About Combined Defence Service Exam (CDSE)

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Indian Air Force Academy(AFA). The Notification for the examination released in October for CDS-I Exam and in August for CDS-II Exam and the examinations are conducted in February and November respectively. Only Unmarried graduates are eligible to sit for the exam. Successful candidates are admitted into the respective Academies after an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB).

CDS 01 2025 Examination Details

CDS Exam Paper 2025 Pattern

The CDS Examination will be conducted in two phases:

For IMA/INA/IAF: 3-Papers (300 marks)

For OTA-Chennai: 2-Papers (200 marks)

*(No -Mathematics Paper)

CDS Cut-off Marks 2023 (2014-2023)

Cut-off Marks: Minimum qualifying standard/marks at the written stage and marks secured by the last candidate in the merit order at final stage of the examination.

CDS-II 2021 CUT-OFF MARKS

CDS-I 2021 CUT-OFF MARKS

CDS-II 2020 CUT-OFF MARKS

CDS-I 2020 CUT-OFF MARKS

CDS-II 2019 CUT-OFF MARKS

CDS Cut-off Mark-2015

CDS Cut-off Mark-2016

CDS Cut-off Mark-2017

CDS Cut-off Mark-2018

CDS Cut-off Mark-2019

Note*: (With at least 20% marks in English, 10 % in GK )

CDS Cut-off Marks and TIE - Principles

Wherever two or more candidates have secured equal aggregate marks in CDS Examination the tie (s) have been resolved in accordance with the following principles approved by the Commission, viz

• The candidates senior by Age has been placed at higher rank.

Important Links for CDS Exam Preparation

To Practice CDS Exam Important Questions

• CDS Exam Quiz

To download CDS previous year question papers click the link 

• CDS Previous year question papers

To purchase CDS Books click the link below

• CDS Exam Books

To Attend CDS Online Test Series click the link below 

• CDS Online Test Series 

CDS Exam 2024 Classroom Course: Key Highlights

An All-inclusive Coaching Classes

• In the CDS Coaching Classes by National Defence Institute, you will get access to Live Online classes, Recorded classes for Conceptual building, Doubts, and Discussion Classes which will be more than enough to clear CDS Exam and qualify for SSB-Services Selection Board. The course soft and Hard copy notes for all the subjects and topics in PDFs, weekly tests and full-length mock tests, and practice questions in a daily quiz format. 

Weekly Assessments & Mock Test Series

• Preparing for CDS-IMA/INA/AFA/OTA & other exams is a continuous process during which you will have to assess your performance and work upon your mistakes regularly. Hence, in addition to the study material, the CDS video lectures course also includes weekly assessments and mock tests, which you can attempt to enhance your speed and accuracy while solving the questions. 

Comprehensive Study Plan

• With CDS Online & Classroom Coaching by NDI-National Defence Institute, you will get a Complete Study-Plan prepared by the most experienced subject matter experts. The live classes can be joined anytime, anywhere, which makes learning effective. You can even ask your doubts by joining the live doubt-clearing session.

Study Materials PDF, Daily Quizzes

• Through CDS Classroom or Live/Online Classes, you get important study notes based on every topic, quizzes to test your knowledge and PDFs based on the latest pattern and syllabus. The practice material helps you analyze your strong and weak sections.

Improve Speed & Accuracy

• Time management, while maintaining accuracy is the most crucial thing to keep in mind while attending the exam. With CDS 2024 Live/Online and Classroom Course by NDI-National Defence Institute, you not only understand the level of preparation, but it also helps you to improve accuracy and speed, so that you can achieve a good score in less time.

CDS Classroom and Online Test Series

• CDS Test Series are the best way to practice and revise for the CDS 2024 exam. Through CDS mock tests, you revise the topics by solving various questions based on the important topics. You will be provided with Online Mock tests comprised of sectional mock tests and full-length mock tests.
  

CDS 1 2024 Examination

• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination twice a year for recruiting candidates for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Officers Training Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy.
• This year the CDS 01 2024 Exam is scheduled to be held on 21 April 2024 (Tentative). It is high time you start your exam preparation at the earliest.