CDS 2027: Age Limit, Notification, Exam Date, Syllabus, Exam Pattern

CDS 2027 Notification: A Comprehensive Guide to the Combined Defence Services Exam

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2027 notification, paving the way for a prestigious career in the Indian Armed Forces. This UPSC CDS exam offers 453 total vacancies, serving as a gateway to elite institutions like the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).

Candidates aiming to succeed in this rigorous process must thoroughly understand the CDS exam pattern and syllabus for CDS. The selection process comprises three major stages: a CDS written test, SSB interview, and medical examination. The exam pattern varies based on your target academy. IMA, INA, and AFA share similar structures with three sections worth 300 marks total, while the OTA exam pattern follows a different format. The UPSC CDS syllabus encompasses English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics as stated in the official notification.

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything about the CDS 2027 notification – from detailed eligibility criteria and age limits to the examination pattern and significant changes introduced this year. Our analysis will help direct you through this vital first step toward your defense career, whether you’re applying for the first time or returning as a candidate.

CDS 2027 Notification Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination across India. This prestigious exam happens twice annually, with sessions in February and November. The CDS I exam for 2027 will take place on April 13, 2027, while CDS II is scheduled for September 14, 2027. This regular schedule gives defense officer aspirants two chances every year to pursue their military dreams.

Event	CDS I 2027 (Tentative)	CDS II 2027 (Tentative)
Notification Release	December 2026	May 2027
Application Dates	Dec 2026 – Jan 2027	May – June 2027
Admit Card Release	March 2027	August 2027
Exam Date	April 2027	September 2027
Result Declaration	May 2027	October 2027

Exam conducting body and frequency

UPSC oversees the entire CDS exam process. The commission posts official notifications on their website during October and June each year. These CDS notifications provide detailed information about eligibility requirements, how to apply, and exam schedules. The CDS selection process includes a written test, SSB interview, and medical evaluation for qualified candidates.

Academies covered under CDS

The CDS 2027 examination opens doors to four elite defense training institutions:

Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun: Delivers one-year training to create permanent commission officers for the Indian Army
Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala: Runs a three-year program to shape naval officers
Air Force Academy (AFA) in Hyderabad: Conducts one-year training for future Air Force officers
Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai: Offers 49-week training for short-service commissioned officers

Each academy maintains specific educational standards and age limits based on their service branch. Graduates receive commissions as Lieutenants, Sub Lieutenants, or Flying Officers depending on their academy.

Important dates and deadlines

Key dates for CDS I 2027:

Notification release: Mid-December 2026 (Wednesday)
Application window: Mid-Late December 2026
Exam date: April 13, 2027 (Tuesday)

CDS II 2027 schedule:

Notification release: Late May 2027 (Friday)
Application window: Late May-Mid June 2027
Exam date: September 14, 2027 (Tuesday)
Course commencement: July 2028 for IMA and October 2028 for OTA

CDS Eligibility Criteria for 2027

Your success in the CDS 2027 examination starts with meeting the basic eligibility requirements. You should thoroughly understand these CDS eligibility criteria before submitting your CDS application form.

Academy	Age Limit (as on 1 Jan / 1 July 2027)	Marital Status
Indian Military Academy (IMA)	19 – 24 years	Unmarried
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	19 – 24 years	Unmarried
Air Force Academy (AFA)	20 – 24 years (up to 26 for candidates with CPL license)	Unmarried
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)	19 – 25 years	Married/Unmarried

Nationality and marital status

You must be a citizen from one of these categories: Indian citizens, subjects of Bhutan or Nepal, Tibetan refugees who arrived before July 1, 1962, or persons of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specific East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam). Note that applicants from these latter categories must have a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India. Gorkha subjects from Nepal don’t need this requirement.

The marital status rules are clear. IMA, INA, and AFA candidates must be unmarried. OTA has different rules – men must be unmarried, while women can be unmarried, issueless widows who haven’t remarried, or issueless divorcees who haven’t remarried with proper documentation. Male divorcees are seen as married and so they can’t apply.

Educational qualifications for IMA, INA, AFA, OTA

Each academy has its own academic requirements:

IMA and OTA: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent
INA: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with minimum 60% marks from AICTE-recognized institution
AFA: Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering

Final-year students can apply if they have no backlog in previous semesters and can show proof of graduation by the specified date. You must meet these qualifications before applying as officials will check your original documents.

Physical and medical standards

CDS 2027 applicants must meet specific physical fitness standards. Male candidates need a minimum height of 157.5 cm for IMA, 157 cm for Navy, and 162.5 cm for Air Force. Female candidates must be at least 152 cm tall.

Some groups get height relaxations. Candidates from hills of northeastern regions, Garhwali, and Kumaon get 5 cm less, while those from Lakshadweep get 2 cm less.

You’ll also need to pass a CDS medical examination that checks your vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and overall physical fitness. Permanent body tattoos aren’t allowed except in some cases. Medical fitness will show that you can handle tough training and perform well in different conditions.

CDS 2027 Age Limits Explained

Age limits play a vital role in CDS 2027 qualification criteria and vary significantly between different academies. Aspiring defense personnel must understand these requirements before they begin their career journey.

