CDS

The "Combined Defense Services" Examination or the CDS Exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy. The Notification for the examination is usually released in the months of October and June and the examination is conducted in February and August respectively. Only unmarried graduates are eligible to write the exam. Successful Candidates are admitted into the respective Academies after an interview conducted by SSB (service selection board).

Eligibility Criteria

• For Indian Military Academy/Officers' Training Academy: Degree from a recognized university or equivalent
• For Naval Academy: B.Sc. with Physics & Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering
• For Air Force Academy: Degree of a Recognized University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering

Age Limit

	Age Limits
Indian Military Academy	19-23 Years
Air Force Academy	19-23 Years
Naval Academy	19-22 Years
Officers’ Training Academy	19-25 Years

Indian Military Academy / Naval Academy / Air Force Academy

All the papers are of objective type.

Subject	Marks
English	100 marks
General Knowledge	100 Marks
Elementary Mathematics	100 Marks
Total	300 marks

Officers' Training Academy

All the papers are of objective type.

Subject	Marks
English	100 Marks
General Knowledge	100 Marks
Total	200 marks

 Candidates successful in the written exam are then called for an interview by a Services Selection Board which evaluates a candidate's suitability for a career in the Indian Armed Forces. The SSB interview lasts for approximately a week, during which a candidate undergoes various physical and psychological tests to ascertain whether or not he is officer material. Candidates cleared by the SSB are finally admitted into the above mentioned academies, and after successful completion of training, they are inducted into the armed forces.