Shikha GoyalAssistant Manager
CDS Exam Date 2025: The CDS 1 notification 2025 released on December 11, 2024 on the official website. The CDS 1 2025 application form is available from December 11 to December 31, 2024 (6 PM). The CDS 1 examination 2025 will be conducted on April 13, 2025. Further, the CDS 2 2025 notification will be released on May 28, 2025. The last date to apply for CDS 2 2025 is June 17, 2025. The CDS 2 2025 exam will be held on September 14, 2025. The Union Service Selection Commission (UPSC) released the CDS 2 2024 result on September 20, 2024, for the exam conducted on September 1, 2024. The authority released the CDS 1 result 2024 on July 31, 2024.
The CDS exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. Candidates need to reach the exam centre as per CDS exam timing. Read below for more details on CDS dates 2025.
CDS 1 2025 Latest News & Updates
CDS 1 2025 Notification & Application Form Released; Check Dates and Steps To Apply
Also Read: CDS 1 2025 Notification
Q: Is the CDS 1 notification released for 2025?
The CDS 1 notification 2025 has been released by UPSC on December 11, 2024, on the official website, along with the release of the CDS 1 2025 application form. Candidates who are interested in applying for the CDS 1 exam will be allowded to apply for it until December 31, 2024 (6 PM). The exam for CDS 1 2025 will be conducted on April 13, 2025. The candidates who will qualify for the CDS exam will be called for the CDS interview which will be taken to test the mental and physical strength of the candidates. The candidates who are searching for the medical and physical parameters for qualifying for the CDS 1 exam can click the link to get the specific parameters Link for CDS medical and Physical strength
Direct Link for the Information of Eligibility Criteria
Q: What are the educational criteria to apply for CDS exam?
Q: What is the difference between NDA and CDS exams?
Q: When will the CDS 2 Result be Released?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the UPSC CDS 2 Result 2024 on the official website. The candidates can download the CDS result as a PDF from the official website-upsc.gov.in.
Q: Why CDS exam is conducted?
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2025 exam
Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
---|---|
11 Dec '24 - 31 Dec '24 | CDS 1 Application 2025 ONGOING |
13 Apr '25 | CDS 1 Exam 2025 |
28 May '25 | CDS 2 Notification 2025 |
28 May '25 - 17 Jun '25 | CDS 2 Application Form 2025 |
14 Sep '25 | CDS 2 Exam 2025 |
Dates | Past Exam Dates |
11 Dec '24 | CDS 1 Notification 2025 |
20 Sep '24 | CDS 2 Result 2024 |
01 Sep '24 | CDS 2 Exam |
Important Events Related to CDS Exam 2025
The important events of the CDS exam are explained below:
CDS Application Form
The application form for CDS has been released online. The CDS application form comprises two parts. In the first part, candidates need to register, choose their preferred branches, verify the details and generate their registration ID. In the second part, candidates need to pay the application fees, select the exam centres, and upload scanned images of photographs & signatures.
CDS Exam Date
All registered candidates are required to appear for the CDS exam. The exam comprises two stages, written and SSB Interview. The written exam for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy comprises three sections, English, General knowledge, and Elementary Maths. The written exam for Officers’ Training Academy comprises two sections, English and General Knowledge.
CDS Answer Key Date
The answer key of CDS is released by UPSC after the completion of the recruitment exam. The CDS answer key is released on the official website for different codes of test booklets.
CDS Result Date
The result is released in two stages: written exam and final selection. The commission first announces the CDS result for the written exam, followed by the declaration of the final result. The result displays the roll numbers of shortlisted candidates in PDF format. Along with the release of the CDS result, the CDS cut-off is also released for the candidates. The candidates who will cross the category-wise cut-off will be considered qualified for the CDS exam.
CDS Current Affairs Guide: Download Here
CDS Exam Timing 2025
According to CDS shift timing, candidates need to enter the examination hall at least 30 minutes before the scheduled commencement of the examination. Entry to the examination venue closes 10 minutes prior to the scheduled commencement of the exam in each session. CDS exam timing for English, GK and Elementary Mathematics is given below.
Paper | Exam Timings |
---|---|
English | 9.00 am to 11.00 am |
GK | 12.00 pm to 2.00 pm |
Elementary Mathematics | 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm |
Q: Who is eligible to take the CDS exam?
