CDS 2025: Your Complete Exam Guide for Success

What is the CDS Exam?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts a national-level examination called the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam to select candidates for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Air Force Academy (IAFA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Officer Training Academy (OTA).

The CDS Exam is conducted twice a year, known as Combined Defence Services 1 and Combined Defence Services 2, and the UPSC has announced the CDS 1 Exam Date 2024. The UPSC CDS 1 exam 2025 notification was released on December 11, 2024. This article aims to give a thorough overview of the CDS Exam, including eligibility requirements, exam syllabus, format, and preparation tips.

Latest Update from CDS

• CDS 1 2025 registration closed on January 1, 2025.
• UPSC will release the CDS 2 2025 notification on May 28, 2025.
• CDS 2 2025 exam will be conducted on September 14, 2025

CDS Notification 2025

The CDS (I) 2025 Examination for 457 vacancies has been officially announced with a detailed advertisement and UPSC CDS notification released on December 20, 2024. The notification includes all relevant information for the exam, such as the number of vacancies, important dates, the application process, and more. We have provided a direct link to CDS Notification 2025 from the official website.

CDS-I-2024

CDS Exam 2025 Overview

Organization	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Full-Form	Combined Defence Services
Number of Vacancies	CDS 1- 457 CDS 2- To be notified
CDS Exam Date	CDS 2 – 1st September 2024
Application Mode	Online
Application Fee	INR 200/-
Exam Mode	Offline
Recruitment Process	Written examination Intelligence and Personality Test (Interview) Medical examination Final merit list
Education Qualification	To be eligible to appear for the Common Defense Services (CDS) Exam 2024, candidates must have a minimum educational qualification of a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution.
Age Limit	Candidates must be between 20 and 24 years old.
Official website	upsc.gov.in

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• SSB Constable Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notifications

CDS Exam Date 2025

The Union Public Service Commission has announced the 2025 Combined Defense Services I exam dates. According to the calendar, the online registration for CDS I 20252 will start on 20th December 2024 and end on 1 January 2025. Make sure to take note of all the important dates for the 2025 CDS exam and set reminders.

Important Events	CDS 1 Dates	CDS 2 Dates
CDS Notification 2025	11th December 2024	28th May 2025
Online Registration Starts	11th December 2024	28th May 2025
Online Registration Ends	1st January 2025	17th June 2025
Online Application Withdrawn	Activated	To be notified
CDS Admit Card release	To be notified	To be notified
CDS Exam Date 2025	13th April 2025	14th September 2025
CDS Result 2025	To be notified	To be notified
Interview date	To be notified	To be notified
Final Result	To be notified	To be notified
Original certificates submission	To be notified	To be notified

CDS Eligibility Criteria

The Union Public Service Commission sets the CDS Exam 2025 eligibility criteria for defense recruitment. To be eligible, candidates must meet the standards for nationality, education, age, marital status, and sex, as outlined below.

Nationality:

Candidates must be citizens of India, subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who migrated to India before 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement, or individuals of Indian origin from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire, and Vietnam who migrated to India for permanent settlement.

Educational Qualification:

• For the IMA and Officer’s Training Academy, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
• For the Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering from a recognized university/institution.
• For Air Force Academy, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering.

CDS Age Limit:

• The Indian Military Academy (IMA) is 19 years to 24 years old.
• The Indian Naval Academy (INA) is 19 years to 22 years old.
• For Air Force Academy is 19 years to 23 years.

Marital Status & Sex:

• For the Indian Military Academy and Indian Naval Academy, only unmarried males can apply.
• For the Indian Air Force Academy, both married and unmarried males are eligible, but marriage during training is not permitted.
• For Officer Training Academy, both unmarried males and females can apply.

Medical and Physical standards:

The eligibility for CDS requires both physical and mental fitness according to the standards set by the UPSC. Unfortunately, many qualified candidates are rejected due to medical reasons. It is highly advisable for those seeking to take the CDS exam to undergo a medical examination before submitting their application.

Common medical issues among candidates include ear wax, deviated nasal septum, hydrocele/phimosis, being overweight or underweight, an undersized chest, piles, tonsillitis, gynecomastia, and varicocele.

