CDS Recruitment 2024: Check Vacancies, Selection Process & Exam Dates
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Exam On - 13 Apr '25
CDS Recruitment 2024: To choose applicants for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy (OTA), CDS recruitment is performed. The hiring process happens twice a year. The CDS 2 2024 notification was released on May 15, 2024. Along with the release of the notification, the CDS 2024 recruitment process was started. The candidates were allowed to fill out the CDS 2 2024 application form between May 15, 2024, to June 4, 2024. The UPSC was conducted CDS 2 exam on September 1, 2024. The authority released the CDS 2 admit card 2024 on August 23, 2024. Candidates can download their admit card from the official website.
- CDS Recruitment Application Process 2024
- CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
- CDS Recruitment Vacancies 2024
- CDS Recruitment Exam Pattern 2024
- CDS Recruitment Syllabus 2024
- CDS Recruitment Selection process 2024
CDS Recruitment Application Process 2024
Registration: 28 May '25 - 17 Jun '25
CDS application form was released on May 15, 2024, and continued till June 4, 2024. The candidates could fill out the application form by paying INR 200 (General/OBC Category). However, the candidates from the other categories SC/ST/Women were exempted from the application fee. The CDS application form comprises two stages: i) Registration and ii) Application fees and other details. The candidates need to fill out the application form completely to be eligible to appear in the CDS exam.
Commonly asked questions
Q: How can I apply for the CDS exam?
Upvote 
Q: What is the mode of CDS application?
Upvote CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2025 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
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 |
11 Dec '24 - 01 Jan '25 | CDS 1 Application 2025 |
20 Sep '24 | CDS 2 Result 2024 |
CDS Recruitment Vacancies 2024
The vacancies for the respective defence academies are released along with the CDS notification. Check the vacancies of the CDS 1 & 2, 2024 in the table below:
| CDS 2 Vacancy 2024 |
|
|---|---|
| Institution |
Number of Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) |
- |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) |
- |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) |
- |
| Officer Training Academy - Men (OTA) |
- |
| Officer Training Academy - Women (OTA) |
- |
| Total |
- |
| CDS 1 Vacancy 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Academy | No. of Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun154th (DE) Course commencing in January 2023 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders] | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala Course commencing in January 2023 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 03 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing through NCC Special Entry ) holders ]. | 32 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January 2023 i.e. No. 213 F(P) Course [including 03 vacancies are reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Spl. Entry] | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 117th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April 2023 | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 117th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April 2023 | 18 |
| Total | 457 |
Also Read: CDS Vacancies
Commonly asked questions
Q: What is the eligibility criteria to appear for CDS exam?
Upvote Q: How many vacancies are announced for the CDS 1 2025 exam?
On December 11, 2024, UPSC released the CDS 1 approximate Vacancies 2025, along with the CDS 1 notification. UPSC has announced 457 CDS 1 Vacancies 2025 for IMA (Indian Military Academy), INA (Indian Naval Academy), AFA (Air Force Academy), and OTA (Officers Training Academy). The UPSC will fill the CDS 1 vacancy 2025 by holding an online test for all applicants. The UPSC CDS 1 2025 Vacancy, as well as the CDS 1 Notification 2025, has been published on the official website.
Upvote 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). .
Upvote Q: What are the educational criteria to apply for CDS exam?
Upvote CDS Recruitment Exam Pattern 2024
The written exam of IMA, INA, and AFA comprises three sections. The total marks of the test are 300, each paper is conducted for two hours. The question paper for OTA comprises two sections. The total marks for the test are 200. Each paper is conducted for two hours. SSB Interview for IMA, INA, and AFA is for 300 marks each while for OTA it is 200.
CDS Negative Marking Scheme
The competitive exam conducted by the UPSC follows a negative marking scheme as the CDS exam. 1/3 marks are deducted as a penalty for incorrect answers in the CDS exam. The candidates are advised to answer the questions which are they sure of or they penalised for the wrong answer.
Also Read: CDS Exam Pattern
CDS Recruitment Syllabus 2024
CDS syllabus comprises topics from the subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The standard of Elementary Mathematics is of Class 10 level. The standard of other subjects is of Graduation level.
| Subjects | Topics |
|---|---|
| English |
The question paper is designed to test the candidates’ understanding of |
| General Knowledge |
Economics, Physics, Current Affairs, Politics, History, Geography, Sociology, etc |
| Elementary Mathematics |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, etc |
CDS Recruitment Selection process 2024
CDS selection process includes the written exam and SSB Interview. On the basis of the marks of the written exam, candidates are selected for SSB Interviews. Candidates qualifying for the SSB Interview are recommended for final selection. Candidates are offered admission based on the marks of the written exam, SSB Interview, ranks, medical fitness, and vacancies.
Commonly asked questions
Q: What documents do I need to carry to the CDS exam centre?
Upvote Q: What is the application fee for the CDS exam?
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CDS Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 8 hours ago
For effective preparation for the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam, choosing the right course is crucial to cover all aspects of the exam. The CDS exam is divided into three sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Here's how to approach each:
English: A good command of E
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 12 hours ago
Males with Nursing degrees can submit applications for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam as Short Service Commission (SSC) Military Nursing Service applicants. Candidates seeking enrollment in the CDS exam need to possess an academic Nursing degree from an accredited institution along with be
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
According to your documents, at 23 years and 5 months old, you meet the age criteria for both the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers' Training Academy (OTA) through the CDS2 examination.the official age limits are
IMA: Unmarried male candidates born between July 2,2001, and July 1,2006.
OTA:
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
If you have completed Part I and Part II of the application form for UPSC CDS and also paid, but are not able to select an exam center, then there are a few things you can do;
Check your Form:
Ensure that each required section is filled in appropriately in both parts of the application form.
Sometimes,
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
CDS 1 2025 application form correction window was closed. The authority extended the last date to apply for the CDS 1 2025. The last date to apply for CDS 1 2025 was January 1, 2025.
G
Beginner-Level 2
Answered a month ago
Your sister can surely give the CDS exam. Since she is class 12 and studying Biology, she needs to complete her graduation first, as CDS exam requires candidates to be a graduate from any recognised university.
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Any OBC girl is free to apply for the CDS-I examination under reservation benefits extended by the government.
The eligibility of OBCs, including girls, is similar to that of general categories regarding age and educational qualifications. However, here his age limit has been relaxed and certain seat
U
Contributor-Level 10
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Which course will be beneficial in the preparation of the CDS exam?