What after the CDS Result 2026 - Know SSB Interview Process here
The UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is a highly competitive process aimed at selecting candidates for officer positions in the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The UPSC CDS 2026 selection process consists of a written examination, an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB), a medical test by Indian Navy (Naval candidates only) and the final shortlisting.
The final appointment letter for the shortlisted candidates after the UPSC CDS selection process 2026 is drafted by IHQ MoD/DMPR. The CDS officer training period for the successful candidates will be conducted and the advertisement for it will be published in Dec/May.
SSB Interview - Stages
After the declaration of UPSC CDS result 2026 of the written test, those who qualify are invited for the SSB interview, which comprises various psychological and physical tests along with group discussions and personal interviews. The SSB evaluates candidates' leadership potential, planning & organising ability, social adaptability, social effectiveness, dynamic ability and overall suitability for a career as an officer. The CDS selection process for the SSB interview round is as follows:
(i) Stage - I: It involves an OIR test and PPDT (Picture Perception and Discussion test).
(ii) Stage - II : It involves Psychological testing, Group testing (GTO) and Personal Interview.
Candidates who successfully clear the SSB interview have to further undergo a Medical examination for around 3-5 days.
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Detailed SSB Interview Procedure 2026
Reporting day: The candidates are required to report at the SSB board for document verification and filing PIQ forms. They are also required to report to the place listed in the call letter which is usually the Moment Control Office (MCQ).
The first testing stage of the SSB interview involves screening through an OIR test and PPDT. OIR (Officers’ Intelligence Rating test) is a Verbal and Non-verbal Test which tests the candidate’s basic aptitude. This round is followed by PPDT (Picture Perception and Discussion Test) which involves story writing and group discussion. For this round, the candidate is shown a picture for 30 secs and given 3 minutes to construct a story around it. The candidates are further divided into groups and made to narrate their story in the group and have a group discussion on it. With this PPDT round, the first stage of testing is concluded. The selected candidates move onto the second stage of testing.
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In the second round of testing, the psychological suitability of a candidate is measured through multiple psychological tests such as Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT) and Self Description Test (SD).
After the psychological tests, in the GTO (Group Testing), the physical agility and group performance of the candidate is tested through numerous outdoor tasks such as Group Planning Exercise (GPE), Progressive Group Task (PGT), Half Group Task (HGT), Individual Obstacles Task (IOT), Command Task, Snake race/Group Obstacle Race, Individual Lecturette, Final Group Task (FGT). In this series of tests, candidates are required to work in collaboration with the group without competing with the other candidates.
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The final round of the SSB interview procedure is a personal interview. This is an essential part of the CDS 2026 selection process as the SSB questions and answers determine whether the candidate will get shortlisted or not. In this round, each candidate has to face the SSB group members and answer the questions posed by the interviewing officers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the rank allotted to candidates after completion of their CDS training?
A:
After successful completion of training, candidates selected through CDS exam are given the rank of Lieutenant.
Q: What is UPSC CDS 2026 salary?
A:
As per the CDS Salary Structure, the selected candidates will join as Lieutenant on the pay scale of Rs 56,100 -1,77,500 per month after training.
Q: How many rounds are there in CDS?
A:
The CDS exam is conducted in two stages, the written exam and the SSB interview.
Q: What is the training period of CDS?
A:
The CDS training is scheduled for 1.5 years for Army cadets, 37 to 40 months for Navy cadets and 74 months for Air Force cadets.
Q: What are the key differences in the training approach of NDA and CDS?
A:
NDA provides joint training for Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets, while CDS selects candidates for specific academies like the Indian Military Academy and Indian Air Force Academy.
Q: Is there any physical test for CDS?
A:
The candidate must be mentally sound and physically fit according to the guidelines issued by the Commission.
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Questions related to CDS
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to CDS ?
Hello aspirant,
No, after tenth grade, you are not eligible to take the CDS exam. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in order to sit for the CDS exam. It is intended for people who are in their last year of graduation or who have finished their college education. You must finish your 12th grade before you can graduate if you recently passed the 10th. You can then apply for the CDS exam to become an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.
Thank you
Hey! Since your date of birth is 07 Nov 2006 and you will complete graduation in 2029, here’s how many chances you’ll get for CDS (INA, IMA, AFA) and AFCAT:
For CDS exams, the age limit is usually 19–24 years.
For AFCAT, Flying Branch requires 20–24 years and Ground Duty goes up to 26 years.
By 2029, you will be around 22–23 years old, so you’ll be perfectly eligible at that time. Since CDS requires a graduate degree, you can only start applying after 2029 once you finish graduation. From that year onwards, you’ll have around 2–3 years window where you can appear for CDS (IMA, INA, AFA) as well as AFCAT.
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.
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