It should be noted that permanent body tattoos are not allowed and may result in disqualification. However, customary tattoos among certain tribes may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.

CDS Exam Application Form 2025

The CDS 2025 Exam fee of Rs. 200/- applies to all categories, except for SC/ST/Females, who are exempt from paying the fee. Payment options include online through Net Banking, Mastercard/Debit Card, or offline through cash deposit at any SBI Bank branch.

Instructions for Completing the CDS 2025 Exam Registration Form. To successfully register for the CDS exam, follow these steps:

1. Go to the UPSC official website at www.upsc.gov.in or use the direct link provided.
2. On the homepage, navigate to Examination >> Active Examinations >> Online Application for UPSC CDS 1 Exam.
3. Click “Part-1” for the Combined Defence Examination (I) 2025.
4. Read the instructions thoroughly and confirm by clicking “Yes.”
5. Fill in your personal information on the new page that appears.
6. Choose your preferred options in Part II.
7. Pay the application fee through online or offline methods.
8. Select your preferred examination centre.
9. Upload the required documents.
10. Review all information and click “Submit”. Save a copy of your UPSC CDS 2025 exam registration form for future reference.

CDS Admit Card

The release date for the CDS II 2025 exam admit card has not been released yet. The written exam is scheduled to take place on 14th September 2025. To avoid any last-minute stress, it is recommended that candidates download their admit cards well before the exam date. Candidates must bring a physical copy of the admit card to the examination venue.

Admit Card Details

UPSC will release admit cards for CDS 2 2025 in September 2025.

It is crucial to ensure that the information in the CDS Admit Card is correct and error-free. Candidates must verify the following details after downloading their admit card:

• Candidate’s name,
• Date, Day, and Time of the exam
• Address and Code of the exam centre
• Candidate’s father’s name
• Candidate’s roll number
• Application number

CDS Exam Centre Details

The CDS Examination will take place at designated centres. Candidates are required to select their preferred centre while completing the CDS 1 application form. The listed centres below were previously announced, and any updates regarding additions or deletions will be communicated through this platform.

Agartala	Ghaziabad	Panaji (Goa)
Agra	Gorakhpur	Patna
Ajmer	Gurgaon	Port Blair
Ahmedabad	Gwalior	Prayagraj (Allahabad)
Aizawl	Hyderabad	Puducherry
Aligarh	Imphal	Pune
Almora (Uttarakhand)	Indore	Raipur
Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh)	Itanagar	Rajkot
Aurangabad	Jabalpur	Ranchi
Bengaluru	Jaipur	Sambalpur
Bareilly	Jammu	Shillong
Bhopal	Jodhpur	Shimla
Bilaspur	Jorhat	Siliguri
Chandigarh	Kochi	Srinagar
Chennai	Kohima	Srinagar (Uttarakhand)
Coimbatore	Kolkata	Thane
Cuttack	Kozhikode	Thiruvananthapuram
Dehradun	Leh	Tiruchirapalli
Delhi	Lucknow	Tirupati
Dharwad	Ludhiana	Udaipur
Dispur	Madurai	Varanasi
Faridabad	Mumbai	Vellore
Gangtok	Mysore	Vijayawada
Gaya	Nagpur	Visakhapatnam
Gautam Buddh Nagar	Navi Mumbai	Warangal

You can also read our blog on CDS’s Previous year question paper.

CDS Exam Pattern

The CDS Exam Pattern is classified into two parts.

• Theoretical Examination
• Intelligence and Personality Examination.

The Officer Training Academy (OTA) exam pattern differs from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA). IMA, INA, and AFA have three subjects. The total marks for the exam are 300, and the candidate will have to complete the exam in 6 hours.

Subjects	Marks	Time Scale
General Knowledge	100	2 hours
English	100	2 hours
Elementary Mathematics	100	2 hours

OTA has two subjects. The total marks for the exam are 200, and the candidate will have to complete the exam in 4 hours.

Subjects	Marks	Time Scale
General Knowledge	100	2 hours
English	100	2 hours

• The quality of the papers in the case of Elementary Mathematics will be of 10^th class level.
• The quality of the papers in other subjects will be of a graduate level.

