Best CDS Coaching in Dehradun
Classroom and online coaching for the UPSC CDS exam — IMA, INA, AFA and OTA — with SSB interview training by ex-defence officers at our Sahastradhara Road campus, Dehradun.
CDS Coaching in Dehradun at NDDA
Noval Doon Defence Academy (NDDA) has been coaching defence aspirants in Dehradun since 2004. Our CDS coaching in Dehradun prepares graduates and final-year students for all four CDS entries — the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA) — with one plan that covers both the UPSC written exam and the SSB interview.
English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics are taught by subject specialists, while SSB training is led by retired defence officers and former SSB assessors. Weekly mock tests on the latest UPSC pattern, doubt sessions after class and daily physical training keep you exam-ready and SSB-ready at the same time.
Join the classroom batch at our campus with hostel and mess, or study through our CDS online coaching if you can't relocate to Dehradun. Once you clear the written exam, continue with our SSB coaching in Dehradun.
Page updated: 22 Oct 2026
CDS 2027 Exam Dates
UPSC conducts the CDS exam twice a year. The dates below are from the UPSC exam calendar for 2027; confirm them on upsc.gov.in once each notification is released.
| Exam | Notification | Last date to apply | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDS (I) 2027 | 2 December 2026 | 22 December 2026 | 11 April 2027 |
| CDS (II) 2027 | 12 May 2027 | 1 June 2027 | 19 September 2027 |
A 6-month batch started now covers the full run-up to CDS (I) 2027. The 1-year course covers both CDS (I) and CDS (II) 2027.
CDS Coaching Fees in Dehradun (2026-27)
Simple, transparent fees for CDS coaching at NDDA. Hostel is optional and charged separately.
| Course | Duration | Course fee | Hostel (optional) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDS Coaching | 6 months | ₹40,000 | ₹9,000 / month |
| CDS Coaching | 1 year | ₹50,000 | ₹9,000 / month |
| SSB Interview Course | 15 days | ₹20,000 (without hostel) ₹25,000 (with hostel) | — |
Registration fee: ₹3,000. Fees as per the NDDA fee structure for 2026-27 — see the complete fee structure for all courses.
Why Choose NDDA for CDS Coaching?
Ex-Defence SSB Team
SSB training is led by Col. Karuna (Retd.), a former SSB assessor and GTO, with a team of ex-defence psychologists.
Written + SSB Under One Roof
One plan for the UPSC written exam, the 5-day SSB interview and the medical — no need to switch institutes.
Subject Specialists
Dedicated faculty for English, General Knowledge & current affairs, and Elementary Mathematics.
UPSC-Pattern Mock Tests
Weekly tests with negative marking, previous-year paper practice and performance analysis.
Daily PT & GTO Ground
Morning physical training, an obstacle course and a 400-metre running track on campus.
Hostel, Mess & Online Option
Separate boys' and girls' hostels with mess and 24/7 CCTV, or learn from home with our online course.
Our CDS Faculty
Each CDS paper is taught by a subject specialist, and SSB preparation is handled by our ex-defence team. Meet the full NDDA team.
Manish Sir
M.A. English. Specialises in defence-exam English for CDS, AFCAT and NDA.
Pallavi Mam
M.A. Political Science. Defence GK and current affairs for CDS and NDA.
Vivek Singh
M.Sc. Mathematics with 8+ years of defence-exam maths teaching.
Col. Karuna (Retd.) & Team
Former SSB assessor and GTO with 15+ years of SSB coaching experience.
What is the CDS Exam?
Exam Overview
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for graduates who want to become commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy or Air Force.
It is held twice a year: CDS (I) is usually notified in December with the exam in April, and CDS (II) is notified in May with the exam in September.
Successful candidates join the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala), Air Force Academy (Dundigal) or Officers Training Academy (Chennai).
Key Details
- Conducting body: UPSC (upsc.gov.in)
- Level: National
- Mode: Offline, objective (OMR sheet)
- Written marks: 300 for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA
- SSB interview: 300 marks (IMA/INA/AFA), 200 marks (OTA)
- Selection: Written exam → SSB interview → Medical → Merit list
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026-27
| Academy | Who can apply | Education | Age (approx.)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA – Indian Military Academy | Unmarried men | Graduation from a recognised university | 19–24 years |
| INA – Indian Naval Academy | Unmarried men | Engineering degree (B.E./B.Tech) | 19–24 years |
| AFA – Air Force Academy | Men; must be unmarried if below 25 | Graduation with Physics & Maths at 10+2, or B.E./B.Tech | 20–24 years (up to 26 with DGCA CPL) |
| OTA – Officers Training Academy (Men) | Unmarried men | Graduation from a recognised university | 19–25 years |
| OTA – Officers Training Academy (Women, SSC Non-Tech) | Unmarried women; issueless widows/divorcees not remarried | Graduation from a recognised university | 19–25 years |
*The exact date-of-birth window changes with every notification — always check the current UPSC CDS notification.
Nationality
A citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from one of the countries listed in the notification to settle permanently in India. Non-Indian-citizen categories need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.
Final-Year Students & Physical Standards
Final-year graduation students can apply provisionally and must produce their degree before the course starts. All candidates must meet the medical and physical standards laid down for officer entry, including vision and hearing requirements.
CDS Exam Pattern & Syllabus
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 | 2 hours | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 100 | 2 hours | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 | 2 hours | IMA, INA, AFA only |
Negative marking: one-third of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer. The GK and Mathematics papers are bilingual (Hindi and English); the English paper is in English only.
