04Nov
Defence
NDA, CDS, AFCAT, Indian Army
Conducted by UPSC, Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force
Officer entry into the armed forces is mainly through UPSC’s NDA and CDS exams and the Air Force’s AFCAT; the services also run direct-entry schemes.
Main exams
- NDA & NAArmy, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA, after 12th
- CDSIMA, INA, AFA and OTA, for graduates
- AFCATFlying and ground duty branches of the Air Force
- Agnipath (Agniveer)Enlisted entry into the Army, Navy and Air Force
Selection stages
- 1 Written exam
- 2 SSB interview (officer entries)
- 3 Medical examination
Eligibility in brief
Depends on the entry: 12th for NDA, a degree for CDS and AFCAT. Age, physical and marital-status rules apply.
Dates, vacancies, fees, age limits and exact eligibility change every cycle — always read the latest official notification before applying.