CDS Full Form - What is the Full form of CDS Exam?
The Combined Defence Services is the full form of the exam popularly known as the CDS exam. Coincidentally, CDS also stands for Chief of Defence Staff, which is the title of the Head of the Indian Armed Forces. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the UPSC CDS exam twice a year with the goal of recruiting candidates to various courses across the Indian Defence services.
This Story also Contains
- CDS Full Form Overview
- CDS Exam Dates 2024
- CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024
- CDS Admit Card 2024
- CDS Exam Centre 2024
- CDS Answer Key 2024
- CDS Result 2024
- CDS Final Merit
In the Material Below, candidates can find a comprehensive list of details regarding the CDS exam, such as eligibility criteria, application form, exam dates, CDS salary and much more. Candidates are encouraged to read this article for information regarding the CDS exam. The CDS is a national-level exam and is generally conducted in the month of April and September. Candidates who clear the CDS are recruited for roles such as officer posts in IMA (Indian Military Academy), INA (Indian Naval Academy), AFA (Air Force Academy) and OTA (Officers Training Academy). There are three stages in the CDS Selection Process. The 3 stages in the selection process are the written exam, SSB Interview followed by the Medical Examination. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria of 2024 CDS can apply through the official UPSC website- upsc.gov.in.
CDS Full Form Overview
Exam Name | Combined Defence Service |
Commonly known as | UPSC CDS Exam |
Frequency of the exam | Twice a year |
Conducted by | Union Public Service Commission |
Stages of the exam | Written Exam SSB Interview Medical Examination |
Official Website | upsconline.nic.in/ upsc.gov.in |
CDS Exam Dates 2024
CDS 2 Exam Dates
CDS 2 Events | CDS 2 Dates |
CDS Notification 2024 | May 15, 2024 |
CDS 2 2024 Application Form | May 15, 2024 to June 4, 2024 |
CDS 2 2024 Exam | September 1, 2024 |
CDS 1 Exam Dates
CDS 1 Events | CDS 1 Dates |
CDS 1 2024 Notification | December 20, 2023 |
CDS 1 2024 Application Form | December 20 to June 4, 2024 |
CDS 1 2024 Exam | April 21, 2024 |
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024
The eligibility criteria for CDS are divided into two sections - Nationality, Academic qualification, and age limit. Refer to the following table for the same.
Eligibility Criteria of CDS 2024
Age Limit Criteria | Academic Qualification |
20-24 Years: Indian Military Academy (IMA) | IMA & OTA: Graduation Degree from a recognised University |
20-22 Years: Indian Naval Academy (INA) | INA: Graduation in B.Sc. with Physics & Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering |
20-23 Years: Air Force Academy (AFA) | AFA: B.Sc. Graduate with Physics/Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering |
20-25 Years: Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) |
CDS Notification and Application 2024
UPSC releases the CDS 2024 notification twice a year. The notification dates and the CDS 2024 application form dates are the same. The notification consists of the important dates, eligibility criteria, steps to apply, CDS 2024 exam pattern, syllabus, and important instructions related to the exam in detail. It is mandatory to read the notification of CDS thoroughly before filling out the form.
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CDS Admit Card 2024
The admit card of 2024 CDS is an important document that is mandatory for every candidate who is taking the exam. The admit card is issued by UPSC to those candidates who have successfully applied for CDS. If aspirants have made an error in filling up the application form, their candidature will be rejected and they will not be issued the UPSC CDS admit card. So it is important to fill out the UPSC NDA application form carefully and pay the application fee. The UPSC CDS 2024 admit card can be downloaded from the official website using the registration details and date of birth. The CDS admit card consists of all the important details like the candidate's name, roll number, registration number, exam centre address, reporting time, exam day guidelines etc. The UPSC CDS admit card 2024 has to be carried to the exam centre along with a valid ID proof to the exam centre.
Important - Check the Complete List of Full Forms
CDS Exam Centre 2024
CDS exam is conducted across various exam centres in India. From the following table, aspirants can check the exam centres of 2024 CDS.
CDS Exam Centres
Agartala | Kochi |
Ahmedabad | Kohima |
Aizawl | Kolkata |
Bengaluru | Lucknow |
Bareilly | Madurai |
Bhopal | Mumbai |
Chandigarh | Nagpur |
Chennai | Panaji(GOA) |
Cuttack | Patna |
Dehradun | Port Blair |
Delhi | Prayagraj |
Dharwad | Raipur |
Dispur | Ranchi |
Gangtok | Sambalpur |
Hyderabad | Shillong |
Imphal | Shimla |
Itanagar | Srinagar |
Jaipur | Thiruvananthapuram |
Jammu | Tirupati |
Jorhat | Udaipur |
Visakhapatnam | -- |
How to Prepare for CDS?
