💂‍♂️ What is CDS?

It’s a national-level exam conducted twice a year by UPSC to recruit officers into:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA)

• Indian Naval Academy (INA)

• Air Force Academy (AFA)

• Officers Training Academy (OTA)

You clear this, and boom — you’re training to lead the nation in uniform.

🪪 Eligibility

Nationality & Marital Status

• Must be an Indian citizen.

• Usually unmarried candidates are eligible (especially for IMA, INA, AFA).

Age Limit

• IMA/INA/AFA: 19–24 years

• OTA: 19–25 years

Education

• IMA / OTA: Degree from a recognized university.

• INA: Degree in Engineering.

• AFA: Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR B.E./B.Tech.

Physical Standards

• Fit, healthy, and medically cleared — eyesight, height, and stamina all matter.

🧾 Exam Pattern

For IMA / INA / AFA

For OTA (Men & Women)

All papers are objective and conducted offline.

🧠 Syllabus Sneak Peek

English:
Grammar, comprehension, synonyms, antonyms, sentence correction.

General Knowledge:
Current affairs, history, geography, polity, science, defence, economics.

Mathematics:
Algebra, arithmetic, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration, statistics.

🎯 Selection Process

1. Written Examination

2. SSB Interview (intelligence, psychology, personality, group tasks)

3. Medical Examination

4. Final Merit List

🗓 Frequency & Vacancies

• Conducted twice a year – CDS I (February) and CDS II (September).

• Vacancies: Around 400–500 per cycle (varies by year).

💰 Pay Scale & Perks

• Starting pay as an officer: around ₹56,000/month+ (varies by academy).

• Free accommodation, rations, uniforms, medical, and respect everywhere.

• Promotions can take you all the way to Brigadier, Admiral, or Air Marshal ranks.

⚔️ Training

• IMA: 18 months at Dehradun

• INA: 1 year at Ezhimala

• AFA: 1 year at Dundigal

• OTA: 49 weeks at Chennai