
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 |
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 |
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 |
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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 |
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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/- |