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defenseAll India Service★ Ultimate Honor to the Nation

Commissioned Defense Officer (NDA & CDS - Army, Navy, Air Force)

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) & Ministry of Defence

Pay Scale / Level

Military Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500 + Military Service Pay ₹15,500/month + High Altitude/Flying Allowance)

Min Qualification

10+2 for NDA (MPC required for Navy/Air Force); Any Bachelor's Degree for CDS

Age Limits

NDA: 16.5 to 19.5 years; CDS: 19 to 24 years (Unmarried)

Ministry / Agency

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) & Ministry of Defence

Selection Process & Recruitment Stages

1Stage 1: Written Examination by UPSC (NDA: Maths 300M + General Ability 600M; CDS: English 100M + GK 100M + Elementary Maths 100M)
2Stage 2: 5-Day SSB Interview (Services Selection Board: Psychological Tests, Group Obstacle Tasks, Conference)
3Stage 3: Comprehensive Military Medical Board Examination

Syllabus & Test Topics

Mathematics: Algebra, Trigonometry, Matrices, Analytical Geometry, Calculus
English: Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Cloze tests
General Knowledge: Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, Current Events

Key Duties & Work Responsibilities

  • Commanding troops in battlefields, border defense, counter-insurgency, and international peacekeeping.
  • Flying supersonic fighter jets (Air Force) or commanding warships/submarines (Navy).
  • Tactical planning, strategic defense operations, and safeguarding territorial sovereignty.

Promotion & Career Growth Hierarchy

Lieutenant ➔ Captain ➔ Major ➔ Lt. Colonel ➔ Colonel ➔ Brigadier ➔ Major General ➔ Lt. General ➔ General (Chief of Army Staff)

Official Portal

Apply and track official recruitment circulars directly on the statutory commission website.

Recruitment Portal

Free Preparation Resources

Latest Job Notification Alerts →Download Solved Papers →

Other Government Pathways

UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS)

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

State PSC Group 1 Services (Deputy Collector, DSP, CTO)

Andhra Pradesh PSC (APPSC) & Telangana PSC (TSPSC)

SSC CGL (Assistant Section Officer, Income Tax Inspector, Central GST)

Staff Selection Commission (SSC)

Bank Probationary Officer (SBI PO / IBPS PO / RBI Grade B)

State Bank of India (SBI), IBPS & Reserve Bank of India (RBI)