The “Combined Defence Services” (CDS) Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of candidates into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. The UPSC will conduct the CDS exam twice a year in the month of February and September. Candidates who aim to serve the nation by joining the defence forces can start applying for the CDS examination. In order to apply online for the CDS examination, candidates should meet all the eligibility requirements set by the Commission. The selection of the candidates will be based on the written examination followed by an interview for intelligence and personality test. The shortlisted candidates will be placed at the respective academies based on the preference and merit. Explore more details regarding the CDS (I) & (II) examination below.
| Indian Military Academy: Dehradun |
| Indian Naval Academy: Ezhimala |
| Air Force Academy: Hyderabad |
| Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Men): Chennai |
| Officers Training Academy (SSC Women): Chennai |
| Pathway 1 | |
| Step: 1 | Clear Class XII in any stream (Better subjects are political science, public administration, psychology, sociology, English literature, economics, History) |
| Step: 2 | · Any graduation program, better subjects are
Political science, psychology, sociology, Economics, Public Administration & History etc. · Reading Newspaper, Read Grade 11 & 12 NCERT Books · Listen All India Radio for News & Reviews |
| Step: 3 | Clear UPSC-CDS Examination |
| Rank | Level | Salary (In Rs) |
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | 56,100 -1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10 B | 61,300- 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | 1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | 1,39,600-2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | 1,44,200-2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 | 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
| HAG+Scale | Level 16 | 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Level 17 | 2,25,000 (fixed) |
| COAS | Level 18 | 2,50,000 (fixed) |
The Military Service Pay(MSP) to the officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier is a fixed amount of Rs 15,500 per month.
CDS Salary: Allowances and Perks
Qualification Grant: This is abolished as a separate allowance. Eligible employees will be governed by the newly proposed higher qualification incentive. The order is awaited by MoD.
Flying allowance: The Army Aviators (Pilots) serving in the Army Aviation Corps are entitled to flying allowance. The lieutenant and above rank in level 10 and above will be Rs 25,000 per month (R1H1 of Risk and Hardship Matrix).
Other allowance:
| Dearness Allowance | Admissible at the same rates and under the same condition as are applicable to the civilian personnel from time to time. |
| Kit maintenance allce | Subsumed into the newly proposed Dress Allowance which is Rs 20,000 per year |
Siachen Allowance:
Siachen Allowance will be Rs 42,500 per month.
Uniform allowance:
Subsumed into the newly proposed Dress Allowance that is Rs 20,000 per year.
Free Rations:
Transport Allowance (TPTA):
| Pay Level | Higher TPTA Cities (Rs Per month) | Other Places (Rs Per month) |
| 9 and above | Rs 7,200+DA thereon | Rs 3,600+DA thereon |
