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PREPARING QUALITY CITIZENS With Selection Oriented Training With Graduation
  • CDS Exam, conducted by UPSC, recruits officers for Indian Defence Services (Army, Navy, Air Force). It's held twice a year.
  • Graduates undergo written exams and SSB interviews. Successful candidates train at prestigious academies like IMA, Naval, and Air Force Academy.
  • CDS is a pathway for patriotic individuals to serve their country as armed forces officers. BREAKTHROUGH POINT is the premier coaching institute for UPSC NDA/NA written examinations in Delhi/NCR.
CDS Full Form Eligibility

CDS Eligibility Criteria Details
CDS Nationality Citizen of India Subject of Nepal/Bhutan Tibetan refugee migrated to India before January 01, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement Individuals of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire & Vietnam for permanent settlement in India
CDS Exam Education Qualification For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy: Graduation degree (any subject) from a recognized University or equivalent
For Indian Naval Academy: Graduation in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution
For Air Force Academy: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering
CDS Age Limit 20 to 24 years. The detailed age limit will be mentioned in the official notification PDF
CDS Marital Status & Sex For Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy: Only unmarried males are eligible
For Indian Air Force Academy: Both married and unmarried males can apply, but marriage during training is not permitted
For Officer Training Academy: Unmarried males & females can apply
CDS Full Form Selection Process
CDS Selection Process involves a series of stages designed to assess the candidates’ aptitude, intelligence, and physical fitness.
  1. Written Examination: Candidates must first qualify in the written examination, which comprises multiple-choice questions and tests their knowledge in subjects such as English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The written exam is held separately for each academy.
  2. Interview/Personality Test: Candidates who pass the written examination are shortlisted for the interview/personality test conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). This stage evaluates candidates’ officer-like qualities, leadership skills, and suitability for a career in the defense forces. The interview/personality test includes various tasks, group discussions, and personal interviews.
  3. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must submit their original documents for verification, including educational certificates, age proof, and other relevant documents.
  4. Medical Examination: Candidates who clear the interview/personality test undergo a thorough medical examination conducted by a Military Hospital to assess their medical fitness. The medical examination ensures that candidates meet military service’s physical and medical standards.
  5. Final Merit List: The final selection is based on the candidate’s performance in the written examination, interview/personality test, and medical examination. A merit list is prepared, and candidates are allotted seats in the respective academies based on their ranks and preferences.
CDS Full Form Exam Pattern
These tables provides a clear and organized format of the CDS Exam Pattern, including the subjects, duration, and maximum marks for each stage.
  1. For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy:
  2. Subject Duration Maximum Marks
    English 2 Hours 100
    General Knowledge 2 Hours 100
    Mathematics 2 Hours 100
    SSB Test/Interview 5 Days 300
  3. For Admission to the Officers’ Training Academy:
  4. Subject Duration Maximum Marks
    English 2 Hours 100
    General Knowledge 2 Hours 100
    SSB Test/Interview 5 Days 300
CDS Full Form Trainings
The training for candidates selected through the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is a rigorous and comprehensive process aimed at shaping them into competent and disciplined officers in the Indian Armed Forces. The nature of training varies depending on the service branch – Army, Navy, or Air Force – and the specific academy to which the candidate is admitted.
  1. Indian Military Academy (IMA):
    • Candidates selected for the Army undergo training at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.
    • The training at IMA is designed to develop leadership skills, physical fitness, and a deep sense of discipline.
  2. Naval Academy (NA):
    • Successful candidates for the Indian Navy receive training at the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, Kerala .
    • Naval training emphasizes maritime skills, navigation, naval operations, and leadership development.
  3. Air Force Academy (AFA):
    • Aspirants selected for the Indian Air Force undergo training at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad.
    • The training at AFA focuses on aeronautical skills, flying training, and leadership in the Air Force context.
  4. Officers Training Academy (OTA):
    • Candidates selected for the Indian Army through the Short Service Commission (SSC) receive training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
    • The training at OTA is designed to develop leadership skills, physical fitness, and prepares candidates for short-term service in the Indian Army with an emphasis on discipline and tactical military training.

