CDS and AFCAT (officer entry after graduation) in India — eligibility, exams, fees, careers

CDS and AFCAT are the two main written exams for graduates who want to become commissioned officers in the Army, Navy or Air Force. CDS, run by UPSC twice a year, fills the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and the Officers' Training Academy. AFCAT, run by the Air Force twice a year, fills Flying and Ground Duty branches of the IAF. Both end in the same kind of multi-day selection board, and the job that follows is a career of leadership, not a desk post.

Know this. Most families think the written exam is the hard part. It is not: the Services Selection Board rejects most of the candidates who reach it, and it cannot be crammed for. It looks at how you think, cooperate, lead and handle stress over five days, and medical rejection is common too. Prepare for the SSB and your fitness from the start, get your eyes and basic medical standards checked early, and know which commission you are applying for. A Short Service Commission (OTA, many AFCAT branches) is an initial ten years, extendable to fourteen, with a chance of Permanent Commission; it is not a lifetime job with pension by default.

Getting in

Combined Defence Services Examination (UPSC) and Air Force Common Admission Test (Indian Air Force)

Who can apply

CDS: IMA and OTA need a degree in any subject; the Naval Academy needs an engineering degree or a B.Sc. with Physics (and Physics and Maths in Class 12); the Air Force Academy needs a degree with Physics and Maths in Class 12, or an engineering degree. Ages for the 2026 (II) cycle: IMA and INA 19–24, AFA 20–24 (up to 26 with a DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence), OTA 19–25. IMA, INA and AFA take unmarried men; women (and men) can join through OTA on Short Service Commission. AFCAT: Flying branch needs Physics and Maths in Class 12 plus any degree or a B.E./B.Tech, age 20–24 (26 with a CPL); Ground Duty branches are 20–26 and have their own degree rules (engineering for technical branches; any degree for Administration and Logistics; B.Com/BBA finance/CA/CMA/CS/CFA for Accounts; a postgraduate degree for Education; science or engineering for Meteorology). Final-year students may apply. All entries have strict medical and physical standards.

How admission works

CDS: UPSC notifies it twice a year and holds the written test in April and September. IMA, INA and AFA candidates take three two-hour objective papers (English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks each, with negative marking); OTA candidates take only English and GK. Those who pass are called to the Services Selection Board (SSB): a screening test on day one, then psychological tests, group tasks and a personal interview over about five days. Final merit adds written and SSB marks (300 each for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 each for OTA), and depends on passing the medical. AFCAT: the Air Force notifies two cycles a year. The online test is two hours, 100 questions for 300 marks (general awareness, English, numerical ability, reasoning and military aptitude), with three marks per correct answer and one deducted per wrong one. Qualified candidates choose a date at an Air Force Selection Board (Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi or Guwahati). Flying-branch candidates also take the Computerised Pilot Selection System test, which you can take only once in life. NCC 'C' certificate holders have a special entry with seats set aside.

Duration: Written exam, then a 5-day SSB/AFSB interview and medicals; academy training of about 49 weeks (OTA) to 18 months (IMA, AFA flying) before you are commissioned
Entrance: CDS Exam · AFCAT

What you study

English: grammar, vocabulary, comprehension (both exams)
General knowledge: history, geography, polity, economy, science, current affairs and defence news
Elementary mathematics to Class 10 level (CDS for IMA/INA/AFA) or numerical ability (AFCAT)
Reasoning and military aptitude, including spatial and verbal reasoning (AFCAT)
SSB/AFSB preparation: officer intelligence rating tests, picture perception and discussion, psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD), group tasks and interview
Physical fitness: running, push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups and swimming
At the academy: weapons, tactics, leadership, drill, physical training and service-specific subjects; pilots go on to flying training

Specialisations: Army through IMA Dehradun (Permanent Commission) or OTA Chennai (Short Service Commission, men and women) · Navy Executive branch through the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala · Air Force Flying branch through the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (CDS or AFCAT) · IAF Ground Duty (Technical): Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics / Mechanical) · IAF Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Weapon Systems, Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology

Is it you?

