CDS 2028: Notification, Exam Dates, Eligibility & Syllabus

UPSC CDS 2028: Complete Guide to Combined Defence Services Examination

Planning to balance your graduation studies with UPSC CDS 2028 preparation? The Union Public Service Commission conducts the Combined Defence Services examination twice a year for aspiring officers of the Indian Armed Forces. The first exam CDS 1 takes place on April 9, 2028, and CDS 2 follows on September 10, 2028. Your chances look good with 300-400 vacancies typically available, but you’ll need solid preparation to succeed in this defence services exam.

A clear grasp of the CDS syllabus 2028 will help your preparation work better. The written exam structure varies by branch. Indian Military Academy (IMA)/Indian Naval Academy (INA)/Air Force Academy (AFA) candidates must tackle three subjects that add up to 300 marks: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The Officers Training Academy (OTA) exam focuses on English and General Knowledge with a total of 200 marks. Smart preparation starts with knowing the CDS eligibility criteria, how to apply, and staying updated with UPSC CDS notifications.

This piece gives you a detailed roadmap from CDS exam dates 2028 to eligibility rules. You’ll find everything about age requirements, application steps, and a complete syllabus breakdown. We’ll also look at CDS coaching options that can shape your preparation strategy.

UPSC CDS 2028 Notification and Exam Dates

The UPSC calendar confirms two CDS exams in 2028, giving candidates two chances to pursue their defence career dreams.

UPSC will release the CDS 1 2028 notification on December 10, 2027. This announcement gives aspiring defence officers their first chance to apply for the 2028 CDS examination.
The CDS 2 2028 notification will come out on May 20, 2028, about five months after the first one.

Candidates should keep checking the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) to access these UPSC CDS notifications right when they’re released.

CDS 2028 Application Form Date and Process

The application window for CDS 1 2028 starts on December 10, 2027, the same day as the notification release. Candidates need to submit their CDS application form by December 30, 2027, though some sources hint at a possible extension to January 2, 2028.

CDS 2 2028 application forms will be available from May 20, 2028, and candidates can submit them until June 9, 2028.

The application process is straightforward and includes these steps:

Visit the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in)
Complete both Part I and Part II registration
Upload required documents including photograph and signature
Pay the application fee online
Submit the form and save a printout for future reference

UPSC usually opens a brief correction window after the deadline so candidates can fix any errors in their submitted details.

CDS Exam Date 2028 for CDS 1 and CDS 2

The first CDS exam date 2028 is set for April 9, 2028. UPSC plans to declare results in June 2028.
The second exam, CDS 2 2028, will take place on September 10, 2028, with results expected around October 2028.

UPSC releases the CDS admit card about a week before each exam on their official website.

These timelines help candidates plan their preparation effectively to maximize their success chances in UPSC CDS 2028.

Eligibility Criteria and Age Limit for CDS 2028

Your success in the UPSC CDS 2028 examination depends on meeting specific eligibility requirements. Let’s get into the detailed criteria that UPSC has set for aspiring defence officers.

Nationality and Educational Qualifications

CDS 2028 candidates must belong to one of these categories: Indian citizens, subjects of Bhutan or Nepal, or Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before January 1, 1962. People of Indian origin can also apply if they migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African nations to settle permanently in India.

Educational requirements vary based on the academy:

IMA and OTA: A graduation degree from a recognized university or equivalent institution is needed
INA: Engineering degree from a recognized university is mandatory
AFA: Candidates should have a graduation degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering

Final year students can apply but they must show proof of degree completion by their SSB interview date.

CDS 2028 Age Limit for IMA, INA, AFA, OTA

Each academy has different CDS age limits:

IMA & INA – 19 to 24 years (born between 2 Jan 2005 – 1 Jan 2010)
AFA – 20 to 24 years (born between 2 Jan 2005 – 1 Jan 2009)
OTA (Men & Women) – 19 to 25 years (born between 2 Jan 2004 – 1 Jan 2010)

AFA’s upper age limit extends to 26 years for candidates with valid Commercial Pilot Licenses from DGCA India.

Marital Status and Gender Eligibility

Candidates under 25 years must be unmarried to join IMA, INA, and AFA.
OTA Women’s Non-Technical Course welcomes unmarried women, issueless widows, and issueless divorcees who haven’t remarried.

The UPSC CDS 2028 examination accepts both male and female candidates. Women can apply only for OTA, while men can choose from all academies – IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.

CDS Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2028

A solid grasp of the UPSC CDS 2028 exam structure will help you accomplish your preparation goals. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements to build your study plan.

Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA

Academy	Subjects	Duration	No. of Questions	Max. Marks
IMA/INA/AFA	English	2 Hr	120	100
	General Knowledge	2 Hr	120	100
	Elementary Mathematics	2 Hr	100	100
OTA	English	2 Hr	120	100
	General Knowledge	2 Hr	120	100

CDS 1 Exam Date 2028: 9 April 2028
CDS 2 Exam Date 2028: 10 September 2028

Subject-wise CDS Syllabus 2028 Overview

English: Reading Comprehension, Sentence Improvement, Cloze Test, Vocabulary, Grammar Usage
General Knowledge: Current Affairs, Indian History, Indian Polity, Constitution, Geography, Science
Elementary Mathematics (for IMA/INA/AFA): Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics (Matriculation level)

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

+1 mark for each right answer
–0.33 marks for each wrong answer
Multiple answers marked count as incorrect
No marks deducted for unattempted questions

Accuracy and knowledge both matter, so smart selection of questions can boost your overall score.

Admission Details and Coaching Options

Students preparing for UPSC CDS 2028 should think over their coaching options carefully. Many institutes provide specialized training to help candidates succeed in the Combined Defence Services examination.

Online and Offline Batch

CDS 2028 preparation is now accessible through classroom and digital formats. Leading academies offer well-laid-out courses that come with regular doubt-clearing sessions and mock tests in both mediums. These institutes have courses lasting 4–12 months to match different preparation needs.

Doon Defence Dreamers: New CDS Batch Details

Doon Defence Dreamers (Best NDA Coaching in Dehradun) has scheduled UPSC CDS 2028 batches starting September 15, 22, and 29, 2027. This institute leads as India’s first AI-powered Defense Coaching Platform that provides 24×7 doubt-solving support and tailored learning modules. Ex-officers with extensive experience make up their teaching faculty and provide detailed guidance.

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6th October 2025
13th October 2025
20th October 2025

Parameters to consider when choosing a coaching institute

Your CDS syllabus 2026 preparation needs a coaching institute that excels in faculty experience, especially instructors from defence backgrounds. The quality of SSB interview preparation, study materials, infrastructure, and past selection rates matter significantly. The institute’s batch size and approach to solving doubts should also guide your choice. Look for institutes that provide regular CDS question papers and mock tests to familiarize you with the exam pattern.

Conclusion

Success in UPSC CDS 2028 depends on hard work, smart planning, and a clear grasp of the syllabus, age limit, and eligibility. With two exams each year, you get multiple chances to achieve your defence career goals.

The CDS syllabus 2028 may seem vast, but with a proper study plan, mock tests, and focus on core subjects like history, polity, and English, you can master it. Preparation varies for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA—choose between self-study or coaching based on your needs.

Clearing CDS 2028 also requires success in the SSB interview, where fitness and officer-like qualities matter as much as academics. Stay updated on the CDS notification, application form, admit card, and exam dates. With dedication and the right strategy, your dream of joining the Indian Armed Forces can become reality.

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