UPSC • Official Lifecycle & AI Intelligence Hub
UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services Examination) is a national competitive recruitment examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Candidates appointed receive an estimated in-hand monthly salary of as per 7th CPC standards, with general eligibility requiring ages between 18 to 30/32 years.
UPSC CDS recruits graduates for IMA, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and OTA as commissioned officers.
| Stage | Mode | Subjects / Modules | Duration | Total Marks | Negative Marking | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Exam | Pen & Paper (Objective (MCQ)) | English, GK, Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours each | 300 | 0.33/0.83 per wrong answer | Moderate |
| SSB Interview | Interview & Tests (Psychological & Physical) | GTO tasks, Psychology tests, Interview | 5 Days | 300 | Not applicable | Difficult |
Graduates aiming for Armed Forces officer roles
Aspirants for IMA, Navy, Air Force, OTA
Candidates seeking short/permanent commission
A: UPSC CDS is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
A: Yes, UPSC CDS is generally held annually as per the official recruitment calendar.
A: Most objective stages carry negative marking; check the official notification for exact deduction.