CDS WRITTENS

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

Any student can take this exam after graduation.

This exam has 2 steps. First, there is a written test and after passing it there is the interview

The CDS exam is conducted in offline mode. The duration of the exam is 6 hours for admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Airforce Academy. For admission to Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), candidates have to appear for two papers only – English & General Knowledge. The duration of the exam is 4 hours.

Eligibility criteria

The candidates must meet the eligibility standards as set by the Union Public Service Commission for defence recruitment. Check detailed eligibility (nationality, education, age, marital status, sex) from below.

    • A candidate should hold The Citizenship of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who had been migrated to India before January 01, 1962, with the intention of Permanent Settle, or An individual of Indian Origin who migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire & Vietnam for permanent settle purpose in India.

Education qualification

      1. For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy – The candidate should have a graduation degree (any subject) from a recognized University or equivalent.
      2. For Indian Naval Academy- The candidate should have completed their Graduation in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution.
      3. For Air Force Academy- The candidate should hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.

Age limit

      1. For IMA- Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2006 only are eligible.
      2. For Indian Naval Academy- Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2006 only are eligible.
      3. For Air Force Academy- 20 to 24 years as on 1st January 2025 i.e. born not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2005 

Marital status and sex

      1. For the Indian Military Academy, and Indian Naval Academy, only Unmarried males are eligible to apply for CDS Exam.
      2. For the Indian Air Force Academy, both married and unmarried males can apply, however, marriage during the training is not permitted
      3. For Officer Training Academy, unmarried males & females can apply for the CDS Exam.

Selection procedure

The recruitment of AFA, IMA, INA & Officers Training Academy posts will be conducted based on:

    1. Written Exam
    2. SSB Interview/Personality Test
    3. Document Verification
    4. Medical Examination

Exam Pattern

  • There will be Multiple-Choice Questions in each paper
  • The question paper for General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be set in Hindi as well as in English.
  • There will be a penalty of 1/3 marks for a wrong answer
  • Duration of each exam is separate i.e. 2 hours.

For Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy

S.NoSubjectMax MarksDuration
1English1202 hrs
2General Knowledge1202 hrs
3Elementary Mathematics1002 hrs

For Officer’s Training Academy

S.NoSubjectMax MarksDuration
1English1002 hrs
2General Knowledge1002 hrs
      • Note : The maximum marks allotted to the written examination and to the interviews will be equal for each course i.e. the maximum marks allotted to the written examination and to the interviews will be 300, 300, 300 and 200 each for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy respectively

Exam syllabus : Subject-wise

SectionsTopics
EnglishSpotting Errors Questions
Sentence Arrangement Questions
Synonyms & Antonyms
Selecting Words
Ordering of Sentence
Comprehension Questions
Ordering of words in a sentence
Fill in the blanks questions
Idioms and Phrases
General Awareness (GK)Economics
Physics
Current Affairs
Politics
Chemistry
Sociology
History
Defence related Award
Geography
Environment
Sport
Biology
Cultural
Book
Statement
True/False
Elementary Mathematics Algebra
  • Basic Operations
  • Simple factors
  • Remainder Theorem
  • H.C.F.
  • L.C.M.
  • Theory of polynomials
  • Solutions of quadratic equations
  • Relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered)
  • Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns—analytical and graphical solutions
  • Simultaneous linear in equations in two variables and their solutions
  • Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or in equations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions
  • Set language and set notation
  • Rational expressions and conditional identities
  • Laws of indices
Arithmetic
  • Number System: Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers.
  • Fundamental operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions
  • Unitary method
  • Time and distance
  • Time and work
  • Percentages
  • Applications to simple and compound interest
  • Profit and loss
  • Ratio and proportion
  • Variation
  • Elementary Number Theory: Division algorithm
  • Prime and composite numbers
  • Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11
  • Multiples and factors. Factorisation Theorem
  • H.C.F. and L.C.M.
  • Euclidean algorithm
  • Logarithms to base 10
  • Laws of logarithms
  • Use of logarithmic tables
Trigonometry
  • Sine ×, cosine ×, Tangent × when 0° < × < 90°
  • Values of sin ×, cos × and tan ×, for ×= 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°
  • Simple trigonometric identities
  • Use of trigonometric tables
  • Simple cases of heights and distances
Geometry
  • Lines and angles
  • Plane and plane figures
  • Theorems on Properties of angles at a point
  • Parallel lines
  • Sides and angles of a triangle
  • Congruency of triangles
  • Similar triangles
  • Concurrence of medians and altitudes
  • Properties of angles
  • Sides and diagonals of a Parallelogram
  • Rectangle and square
  • Circles and its properties including tangents and normals
  • Loci
Mensuration
  • Areas of squares
  • Rectangles
  • Parallelograms
  • Triangle and circle
  • Areas of figures which can be split up into these figures (Field Book)
  • Surface area and volume of cuboids
  • Lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders
  • Surface area and volume of spheres
Statistics
  • Collection and tabulation of statistical data
  • Graphical representation frequency polygons
  • Histograms
  • Bar charts
  • Pie charts etc
  • Measures of central tendency

Important instructions

    • Write only in Black ballpoint pen, your Centre and subject followed by the CDS test booklet series (in bracket), subject code and the exam roll number at the appropriate space provided on the answer sheet at the top.
    • Encode your CDS booklet series (A, B, C, or D as the case may be), subject code and roll number in the circles provided for the purpose in the answer sheet.
    • In case the CDS booklet series is not printed on the test booklet or answer sheet is un-numbered then candidates should report immediately to the invigilator and get the test booklet/answer sheet replaced.
    • Candidates should note that any omission/mistakes/discrepancy in encoding/filling of details in the CDS OMR answer sheet, especially with regard to the Roll Number and Test Booklet Series Code, will render the answer sheet liable for rejection.
    • Immediately after the commencement of the CDS please check that the test booklet supplied to you does not have any unprinted or torn or missing pages or items etc., if so, get it replaced by a complete test booklet of the same series and subject.
    • Do not write your name or anything other than the specific items of information asked for, on the CDS answer sheet/test booklet/sheet for rough work.
    • Do not fold or damage or put any extraneous marking over the CDS Answer Sheet. Do not write anything on the reverse of the answer sheet.