Eligibility, vacancies and examination dates can change — always verify the current official notification.
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OFFICER ENTRY

NDA • CDS • AFCAT

Explore major examination routes towards becoming a commissioned officer in the Indian Armed Forces.

Which Route Is For You?

Your route depends primarily upon your stage of education, Service preference and the requirements of the current notification.

AFTER CLASS XII Explore NDA & Naval Academy
AFTER GRADUATION Explore Combined Defence Services
INDIAN AIR FORCE Explore AFCAT officer opportunities

Officer Entry Pathways

NDA, CDS and AFCAT provide important examination pathways towards officer training. Each has its own eligibility conditions, examination structure and notified vacancies.

AFTER CLASS XII

NDA & NA

National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination

The Route

The NDA & NA examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission and provides an officer-entry pathway after school education, subject to the eligibility conditions specified in the current UPSC notification.

Written Examination

Mathematics General Ability Test

Broad Selection Journey

UPSC Application Written Exam SSB Medical Final Merit

Candidates should check the current UPSC NDA & NA notification for exact age, educational qualifications, Service-specific requirements and vacancies.

Official UPSC Website ↗
AFTER GRADUATION

CDS

Combined Defence Services Examination

The Route

The Combined Defence Services Examination is conducted by UPSC for admission to notified officer-training courses. The academies and courses included depend upon the applicable examination notification.

Written Examination

English General Knowledge Elementary Mathematics*

*The papers applicable to a candidate depend upon the academy or course for which the candidate is competing. Check the current UPSC notification.

Broad Selection Journey

UPSC Application Written Exam SSB Medical Final Merit
Official UPSC Website ↗
INDIAN AIR FORCE

AFCAT

Air Force Common Admission Test

The Route

AFCAT is an Indian Air Force officer-entry examination. Current notifications identify opportunities in branches including Flying and Ground Duty, subject to the qualifications and conditions specified for each branch.

Explore Branches

Flying Ground Duty Technical Ground Duty Non-Technical

Broad Selection Journey

Online Application AFCAT AFSB Medical Final Merit

Always check the current Indian Air Force notification for branch availability, educational qualifications, age criteria, medical standards and vacancies.

Official AFCAT Portal ↗

Officer Training Destinations

Depending upon the entry, Service, course and final selection, candidates may proceed to one of the Armed Forces' officer-training institutions.

NDA National Defence Academy
IMA Indian Military Academy
INA Indian Naval Academy
AFA Air Force Academy
OTA Officers Training Academy

Check Before You Apply

Important: PDA provides examination preparation and recruitment guidance. Age limits, educational qualifications, Service and branch eligibility, medical standards, vacancies, application dates and selection procedures can change between examination cycles. Always read the current official UPSC or Indian Air Force notification before applying.

Prepare With PDA

Strengthen your written-examination preparation and assess your performance through Paramveer Defence Academy.

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