Combined Defence Services Examination
The Combined Defence Services Examination is a standardised test conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment of officer cadets in the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Air Force Academy, and Indian Naval Academy.
Qualifications
The applications are invited every year in December and May, and 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. Eligibility criteria for the CDS examination include a minimum age limit of 19 years for the IMA and a maximum age limit of 24 years for the AFA, as of January 1 of the year of the examination. Candidates must have a graduate degree from a recognized university for all three services.Officer jobs are available in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force after passing the Combined Defence Services Exam. Any student can take this exam after graduation. This exam has two steps. First, there is a written test and after passing it there is the SSB interview.
| Indian Military Academy | 19–24 years |
| Air Force Academy | 20–24 years |
| Indian Naval Academy | 19–24 years |
| Officers Training Academy | 19–25 years |
CDS Exam Educational Qualifications are given below.
| For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy | Degree from a recognized university or equivalent education |
| For Indian Naval Academy | Degree of Bachelor of Engineering /Bachelor of Technology from a recognized university or equivalent education |
| For Air Force Academy | Degree of a recognized University or Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Technology |