A good fit if

You want to lead people early (a platoon or a flight) and like responsibility under pressure
You are physically active and ready to meet medical and fitness standards
You are comfortable with postings in border areas, ships or remote air bases, and moving every two to three years
You want structure, discipline and a strong sense of purpose over a high corporate salary
You can take repeated SSB attempts calmly; many officers clear it on the second or third try

Think twice if

You want to stay in one city, near family, for most of your career
You have a known medical issue (eyesight beyond limits, certain surgeries, flat feet, colour vision) and have not checked the standards
You dislike physical training or hierarchy
You want a pension-for-life guarantee from a short-service entry; SSC officers are not entitled to pension unless they get Permanent Commission
You are joining mainly because other exams did not work; the selection board is designed to spot that

The honest part

The recommendation rate at SSB is low; repeat attempts are normal and are not held against you.
Medical standards are strict and final; the Flying branch pilot aptitude test (CPSS) can be taken only once in life.
Short Service officers serve 10 years, extendable to 14, and are not entitled to pension unless granted Permanent Commission; plan the second career early.
Training is physically and mentally hard, and marriage is not permitted during training for younger cadets.
Life involves frequent transfers, field postings away from family, and real risk in some roles.

What it costs

Government: CDS fee is ₹200 (women, SC/ST and certain JCO/NCO wards are exempt); AFCAT fee is ₹550 plus GST. Travel to the SSB/AFSB is reimbursed for the first attempt at a given entry. Training at the academy is paid: cadets get a stipend.
Private: Written-exam coaching typically ₹10,000–40,000; SSB coaching ₹10,000–30,000 for a short course. Many candidates prepare with books and free SSB material.
Help: Officer cadets receive a fixed stipend equal to the starting Level 10 basic pay (₹56,100 a month) during training at IMA, INA, AFA and OTA, so there is no fee for the academy itself.

Rough 2026 ranges to compare routes. Fees differ by college and state and change every year.

After this

Study next

Or start work as

Lieutenant, Indian Army (infantry, artillery, armoured, engineers, signals and other arms and services)
Sub-Lieutenant, Indian Navy (Executive branch)
Flying Officer, Indian Air Force (fighter, transport or helicopter pilot)
Flying Officer, IAF Ground Duty (technical, weapon systems, administration, logistics, accounts, education, meteorology)

Starting pay

A newly commissioned Lieutenant or Flying Officer is at Pay Level 10 (₹56,100–1,77,500) plus a fixed Military Service Pay of ₹15,500 a month, plus DA and allowances. Flying and field allowances add more. Take-home in the first year is usually about ₹1–1.3 lakh a month depending on branch and posting, along with free medical care, subsidised housing and canteen, and insurance cover. Pay rises with rank; most officers reach Major (or equivalent) in about six years.

Or study it abroad

Careers this leads to

Each opens a full career guide — the work, a week in the life, skills and pay.

Questions families ask

Can girls join through CDS?

Yes, through the Officers' Training Academy, Chennai, on Short Service Commission (non-technical). Women can also join the Air Force through AFCAT in both Flying and Ground Duty branches, and through other direct entries. The IMA, INA and AFA courses under CDS are notified for men.

CDS or AFCAT for the Air Force?

Both lead to the Air Force Academy. CDS's AFA seats are for Permanent Commission in the Flying branch; AFCAT covers Flying and Ground Duty branches, mostly on Short Service Commission with some PC seats. Many candidates take both. The flying branch needs the pilot aptitude test (CPSS) whichever route you use.

Can I apply in my final year?

Yes. Final-year students can apply to both CDS and AFCAT, but you must show proof of passing your degree by the date set in the notice, usually before the course starts. Keep your final-year marks safe.

How many times can I try?

There is no attempt limit; only the age limits apply. CDS and AFCAT each run twice a year, so a graduate typically has several chances. The only strict one-time rule is the CPSS pilot test.

Is coaching needed for SSB?

Not necessarily. The SSB tests who you are, not memorised answers, and assessors are trained to see through rehearsed responses. What helps: reading widely, being fit, knowing yourself, practising group discussion and speaking clearly, and understanding the test formats. A short course can help with familiarity.

What happens after Short Service Commission ends?

After 10 years (or 14 with extension), officers who do not get Permanent Commission are released with a gratuity-type terminal benefit but no pension. Many move into corporate management, security, aviation, government jobs with ex-servicemen reservation, or an MBA; some resettlement courses are funded by the forces.

Sources, checked 2026-09-28: UPSC: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 notice · Indian Air Force: AFCAT Cycle 02/2026 notification · AFCAT official portal

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