For those young and courageous individuals who nurture a patriotic sentiment, who are willing to take on any kind of challenges and dedicate their lives to defending the country and its people, the Common Defence Service Test is the path to join the nation's Defence forces.

Combined Defence Service exam is conducted by UPSC twice every year for recruitment to office cadre of the Army, Navy and Air force. CDS exam is conducted generally in the months of May and October.

Candidates qualifying the written test are interviewed by the Service Selection Board and if finally selected, depending upon the choice given by the candidates and their merit list ranking, are sent to one of the following institutes for orientation training : -

Those joining the first three institutes get permanent commission, however cadets passing out of OTA get short service commission. Applicants are required to mention their preferences while filling up the application forms.

• The candidates must apply in the Common Application Form devised by the Commission for its examination which can be purchased from the designated Head Post Office/Post Offices (specified in Appendix-III of the Notice) throughout the country against cash payment of Rs.20/-. Each such form can be used only once and only for one examination.
• Blank application forms and other particulars are published by UPSC in leading newspapers and Employment News in the month of May/June and November/December. A candidate seeking admission must apply to The Secretary, UPSC, New Delhi on prescribed application form. The application forms are available on payment of the requisite amount from any of the designated post office throughout the country. The examination is held in over 40 centres spread all of the country.
• In case of any difficulty in obtaining Application Forms the designated HPOs/POs, the candidates should immediately contact the concerned Post Master or UPSC's "Forms Supply Monitoring Cell" Over Telephone No.011-23389366 / Fax No.011-23387310.