Exams Guide
CDS
Last reviewed:
What this exam is for
Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is a Graduate officer entry examination, admission or professional-selection route associated with Defence & Public Services. CDS is conducted by UPSC for graduate entry into Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers Training Academy. The recorded outcomes include Indian Military Academy officer training and Indian Naval Academy officer training. Students should use the official authority for current-cycle rules because dates, fees, attempts and participating institutions can change.
Eligibility: who can apply
Academic Qualification: Candidates need graduation or equivalent qualifications. Branch-specific subject, age, marital-status and physical/medical criteria are notified by UPSC.
Minimum Marks: Check the current official notification; minimum marks can vary by course, category or year.
Age Rules: Check the current CDS notification for age or date-of-birth rules; no unsourced age figure is published here.
Attempt Rules: Attempt limits for CDS, if any, must be confirmed from the current official notification.
Nationality Or Domicile: Nationality/domicile conditions for CDS are governed by the current official rules and the target institution/service.
Work Experience: Not universally required unless the selected programme, post or professional level states otherwise.
Physical Or Medical Standards: Physical or medical standards apply only where the CDS route or resulting service/programme specifies them.
Reservation Or Category Rules: Reservation/category rules, where applicable, follow the current official CDS notification and counselling/recruitment policy.
Exam pattern and stages
Mode: Written examination followed by SSB interview and medical examination
Stages: CDS examination or assessment according to the current official pattern.
Papers Or Sections: English - See the current official CDS pattern for question count, marks and section rules., General Knowledge - See the current official CDS pattern for question count, marks and section rules., Elementary Mathematics - See the current official CDS pattern for question count, marks and section rules., Officer aptitude - See the current official CDS pattern for question count, marks and section rules., Current affairs - See the current official CDS pattern for question count, marks and section rules.
Marking Notes: IMA, INA and AFA routes generally include English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers. OTA route generally includes English and General Knowledge. SSB and medical stages follow written qualification.
Calculator Policy: Follow the current official exam-day instructions for CDS to confirm calculator or electronic-device rules.
Syllabus and subjects
- English - Use the current official CDS syllabus for the exact topics under English. - official-cds
- General Knowledge - Use the current official CDS syllabus for the exact topics under General Knowledge. - official-cds
- Elementary Mathematics - Use the current official CDS syllabus for the exact topics under Elementary Mathematics. - official-cds
- Officer aptitude - Use the current official CDS syllabus for the exact topics under Officer aptitude. - official-cds
- Current affairs - Use the current official CDS syllabus for the exact topics under Current affairs. - official-cds
Selection process
- CDS application and eligibility verification through the official process.
- CDS assessment according to the official pattern.
- Download admit card and follow exam-day instructions.
- After the CDS result, candidates must follow the official counselling, interview, seat-allocation, document-verification, service-selection or professional-progression process that applies to their target outcome.
What happens after the result
Courses Or Posts: Indian Military Academy officer training, Indian Naval Academy officer training, Air Force Academy officer training, Officers Training Academy short-service commission routes
Institutions Or Services: Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, UPSC defence officer entry
Next Step After Result: After the CDS result, candidates must follow the official counselling, interview, seat-allocation, document-verification, service-selection or professional-progression process that applies to their target outcome.
How to prepare
Difficulty Context: Difficulty in CDS depends on competition, breadth of syllabus, time pressure and the score/rank needed for the target programme or post. Scholyn does not publish a universal difficulty rating without a defined comparison basis.
Core Strategy: Understand the latest syllabus and pattern before starting., Make a weekly study plan with revision slots., Solve previous papers and mock tests., Track mistakes and revise weak topics regularly., Check official updates before relying on dates or rules.
Mock Test Strategy: Use timed CDS mocks or official sample papers after covering the relevant syllabus, then analyse every error and time-management problem.
Common Mistakes: Preparing from an outdated CDS pattern or syllabus., Ignoring eligibility, application or counselling/recruitment rules while focusing only on the test.
Official Practice Resources: Check the official CDS website for information bulletins, sample papers, answer keys or previous papers where provided.
Current cycle and changing information
Schema Version: 1
Exam Id: cds
Cycle: Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2026
Current Phase: Registration is closed. UPSC lists Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 for 13 September 2026; the current UPSC archive reflects an application deadline of 11 June 2026 at 6:00 PM.
