Combined Defence Services Exam is conducted by the UPSC two times in a year for admissions to Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
CDS Important Dates of Last Year:
- Notification Date: November
- Last Date to Apply: December
- CDS Exam Date: February
CDS Exam Pattern:
| Sl. No. | Paper/Subject | Questions | Duration | Marks |
| 1. | English | 120 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| 2. | General Knowledge | 120 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| 3. | Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours | 100 |
Elementary Mathematics is not required for admission to Officers Training Academy (OTA). There is penalty for wrong answers.
CDS Eligibility:
Women candidates are eligible for OTA only.
Age: For IMA and INA, your date of birth should be between 2nd January 1991 and 1st January 1996. For AFA and OTA, your date of birth should be between 2nd January 1990 and 1st January 1996.
Education: For IMA and OTA, you need a degree of a recognized university. For INA, degree in engineering is required. For AFA, you should have a recognized degree and Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level.
IPS LCE – Indian Police Services:
Exam Pattern:
| Paper | Type | Duration | Marks |
| Paper I | Objective Type | 2 Hours | 200 Marks |
| Paper II | Objective Type | 2 Hours | 200 Marks |
| Paper III | Descriptive Type | 3 Hours | 200 Marks |
| Paper IV | Descriptive Type | 3 Hours | 200 Marks |
| Paper V | Descriptive Type | 3 Hours | 200 Marks |
| Interview | 3 Hours | 200 Marks |
Paper III is English Language which is only qualifying in nature. Paper IV is essay and Paper V is General Studies.