Professional PRO-006

CDS (Combined Defence Services) Entry

Last updated · Confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website before you apply.

The main graduate entry route to a permanent or short service commission in the armed forces. Officers Training Academy entries lead to Short Service Commission, while IMA, INA and AFA entries lead to Permanent Commission.

Am I eligible?
Duration
1–1.5 years
Entry after
Graduation
Entrance exam
Combined Defence Services Examination
Study mode
OnCampus
Licence
Not required
01 · Overview

Course overview

The main graduate entry route to a permanent or short service commission in the armed forces. Officers Training Academy entries lead to Short Service Commission, while IMA, INA and AFA entries lead to Permanent Commission.

02 · Eligibility and admission

Eligibility and admission

Who can apply. Bachelor's degree (Engineering degree for technical entries); unmarried for most entries; age and medical standards apply.

How you get in. UPSC CDS Examination followed by SSB interview and medical board.

How it is studied. Full-time residential training; distance mode not applicable.

Admission rules change every year. Confirm eligibility, the entrance test and the calendar against the current official notification.

03 · Where this leads

Where this can lead

Where people work.

  • Indian Military Academy
  • Indian Naval Academy
  • Air Force Academy
  • Officers Training Academy; subsequently Indian Army
  • Navy and Air Force

What you can study next.

  • Staff College
  • Technical and higher command courses
  • Post-service corporate and government roles
04 · Next steps

Cost, duration and indicative earnings

Indicative total course fee. No tuition cost - cadets and recruits receive a stipend during training.

Indicative starting salary. 56,100+ basic pay plus allowances per month.

Typical duration. 1 - 1.5 years academy training.

Fees and salaries here are indicative ranges, not quotes. Confirm the current fee with the institution and treat the salary as a starting range that varies by employer and location.

Entry

Who can apply

1 route into this course.

QualificationStreamMinimumSubjects
Graduation Any —

Percentages are indicative. Individual universities set their own cut-offs, and reserved-category relaxations differ by state and institution.

Admission

Entrance exams for this course

Combined Defence Services Examination
Accepted or institution-specific

An exam mapping does not mean every college accepts that exam. Check the current institution and examination notification before you apply.

Outcomes

Careers this course leads to

1 route mapped from this qualification.

Armed Forces Officer
Leads personnel and performs operational, technical or administrative duties in an authorised branch of the Indian Armed Forces.
Common route

A course supports eligibility and preparation. It never guarantees a particular job.

Questions

Common questions

Who can apply for CDS (Combined Defence Services) Entry?

Bachelor's degree (Engineering degree for technical entries); unmarried for most entries; age and medical standards apply. Admission is through UPSC CDS Examination followed by SSB interview and medical board.

How long does CDS (Combined Defence Services) Entry take?

1 - 1.5 years academy training. Full-time residential training; distance mode not applicable.

What does CDS (Combined Defence Services) Entry cost?

No tuition cost - cadets and recruits receive a stipend during training. These are indicative ranges, not quotes. Confirm the current fee with the institution.

What can I study after CDS (Combined Defence Services) Entry?

Staff College, Technical and higher command courses, Post-service corporate and government roles.