Detailed CDS Syllabus
English
- Reading comprehension
- Synonyms & antonyms
- Sentence improvement & error spotting
- Para jumbles & sentence ordering
- Fill in the blanks
- Idioms, phrases & vocabulary
General Knowledge
- Current affairs & defence news
- Indian history & freedom struggle
- Indian & world geography
- Polity & economy
- General science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Sports, awards & culture
Elementary Mathematics
- Arithmetic & number system
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Geometry & mensuration
- Statistics
- Matriculation-level standard
CDS vs AFCAT vs NDA: Which Exam Is Right for You?
Many aspirants prepare for more than one officer-entry exam. Here is how CDS compares with AFCAT and NDA.
| CDS | AFCAT | NDA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | UPSC | Indian Air Force | UPSC |
| Who can apply | Graduates / final-year students | Graduates (Flying & Ground Duty branches) | Class 12 pass or appearing |
| Age | 19–25 years (varies by academy) | 20–24 (Flying), 20–26 (Ground Duty) | 16.5–19.5 years |
| Exam mode | Offline (OMR) | Online (computer-based) | Offline (OMR) |
| Coaching at NDDA | This page | AFCAT coaching in Dehradun | NDA coaching in Dehradun |
CDS and AFCAT share English and General Awareness topics, so our CDS students can prepare for AFCAT alongside.
Why Prepare for CDS in Dehradun?
Dehradun is home to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), where CDS candidates selected for the Army are trained. The city's defence culture, calm environment and steady stream of serving and retired officers make it a natural base for officer-entry preparation.
At NDDA's campus on Sahastradhara Road, your day includes morning PT, classes, self-study in the library and evening ground activities — the same discipline you will need at the academy.
Campus Facilities
- Air-conditioned smart classrooms
- Library with defence study material
- Computer lab for online mock tests
- Obstacle course & 400 m running track
- Separate boys' & girls' hostels with mess
- Weekly medical check-up by a retired Army medical officer
Our CDS Selections & Student Reviews
Read more student testimonials, see our achievements, or review us on Google.
CDS Online Coaching
Can't relocate to Dehradun? Our CDS online coaching gives you the same faculty and test series from home — useful for final-year students and working professionals.
- Live classes with real-time doubt solving
- Recorded sessions to revise at your own pace
- Online mock tests on the UPSC pattern
- Notes, PDFs and video lectures on the NDDA app
- SSB guidance modules from our ex-defence team
Weekend & Flexible Batches
Working professionals and college students can choose weekend batches at the Dehradun campus or the online course. Call +91 88844 44890 to check current batch timings.
CDS Coaching in Dehradun: FAQs
Which is the best CDS coaching in Dehradun?
Look for an institute that covers both the UPSC written exam and the SSB interview, has ex-defence faculty, runs mock tests on the latest UPSC pattern and offers a hostel. Noval Doon Defence Academy (NDDA) has trained defence aspirants in Dehradun since 2004 and offers all of these at its Sahastradhara Road campus, along with an online CDS course.
What is the fee for CDS coaching in Dehradun at NDDA?
For the 2026-27 session, the 6-month CDS course is ₹40,000 and the 1-year course is ₹50,000. Hostel is optional at ₹9,000 per month, and the registration fee is ₹3,000. See the complete NDDA fee structure.
When is the CDS (I) 2027 exam?
As per the UPSC calendar for 2027, the CDS (I) 2027 notification is due on 2 December 2026, the last date to apply is 22 December 2026 and the exam is on 11 April 2027. Confirm the final dates on upsc.gov.in once the notification is released.
When should I join CDS coaching for the CDS (I) 2027 exam?
Join as early as possible. A 6-month batch started now covers the full run-up to the CDS (I) 2027 exam in April 2027, while the 1-year course covers both CDS (I) and CDS (II) 2027.
What is the age limit for the CDS exam?
The age limit is roughly 19–24 years for IMA and INA, 20–24 years for AFA (up to 26 with a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence) and 19–25 years for OTA. The exact date-of-birth window changes with every notification, so always check the current UPSC notification.
Can girls apply for the CDS exam?
Yes, women can apply through the CDS exam for the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Short Service Commission (Non-Technical). Unmarried women, and issueless widows or divorcees who have not remarried, are eligible. IMA, INA and AFA entries through CDS are open to men only.
Is mathematics compulsory in the CDS exam?
Elementary Mathematics is compulsory for IMA, INA and AFA candidates. OTA candidates write only the English and General Knowledge papers.
Is there negative marking in the CDS exam?
Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer. Questions left unattempted carry no penalty.
Do you provide hostel facility for CDS aspirants in Dehradun?
Yes. NDDA has separate hostels for boys and girls with mess food, 24/7 security and CCTV. Hostel for CDS students is charged at ₹9,000 per month.
Is SSB interview preparation included?
Yes, SSB guidance is part of our CDS training. Candidates who clear the written exam can also join our dedicated 15-day SSB interview course in Dehradun (₹20,000 without hostel, ₹25,000 with hostel).
Can final-year students or working professionals join CDS coaching?
Final-year graduation students can apply for CDS provisionally and must show their degree before the course begins at the academy. Working professionals and college students can choose our weekend batches or the online course. Call us to check the current batch timings.
Start Your CDS Preparation in Dehradun
Visit our campus for a free counselling session or call us to book your seat in the CDS (I) 2027 batch.
+91 88844 44890
Shivram Singh Enclave, Opposite Touchwood School, Sahastradhara Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 Get directions
info@nddacademy.com