UPSC CDS Exam Overview

Combined Defense Services (CDS) Exam is conducted twice in a year by Union

Public Service Commission for the recruitment of eligible candidates for Military
Academy, Indian Air Force, Officers Training Academy and Indian Naval Academy.
UPSC has released the schedule for CDS I and CDS II examination. The Notification
for the UPSC CDS 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 for the exam. Successful candidates are
admitted into the respective Academies after an interview conducted by
the Services Selection Board (SSB).

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS Exam 2015

Candidates must have Graduate degree in any discipline from any recognized
University / Institute.
Candidates (Boys and Girls) must be Unmarried.
For more details about the eligibility criteria for CDS Exam 2015 visit official website
of Union Public Service commission. Application Process for UPSC CDS Exam 2015

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
i) For Indian Military Academy / Officers Training Academy: Degree from a
recognized university or
equivalent
ii) For Indian Naval Academy: Bachelor of Engineering
iii) For Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognized University with Physics and
Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering
Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of graduation
provisional certificate on the date of commencement of the SSB interview at the
SSB
For CDS exam, applicants can be from any stream but for entry to Air Force and
Navy, candidates should have studied physics and maths up to Class 12
Candidates who are studying in the final year degree course and have yet to pass
the final year degree examination can also apply but they will be required to subject
proof of passing the degree examination to reach the Army Head Quarter/Rtd CDSE
Entry, West Bloc III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066.
Candidates appearing at the degree or equivalent examination are also eligible to
compete. Such candidates will be required to submit the proof of passing the

requisite qualifying examination by a date to be specified in the Commissions

Notice for the Examination.

PHYSICAL STANDARDS
Candidates should be physically fit as per the physical standards for admission to
the Combined Defence Services Examination.

UPSC CDS FEE DETAILS

Application Fee: Candidates (excepting Female /SC/ST candidates who are exempted
from payment of fee) are required to pay a fee of Rs.200/- (Rupees two hundred
only) either by depositing the money in any Branch of SBI by Cash, State Bank
of Bikaner and Jaipur/State bank of Hyderabad/State Bank of Mysore/State Bank of
Patiala/State Bank of Travancore or by using Visa/Master Credit/Debit Card
No fee exemption is, however, available to OBC candidates and they are required to
pay the full prescribed fee

Candidates are required to apply online only using the

link www.upsconline.nic.in click here to apply

AGE LIMITS, SEX AND MARITAL STATUS

i) For Indian Military Academy (IMA): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier
than 02nd January 1992 and not later than 1st January 1997 only are eligible
ii) For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Unmarried Male candidates born not earlier
than 2nd January 1992 and not later than 01st January 1997 only are eligible
iii) For Air Force Academy (AFA) - Age: 20 to 24 years as on 01st January 2016 i.e.
born not earlier than 02nd January 1992 and not later than 01 January 1996 (Upper
age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued
by DGCA (India) is relaxable up to 26 yrs. i.e. born not earlier than 02nd January
1990 and not later than 01st January 1996) only are eligible
Note: Candidate below 25 years of age must be unmarried
iv) For Officers Training Academy (SSC Course for Men): Male candidates (married or
unmarried) born not earlier than 02nd January 1991 and not later than 01st January
1997 only are eligible
v) For Officer Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course): Unmarried
Women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorces (in
possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible

They should have been born not earlier than 02nd January, 1991 and
not later than 01st January 1997 are eligible
Age Limit
Indian Military
Academy

19-24 year
s

Air Force Academy

19-23 year
s

Naval Academy

19-22 year
s

Officers Training
Academy

19-25 year
s

No. of Vacancies:
i) Indian Military Academy, Dehradun 140th Course commencing in January 2016
[including 25 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate (Army Wing) holders] - 200
vacancies
ii) Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala course commencing in January 2016 Executive
(General Service) (including 06 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate holders
(Naval Wing) - 45 vacancies
ii) Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing
in January 2016 i.e. No 199/16F/PC Course - 32 vacancies
iv) Officers Training Academy, Chennai 103rd SSC Course (for Men) communing
in April 2016 - 175 vacancies
v) Officers Training Academy, Chennai 17th SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course
commencing in April 2016 - 12 vacancies
Note:
i) The date of holding the examination as mentioned above is liable to be changed
at the discretion of the Commission
ii) The number of vacancies given above is tentative and may be changed at any
state by Service Head Quarter

Since women candidates are eligible for OTA only, they should give OTA as their first
and only preference
If a male candidate is competing for Short Service Commission (Army) only, he
should indicate OTA as the one and only choice
However, a male candidate competing for short service commission course at OTA
as well as permanent commission course at IMA, Indian Naval Academy and Air
Force Academy should indicate OTA as his last preference otherwise OTA will be
deemed to be the last choice even if it is given a higher preference by the
candidate.

UPSC CDS syllabus

Indian Military Academy / Air Force Academy / Naval Academy
All the papers are of objective type.
Subject

Marks

English

100

General Knowledge 100

Elementary
Mathematics

100

Total

300

Officers' Training Academy

All the papers are of objective.
Subject

Marks

English

100

General
Knowledge

100

Total

200

To conclude

lets not forget to list their qualities

All officers are

Intelligent
Social
Bravery
Mental strength
Physical strength
Empathy
Power of Expression.
Self Confidence.
Determination
Managerial skills
Takes Initiative
Courage
Cooperation.
Sense of Responsibility.
Stamina
Sense of humour
Adaptability.
Speed of Decision.