Defence entries | as of 2026-05-31
CDS eligibility, pattern, syllabus, and official sources
Graduate-level UPSC defence officer entry for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
Eligibility at a glance
| Age | Academy and course-specific DOB windows Use current CDS notice for the exact academy date window. |
|---|---|
| Education | IMA and OTA require a degree. INA requires engineering degree. AFA requires degree with Physics and Maths at 10+2 or an engineering degree. |
| Relaxations | As listed in the UPSC notice. |
Pattern and selection process
Stages
- Written examination
- SSB
- Medical and merit
Mode: Written plus SSB. Marks: Academy-wise notice-defined.. Duration: Notice-defined.
Selection flow
- Written exam
- SSB
- Medical
- Final merit
Syllabus outline and cadence
Syllabus buckets
- English
- General knowledge
- Elementary mathematics for IMA, INA, and AFA
Cadence
Usually twice yearly. Use the UPSC calendar and current notice.
Comparable exams and hiring routes
| Entity | Education | Age band | Interview | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDS | Graduate | Academy-specific | Yes | Written plus SSB |
| NDA | Class 12 | DOB-window based | Yes | Written plus SSB |
| AFCAT | Graduate or engineering by branch | Branch-specific | Yes | Online plus AFSB |
| Agniveer Army | 8th to 12th by category | 17.5-21 typical | No | CEE plus rally |
| Agniveer Navy | Class 10 or 12 by entry | DOB-window based | No | INET plus physical |
| Agniveervayu | Class 12 stream-specific | DOB-window based | No | Online plus physical |
Sources by field
Each row links a field on this page to the official source it is drawn from. Confirm the current cycle's exact figures on the linked source before you apply.
| Field | Official source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Age eligibility | CDS I 2025 notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Education | CDS I 2025 notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Relaxations | CDS I 2025 notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Exam pattern | CDS I 2025 notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Syllabus outline | CDS I 2025 notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Selection process | CDS I 2025 notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Cadence | Official source on upsc.gov.in | 2026-05-31 |
| FAQ 1 | CDS I 2025 notification | 2026-05-31 |
| FAQ 2 | CDS I 2025 notification | 2026-05-31 |
FAQs
Does CDS OTA include elementary mathematics?
OTA uses English and General Knowledge, while IMA, INA, and AFA include Elementary Mathematics.
Can engineering graduates apply for CDS INA?
The referenced notice lists engineering degree for INA.