Jun 17, 2025
10
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The UPSC CDS 2025 exam (Combined Defence Services) is conducted twice a year (CDS-I and CDS-II) by the Union Public Service Commission It selects graduates for training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). The UPSC CDS Exam 2025 for entry into Combined Defence Services will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on September 14th, 2025
Here is the table for UPSC CDS 2025 Exam Events with the corresponding dates for CDS 1 and CDS 2:
UPSC CDS 2025 Exam Events | CDS 1 2025 Dates | CDS 2 2025 Dates |
UPSC CDS 2025 Notification | 11 Dec 2024 | 28 May 2025 |
UPSC CDS 2025 Vacancies | 457 | 453 |
UPSC CDS 2025 Application Form | 11 Dec 2024 | 28 May 2025 |
Last date to apply for UPSC CDS 2025 | 31 Dec 2024 | 17 Jun 2025 |
UPSC CDS 2025 Application Form Correction | 1 Jan 2025 | To be Updated |
UPSC CDS 2025 Admit Card | 03 April 2025 | To be Updated |
UPSC CDS Exam Date 2025 | 13 Apr 2025 | 14 Sep 2025 |
This table will provide you the key details for UPSC CDS Exam 2025:
UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2025 Overview | |
Organization | Union Public Service Commission |
Exam Name | Combined Defence Service Examination 2025 |
Frequency of CDS Exam | Biannual |
Mode of Application | Online |
Language of Written Exam | Bilingual |
Mode of Examination | Offline |
CDS Application Fees | INR 200 |
Type of Questions | Multiple-choice questions |
Eligibility |
|
CDS Exam Duration | 2 hours (each paper) |
Marking Scheme | 1/3 for each incorrect answer |
Purpose of the CDS Exam | Admission of candidates for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy |
Job Location | All Over India |
Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
The written test of UPSC CDS 2025covers English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics(Mathematics is not required for OTA candidates). Each paper is objective-type, 2 hours long, with 100 marks. Aspirants must also pass the SSB interview (two-stage psychological and aptitude tests) after the written exam.
To appear for the UPSC CDS 2025 Examination, candidates must fulfill certain eligibility criteria related to nationality, age, educational qualifications, and physical fitness. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Nationality:
Must be a citizen of India.
Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, and Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement, are also eligible.
Age Limit:
The age criteria vary based on the academy you apply for:
IMA (Indian Military Academy): 19–24 years
INA (Indian Naval Academy): 19–24 years
AFA (Air Force Academy): 20–24 years
OTA (Officers’ Training Academy): 19–25 years
Educational Qualification:
IMA & OTA: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized University.
INA: Degree in Engineering.
AFA: Degree in Engineering or Bachelor's degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level.
Physical Standards:
All candidates must be physically fit according to the physical standards prescribed by UPSC.
Detailed criteria are available in the official notification.
UPSC CDS Vacancy 2025
The UPSC CDS 2025 offers a significant opportunity for aspirants aiming to join the Indian Armed Forces through prestigious institutions. UPSC CDS Vacancy 2025 is distributed across five key training academies, each with varying numbers of vacancies. The CDS 2025 vacancies are an excellent chance for candidates looking to serve in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.
Distribution of Vacancies in UPSC CDS 2025:
Name of the Course | Approximate No. of Vacancies |
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun | 100 |
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala | 26 |
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad | 32 |
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Men) | 276 |
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Women) | 19 |
Total | 453 |
The UPSC CDS 2 Vacancy 2025 is expected to offer approximately 453 vacancies, providing a great opportunity for candidates interested in a career in the Indian Armed Forces. UPSC CDS apply through the official portal is the only way to begin the process for these esteemed positions. UPSC CDS registration details, including the step-by-step process for applying, will be available once the application forms are released.
UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2025
The UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2025 is a crucial document for candidates to appear for the CDS 2 Exam 2025. The admit card will be released a few weeks before the exam date, which is scheduled for 14th September 2025. Candidates who complete the UPSC CDS application process will be able to download their admit card from the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in).Once released, the UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2025 will contain important details such as:
Candidate’s name and roll number
Exam date and time
Exam centre address
Reporting time and instructions
Candidates should ensure that they complete the UPSC CDS registration well before the last date to avoid any issues with accessing the admit card and other important exam details
Table of content
The UPSC CDS 2025 registration is entirely online via the UPSC portal. Aspirants should follow these steps carefully:
Visit UPSC’s official portal: Go to upsconline.nic.in and complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) if not already done. Use a valid email and mobile number to start the first step of your UPSC CDS application.
Fill Part I: Enter personal details (name, DOB, category), educational qualifications, and exam preferences. Choose the desired academies (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA) in order of priority. Prefer your real interest first, since actual admission depends on vacancies and merit.
Fill Part II: Upload the scanned photograph, signature, and any requisite certificates (e.g. National Cadet Corps certificate, if applicable). Ensure images meet UPSC’s size and format specifications for your UPSC CDS 2025 application.
Pay the fee: General and OBC male candidates pay ₹100 online (Fees are waived for SC/ST and female candidates) Payment methods include credit/debit card or net banking.
Review and submit: Carefully review all entries. Pay attention to Academy Options – once the form is submitted, preferences can’t be changed. Then submit the form and download/print the confirmation slip with roll number.
Correction window: If the form has minor mistakes, use the official correction window (usually a few days after registration closes).
