CDS Selection Process 2026, Check Written Test & SSB Interview

CDS Selection Process 2026 consists of two main stages- Written Exam, and Interview & Medical Exam. The written exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission, while the Interview and the medical exam are conducted by Service Selection Board (SSB). If you clear the CDS exam, you have to appear for the 5-day Interview round consisting of various Psychological, Physical, and Medical Tests.

Here in this video, candidates can check CDS Complete Selection Process and many more related information.

CDS Written Test 2026

• The first stage of the CDS selection process is the written test which includes three papers - English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics for admission in the Indian Military, Naval, and Air Force Academy.
• For admission to Officers’ Training Academy, candidates have to appear for two papers only – English and General Knowledge.
• CDS written exam pattern will be objective in nature, with a time allotment of 2 hours for each paper.
• A candidate who will qualify the written test will become eligible for the second stage of CDS i.e. Interview.

CDS SSB Interview 2026

• CDS Interview conducted by SSB is a 5-day process that involves intense scrutiny of candidates covering all the major aspects of the overall personality.
• Candidates are judged physically, mentally and psychologically as well. However, before undergoing stage 2, candidates must appear for stage 1 tests.
• Officer Intelligence Rating & PPDT is a 1-day program. Candidates are scrutinized for their verbal and non-verbal abilities.

Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)

• Verbal Reasoning Section: The total number of questions asked in the Verbal Ability Reasoning section in the OIR test is 50. Candidates will be given 30 minutes to complete the test and then proceed to the Non-Verbal Reasoning Section.
• Non-Verbal Reasoning Section: In this section of CDS Interview Stage 2, candidates are asked to attempt 50 questions in the time period of 25 to 30 minutes.

Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)

This screening test is interesting to attempt as candidates are given only 30 seconds to observe a hazy picture and describe it within 3 minutes. Within this limited time frame, candidates have to focus on seven basic parameters-

• Age
• Sex
• Mood
• Character
• Past (what happened in the picture situation just before the click)
• Present (what events currently take place)
• Future (what will happen next in the picture)

CDS Selection Process 2026, SSB Interview Schedule

Note:

• Requests for postponing the interview will only be considered only for very genuine circumstances. Such kinds of requests should be sent to the Selection Centre/ from where the call for interview has been received.
• Navy candidates can download their call up letters from the naval website www.nausena-bharti.nic.in or send email at officer-navy"nic.in 3 weeks after the declaration of CDS results.
• In case a qualified candidate does not get the interview call letter before the date, then candidates should write to-

Army HQ/Rtg. (CDSE Entry/ SSC Women Entry for Officers Training Academy)

175, West Block-III,

Ramakrishnapuram, New Delhi- 110066

OR contact on telephone No. 26176028

• For similar queries, the Navy/Air Force candidates should write to Naval HQ or Air HQ (in case of non-receipt of call letter).

CDS Medical Exam 2026

CDS medical exam will be completed in 4 to 6 days, during which they may have to produce the following documents for verification.

• Passport Size Photographs
• Proof of Residence
• Qualification Certificates
• Birth Certificate
• Identity Proof (Pan Card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID, etc.)
• Category Certificate for the Reserved Category Candidates

What’s Next After CDS Interview?

After the interview process of CDS is completed, the candidate’s verification takes place which includes the Document Verification. Candidates will have to present their required set of original documents along with the 2 self-attested copies. Original certificates will be returned after the verification. Certified true copies or Photostat copies of the certificates will not be accepted in any case.

• Qualification Certificates
• Proof of Identity (Pan Card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID, etc.)
• Birth Certificate
• Passport Size Photographs
• Category Certificate for the Reserved Category Candidates
• Proof of Residence

CDS Change in Communication Address

Selected candidates, who have changed their communication address as mentioned on the CDS Application Form are recommended to notify the changed address soon after the declaration of CDS result. Candidates have to notify at the following address along with the unstamped self-addressed envelope-

1. For IMA/SSC as the first choice

Army Headquarters,

A.G's Branch, Rtg. (CDSE Entry Section for males & SSC Women Entry Section for women candidates)

West Block-III, Ground Floor, Wing 1,

Ramakrishnapuram, New Delhi-110066

2. For Navy as the first choice

IHQ of MOD (Navy) DMPR (OI&R Section),

Room No. 204, 'C' Wing,

Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011

3. For Air Force as the first choice

PO 3 (A) Air HQS. 'J' Block,

Room No. 17, Opp. Vayu Bhawan,

Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi-110011

Failure to comply with this instruction will deprive the candidates of any claim to deliberation in the event of their not receiving the call letter for interview by the .

For all the queries regarding the allotment of centres, date of interview, merit list, joining instructions, and any other relevant information regarding the CDS selection process, candidates can visit the website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in Candidates can contact to Recruiting Directorate on Telephone No- 011-26173215 and Fax No- 011-26196205 between 2 PM to 5 PM on all working days in case candidates having IMA or OTA as their 1^st choice.

CDS Disqualification Criteria

1. Candidates who were admitted at the Air Force Academy, Indian Military Academy, National Defence Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai but were removed due to objectionable behaviour, will not be considered for getting into the Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy or for Short Service Commission in the Army.
2. Candidates who have been withdrawn from the Indian Military Academy for the lack of Officer-Like Qualities (OLQ) will not be admitted to the Indian Military Academy.
3. Candidates who have previously selected as Special Entry Naval Cadets but have withdrawn from the National Defence Academy or from the Naval Training Establishments for lacking in Officer-like qualities, will not be eligible for admission to the Indian Navy Academy.
4. Candidates who have withdrawn from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officer Training Academy (OTA), NCC, and Graduate course for lacking in Officer-like qualities will not be considered for grant of Short Service Commission in the Army.