CDS Selection Process 2026 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, Document Verification
Union Public Service Commission has mentioned the detailed CDS 2026 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 2026. The Combined Defence Services exam is held twice every year. Candidates who qualify for the written CDS exam are called for the SSB interview round.
The written exam in the CDS 1 selection process 2026 is for testing the candidate's aptitude and reasoning abilities. Whereas the SSB round of the exam in the CDS 1 2026 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 2026, read the article below.
CDS 2026 Overview
Candidates can check the details about the CDS exam from the table below.
Name of the exam | Combined Defence Services Examination 2026 |
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 |
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CDS Selection Process 2026 - 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 2026 for Written Examination
The first stage of the CDS 2026 selection process is a written exam. As per the CDS 2026 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 2026, 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 2026 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 2026 - 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 2026 - 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)
The minimum age to apply for the CDS exam is 19 years.
After clearing the CDS exam, candidates are recruited as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Yes, UPSC will release the official CDS answer key at upsc.gov.in.
As per the CDS selection process, the first stage of written test.
As per the CDS selection process, the second process is the SSB interview.
Questions related to CDS
On Question asked by student community
CDS is a graduate-level defence entrance examination and candidates must satisfy the prescribed age, educational qualification and other eligibility requirements for the particular academy. Being born on January 1, 2010, you are currently below the age required for CDS. You would first need to complete graduation and then meet the
Hey there,
Yes — you may have a chance in CDS OTA 2027, but most likely only for CDS (I) 2027.
You were born 16 June 2002.
- CDS (I) 2027 – OTA: You should be age-eligible under the expected age criteria, subject to the official 2027 notification.
- CDS (II) 2027
Hello, for CDS OTA (II) 2027, candidates must be born between 2 July 2001 and 1 July 2007 as per the latest CDS II age criteria. Since your date of birth is 27 May 2003, you fall within this age range and meet the age requirement.
For more details check
Hello Student,
For CDS OTA, the usual age limit for women is 19–25 years. A candidate born on 27 May 2003 would be around 24 years old in 2027 and is likely to fall within the age limit. However, the exact eligibility depends on the DOB range specified in the
Hello, with a date of birth of 02 October 2002, you are eligible for the CDS OTA entry for CDS II 2026, as the prescribed age range is 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2007.