Dates: [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object]
Application: https://upsconline.nic.in/ - [object Object],[object Object],[object Object] - URN/Common Application Form information,Photograph and live photograph,Signature,Photo ID details,Educational and other supporting documents requested in the application - UPSC requires live-photo capture and a clear uploaded photograph; signature instructions are provided in the UPSC online portal. - The CDS II 2026 notice states that applications cannot be withdrawn and no correction, alteration or modification in application fields or preferences is allowed after submission. - 011-24041001,011-40303444,upscsoap@nic.in
Current Pattern Overrides: Offline OMR-based written examination followed by SSB for candidates who qualify - Negative marking applies to wrong answers in the objective papers.
Current Eligibility Overrides: IMA and OTA require a recognised university degree or equivalent; Indian Naval Academy requires an Engineering degree or B.Sc. with Physics as core/elective plus Physics and Mathematics at 10+2; Air Force Academy requires a recognised degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 or Bachelor of Engineering, subject to the detailed UPSC rules. - Final-year/semester degree candidates may apply subject to the proof-of-passing deadlines and SSB documentation rules stated in the CDS II 2026 notice.
Exam Day: Entry closes 30 minutes before the commencement of each session; candidates should arrive earlier for identity verification and face authentication. - e-Admit Card,The Photo ID recorded in the UPSC application - Mobile phones,Pagers,Programmable/electronic devices,Storage media,Smart watches,Cameras,Bluetooth devices,Bags and valuables where prohibited - Follow the CDS II 2026 e-Admit Card and UPSC examination instructions. - No entry is allowed after the venue closes 30 minutes before the commencement of a session. - Follow the disability and examination-assistance rules stated in the CDS II 2026 notice where applicable.
Result And Counselling: UPSC's written examination is followed by the Services Selection Board intelligence/personality testing for candidates who qualify. Final merit is prepared subject to academy/service choice, vacancies, eligibility and medical standards. - Follow the CDS II 2026 examination rules and academy/service allocation provisions. - Applies to Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 and its notified 2027 academy courses. - UPSC provides a five-day representation window on questions and provisional answer keys beginning from the third day after the examination, as described in the 2026 notice. - Candidates qualifying the written examination proceed to SSB and must carry the original educational/date-of-birth documentation required by the service headquarters; medical fitness and final merit determine selection. - Written examination,SSB intelligence/personality testing,Medical examination and final academy/service merit
Sources: upsc-cds2-2026-archive - UPSC Examination Notification Archive — CDS II 2026 - https://www.upsc.gov.in/exams-related-info/exam-notification/archives - official-exam-authority - Notification date,current application deadline,exam date, upsc-cds2-2026-notice - UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 Notice - https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-CDS-II-2026-Engl-200526.pdf - official-exam-authority - Fees,application documents,eligibility,correction policy,exam-day rules,SSB process
Last Verified At: 2026-08-23
Model: single-cycle
Summary: This named examination follows the live schedule, application and result notices published by its responsible official authority.
Related exams to compare
Student questions about this exam
What is CDS used for?
Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is a Graduate officer entry examination, admission or professional-selection route associated with Defence & Public Services. CDS is conducted by UPSC for graduate entry into Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers Training Academy. The recorded outcomes include Indian Military Academy officer training and Indian Naval Academy officer training. Students should use the official authority for current-cycle rules because dates, fees, attempts and participating institutions can change.
Who conducts or governs CDS?
Union Public Service Commission is the official authority recorded for CDS. Use https://upsc.gov.in/ for the current notification, application and cycle-specific rules.
Who is eligible for CDS?
Candidates need graduation or equivalent qualifications. Branch-specific subject, age, marital-status and physical/medical criteria are notified by UPSC. Minimum marks, category and special conditions must be checked in the current official notice.
Which subjects are required for CDS?
No universal subject list is published in this stable profile because CDS subject eligibility can depend on the programme or current notification. Always confirm before applying.
Is there an age limit or attempt limit for CDS?
Check the current CDS notification for age or date-of-birth rules; no unsourced age figure is published here. Attempt limits for CDS, if any, must be confirmed from the current official notification.
What is the mode of CDS?
Written examination followed by SSB interview and medical examination The authority can change delivery details, sessions or exam-day instructions between cycles.
What is the exam pattern of CDS?
IMA, INA and AFA routes generally include English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers. OTA route generally includes English and General Knowledge. SSB and medical stages follow written qualification. The assessment or selection stages recorded here are CDS examination or assessment according to the current official pattern.
What is the syllabus for CDS?
The stable syllabus framework currently records English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics, Officer aptitude, Current affairs. Topic-level preparation should follow the latest official bulletin rather than an older coaching list.