The minimum age limit for applying CDS exam is 19 years. Candidates must be graduate or appearing in the final year. B.Tech and BE candidates can apply for IMA, INA and AFA. The age limit criteria for CDS 1 exam have been given below for the candidates:
Indian Naval Academy: 19 to 24 years
Air Force Academy: 20 years to 24 years
Indian Military Academy: 19 to 24 years
Officers Training Academy (SSC Women Non Technical Course): 19 to 25 years
Officers Training Academy (SSC Course for Men): 19 to 25 years
The candidates must note that if they don't fulfill the age limit and educational qualification criteria will not be able to appear in the CDS exam.
Q: What documents do I need to carry to the CDS exam centre?
Q: Can I wear masks at CDS exam centres?
Q: In how many shifts CDS exam is conducted?
CDS Exam Pattern
The candidates who are going to appear for the CDS exam must know the exam pattern. The CDS exam pattern is mandatory information that helps the applicants understand the CDS exam better. The exam pattern for the CDS exam has been given below:
CDS Exam Pattern 2025 |
|
---|---|
Mode of Exam |
Offline |
Number of Questions |
300 MCQ |
Number of questions in OTA |
200 MCQ |
Maximum Marks |
300 and 200 (OTA) |
Duration of Exam |
2 hours (120 minutes) for each paper |
Medium |
Hindi or English |
Negative marking |
1/3rd mark deducted for each incorrect response |
Q: What is the exam pattern for CDS 2025 exam?
The CDS exam pattern has been divided into two categories- Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA). The exam taken for the IMA, INA, AFA is taken for three subjects- General Awareness, Mathematics and English. On the other hand, the OTA exam is taken for two subjects- English . and General Awareness. The exam pattern for these categories have been given below for the candidates: For IMA, INA and AFA: a)Total Number of Subjects: English. Elementary Mathematics and General Knowledge b) Time Duration: Six hours (2 hours for each paper) c) Maximum Marks: 300 marks (100 marks for each paper) For OTA: a) Total Number of Subjects: English . and General Knowledge b) Time Duration: Four hours (2 hours for each paper) c) Maximum Marks: 200 Marks (100 marks for each paper). .
Q: What is the selection process of CDS exam?
Q: Is there a time limit for each subject in CDS exam?
News & Updates
Get prep tips, practice papers, exam details and important updates
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Answered a week ago
You would be eligible to take the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam in April 2025 if you were between the ages of 20 and 24 on January 1, 2025. You would be 24 years old in December 2024 because your birthday is December 15, 2000, hence you would be eligible to apply for the CDS exam in April 2
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The highest rank attainable through CDs is the rank of general which is a 4-stared officer position.
it is a general in the army, Admiral in the Navy and Air Chief Marshal in the Air Force.
and the lowest rank is lieutenant which is a 2 stared officer position.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
The questions will consist of objective-type questions.
the total duration for the exam is 4 hours and is for a total of 200 marks for OTA.
The question papers for General Knowledge will be set in bilingually in Hindi and English. The exam will comprise 2 subjects, English and General Knowledge, and e
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
The CDS 1 application form 2025 will be available from December 11 to 31, 2024. The CDS 1 2025 exam will be conducted on April 13, 2025. CDS 2 notification will be released in May 2025, the last date for application will be 17th June 2025 and the exam will be conducted on 14, September 2025.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The Union Public Service Commission released the CDS examination 2025 approximate number of vacancies. It is around 457 vacancies will be announced for various defence services.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates can download the UPSC CDS 1 2025 recommended marks by following the steps given below:
- Go to the official website
- Click on the CDS 1 2025 recommended marks link
- Click on the PDF link
- The CDS 1 2025 recommended marks PDF will appear on the screen
- Download the CDS 1 2025 marks and save it fo
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The CDS exam requires in depth knowledge and clarity of concepts or conceptual clarity. So, regular solving of mock tests of the CDS exam is essential. It provides an additional advantage that a candidate requires to succeed in the exam. It also helps to test the preparation level and evaluate the p
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The CDS exam is conducted twice a year for admission to IMA, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. Basically, it works as a tool for students to prepare for an upcoming exam. Candidate will get an idea of the actual examination. Mock tests make candidates realise their mistakes that must be t
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The candidates who will qualify for the CDS 2 result in 2025 will proceed to the SSB interview. The CDS 2 result 2025 will be released on the official website. Basically, the result PDF, cut-off marks, and the final merit-list will guide candidates on their next steps, mainly for the SSB interview r
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The CDS OTA Result will be released on the official website. Candidates can check below the steps:
- Visit the official website
- Click on the CDS OTA result link
- Click on the result PDF link
- The CDS OTA result will appear on the screen
- Download the CDS OTA result PDF and save it for later use
S
Contributor-Level 10
My DOB is 15/12/2000. Am I eligible for CDS April 2025?