To be considered for the interview round, the candidates must pass the CDS Written Examination successfully. The essential points for the examination pattern are outlined below.

• The exam will consist of multiple-choice questions
• Hindi and English versions of the General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics question paper will be available.
• A wrong answer will result in a deduction of 1/3 mark
• The duration of each exam is 2 hours and is separate for each.
• The English language questions will be at the graduate level, and the math questions will be at the matriculation level.

CDS: SSB Interview

The SSB examination serves as an evaluation of a candidate’s personality and intellect. To succeed in the exam, candidates must comprehend the SSB grading system and create a comprehensive exam approach. The SSB interview is the final step in the selection process for CDS 2025, following the written exam for INA, IMA, and OTA. The interview lasts five days, and candidates who fail to qualify on the initial day will be required to depart the premises.

To be eligible to receive call-up information for SSB interviews, candidates who passed the written exam and indicated the Army (IMA/OTA) as their first choice must register on the recruiting directorate website, www.joinindianarmy.nic.in/

It is required that the original certificates be submitted for SSC courses exclusively. The Union Public Service Commission shall not receive the original Certificates from the candidates.

The comprehensive pattern for SSB 2025 is outlined below:

Stage	Test
Stage 1	Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Picture Prescription and Descriptive Test
Stage 2	Interview Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks Psychology Test Conference
Stage 3	Group Discussion

CDS Exam Syllabus 2025

Every six months, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) administers the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination, providing students with ample opportunity to take the test without waiting an entire year. To ace the CDS 2025 exam, it is essential to familiarize oneself with the syllabus used by UPSC to create exam questions. The syllabus for CDS is divided into three components: General Knowledge, English, and Elementary Mathematics. Those seeking to enroll in the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) are exempt from preparing for the Elementary Mathematics portion. The CDS exam syllabus is readily available for candidates to access and review. A comprehensive syllabus outlining each subject’s topics is provided below.

Subject-Wise Syllabus 2025

The exams encompass multiple disciplines that entail thorough questions. To excel in the exam, a candidate must comprehensively understand each subject included in the syllabus. For your convenience, we have outlined the subject-wise syllabus for the CDS exam to aid in your preparation.

• General Knowledge
• English
• Math’s

CDS Syllabus (General Knowledge)

The term “General Knowledge” encompasses an understanding of current events and familiarity with everyday observations and experiences that one with a graduate degree should possess. The general knowledge category encompasses subjects such as Political Science, History, Economics, and Geography. The questions in this section will cover a variety of topics listed below:

Subject	Topics
General Knowledge	Economics Physics Current Affairs Politics Chemistry Sociology History Defense-related Awards Geography Environment Sport Biology Cultural Books Statement True/False

CDS Syllabus (English)

This part of the exam will assess the candidates’ knowledge of fundamental English. The evaluation will include questions on vocabulary, introductory grammar, and error detection, as well as idioms and phrases. Here is a complete list of all subjects covered:

Subject	Topics
English	Basic Grammar Idioms and Phrases Synonyms and Antonyms Reading Comprehension Solutions Word Substitutions Error Identification Paragraph Reordering

CDS Syllabus (Math’s)

The Math’s section of the CDS syllabus is extensive and divided into various sub-sections, such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Static. The written exam for INA and IMA includes this Math’s section, but candidates appearing for OTA are optional to study it. Please refer to the detailed information on each sub-section below:

