The UPSC CDS exam is held biannually by the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of candidates to various Indian military academies, with notifications typically released in October and June. Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being unmarried graduates, and the application process involves an online submission with an associated fee. Various academies have distinct age and physical standards, and the selection includes written examinations followed by an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board.

1. 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 Commission’s Notice for the Examination.

2. 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 years

3. Air Force Academy 19-23 years
Naval Academy 19-22 years
Officers’ Training Academy 19-25 years
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.

4. 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
let’s not forget to list their qualities………
All officers are
 Intelligent
 Social
 Bravery
 Mental strength

5.  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.

6.  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.