Paper | IMA/INA/AFA | OTA (SSC) |
English Language | 100 marks (2 hrs) | 100 marks (2 hrs) |
General Knowledge | 100 marks (2 hrs) | 100 marks (2 hrs) |
Elementary Mathematics | 100 marks (2 hrs) | Not Applicable |
Total Written Marks | 300 | 200 |
SSB Interview Marks | 300(5 days) | 300(5 days) |
Final Total Marks | 600 | 500 |
UPSC CDS 2025 Syllabus Overview
Subject | For IMA, INA, AFA | For OTA |
English | Antonyms, Sentence Improvement, Comprehension, Synonyms, Word Substitution, Ordering of Sentences, Spotting Errors, Selecting Words, Ordering Words in a Sentence | Same as IMA, INA, and AFA |
General Knowledge | Economics, Physics, Current Affairs, Politics, Chemistry, Sociology, History, Defence and Awards, Geography, Environment and Sports, Biology, Cultural Knowledge, Books and Authors, Statements true/false | Same as IMA, INA, and AFA |
Elementary Mathematics | Number System, Decimal Fractions, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Percentages, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, HCF & LCM, Logarithms (Base 10), Theory of Polynomials, Quadratic Equations, Linear Equations in Two Variables, Laws of Indices, Trigonometry, Heights and Distances, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics | Not applicable |
UPSC CDS 2025 Books for Preparation
Subject | Recommended Books |
English Language | - High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren and Martin - Objective General English by SP Bakshi - Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis |
General Knowledge (GK) | - General Awareness by Manohar Panday - Manorama Yearbook - Magazines: Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Success Review (CSR), Yojana - Newspapers: Regular reading of The Hindu or The Indian Express |
Elementary Mathematics | - Mathematics for CDS by RS Aggarwal - Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Aggarwal - Pathfinder for CDS by Arihant Publications |
To succeed in UPSC CDS 2025, candidates should follow a structured preparation plan. Here are some important tips:
Know the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Understanding the syllabus is crucial for effective preparation. Make sure to focus on the relevant sections based on the academy you are applying for.
Concept Clarity: Focus on understanding the concepts rather than rote learning. This will help you handle complex questions with ease, especially in General Knowledge and Mathematics.
Focus on Important Topics: Some topics are more likely to appear on the exam than others. Prioritize these and use the recommended books to cover them in-depth.
Solve Previous Year’s Question Papers: This will give you an idea of the exam pattern and help improve your time management skills.
Attempt Mock Tests: Practice mock tests regularly to simulate exam conditions. This will help improve your speed and accuracy.
Stay Calm Before the Exam: Do not try to learn any new topics right before the exam. Focus on revising what you’ve already studied.
Learning from past UPSC CDS toppers can guide aspirants. Top qualifiers often recommend:
Mock exams & PYQs: Toppers stress solving previous years’ CDS papers under timed conditions. This reveals the exam’s pattern and speed required. For example, a past OTA top ranker noted he solved full-length mocks weekly to build speed.
Preference filling: Enter preferences honestly. One CDS topper mentioned that although OTA had more vacancies, he chose IMA first because of his genuine interest in the Army – and succeeded due to high rank. Vacancies do matter eventually, but initial preference should reflect true passion (the SSB reward sincere candidates).
SSB approach: All toppers agree on thorough SSB prep. Advice from SSB experts includes: maintain strong eye contact with fellow cadets during group tasks (showing leadership by engaging peers) and write concise stories in PP&DT (100 words). They emphasize practicing Officer Intelligence Rating tests: do puzzles on analogies, coding-decoding, and spatial reasoning, since clearing Stage-1 depends on these. In personal interviews, honesty and confidence are key.
Consistency: A repeated theme is disciplined daily study. As one CDS topper said, he reviewed 30 GK facts every day and revised English grammar rules weekly (using shortcuts/rules lists). Another credited joining an SSB mentoring program for feedback.
Q1: How do I complete my UPSC CDS registration?
A: Apply online at upsconline.nic.in during the registration window. Complete One-Time Registration, fill Part I & II, upload documents, pay fee, and submit.
Q2: What is the fee and payment method for UPSC CDS registration?
A: Fee is ₹200 for general/OBC males (SC/ST/females are exempt) Pay online via debit/credit card or net banking.
Q3: Can women apply for IMA/AFA for UPSC CDS 2025 ?
A: No, women are only eligible for OTA (female entry). IMA, INA, AFA admit only unmarried men.
Q4: How many CDS attempts are allowed?
A: There is no limit on attempts; you can apply as long as you meet age and education criteria. Most candidates attempt multiple times for better scores.
Q5: What is the exam pattern and syllabus?
A: IMA/INA/AFA have 3 papers (English, GK, Maths); OTA has 2 (English, GK). Each paper is 2 hours, 100 marks. The syllabus includes grammar comprehension, current affairs, static GK (history, polity, economy, science), and 10+2 level math.
Q6: Where can I find official UPSC notices?
A: On upsc.gov.in under “Examinations > Important Notices”. Official PDFs are also on upsconline.nic.in. Press releases may appear on .
This UPSC CDS 2025 guide comprehensively covers registration, syllabus breakdown, and tailored strategies. By following official updates and structured preparation (leveraging crossover with UPSC CSE topics), aspirants can maximize their chances. Remember to adhere to all instructions (“dos and don’ts”), apply early, and practice diligently. Good luck with your UPSC CDS 2025 journey!
Sources: Official UPSC notifications and exam patterns; coaching and news resources; Defence Ministry/PIB releases.
Internal Linking suggestions:
External Linking Suggestions
UPSC Official Website – Syllabus & Notification: https://upsc.gov.in/
Press Information Bureau – Government Announcements: https://pib.gov.in/
NCERT Official Website – Books for UPSC: https://ncert.nic.in/
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