Arithmetic	Number System: Natural numbers, Integers, Rational & Real numbers, Remainder Theorem Mathematics Operations: Subtraction, Multiplication, Addition, Division, Square Roots, Decimal, and Fractions Time, Work, and Efficiency, Time and Distance Percentage Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss Ratio and Proportion Number Theory: Division Algorithm, Tests of Divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 11, Prime and Composite Numbers, Multiples and Factors, Factorization Theorem, H.C.F., and L.C.M. Euclidean Algorithm Use of Logarithmic Tables and Logarithms to base 10, Laws of Logarithms
Algebra	Theory of Polynomials Solutions of Quadratic Equations, The relation between its roots & coefficients (only real roots considered), Linear Inequalities in two variables and their solutions Linear Equations in two unknowns – analytical & graphical solutions Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions Analysis of Rational Expressions and Application of Conditional Identities Understanding of Set Language and Notation Laws of Indices
Trigonometry	Sine ×, Cosine ×,Tangent × when 0° < × < 90°, Values of Sin ×, Tan ×, and Cos × for × = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° Simple Trigonometric Identities Use of Trigonometric Tables Simple Cases of Distances and Heights
Geometry	Plane & Plane Figures, Lines & Angles Theorems on Properties of Angles at a Point Parallel Lines Sides & Angles of a Triangle Congruency of Triangles Similar Triangles Concurrence of Medians and Altitudes Properties of Angles, Sides, and Diagonals of a Parallelogram, Square, and Rectangle Circles and their properties, including tangents and normals
Mensuration	Areas of Rectangles, Squares, Volume of Cuboids, Parallelograms, Triangles, Surface Area and Lateral Surface, and Volume of Right Circular Cones and Cylinders The volume of Spheres and Surface Area
Statistics	Collection and Tabulation of Statistical Data Graphical Representation of Frequency: Polygons, Pie Charts, Histograms, and Bar Charts. Measures of Central Tendency

Important Topics in the CDS Syllabus

The following topics will be covered in the CDS preparation:

• English: Vocabulary building, identifying mistakes, grammatical structure, and understanding of the text.
• General Knowledge: Awareness of current political, economic, historical events, and geography knowledge of India and the world.
• Elementary Mathematics: Basic arithmetic, trigonometry, geometry, measurement, and algebra.

CDS Exam Day Guidelines

• Kindly make sure only to use a black ballpoint pen when writing and include your centre, subject, and the test booklet series (in brackets), along with the subject code and exam roll number, in the designated area at the top of the answer sheet.
• Ensure to encode the booklet series (A, B, C, or D as applicable), roll number, subject code and in the circles provided on the answer sheet.
• Inform the invigilator immediately if either the booklet series is missing from the test booklet or the answer sheet is un-numbered to receive a replacement.
• It is important to note that errors, mistakes, or discrepancies in filling out the OMR answer sheet, particularly regarding the Roll Number and Test Booklet Series Code, may cause the answer sheet to be declined.
• After the start of the exam, please check that the test booklet supplied to you is complete, without any unprinted, torn, or missing pages or items. If there are any issues, request a replacement of the same series and subject.
• Avoid writing your name or any other information not specifically requested on the CDS answer sheet, test booklet, or sheet for rough work.
• Do not fold, damage, or mark extraneous on the CDS Answer Sheet. Additionally, do not write anything on the back of the answer sheet.

CDS Results

The UPSC will announce the results of the shortlisted candidates for the interview round after conducting the written exam. Results for each stage will be released separately.

Checking Results:

• Go to the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
• On the homepage, click on “Written Result.”
• A result PDF will open in a new window.
• To locate your roll number in the PDF, press “CTRL+F” and search.
• If your name appears in the PDF, you will soon receive details for the interview round.
• CDS cut-off marks are published on UPSC’s website. To be considered for selection, candidates must score at least 20% marks in each subject. The UPSC releases two separate cut-offs i.e.. the written exam and the final cut-off. You can refer to the cut-off marks from the previous year.

CDS Previous Year’s Cutoff

Category	Final Exam Cut-Off- 2023	Final Exam Cut-Off-2022
IMA (Indian Military Academy)	136	258
INA (Indian Naval Academy)	128	256
AFA (Air Force Academy)	147	269
OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) Men	100	181
OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) Women	100	184

CDS 2025 Selection Process

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) test for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy. Here’s a thorough breakdown of the CDS 2025 selection process:

• Written Examination: The CDS selection procedure begins with the written exam. It consists of two-hour papers. Candidates will just need to take the English and General Knowledge components of the exam to gain admission to the officer training program. Candidates for the Indian Naval Academy, Indian Maritime Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy must complete all three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
• SSB Interview or Personality Test: The personality exam, often known as the SSB interview, is the second element of the CDS selection process. Stages I and II of the SSB approach are two-stage selection procedures. Only applicants who have passed Stage I are eligible to take Stage 2.
• Document Verification: During this stage, the necessary paperwork for the candidates will be verified.
• Medical Examination: All shortlisted candidates will have a medical exam to evaluate whether or not they are medically fit. A Board of Service Medical Officers performs a medical examination on applicants nominated by the Services Selection Board.
• Join Instructions: Selected candidates receive comprehensive joining instructions, including the course start date and academy location.
• Training: For IMA (Army), candidates must go through 18 months of intensive training. For INA (Navy): Training lasts around three years. For AFA (Air Force), candidates train for around three years.
• Commissioning: After completing training, candidates are commissioned as officers in their respective forces (Army, Navy, or Air Force).

