CDS FAQ

CDS is a graduate-level entry — the key difference from NDA (which is for Class XII students):

• NDA: For Class XII students, age 16.5–19.5 years. Join before completing degree.
• CDS: For graduates (or final-year students), age typically 19–25 years depending on academy. Commission at a higher level.

CDS eligibility also varies by academy:

• IMA (Army): Unmarried male graduates, age 19–24 years.
• INA (Navy): Unmarried male graduates in Engineering, age 19–24 years.
• AFA (Air Force): Unmarried male graduates with Physics + Mathematics at Class XII level, age 19–24 years.
• OTA (Army — Short Service): Male and female graduates, age 19–25 years. Widows / divorcees without children also eligible for female OTA.

Yes. Final-year students can apply and appear for the written exam. However, they must submit their degree certificate before the SSB interview or by the date stipulated by the respective academy. If you appear in the written exam but haven't graduated by the SSB date, you will not be eligible to attend.

Age limits as per CDS 2 2026 notification:

• IMA: Unmarried male, born between 2 Jul 2003 – 1 Jul 2008
• INA: Unmarried male, same window as IMA
• AFA: Unmarried male, born between 2 Jul 2003 – 1 Jul 2008
• OTA: Male and female, born between 2 Jul 2002 – 1 Jul 2008

Exact DOB windows are updated every notification — always verify the current one at upsc.gov.in.

Women can apply for CDS — but only for OTA (Officers Training Academy), which offers Short Service Commission (SSC). IMA, INA, and AFA are currently restricted to male candidates through CDS.

For OTA, women must be graduates. Widows and divorcees without children who have not remarried are also eligible for OTA female vacancies.

UPSC does not restrict the number of CDS attempts. You can appear as many times as you remain within the eligible age limit for your preferred academy. Since CDS is held twice a year, this gives candidates potentially 4–10 attempts depending on their age and which academy they are targeting.

The pattern differs by academy:

Academy	Papers	Marks Each	Total	Duration Each
IMA / INA / AFA	English, GK, Maths	100	300	2 hours
OTA	English, GK only	100	200	2 hours

All papers are objective-type (MCQ). Negative marking applies. Papers are in English.

• Each correct answer: +1 mark
• Each wrong answer: −1/3 mark (approximately 0.33 marks deducted)
• Unattempted questions: no penalty

The penalty is proportionally lighter than NDA, but still significant enough that random guessing is not advisable. Attempt when you have at least 60–70% confidence.

CDS is considered moderate in difficulty — harder than state PSC prelims but significantly easier than UPSC Civil Services. Key points:

• English: Graduate level — comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, idioms. More application-based than memory-based.
• GK: Broad coverage — History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science, Current Affairs. Class VI–XII NCERT level plus current affairs.
• Mathematics: Up to Class X standard (Elementary Mathematics) — basic algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, mensuration. No calculus or advanced topics.

1. Written Exam (UPSC) — shortlists candidates for SSB based on performance
2. SSB Interview (5 days) — at SSB centres across India. Stage I: OIR + PPDT; Stage II: Psychology Tests, GTO Tasks, Personal Interview
3. Medical Examination (3–5 days) — at designated Military Hospitals
4. Document Verification — degree certificate, identity proof, domicile
5. Final Merit List — based on combined written + SSB marks. Commission into respective academy.

The SSB for IMA, INA, and AFA is held at Allahabad, Bhopal, Bangalore, or other centres. OTA SSB is at Chennai SSB.

UPSC does not publish an official cut-off. Based on historical trends:

• Written exam cut-off (IMA/INA/AFA): Approximately 60–80 out of 300 (varies widely — roughly 25–30%).
• OTA written cut-off: Approximately 45–60 out of 200.
• Final merit cut-off (Written + SSB): Higher — SSB performance is the dominant factor for final selection.

The written exam is a screening filter. A good SSB performance can more than compensate for an average written score.

As per the 7th Pay Commission (current):

• Training stipend: ₹56,100 per month during academy training
• Lieutenant (on commissioning): Pay Level 10 — Basic pay ₹56,100 + allowances
• Total in-hand (approx.): ₹80,000–₹1,00,000+ per month including Military Service Pay, DA, HRA (or free accommodation), transport allowance, etc.
• Additional perks: Free medical for self and family, canteen subsidies, CSD facilities, subsidised housing loans, group insurance cover up to ₹75 lakh.

UPSC has introduced a new modular application system for all 2026 exams including CDS:

• Universal Registration Number (URN): Created once, valid permanently for all future UPSC exams. Replaces the old OTR system.
• Common Application Form (CAF): Filled after URN. Requires both an uploaded photo and a live-captured photo. Must match your actual appearance — mismatches cause rejection.
• Exam-Specific Module: Select CDS exam, choose centres, pay fee.
• No corrections after submission. URN profile can be edited only once — verify everything before locking.

The GK and Mathematics papers are available in both Hindi and English. The English paper is conducted only in English. You select your medium during application.

Yes. One CDS application lets you choose your preference order among the academies you are eligible for. You appear for the written papers relevant to your choices — if you apply only for OTA, you write only English and GK. If you also apply for IMA/INA/AFA, you write Mathematics as well.