The “Combined Defence Services” Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy.
Combined Defence Services Examination Overview
(A) Tentative Schedule (Examination held twice a year)
| (i) Notification of Examination | August and March |
| (ii) Conduct of Examination | February and August |
(B) Age-limits
| 19-24 Years | Indian Military Academy |
| 19-22 Years | Indian Naval Academy |
| 19-23 Years | Indian Air Force Academy |
| 19-25 Years | Officer’s Training Academy |
(C) Educational Qualifications
| IMA & OTA | Degree of a recognized University or equivalent |
| Indian Naval Academy | B.Sc. with Physics & Mathematics or Bachelor of Engg |
| Indian Air Force Academy | B.Sc. with Physics and/or Mathematics or Bachelor of Engg. |
Candidates appearing at the degree or equivalent examination also eligible to compete. Such candidates will be required to submit the proof of passing the requisite qualifying examination by a date to be specified in the Commission’s Notice for the Examination.
(D) Scheme of Examination
| Written Examination | ||
| (a) For Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy | 1. English (Objective type) | 100 Marks |
| 2. General Knowledge(Objective type) | 100 Marks | |
| 3. Elementary Mathematics(Objective type) | 100 Marks | |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks | |
| (b) For Officers’ Training Academy | 1. English (Objective type) | 100 Marks |
| 2. General Knowledge(Objective type) | 100 Marks | |
| Total Marks | 200 Marks | |
| Marks for SSB Interviews | ||
| IMA, NA and AFA | 300 Marks | |
| OTA | 200 Marks |
