Back to CDS
CDS — Combined Defence Services — Step-by-Step Roadmap
Your journey, phase by phase
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Phase 1 · During degree Graduation and eligibility A bachelor’s degree (or final year) is the minimum; some academies need specific subjects.
- IMA and OTA: any bachelor’s degree.
- Indian Naval Academy: BE/B.Tech degree.
- Air Force Academy: bachelor’s degree with Physics and Maths in Class 12, or BE/B.Tech.
- Age limits differ by academy (around 19–25 years); check the notification for current limits and marital status rules.
- IMA / OTA
- Any degree
- INA
- BE/B.Tech
- AFA
- Degree + Class 12 Phy & Maths
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Phase 2 · Two exams a year (about February and September) Written exam UPSC CDS written exam with English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.
- Apply online when the UPSC notification is released.
- For IMA, INA and AFA the papers cover English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics; the OTA exam has a different pattern, so read the notification.
- Each paper is objective with negative marking.
- You must clear the written cut-off to be called for the SSB.
- Subjects
- English, GK, Elementary Maths
- Negative marking
- Yes
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Phase 3 · After written result SSB interview A five-day Services Selection Board test.
- Stage 1 screening: intelligence and picture perception tests.
- Stage 2: psychological tests, group tasks, interview and conference.
- It assesses leadership, communication, confidence and teamwork.
- Prepare through disciplined routines, group practice and feedback.
- SSB
- 5 days
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Phase 4 · After SSB Medical and merit list Medical tests and a final merit list.
- Medical standards are strict; address issues (eyesight, dental) beforehand.
- The final merit combines written marks and SSB marks.
- Allotment to IMA, INA, AFA or OTA follows rank, preference and vacancies.
- Joining letters are issued for the next course.
- Final merit
- Written + SSB
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Phase 5 · After joining Academy training and commission Pre-commission training, then commission as an officer.
- IMA Dehradun trains Army cadets for about 18 months; INA Ezhimala trains Navy cadets; Air Force Academy, Hyderabad trains Air Force cadets; OTA Chennai trains short-service commission officers for about 49 weeks.
- Training includes drill, weapons, field skills, leadership and academics.
- Cadets are paid a stipend during training.
- After passing out you are commissioned as Lieutenant, Sub-Lieutenant or Flying Officer.
- IMA
- ~18 months
- OTA
- ~49 weeks
- Commission
- Permanent or short service
Verify on the official source
Exam dates, fees, paper patterns and eligibility rules are revised by the regulator from time to time. Treat this roadmap as your map, and confirm the current rules on the official site before you register or pay any fee.