CDS 2026 Selection Process: Complete Guide to SSB, Written Exam & Final Merit

Overview of the CDS 2026 Selection Process

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is the gateway for graduates to join the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). The selection is a multi-stage rigorous process designed to evaluate not just academic knowledge, but the leadership potential and psychological makeup of future officers.

CDS 2026 Selection Stages

The recruitment follows a structured three-tier process:

• Written Examination: An offline MCQ-based test to filter candidates based on academic aptitude.
• SSB Interview: A comprehensive 5-day personality and intelligence assessment conducted by the Service Selection Board.
• Medical Examination: A thorough physical fitness evaluation to ensure candidates can withstand the rigors of military service.

Exam Pattern Details

Note: Each correct answer earns 1 mark, while 0.33 marks are deducted for every incorrect response.

Understanding the 5-Day SSB Interview

The SSB is the most critical phase of the CDS selection. It is divided into two stages:

• Stage I (Screening): Includes OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) and PPDT (Picture Perception and Description Test). Only those who pass this stage move forward.
• Stage II (Psychology & GTO): Spanning 4 days, this includes Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and extensive outdoor group tasks (GTO) to test leadership and team coordination.
• Conference: The final day where assessors evaluate the candidate's holistic performance and declare the 'Recommended' status.

Medical Standards and Disqualification

Candidates must be physically and mentally fit. Medical standards cover visual acuity, blood pressure, and absence of chronic ailments. Crucial Warning: Candidates previously withdrawn from military training academies due to a lack of Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) are generally ineligible for re-entry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the negative marking in the CDS exam? 0.33 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
2. Is the SSB interview same for all academies? Yes, the SSB evaluation process is consistent across all wings, though requirements for some physical tests vary by academy.
3. What are Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs)? These are traits including initiative, courage, sense of responsibility, and group effectiveness assessed during the SSB.
4. Can I skip the written exam if I have a NCC certificate? No, the CDS route requires the UPSC written examination for all regular entries.
5. What happens after the medical test? After the medical and final assessment, a merit list is prepared by the UPSC based on aggregate scores from the written exam and SSB interview.