CDS Selection Process 2026: Written Exam, SSB Interview, Medical Test & Merit List

CDS Selection Process 2026

The CDS Selection Process 2026 is a comprehensive three-stage recruitment procedure conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). Candidates must successfully clear the Written Examination, SSB Interview, and Medical Examination to be considered for the final merit list. This article provides a detailed breakdown of each stage, exam patterns, and key guidelines to help aspirants prepare effectively.

Organization Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's premier central recruiting agency responsible for conducting examinations for appointments to the country's civil services and defense services. For the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination, UPSC selects officers for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force through a rigorous and transparent selection process.

Result Details

The CDS 1 2026 notification was released on 10 December 2025, with the written examination conducted on 12 April 2026. The selection process comprises three main stages: Written Test, SSB Interview (5 days), and Medical Examination. The final merit list is prepared based on the aggregate performance in all stages.

CDS Selection Process 2026 Overview

Stages in CDS Selection Process 2026

The eligible candidates are required to participate in a three-stage process as part of the CDS Recruitment 2026. The CDS Selection Process includes a written examination, SSB Interview, Medical Examination, and final merit list conducted by the UPSC. The final selection will be based on the performance in these stages. The CDS follows a three-stage recruitment process, which comprises:

• Written Test
• SSB Interview
• Medical Examination

At last, the Merit List is prepared by the authorities after the successful completion of the CDS Selection Process 2026.

CDS IMA, INA, and AFA Selection Process 2026

The CDS Selection Process begins with the CDS Offline Examination. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) compiles a list of candidates who achieve the minimum qualifying marks in the written examination, as determined by the Commission at its discretion. After this, they are called for the next phase, SSB.

CDS 1 2026 Written Test Paper Pattern

The first phase of CDS Selection Process is CDS Written Exam. In the written exam, candidates will be awarded one mark for each correct answer; for each incorrect answer, a penalty of 0.33 marks will be deducted as a negative mark.

A) For Admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy, the following exam pattern is to be followed:

B) For Admission to the Officers’ Training Academy, the following exam pattern is to be followed:

CDS Selection Process 2026 SSB Interview

Candidates who pass the written examination are then called for the Service Selection Board (SSB) for the intelligence and personality test. The allocation of candidates to the SSB will be based on their preferences and determined by the respective service headquarters. The SSB Interview for CDS 1 2026 comprises two stages.

SSB Interview is an extensive process that takes place over five days and involves two distinct stages: Stage I and Stage II. These interviews are conducted at specifically designated SSB Centres across the country.

SSB Interview Day 1 Screening Test

Stage 1: This stage involves an Officer's Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test, Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT).

The Screening Test is conducted on the first day to shortlist potential candidates. It consists of two main components:

• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test: This includes verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions designed to assess the candidate’s intelligence and quick thinking ability.
• Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT): Candidates are shown a hazy picture for a limited time, after which they must write a story based on their perception and then participate in a group discussion to narrate their story.

Only candidates who clear Stage 1 (Screening) are allowed to proceed to the next four days of the SSB Interview process.

SSB Interview Day 2 Psychology Tests

Stage 2: In this stage, candidates undergo a series of psychology tests, personal interview, group testing officer tasks, and a conference. These tests are conducted under the supervision of experienced psychologists to evaluate the candidate’s personality, mindset, and officer-like qualities (OLQs).

The psychological tests include:

• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
• Word Association Test (WAT)
• Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
• Self-Description Test (SDT)

These tests help assess the candidate’s thoughts, emotions, and natural responses in various situations.

SSB Interview Day 3 & 4 Group Testing (GTO Tasks)

Days 3 and 4 are dedicated to Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks. These practical outdoor and indoor activities are designed to evaluate candidates’ teamwork, problem-solving skills, leadership potential, communication abilities, and overall performance in group settings.

The GTO tasks typically include:

• Group Discussion (GD)
• Group Planning Exercise (GPE)
• Progressive Group Task (PGT)
• Half Group Task (HGT)
• Individual Obstacles (IO)
• Command Task
• Group Obstacle Race / Snake Race
• Lecturette
• Final Group Task (FGT)

These tasks test how candidates perform under pressure, cooperate with others, and demonstrate leadership qualities.

SSB Interview Day 5 Conference

Once all the tasks and assessments in the SSB Interview are completed, the results are announced on the final day of the interview process during the Conference.

In the Conference, all assessors (Psychologist, GTO, and Interviewing Officer) discuss the candidate’s performance. The final recommendation (Recommended / Not Recommended) is given on this day.

The selected candidates then proceed to undergo a medical examination. After a few months, a final merit list of the recommended candidates is published by UPSC.

CDS Medical Examination

To be considered "Medically fit," a candidate must possess both good physical and mental health and should not have any diseases, syndromes, or disabilities that could hinder their effective performance of military duties. This applies to all types of environments, including various terrains, climates, and seasons, as well as sea and air operations, remote areas, and austere conditions where medical assistance may be limited or unavailable. Additionally, the candidate should be free from any medical conditions that would require frequent visits to medical facilities or dependence on aids or drugs.

CDS Selection Process 2026 Final Merit List

The UPSC CDS Final Merit List is prepared by considering the total scores achieved by candidates in both the written examination and their performance in subsequent evaluation phases, which consist of the Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview and Medical Examination. Individuals who succeed in securing a position on the Merit List become eligible for further selection and training, making their way to becoming an officer in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force, depending on their preferences and meeting the required criteria.

CDS Selection Process 2026 Disqualification Criteria

CDS Disqualification Criteria are decided based on the given points:

• Candidates who have previously gained admission to prestigious institutions such as the AFA, IMA, NDA, INA, and Officers' Training Academy in Chennai but were terminated due to unacceptable behavior will not be permitted or considered for admission to the CDS Selection Process 2026.
• Furthermore, candidates who have been terminated from the Indian Military Academy for lacking officer-like qualities (OLQ) will not be allowed to reapply.
• Similarly, the National Defence Academy or Naval Training Establishments will not admit candidates who previously had the opportunity to join as Special Entry Naval Cadets but left due to a lack of officer-like skills.
• Candidates who withdrew from the NCC, Officer Training Academy, Indian Military Academy, or graduate program due to a lack of officer-like skills will not be given another chance for an Army short service commission.