Overview
UPSC CDS commissions officers into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers Training Academy, and is conducted twice a year (CDS I and CDS II). Selection has two major stages: a written exam (with paper combinations differing by academy — IMA/INA/AFA require three papers including Maths, while OTA requires only two, without Maths), followed by the multi-day SSB interview process covering psychological, group and personal-interview assessments, and a final medical examination. The written exam filters purely on academic ability, while the SSB is where officer-like qualities are actually assessed and where most serious preparation time should ultimately go.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- Two annual cycles — CDS I (written exam typically around April) and CDS II (typically around September).
- OTA entry (Non-Technical, for the Short Service Commission) does not require the Elementary Mathematics paper — only English and GK.
- SSB process spans 5 days across two stages (Screening, then Psychology/GTO/Interview) and is the actual differentiator in final selection.
- Final merit combines written exam marks and SSB marks — written qualifying alone does not guarantee selection.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | IMA: 19–24 years (unmarried men); INA: 19–24 years (unmarried men); AFA: 20–24 years; OTA: 19–25 years (men & women) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree (Engineering degree for specific Navy/Air Force entries; final-year students may apply provisionally) |
| Nationality | Indian citizen (or as specified for Nepalese/Bhutanese/Tibetan-refugee candidates per UPSC norms) |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (General/OBC male candidates). Women and SC/ST candidates are exempted. |
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern
The UPSC CDS selection process runs through written exam + ssb interview + medical. Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Written Exam — IMA / INA / AFA
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 |
Written Exam — OTA (Non-Technical)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 100 |
SSB Interview (Stage I & Stage II)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Officer Potentiality Assessment | — | 300 |
UPSC CDS Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise UPSC CDS syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
English
Tests practical grammar and comprehension rather than literary depth — consistent daily practice closes gaps quickly.
- Grammar & usage
- Vocabulary — synonyms, antonyms, word meaning
- Comprehension of passages
- Sentence correction & error detection
- Ordering of words/sentences
General Knowledge
Leans toward current events and defence-related awareness more than pure static GK — follow defence news specifically.
- Current events — national & international, defence-related news
- History, freedom struggle & culture
- Geography — physical, Indian & world
- Indian polity, economy & governance
- General science — physics, chemistry, biology basics
- Defence-related general awareness
Elementary Mathematics (IMA/INA/AFA only)
Set at a Class 10 level — most candidates can master this fully with structured revision, making it a high-leverage scoring section.
- Arithmetic — number system, ratio, percentage, time & work
- Algebra — basic equations, set theory
- Trigonometry — ratios, heights & distances
- Geometry & mensuration
- Statistics — basic collection & representation of data
SSB — Psychological & Group Testing
This is where selection is actually decided — sustained mock practice over months matters far more than last-minute preparation.
- Officer Intelligence Rating test (screening)
- Picture Perception & Discussion Test
- Thematic Apperception Test, Word Association Test, Situation Reaction Test, Self-Description
- Group Discussion & Group Planning Exercise
- Progressive & Half Group Tasks, Command Task, Individual Obstacles
- Personal Interview & Conference
Selection Process
- Written Examination — English, General Knowledge and (for IMA/INA/AFA) Elementary Mathematics.
- SSB Interview — Screening (Stage I), then Psychological Tests, GTO tasks & Personal Interview (Stage II).
- Medical Examination by a Board of service medical officers.
- Final merit list based on combined written and SSB marks, subject to medical fitness.
Salary & Job Profile
On commissioning, Lieutenants (Army) and equivalent ranks in the Navy/Air Force start at Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 basic) plus Military Service Pay, Dearness Allowance and various service-specific allowances; pay rises with rank through a defined promotion timeline.
Best Books for UPSC CDS Preparation
- Pathfinder CDS Entrance Examination — Arihant Experts
- Objective General English — S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations — R.S. Aggarwal
- Manorama Yearbook (for General Knowledge & current affairs)
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
CDS written exam cut-offs vary by academy (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA) and cycle (CDS I/II), typically shifting with paper difficulty and vacancy count each time. SSB selection ratios are historically far more competitive than the written cut-off suggests, so treat the written stage as necessary but not sufficient — always check UPSC's official cut-off release for exact figures.
Preparation Tips
- Don't over-invest in Elementary Mathematics if you're an arts/commerce background candidate applying for OTA — that paper isn't required for the non-technical entry.
- Start SSB-specific preparation (group tasks, personal interview mock sessions) well before the written result — the 5-day process rewards sustained practice, not last-minute cramming.
- Read a daily newspaper specifically for defence and international relations news, since GK questions lean noticeably toward current affairs relevant to the armed forces.
- Physical fitness matters for the SSB's outdoor tasks — build basic stamina and coordination alongside academic prep.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry the e-Document Checker and a valid original photo ID to the exam centre.
- Only black ballpoint pens are permitted for the OMR answer sheet — carry spares.
- Arrive at least 60 minutes before reporting time; gates close strictly at the notified time.
- No electronic devices are allowed inside the examination hall.
- For SSB, carry multiple passport-size photographs, original certificates and photocopies as specified in your call letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — it's required for IMA, INA and AFA entries, but OTA (Non-Technical, Short Service Commission) candidates write only English and General Knowledge.
Twice — CDS I and CDS II — each with its own separate notification, written exam and SSB cycle.
Shortlisted candidates are called for the SSB interview process, a 5-day assessment of psychological and group testing followed by a personal interview, and final selection is based on combined written and SSB marks.
Yes, 1/3rd of the marks allotted to a question is deducted for every wrong answer.
Yes, through the Officers Training Academy (OTA) entry for the Short Service Commission (Non-Technical); other CDS academy entries currently list separate eligibility per the official notification.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official Union Public Service Commission notification as of 2 Jun 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at upsc.gov.in before applying.