CDS Syllabus

CDS Syllabus for English
CDS English Syllabus
  • Reading Comprehension Questions.
  • Spotting the Error Questions.
  • Fill in the blank questions.
  • Synonyms & Antonyms Questions.
  • Idioms and Phrases Questions.
  • Sentence Arrangement or Jumbled Questions.
  • Ordering of words in Sentence Questions.
  • Sentence Improvement or Sentence Correction Questions.
CDS Syllabus for Mathematics
Arithmetic
  • Number System
  • Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers.
  • Fundamental operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions.
  • Unitary method, time and work, time and distance, percentages.
  • Applications of profit and loss, simple and compound interest, ratio and proportion, variation.
  • Elementary Number Theory
  • Division algorithm.
  • Prime and composite numbers.
  • Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11.
  • Multiples and factors.
  • Factorisation Theorem.
  • H.C.F. and L.C.M.
  • Euclidean algorithm.
  • Logarithms to base 10, use of logarithmic tables, laws of logarithms.
Algebra
  • Basic operations and Simple factors
  • Remainder Theorem.
  • H.C.F. and L.C.M
  • Theory of polynomials, relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered), solutions of quadratic equations.
  • Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns — analytical & graphical solutions.
  • Simultaneous linear inequalities in two variables & their solutions.
  • Practical issues with solutions that result in two simultaneous linear equations, inequalities in two variables, or quadratic equations in one variable.
  • Set notation and set language.
  • Rational expressions and conditional identities.
Trigonometry
  • Sine x, cosine x, Tan x when 0° < x < 90° , Values of sin x, cos x & tan x, for x=0°, 30°, 45°, 60° & 90°.
  • Simple trigonometric identities.
  • Use of trigonometric tables.
  • Simple cases of heights and distances.
Geometry
  • Plane and plane figures, Lines and angles, Theorems on:
  • Properties of Angles at a Point
  • Parallel Lines
  • Sides and Angles of a Triangle
  • Congruence of Triangles
  • Similar Triangles
  • Concurrence of Medians and Altitudes
  • Properties of sides, angles and diagonals of a rectangle, parallelogram and square
  • Circles and their properties including tangents and normals
  • Loci
Mensuration
  • Areas of parallelograms, squares, rectangles, triangles and circles.
  • Areas of figures can be split up into these figures (Field Book), lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders, Surface area and volume of cuboids, and surface area and volume of spheres.
Statistics
  • Collection and tabulation of statistical data.
  • Graphical representation of frequency polygons, bar charts, histograms, pie charts etc.
  • Measures of central tendency.
CDS Syllabus for General Knowledge
CDS General Knowledge Syllabus
  • Indian History
  • Political Science
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • Environment
  • General Science – Physics, Chemistry, Biology
  • Current Affairs– National & International Awards, Summits, Sports, Conference;

For Fee Structure & Course Duration and other details

Frequently Asked Questions

The CDS exam held twice a year by UPSC chooses graduates for induction in IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. It consists of two phases: the written exam and the SSB interview along with medicals. We offer full CDS coaching with specialized training for the written exam as well as SSB preparation at Breakthrough Point, making candidates prepared for all phases of selection.
Any graduate (or final-year student) who fulfills age restrictions — IMA/INA: 19–24 years, AFA: 20–24 years, OTA: 19–25 years - is eligible to apply. The nationality, marital status, and subject requirements differ for each academy. Breakthrough Point provides individualized eligibility counseling to assist aspirants, check their requirements, and assist them in selecting the suitable academy option while applying.
For IMA, INA, and AFA, there are three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (each of 100 marks, 300 in total). For OTA, English and General Knowledge alone are needed (200 in total). There is negative marking (â…“ mark) for incorrect answers. Breakthrough Point conducts CDS mock tests on the same UPSC pattern, imparting time management and answer accuracy through repeated practice sessions.
Online applications are done on the UPSC website. Documents have to be uploaded, details entered cautiously, and fee paid. At Breakthrough Point, guides lead applicants step-by-step through filling up the application form, photo/signature upload, and document checking.
Eligible applicants undergo the five-day SSB process, namely Stage-I (OIR + PPDT), Stage-II (psychology, GTO tasks, interview), and medicals. Breakthrough Point offers personalized SSB coaching with live practice sessions, mock interviews, psychology training, and GTO ground exposure to enable aspirants to feel confident and enhance their chances of selection.
Applicants are required to satisfy service-specialized criteria for height, weight, vision, endurance, and general health. These are rigorously screened by the Service Medical Board. Breakthrough Point offers physical fitness training as well as medical requirement guidance so that students can prepare in advance and not get disqualified.
Yes, self-study with NCERTs, standard books, and regular practice can certainly do the trick. But success is also many times dependent on expert strategy and direction. Breakthrough Point's systematic CDS program offers experienced faculty, study material, doubt-clearing sessions, and integrated SSB training, enhancing the chances of success in the very first attempt.
Recommended books are NCERTs (Maths, Science, History, Geography), English grammar books, Lucent's GK, and UPSC's old year papers. Breakthrough Point adds to these with CDS exclusive study notes, practice sheets, full-length mocks, and individual feedback, which provide hopefuls a sharper cut in preparation.
The last merit list is prepared on marks scored in the written test (300 for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA) combined with SSB interview (300), with medical fitness being mandatory. Breakthrough Point's emphasis on both written and SSB ensures that candidates score well on both, giving them maximum opportunities to find a place on the merit list.
Breakthrough Point provides end-to-end CDS coaching: coverage of syllabus, weekly mock tests, physical training, SSB coaching, and individual mentorship. Our innovative combination of written exam training with SSB coaching positions us among the most reliable CDS coaching institutes for candidates who are committed to final selection.

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