The Combined Defense Services (CDS) provides excellent career opportunities for young and courageous individuals who nurture a strong feeling of patriotism. UPSC conducts CDS examination, twice every year for the selection in Indian Armed Forces, Army, Navy and Air Force.

The selection process consists of a written exam and personality test by the Service Selection Board. After the final selection, the candidates are sent to, depending upon their choice indicated in the application form and merit list ranking, one of the following institutes for orientation training:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
• Naval Academy, Goa
• Air Force Academy, Begumpet, Hyderabad
• Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai

Those joining the first three institutes get permanent commission, however cadets passing out of OTA get short service commission.

Only unmarried men and women can apply for the combined defense services.

For more details about the terms and conditions of the Combined Defense Services Terms, check the information under each training academies. 

For detailed instructions about Application Procedure, Vacancies, Eligibility Conditions, and Examination click on one of links in the left column.