the degree examination to reach the Army Head Quarter/Rtd CDSE Entry, West Bloc III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066

Candidates appearing at the degree or equivalent examination are also eligible to compete. Such candidates will be required to submit the proof of passing the requisite qualifying examination by a date to be specified in the Commission’s Notice for the Examination.

PHYSICAL STANDARDS

Candidates should be physically fit as per the physical standards for admission to the Combined Defence Services Examination.

Exam Pattern

Elementary Mathematics is not required for admission to Officers Training Academy (OTA). There is penalty for wrong answers.

CDS Eligibility

Women candidates are eligible for OTA only.

Education: For IMA and OTA, you need a degree of a recognized university. For INA, degree in engineering is required. For AFA, you should have a recognized degree and Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level.