CDS Exam Salary 2025

Male or female candidates receive a monthly stipend of Rs 56,100 while training in their respective academies. This training period is not considered a part of their commissioned service. Upon successful commissioning, the salary of officers in the CDS will fall under pay matrix level 10. They will be entitled to retroactively receive any outstanding arrears based on their pay matrix from their training period.

The table below highlights the CDS Salary based on different Ranks –

CDS Ranks	CDS Pay Scale	Pay Level
Lieutenant	Rs 56,100/ to 1,77,500/ Per month	Level 10
Captain	Rs 61,300/ to 1,93,900/ Per month	Level 10B
Major	Rs 69,400/ to 2,07,200/ Per month	Level 11
Lt Colonel	Rs 1,21,200/ to 2,12,400/ Per month	Level 12A
Colonel	Rs 1,30,600/ to 2,15,900/ Per month	Level 13
Brigadier	Rs 1,39,600/ to 2,17,600/ Per month	Level 13A
Major General	Rs 1,44,200/ to 2,18,200/ Per month	Level 14
Lieutenant General HAG Scale	Rs 1,82,200/ to 2,24,100/ Per month	Level 15
HAG+Scale	Rs 2,05,400/ to 2,24,400/ Per month	Level 16
VCOAS/Army CDR/ Lieutenant General (NFSG)	Rs 2,25,000/ Per month (fixed)	Level 17
COAS	Rs 2,50,000/ Per month (fixed)	Level 18

Please be advised that the Military Service Pay (MSP) for officers ranging from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier is set at a monthly rate of Rs 15,500.

CDS Career Growth in INA & IMA

Candidates interested in joining the Indian Naval Academy or Indian Military Academy might refer to the table below for their CDS 2025 career advancement.

Ranks	Time Duration
Lieutenant	After completing training
Captain	2 years of Commissioned Service
Major	6 years of Commissioned Service
Lieutenant Colonel	13 years of Commissioned Service
Colonel (TS)	26 years of Commissioned Service
Colonel	15 years of Commissioned Service
Brigadier	23 years of Commissioned Service
Major General	25 years of Commissioned Service
Lieutenant General	28 years of Commissioned Service
General	No restrictions

CDS Career Growth in AFA

Candidates interested in joining the Air Force Academy can view the AFA’s career progression opportunities in the table below:

Ranks AFA	Time Duration
Flying Officer	On Commission
Flight Lieutenant	2 Years of commissioned service
Squadron Leader	6 years of commissioned service
Wing Commander	13 years of commissioned service
Group Captain	26 years of commissioned service
Air Commodore	–
Air Vice Marshal	–
Air Chief Marshal HAG Scale	–
Air Chief Marshal Apex Scale	–
Air Chief Marshal	–

CDS Preparation Tips

• Make a study schedule: Allocate time for each subject and stick to it. Make sure also to include time for revision and breaks.
• Prepare notes: Make concise and practical notes for each subject. These notes will come in handy during revision.
• Practice past papers: Become familiar with the type of questions and the pattern that will be asked in the exam.
• Seek help when needed: If you are struggling with a particular topic, don’t hesitate to seek help from friends, teachers, or online resources.
• Manage time effectively: During exams, manage your time wisely by prioritizing the questions and allocating enough time to each.
• Stay organized: Keep your study materials organized and easily accessible. Stay focused: Avoid distractions while studying and keep a positive attitude.
• Get enough rest: Adequate sleep and a balanced diet are crucial for keeping your mind and body in top condition.
• Take breaks: Regular breaks help refresh your mind and increase focus.
• Believe in yourself: Confidence is key to success. Believe in yourself and your abilities to perform well in the exams.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)