CDS
Union Public Service Commission
🏛️ UPSC
🇮🇳 National level
● Active
UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for: Officer entry to the Indian Military Academy Dehradun, the Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala, the Air Force Academy Hyderabad and the Officers' Training Academy Chennai. Selection is through Written Examination, followed by SSB Interview — Stage I screening and Stage II testing, followed by Medical examination and merit list.
CDS 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance
| Exam name | UPSC CDS — Combined Defence Services Examination |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Government of India |
| Latest cycle | CDS (II) 2026 |
| Vacancies | 451 across the four academies, including 275 for the 126th SSC (Men) course and 18 for the 126th SSC (Women) course at OTA Chennai |
| Posts | Officer entry to the Indian Military Academy Dehradun, the Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala, the Air Force Academy Hyderabad and the Officers' Training Academy Chennai |
| Qualification | A degree from a recognised university for the IMA and OTA. For the Indian Naval Academy, a degree in Engineering. For the Air Force Academy, a degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, or a degree in Engineering. |
| Age limit | Varies by academy — roughly 19 to 24 years for the IMA and INA, 20 to 24 for the Air Force Academy, and 19 to 25 for the OTA short service commission entries. Only unmarried candidates are eligible for the IMA, INA and AFA. |
| Number of attempts | No limit on attempts within the age window. |
| Application fee | ₹200. Female candidates and SC / ST candidates are exempted. |
| Selection stages | Written Examination → SSB Interview — Stage I screening and Stage II testing → Medical examination and merit list |
| Total marks | IMA, INA and AFA: written 300 marks + SSB 300 marks. OTA: written 200 marks + SSB 200 marks |
| Negative marking | Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for Officer entry to the Indian Military Academy Dehradun, the Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala, the Air Force Academy Hyderabad and the Officers' Training Academy Chennai. The CDS (II) 2026 notification declares 451 across the four academies, including 275 for the 126th SSC (Men) course and 18 for the 126th SSC (Women) course at OTA Chennai.
UPSC CDS selection process
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview — Stage I screening and Stage II testing
- Medical examination and merit list
UPSC CDS exam pattern
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | English | 120 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper-II | General Knowledge | 120 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper-III | Elementary Mathematics (IMA, INA and AFA only — not for OTA) | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| SSB Interview | Stage I screening and Stage II testing | — | 300 (200 for OTA) | 4 to 5 days |
Total marks
IMA, INA and AFA: written 300 marks + SSB 300 marks. OTA: written 200 marks + SSB 200 marks.
Negative marking
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer.
UPSC does not normalise marks
This is the single most common misconception carried over from SSC. UPSC conducts each paper in one sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation formula. A published UPSC cut off is a raw mark you could actually have scored on the paper — which is why the figures are clean numbers rather than five-decimal scores.
What is next for UPSC CDS
CDS (II) 2026 is on 13 September 2026, sat on the same day as NDA & NA (II) 2026. The CDS (I) 2027 notification is due on 2 December 2026.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSC CDS vacancy for CDS (II) 2026?
451 across the four academies, including 275 for the 126th SSC (Men) course and 18 for the 126th SSC (Women) course at OTA Chennai. UPSC states in the notice that the number is liable to alteration.
What is the age limit for UPSC CDS?
Varies by academy — roughly 19 to 24 years for the IMA and INA, 20 to 24 for the Air Force Academy, and 19 to 25 for the OTA short service commission entries. Only unmarried candidates are eligible for the IMA, INA and AFA.. The upper limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC, and up to 10 years for PwBD candidates.
What qualification is required for UPSC CDS?
A degree from a recognised university for the IMA and OTA. For the Indian Naval Academy, a degree in Engineering. For the Air Force Academy, a degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, or a degree in Engineering.
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC CDS?
No limit on attempts within the age window.
What is the UPSC CDS application fee?
₹200. Female candidates and SC / ST candidates are exempted.
Is there negative marking in UPSC CDS?
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer.
What is the UPSC CDS selection process?
Selection is through Written Examination, followed by SSB Interview — Stage I screening and Stage II testing, followed by Medical examination and merit list.
What are the total marks in UPSC CDS?
IMA, INA and AFA: written 300 marks + SSB 300 marks. OTA: written 200 marks + SSB 200 marks.
What is the UPSC CDS salary?
Stipend of ₹56,100 per month during training; on commissioning as Lieutenant, Pay Level 10 of the Defence Pay Matrix plus Military Service Pay of ₹15,500, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance.
Does UPSC normalise marks in UPSC CDS?
No. UPSC conducts each paper in a single sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation. Published cut offs are raw marks.
When does UPSC release the UPSC CDS answer key?
Only after the final result for that cycle is declared, under the Commission's disclosure policy. There is no post-exam challenge window of the kind SSC runs.
Where do I download the UPSC CDS admit card?
From upsc.gov.in. The e-Admit Card appears about two to three weeks before the examination and is not posted to candidates.
Do I need to register separately for UPSC CDS?
No. UPSC issues a Universal Registration Number (URN) that is registered once in a lifetime and used for every UPSC examination. Only the examination-specific module is filled per exam.
What is next for UPSC CDS?
CDS (II) 2026 is on 13 September 2026, sat on the same day as NDA & NA (II) 2026. The CDS (I) 2027 notification is due on 2 December 2026.