UPSC CDS Coaching in Thane, Dadar & Borivali
CDS Exam Coaching Classes - IMA, INA, AFA & OTA
D.I.C.E Institute offers dedicated CDS exam coaching across our Thane, Dadar, and Borivali centers, preparing graduates for entry into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy through the UPSC Combined Defence Services exam. Our faculty covers English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, along with SSB interview preparation.
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CDS Exam Highlights
| Topic | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (CDS I and CDS II) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode | Offline (pen and paper) |
| Stages | Written Exam, SSB Interview, Medical Examination |
| Academies | IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Exam dates and application windows change each cycle. Refer to our Notifications page for current information.
What Is CDS?
CDS is UPSC’s entry route for graduates seeking commissioned-officer careers in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. IMA and INA lead to Permanent Commission, AFA leads to the Air Force, and OTA offers Short Service Commission for men and women. Selection includes a written examination, the multi-day SSB process, and a medical examination.
Eligibility Criteria
| Academy | Typical Age Range | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 19-24 years | Degree from a recognized university |
| INA | 19-22 years | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering |
| AFA | 19-23 years | Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, or Bachelor of Engineering |
| OTA | 19-25 years | Degree from a recognized university |
Gender: IMA, INA, and AFA are open to male candidates. OTA is open to men and women for Short Service Commission.
Final-Year Students: May apply provisionally, subject to submitting proof of graduation by the specified date.
Exact birth-date ranges and marital-status rules change with each notification. Always check the current UPSC notice.
Written Exam Pattern
| Paper | Applicable To | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA | 100 |
| General Knowledge | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | IMA, INA, AFA | 100 |
| Total | IMA / INA / AFA | 300 |
| Total | OTA | 200 |
Each paper is objective, offline, and generally two hours long. One-third negative marking applies to incorrect answers, with no penalty for unattempted questions.
SSB Interview
Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the Services Selection Board process, a multi-day assessment covering intelligence tests, psychological tests, group tasks, and a personal interview. It evaluates leadership, judgement, communication, and officer-like qualities. Final merit combines the written and SSB scores.
Selection Process
- Written Exam: English, GK, and Elementary Mathematics for IMA/INA/AFA; English and GK for OTA.
- SSB Interview: Multi-day assessment of officer-like qualities.
- Medical Examination: For SSB-recommended candidates.
- Final Merit: Combined written and SSB score, followed by academy allotment.
Syllabus Covered
- English: Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error spotting, sentence improvement, para jumbles.
- General Knowledge: Current affairs, history, geography, science, polity, and economy.
- Elementary Mathematics: Number system, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, and statistics.
- SSB Preparation: Group discussion, psychological-test familiarization, and personal-interview practice.
Why Choose D.I.C.E Institute for CDS Coaching?
- Written-exam faculty plus dedicated SSB interview preparation.
- Academy-specific guidance for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA candidates.
- Full-length mocks and sectional tests with All-India ranking.
- Group-discussion and mock-interview sessions for SSB readiness.
- Classroom batches at Thane, Dadar, and Borivali, plus an online option.
Our USP
Why Choose D.I.C.E Institute
Experienced Faculty
Our mentors don’t just teach the syllabus — they understand exam patterns, marking schemes, and common mistakes students make, because many have coached students through multiple exam cycles.
Comprehensive Test Series
Sectional tests, full-length mocks, and previous year papers — all with instant results, detailed solutions, and topic-wise breakdowns — so you always know exactly where you stand.
Performance Tracking
Get your All-India Rank, State Rank, and a clear picture of your strong and weak areas through in-depth performance analytics after every test.
Structured Study Plans
No guesswork — every course follows a week-by-week plan covering syllabus, revision, and current affairs, so preparation stays on track from day one to exam day.Awarded for Excellence in Academic and Extracurricular Activities
Doubt Solving Support
Stuck on a concept? Our faculty offers one-on-one doubt resolution, so small gaps don’t turn into major setbacks closer to the exam.
Flexible Learning
Choose classroom coaching for a more guided experience, or online courses if you need flexibility around college, work, or other commitments.Awarded for Excellence in Academic and Extracurricular Activities
Thane Branch
Contact Number
+91 74002 36100.
Head office address
Office No.502, Krishna Plaza Cop. Hsc, above Krishna Sweets, near Thane Railway Station, Shivaji Path, Naupada, Thane West, Thane, Maharashtra 400602
Dadar Branch
Contact Number
+91 74002 36100
Location
Office No. 33 3rd Floor, Bismilla Building, Ranade Rd, opposite Suvidha, near Dadar Railway Station, Dadar West, Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400028
Borivali Branch
Contact Number
+91 74002 36100
Location
Office no.-2, 2nd Floor, Sai Niketan Building, Chandavarkar Rd, above Jumboking, opposite Goragandhi Restaurant, west, Borivali, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400092
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions Before You Reach Out
How is CDS different from NDA?
CDS is for graduates who want to become officers, while NDA is for Class 12 students who join at the school-leaving stage. Both lead to the Armed Forces but at different entry points.
Two main stages — Preliminary and Main — plus a Local Language Proficiency Test for applicable candidates.
Can women apply for CDS?
Yes. Women can apply for the Officers Training Academy entry for Short Service Commission (Non-Technical).
Typically no — selection is based on the Main exam score, unlike Bank PO which includes an interview.
How many times is CDS conducted each year?
UPSC generally conducts CDS twice a year as CDS I and CDS II, each with its own written exam and SSB cycle.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer in both Prelims and Mains.
Is there negative marking in CDS?
Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question is generally deducted for an incorrect answer, while unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Do you offer CDS coaching at all three centers?
Yes. CDS coaching is available at our Thane, Dadar, and Borivali centers, as well as online.
Yes, Bank Clerk coaching is available at our Thane, Dadar, and Borivali centers, as well as online.
Contact Us
Start Your CDS Preparation Today
Join D.I.C.E Institute’s CDS course at Thane, Dadar, or Borivali – or online – and prepare for the written exam and SSB interview with structured guidance.
Every exam cycle you wait is a cycle you could have used to prepare. Join D.I.C.E Institute and take the first step toward your Government job or dream MBA/Law college — with expert faculty, structured study plans, and a test series built to get you exam-ready.