Defence services

Officer entry into the armed forces, directly after Class 12 through NDA or after a degree through CDS.

Where it leads

• Army, Navy and Air Force commissions
• Technical branches
• Post-service careers in aviation and logistics

Can you change your mind later?

A long commitment with a narrow entry window on age. The graduate route through CDS stays open after a degree if the Class 12 route is missed.

The mistake families make here

Preparing for the written examination without checking the medical standards first. Candidates clear the paper and fail the medical every year.

Where students are usually competitive

Physical and medical standards matter as much as the written paper. Training is funded; the cost is time and a service commitment.

Record status: needs_verification. Last checked: not yet. Source: https://upsc.gov.in/

Compare this against every other route