Does CDS have negative marking?
IMA, INA and AFA routes generally include English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers. OTA route generally includes English and General Knowledge. SSB and medical stages follow written qualification. Because marking schemes can change, use the current official pattern to confirm negative marking rather than assuming a previous-year rule.
What happens after the CDS exam or assessment?
CDS application and eligibility verification through the official process. CDS assessment according to the official pattern. Download admit card and follow exam-day instructions. After the CDS result, candidates must follow the official counselling, interview, seat-allocation, document-verification, service-selection or professional-progression process that applies to their target outcome. After the CDS result, candidates must follow the official counselling, interview, seat-allocation, document-verification, service-selection or professional-progression process that applies to their target outcome.
Which courses, posts or outcomes are available through CDS?
Indian Military Academy officer training; Indian Naval Academy officer training; Air Force Academy officer training; Officers Training Academy short-service commission routes Confirm the exact participating programme, post, service or qualification in the current official notice before relying on this route.
Which institutions or services accept CDS?
Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, UPSC defence officer entry are recorded in the current source data. Verify the target institution before applying.
How should I prepare for CDS?
Understand the latest syllabus and pattern before starting. Make a weekly study plan with revision slots. Solve previous papers and mock tests. Track mistakes and revise weak topics regularly. Use mocks only after aligning preparation to the current official syllabus and pattern.
What should I do after the CDS result?
After the CDS result, candidates must follow the official counselling, interview, seat-allocation, document-verification, service-selection or professional-progression process that applies to their target outcome. Keep scorecards, identity/academic documents and category certificates required by the official process.
What are alternatives or related exams to CDS?
Related exams in the same broad category include AFCAT, Agniveervayu, Army Agniveer CEE, Coast Guard CGEPT, Navy Agniveer MR.
How do I apply for CDS?
The recorded application route for CDS is: Check the latest official notification; Confirm eligibility for the selected course or institution; Register online and fill the application form; Upload required documents and pay the application fee; Download admit card and follow exam-day instructions.
Which documents are required for the CDS application?
The exact document and upload-specification list for CDS belongs to the current exam cycle and can change. Use the current information bulletin or application portal at https://upsc.gov.in/; do not rely on a previous year's photograph, signature or certificate specifications.
Can I correct my CDS application after submitting it?
A correction facility for CDS, the fields that may be edited and any correction dates are cycle-specific. Scholyn treats this as current-cycle information, so the official notice at https://upsc.gov.in/ should be checked before assuming that a submitted field can be changed.
How are the CDS result, score or rank used?
After the CDS result, candidates must follow the official counselling, interview, seat-allocation, document-verification, service-selection or professional-progression process that applies to their target outcome. The exact score, percentile, normalisation, rank and tie-breaking method must be taken from the current official rules when those methods apply.
Is counselling or another selection stage required after CDS?
After the CDS result, candidates must follow the official counselling, interview, seat-allocation, document-verification, service-selection or professional-progression process that applies to their target outcome. The responsible counselling, interview, seat-allocation or recruitment authority should be confirmed from the current result notice.
What should I carry on the CDS exam day?
Exam-day documents, permitted stationery, reporting time, dress instructions, biometric requirements and prohibited items for CDS are current-cycle rules. Follow the current admit card and official exam-day instructions at https://upsc.gov.in/; Scholyn does not publish a fixed list when the authority can change it.
Where should I check the latest CDS dates and fees?
Use https://upsc.gov.in/ for the latest CDS notification, registration window, correction window, admit card, exam date, result, counselling dates and application fees. These are intentionally kept outside the stable Exam Profile so an old cycle cannot appear as current information.
How can I confirm that I am eligible for CDS?
Candidates need graduation or equivalent qualifications. Branch-specific subject, age, marital-status and physical/medical criteria are notified by UPSC. Check the current CDS notification for age or date-of-birth rules; no unsourced age figure is published here. Attempt limits for CDS, if any, must be confirmed from the current official notification. Final eligibility should be checked against the current official notice because year-of-passing, category, programme, domicile or other conditions can change.
Which languages and calculator rules apply to CDS?
Language availability is not treated as universal in the stable CDS profile. Follow the current official exam-day instructions for CDS to confirm calculator or electronic-device rules.
Which official preparation resources should I use for CDS?
For CDS, the stable profile recommends: Check the official CDS website for information bulletins, sample papers, answer keys or previous papers where provided.
Sources
- Official website (official-page)