Search Colleges, Exams, Schools & more
Login
CDS Selection Process 2026 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, Document Verification
The Union Public Service Commission mentions the detailed CDS 2027 selection procedure in the official notification. There are two stages of the CDS recruitment process – a written exam and an SSB interview in the selection process of CDS 1 2027. The Combined Defence Services exam is held twice every year. Candidates who qualify for the written CDS exam will be called for the SSB interview round.
The written exam in the CDS 1 selection process 2027 is for testing the candidate's aptitude and reasoning abilities. Whereas the SSB round of the exam in the CDS 1 2027 selection process tests candidates' psychological aptitude and mental condition. Candidates have to clear all stages of the UPSC CDS selection process to get recruited as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. As per the CDS OTA selection process, OTA applicants have to appear for only 2 papers. To know more about the CDS selection process 2027, read the article below.
CDS 2027 Overview
Candidates can check the details about the CDS exam from the table below.
Name of the exam | Combined Defence Services Examination 2027 |
Official website | upsconline.nic.in/ upsc.gov.in |
Commonly known as | CDS examination |
Conducting authority | Union Public Service Commission |
Frequency of exam | Twice per year |
Number of vacancies | To be announced |
Mode of application | Online |
Mode of exam | Offline |
CDS exam stages |
|
CDS Selection Process 2027 - Stages
The CDS selection process has two stages. Applicants need to clear both to get recruited in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The two stages of the CDS selection process are:
Written Exam
SSB Interview
CDS Selection Process 2027 for Written Examination
The first stage of the CDS 2027 selection process is a written exam. As per the CDS 2027 exam pattern, the CDS written exam comprises three papers - English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics for admission to IMA, IFA, and INA. For admission to Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), candidates just have to appear for two papers - English and General Knowledge. All the questions asked in the CDS written exam are multiple-choice questions. Candidates are given 2 hours to attempt each paper. As per the CDS selection process 2027, candidates qualifying for the written examination are called for the SSB Interview.
Quick links:
CDS Selection Process 2026 for SSB Interview
Candidates qualifying for stage 1 of the CDS selection process 2027 are called for the SSB interview stage. This stage of the CDS selection process is conducted over a period of 5 days to test applicants' intelligence, personality, physical strength, and more. The following table provides the day-wise breakup of the SSB interview round.
CDS SSB Interview selection process stage
Days | Events |
SSB Day 1 | Reporting, Filling of forms, Picture Perception, and Description Test |
SSB Day 2 | Thematic Apperception Test, Self Description Test, Situation Reaction Test, Word Association Test |
SSB Day 3 | Group Testing Officers’ Tasks - Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Half Group Task, Progressive Group Task & Individual Obstacle Task |
SSB Day 4 | Individual Obstacle Task, Command Task, Final Group Task, Personal Interview & Individual Lecturette |
SSB Day 5 | Conference & Document Verification |
Quick links:
CDS Eligibility Criteria
CDS Application Form
CDS Selection Process 2027 - Medical Exam & Document Verification
After clearing the CDS SSB interview, applicants have to go through a medical CDS examination conducted by a Special Medical Board. A medical examination may last up to 4 to 6 days. While appearing for the medical exam, candidates are advised to keep all their documents ready. In case an applicant fails to produce the required documents, they will be disqualified from the CDS selection process.
CDS Salary 2027 - Rank Wise
Rank | Level | Pay Scale |
Lieutenant | Level 10 | Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500 |
Captain | Level 10 B | Rs 61,300 -Rs 1,93,900 |
Major | Level 11 | Rs 6,94,00 – Rs 2,07,200 |
Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12 A | Rs 1,21,200 – Rs 2,12400 |
Colonel | Level 13 | Rs 1,30,600 - Rs 2, 15,900 |
Brigadier | Level 13 A | Rs 1,39,600 - Rs 2,17,600 |
Major General | Level 14 | Rs 1,44,200 - Rs 2,18,200 |
Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 | Rs 1,82, 200 - Rs 2,24,100 |
HAG+Scale | Level 16 | Rs 2,05,400 – Rs 2,24,400 |
VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Level 17 | Rs 2,25,000/-(fixed) |
COAS | Level 18 | Rs 2,50,000/-(fixed) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the minimum age to apply for the CDS 1 exam?
A:
The minimum age to apply for the CDS exam is 19 years.
Q: What post does one get recruited to after clearing the CDS exam?
A:
After clearing the CDS exam, candidates are recruited as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Q: Does UPSC release the CDS official answer key?
A:
Yes, UPSC will release the official CDS answer key at upsc.gov.in.
Q: What is the first stage of CDS selection procedure?
A:
As per the CDS selection process, the first stage of written test.
Q: What is the second stage of CDS 2027?
A:
As per the CDS selection process, the second process is the SSB interview.
Articles
Related Stories
|
Upcoming Competition Exams
Certifications By Top Providers
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
Questions related to CDS
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to CDS ?
Hi !!
As per the UPSC CDS eligibility criteria for IMA, you are eligible to apply for the CDS 2 exam.
Hello,
There are certain age limit criteria determined by the conducting body. For more details, you can refer to the article mentioned below regarding the age limit for the UPSC CDS exam.
Eligibility criteria for CDS candidates
Hello,
You can refer to the article mentioned below regarding the career options after a Bachelor of Computer Applications
Career opportunities after BCA
Hi
If you are a female candidate with a DOB of May 25, 2002, you can appear for the CDS exam for 4 to 5 more attempts. Check out the CDS exam dates 2026 to learn more about how and when to appear for the examination.
Yes, you can apply for the CDS 1 2027 and CDS 2 2027 exams, but likely ONLY for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA). You will be overage for IMA, INA, and AFA.
CDS 1 2027 Eligibility
For the course commencing in January/April 2028, the approximate age cut-offs will be:
|
Academy |
Applications for Admissions are open.
Apply for Online M.Com from Manipal University
CDS Notifications
Never miss CDS update
Get timely CDS updates directly to your inbox. Stay informed!