CDS is the UPSC defence examination for admission to IMA, INA, AFA and OTA, followed by SSB and medical stages.
CategoryDefence
TypeRecruitment
Conducting authorityUnion Public Service Commission
Department / parent organisationMinistry of Defence
Qualification levelGraduate
Exam modeoffline
CDSCombined Defence Services Examinationdefencerecruitmentnational examUnion Public Service Commission
Important Dates & Exam Timeline
- Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026Status: Confirmed · Official source · Verified 08 Sep 2026
Editorial update
UPSC listed CDS (I) 2026 and CDS (II) 2026 in official examination notifications. CDS (II) 2026 exam date is 13 September 2026.
UPSC listed CDS (I) 2026 and CDS (II) 2026 in official examination notifications. CDS (II) 2026 exam date is 13 September 2026.
Latest Updates
UPSC listed CDS (I) 2026 and CDS (II) 2026 in official examination notifications. CDS (II) 2026 exam date is 13 September 2026.
| Date | Event | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Dec 2025 | CDS (I) 2026 notification | upsc.gov.in |
| 20 May 2026 | CDS (II) 2026 notification | upsc.gov.in |
| 13 Sep 2026 | CDS (II) 2026 exam date | upsc.gov.in |
Important Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CDS |
| Full Form | Combined Defence Services Examination |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Category | UPSC recruitment examination |
| Purpose | Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers Training Academy |
| Frequency | Usually annual |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Offline written papers and/or computer-based examination as notified |
| Question Type | Objective, descriptive and/or interview stages as notified |
| Exam Stages/Tiers | Written examination, SSB interview, Medical examination, Final merit and academy allocation |
| Exam Duration | One day written examination; paper-wise duration as notified |
| Total Marks | IMA/INA/AFA and OTA marks differ as per official scheme |
| Negative Marking | Objective written papers carry negative marking as per UPSC rules. |
| Languages/Medium | English and Hindi or other notified language rules depending on paper |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
Important Dates
Date-sensitive entries are labelled with the content year and official source status. Do not treat unannounced future events as confirmed dates.
| Event | Status / Date |
|---|---|
| CDS I notification | 10 Dec 2025 |
| CDS I exam | 12 Apr 2026 |
| CDS II notification | 20 May 2026 |
| CDS II application last date | 11 Jun 2026, 6:00 pm |
| CDS II exam | 13 Sep 2026 |
Eligibility
- Graduation is required; INA/AFA have discipline or subject-specific requirements.
- Age, marital status and gender rules vary by academy.
- Physical and medical standards are compulsory.
- Candidates must verify academy-specific eligibility in the current notice.
Exam Pattern
The table is written for future MCQ and mock-test mapping. Always verify the latest official notice before launching a scored assessment.
| Stage / Tier | Paper / Section | Questions | Marks | Duration | Question type | Negative marking | Qualifying / merit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMA/INA/AFA | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics | Paper-wise | Paper-wise | 2 hours each | Objective | Applies | Merit |
| OTA | English and General Knowledge | Paper-wise | Paper-wise | 2 hours each | Objective | Applies | Merit |
| SSB | Intelligence/personality assessment | Not applicable | As notified | Multi-day | Interview/tests | Not applicable | Merit |
Syllabus
English
- Comprehension, grammar and vocabulary
General Knowledge
- Current events, history, geography, science, polity
Elementary Mathematics
- Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics
Application, Admit Card, Answer Key and Result
Application process
- Register or sign in only on the official application portal.
- Complete the application form, upload required documents, preview carefully and pay the notified fee where applicable.
- Use correction windows only when the official authority opens them.
- Save the application confirmation and official payment acknowledgement.
Admit card
- Download the admit card from the official portal when released.
- Check name, exam city, reporting time, photograph, signature and instructions.
- Carry the printed admit card, valid photo identity proof and any documents listed in the notice.
Answer key
- Use only the provisional and final answer key process published by the exam authority.
- Submit objections, if allowed, within the official window and with the required fee or proof.
- Final scores are based on the authoritys final answer key and normalization rules where applicable.
Result
- Results may be issued as scorecards, roll-number lists, merit lists or stage-wise shortlists.
- Qualified candidates should follow the next stage instructions exactly as published.
- Cutoff and marks should be treated as official only when published by the authority.
Selection Process
- Written examination
- SSB interview
- Medical examination
- Final merit and academy allocation
Posts, Services or Courses
- IMA, INA, AFA and OTA admission routes as notified.
Preparation Strategy
- Prepare English and GK for both OTA and non-OTA options.
- Non-OTA candidates need strong elementary mathematics.
- Start SSB awareness and fitness preparation early.
MCQ, Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers
Use the available SaralStudy practice hubs only where the content is reviewed and relevant: MCQ Practice, Mock Tests, and Previous Year Papers.
| Product area | Current state |
|---|---|
| MCQ practice | Exam entity is mapped for future MCQ classification; no dedicated verified SaralStudy MCQ set is claimed. |
| Mock tests | No live verified SaralStudy mock test is enabled for this exam yet. |
| Previous-year papers | UPSC publishes previous-year question papers for many examinations on its official website. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CDS?
CDS is admission to indian military academy, indian naval academy, air force academy and officers training academy.
Who conducts CDS?
CDS is conducted by Union Public Service Commission.
How often is CDS held?
The usual frequency is usually annual, subject to official notification.
What is the selection process?
The selection process includes Written examination, SSB interview, Medical examination, Final merit and academy allocation.
Is there negative marking?
Objective written papers carry negative marking as per UPSC rules.
Where should I check official updates?
Use the official source links listed on this page before acting on dates, fees, vacancies or application instructions.
Are SaralStudy MCQs available for this exam?
Exam entity is mapped for future MCQ classification; no dedicated verified SaralStudy MCQ set is claimed.
Are SaralStudy mock tests available for this exam?
No live verified SaralStudy mock test is enabled for this exam yet.
Official Source References
Last verified: 2026-09-08. Content year: 2026.
Related Study Resources
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