The CDS 2026 selection process has two major stages: UPSC Written Exam and SSB Interview. The written exam is objective MCQ-based with negative marking. The SSB is a 5-day comprehensive assessment conducted by each respective service.
Written Exam Pattern – IMA / INA / Air Force Academy
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | ~120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | ~120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | ~100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total (IMA/INA/AFA) | 300 | 6 Hours total |
Written Exam Pattern – Officers Training Academy (OTA)
| Paper | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total (OTA) | 200 | 4 Hours total |
Marking Scheme
- Correct answer: +1 mark (approximate per 1-mark questions)
- Wrong answer: −1/3 mark per wrong answer (negative marking applies to all papers)
- Unattempted: 0 marks
SSB Interview Structure
| SSB Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| SSB Interview (IMA / INA / AFA) | 300 |
| SSB Interview (OTA) | 200 |
Final Merit Calculation
- IMA / INA / AFA: Written (300) + SSB (300) = 600 marks total
- OTA: Written (200) + SSB (200) = 400 marks total
- Written and SSB carry equal weightage for each academy track