CDS

The “Combined Defence Services” (CDS) Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. The Notification for the examination is usually released in the months of October and June, and the examinations are conducted in February and November respectively. Only unmarried graduates are eligible to sit for the exam. Successful candidates are admitted into the respective Academies after an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB).

EXAMINATIONS DETAILS

CDS

Forms- October & June
Exam-February & November
Age Limit 21 to 25 yrs

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

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

For Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution

For Air Force Academy: Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering

MODE OF SELECTION

Written Examination by UPSC
SSB Interview

PAPER PATTERN

The CDS examination will be conducted in two phases:

A). For Admission In Indian Military Academy, Indian Navy Academy And Air Force Academy:

Subject	DURATION	MAXIMUM MARKS	QUESTIONS
English	2 Hrs	100	120
General Knowledge	2 Hrs	100	120
Mathematics	2 Hrs	100	100
Total		300

CDS Written Cut Off

YEAR\ACADEMY	IMA	INA	AFA	OTA (M)	OTA (W)
Marks secured by last recommended candidate out of…..	300	300	300	200	200
2021 I
2020 I	130	118	143	93	93
2020 II	139	143	152	97	97
2019 I	116	105	129	78	78
2019 II	134	122	148	95	95
2018 I	118	98	138	69	69
2018 II	116	102	131	80	80
2017 I	125	118	144	82	82
2017 II	120	111	135	86	86
2016 I	72	63	123	68	68
2016 II	105	90	135	72	72
2015 I	102	99	129	86	86
2015 II	105	99	138	84	84
2014 I	99	99	129	78	78
2014 II	102	75	129	72	72

*Subject to a minimum of 20% marks in each paper.

B). For Admission In Officers Training Academy:

Subject	Duration	Maximum Marks	Questions
English	2 Hrs	100	120
General Knowledge	2 Hrs	100	120
Total		200

CDS Final Cut Off

YEAR\ACADEMY	IMA	INA	AFA	OTA (M)	OTA (W)
Marks secured by last recommended candidate out of…..	600 (300+300)	600 (300+300)	600 (300+300)	400 (200+200)	400 (200+200)
2021 I
2020 I	250	242	274	173	177
2020 II	263	257	279	179	178
2019 I	242	233	264	160	162
2019 II	258	245	272	176	179
2018 I	240	225	273	154	150
2018 II	242	228	253	162	163
2017 I	249	241	268	163	164
2017 II	244	237	260	167	171
2016 I	214	217	249	150	157
2016 II	227	225	258	157	159
2015 I	225	225	264	168	172
2015 II	227	227	269	166	170
2014 I	222	222	250	159	160
2014 II	224	224	257	168	170

Interview (SSB):

SSB Interview will contain two stages i.e. Stage 1 and Stage 2. Candidates who qualify the stage 1 exam will be called for stage 2.

Stage 1: It is an OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) Test which contains Picture Perception and Description Test (PP & DT). Candidates will be shortlisted as per their performance in the OIR Test and PP and DT.

Stage 2: Candidates passing stage 1 will be called for this stage. This part consists of Group Testing Officer Tasks, Interview, Conference, and Psychology Test. These tests are organized in four days.

COURSE NAME – CDS

Duration	Admission Form Charges	Course Fees
CDS OTA 6 Months	₹ 500/-	₹ 30000/-
CDS OTA 3 Months	₹ 500/-	₹ 22000/-
CDS IMA 6 Months	₹ 500/-	₹ 42000/-
CDS IMA 3 Months	₹ 500/-	₹ 28000/-