CDS 2027 — How Many Days Left

The CDS examination — Combined Defence Services — is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice a year to recruit officers into the Indian Military Academy, the Indian Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy and the Officers Training Academy.

A degree is required, which is what separates CDS from NDA: NDA takes candidates straight out of school, CDS takes graduates. Engineering degrees are expected for the Naval Academy, and a degree with Physics and Mathematics at Class 12 for the Air Force Academy.

The written paper depends on the academy.

• IMA, INA and AFA — three papers: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks each.
• OTA — two papers only: English and General Knowledge. There is no mathematics paper.

Each paper runs two hours, and negative marking applies at one third of the marks for the question.

Then the SSB interview, over five days and carrying its own weight — screening, psychological testing, group tasks and a personal interview. As with NDA, this stage eliminates far more candidates than the written examination does.

A permanent or a short service commission. IMA, INA and AFA lead to a permanent commission; OTA leads to a short service commission, which can later be extended or converted under the terms in force.

Women are eligible for OTA, and for the permanent-commission academies under the conditions the notification of the year sets out.