Age criteria for IMA, INA, AFA

Academy	Age Limit (as on 1 Jan / 1 July 2027)	Marital Status
Indian Military Academy (IMA)	19 – 24 years	Unmarried
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	19 – 24 years	Unmarried
Air Force Academy (AFA)	20 – 24 years (up to 26 for candidates with CPL license)	Unmarried
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)	19 – 25 years	Married/Unmarried

Indian Military Academy (IMA) accepts candidates between 19-24 years of age. Applicants must be born between January 2, 2002, and January 1, 2007. Indian Naval Academy (INA) has a tighter age range of 19-22 years with similar birth date requirements. Air Force Academy (AFA) candidates need to be 20-24 years old by January 1, 2026. This means their birth dates should fall between January 2, 2002, and January 1, 2006.

Age criteria for OTA (Men and Women)

Officers’ Training Academy requires both male and female candidates to be 19-25 years old. Female applicants have special eligibility rules. Unmarried women can apply along with issueless widows and divorcees who haven’t remarried. These women must provide proper documentation.

Relaxations and exceptions

Air Force Academy offers age relaxation up to 26 years to candidates with valid Commercial Pilot Licenses from DGCA (India). Applicants under 25 must be unmarried. Those above 25 can apply even if married but won’t get married accommodation during training. Male divorcees or widowers cannot call themselves unmarried when seeking admission.

CDS Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2027

Your preparation strategy for the CDS 2027 examination heavily depends on understanding the CDS 2027 exam pattern. Let’s delve into the key requirements and structure that will help shape your study plan.

For IMA, INA, AFA	Marks	Duration
English	100	2 Hours
General Knowledge	100	2 Hours
Elementary Mathematics	100	2 Hours
Total	300

For OTA	Marks	Duration
English	100	2 Hours
General Knowledge	100	2 Hours
Total	200

Subject-wise syllabus: English, GK, Mathematics

The English section of the syllabus for CDS reviews your language skills through reading comprehension, error detection, vocabulary, and sentence improvement. The CDS General Knowledge section tests you on current affairs, history, geography, economics, science, and defense awareness. CDS GK questions often cover a wide range of topics, so thorough preparation is essential. Mathematics questions cover number systems, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, statistics, and probability at matriculation level.

The UPSC CDS syllabus is comprehensive and requires dedicated study. For those applying to OTA, the CDS OTA syllabus focuses more on English and General Knowledge, excluding the Mathematics section.

Marking scheme and negative marking

Correct answers earn you +1 mark. Wrong answers lead to a CDS negative marking penalty of -0.33 marks. The exam considers multiple marked answers incorrect. Questions left unanswered carry no penalty. This marking approach helps candidates focus on accuracy rather than random guessing.

CDS 2027 SSB Interview

Candidates who clear the written CDS 2027 Exam will be called for the SSB Interview. The SSB process lasts for 5 days and includes:

Screening Test (Officer Intelligence Rating Test + Picture Perception & Description Test)
Psychological Tests
Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO Tasks)
Personal Interview
Conference Round

The final merit list is prepared based on marks in the written exam and SSB interview.

Conclusion

The Combined Defence Services examination opens doors to a prestigious military career through elite institutions like IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. Success depends on meeting detailed eligibility requirements. These include nationality criteria, educational qualifications, and physical standards that are different for each academy. Age limits strictly control entry – 19-24 years for IMA, 19-22 for INA, 20-24 for AFA, and 19-25 for OTA. Some categories may qualify for special relaxations.

Each academy has its own exam format. IMA, INA, and AFA candidates must take three papers worth 300 marks. OTA aspirants take two papers that add up to 200 marks. The CDS negative marking system plays a vital role in the final score. Each wrong answer reduces your score by 0.33 marks.

Your CDS 2027 preparation needs careful planning and consistent study. Start by reading the official CDS notification carefully. Create a well-laid-out study plan that covers English proficiency, detailed general knowledge, and mathematical aptitude. Regular practice with previous years’ CDS question papers will boost your test-taking abilities. After the exam, don’t forget to check the CDS answer key and CDS answer sheet for a preliminary assessment of your performance.

The path to military leadership through CDS 2027 might look tough. Yet thousands of dedicated candidates turn this dream into reality each year. Your journey to join India’s defense forces starts with this notification. Make good use of this information, prepare with dedication, and face the CDS written test confidently. The uniform awaits those who push through every stage of this challenging selection process.

For additional support, consider exploring CDS 2027 online coaching options and reviewing CDS preparation tips from successful candidates. Stay updated on CDS 2027 exam centres, CDS admit card release dates, and CDS result announcements. A thorough CDS exam analysis can provide valuable insights for your preparation strategy. Remember to check the official UPSC website for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the CDS exam.

Doon Defence Dreamers – Registration & Admission

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Enroll now at Doon Defence Dreamers, the leading CDS coaching institute in Dehradun, to kickstart your journey toward becoming a defence officer.

How to Register?

Visit the official Doon Defence Dreamers website.
Fill in the CDS 2027 Registration Form with your details.
Choose your desired batch (Offline / Online).
Complete admission formalities and start your journey towards becoming a defence officer.