CDS is one of the highest competitive exams in India. Just like NDA, CDS is the gateway for candidates who want to serve the nation by joining the Defence forces of India. The difficulty level of UPSC CDS 2024 is graduation as the minimum eligibility criteria is graduation only. Many aspirants join coaching institutes to prepare for CDS 2024 but there are a few more who also prepare from home by referring to the best 2024 CDS books etc. Here we have shared the CDS 2024 preparation tips for all the candidates who are planning to appear for the CDS exam.
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CDS Answer Key 2024
The CDS 2024 answer key consists of all the answers to the questions asked in the exam. The unofficial answer key will be released by various coaching institutes on the day of the exam while the official answer key of CDS 2024 will be released on the official website of UPSC. Candidates preparing for the UPSC CDS exam can match the answer key along with the questions from the exam and spectate their chances of qualification.
CDS Result 2024
UPSC will release the UPSC CDS 2024 result on the official website only. The result of 2024 CDS will be released after the exam is conducted in online mode. Candidates who qualify for the UPSC CDS exam as per the result will be able to appear for the next stage of the exam. The written exam CDS 2024 result is released in PDF format on the official website and has the academy wise roll numbers of all the shortlisted candidates.
CDS Final Merit
The final merit list of CDS will be released after the complete recruitment process is over. The merit list of 2024 CDS is released in PDF format on the official website and has the academy-wise roll number and name of all the candidates who have qualified the exam and have been shortlisted for the CDS 2024 recruitment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the frequency of the CDS exam?
A:
2024 CDS is conducted twice a year by UPSC.
Q: What is the CDS selection process?
A:
CDS 2024 selection process has 3 stages - A written exam, the SSB interview as well as a Medical Exam.
Q: What is the salary of a CDS officer?
A:
A CDS officer gets a starting salary of Rs 15600-39100.
Q: What is the eligibility criteria to apply for CDS?
A:
As per the eligibility criteria of CDS, the academic qualification is graduation while the age limit for CDS is 20-25 years.
Q: What is the full form of CDS?
A:
The full form of the CDS exam is the Combined Defence Services Exam.
Q: What is the difference between the NDA and CDS exam?
A:
The basic difference between both these exams is the eligibility criteria, for NDA candidates the academic qualification is 10+2 while for CDS it is graduation. In NDA, only male candidates can apply and in CDS both male as well as female candidates can apply.
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Questions related to CDS
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to CDS ?
Dear Candidate,
You are eligible for CDS 2026, but for IMA, INA and AFA post, you must be born between 2 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2008.
For OTA ( male and female ), all 2003 born candidates are eligible.
Hi dear candidate,
The age limit for various roles in CDS are:
1) IMA: 19 to 24 years of age, 8 to 9 attempts.
2) INA: 19 to 24 years of age, 8 to 9 attempts.
3) OTA: 19 TO 25 years of age, 10 to 11 attempts.
This is all considering your DOB as of 26 Oct, 2005 as you are 19 years old in Aug 2025.
Know more at:
CDS Exam Dates 2025 (Out) - Check UPSC CDS 2 Complete Exam Schedule
CDS Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, DV, Pay Scale
BEST OF LUCK
Yes, you will be eligible for CDS-1 2027 under OTA (SSC Women – Non-Technical Course). The age limit for OTA is 19–25 years (you must be born between 2nd Jan 2001 and 1st Jan 2007). Since your date of birth is 4 July 2002, you will be 24 years old at that time, so you fall within the required age range.
But you will not be eligible for IMA, INA or AFA, because their upper age limit is 24 years, and by 2027 you will cross that limit.
As per the CDS OTA eligibility criteria, for female candidates applying to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), the age limit is 19 to 25 years (unmarried females only).
Since your date of birth is 16th June 2005, you will turn:
21 years old in June 2026,
25 years old in June 2030.
CDS exam is conducted twice every year, so you’ll be eligible from the year you complete graduation (2026) till you turn 25 in 2030.
Your eligible attempts:
CDS 2 2026
CDS 1 2027
CDS 2 2027
CDS 1 2028
CDS 2 2028
CDS 1 2029
CDS 2 2029
CDS 1 2030 (maybe last)
So, you will have around 7 to 8 attempts to appear for CDS OTA before you cross the maximum age limit.
Hello ,
If your goal is to appear for CDS Exam, then here’s what you need to know:
- For IMA, INA, and AFA: A regular full-time degree from a recognized university is required. So, regular B.Tech is perfectly valid.
- For OTA : Any recognized Bachelor’s degree (even BCA) is acceptable. But since you mentioned Online BCA, note that CDS does not accept distance/online degrees unless UGC-DEB approved and equivalent to a regular course.
So, a regular B.Tech is a safer and more accepted option for all CDS branches. Online BCA may work only if it's recognized, but always double-check the latest UPSC CDS eligibility rules before applying.
Best wishes !
Thank you.
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