CDS 2025 Overview
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is a national-level exam conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit candidates for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). For the year 2025, CDS Exam I is scheduled on April 13, 2025, and CDS Exam II is set for September 14, 2025. The application process for CDS I 2025 concluded on January 1, 2025, while applications for CDS II 2025 are expected to be accepted from May 28 to June 17, 2025. The selection process includes a written examination followed by an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). Candidates are advised to regularly check the official UPSC website for updates and detailed
Exam Date
Expected on Exam Date: April 13 2025 (Sunday) , September 14, 2025 (Sunday).
Conducting Body
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) (expected).
For IMA, INA, AFA
| Section | Subject/Test | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | English | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper III | Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 340 questions | 300 | 6 Hours | |
For OTA (Officers’ Training Academy)
| Section | Subject/Test | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | English | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 240 questions | 200 | 4 Hours | |
CDS 2025 Exam Syllabus
1. English
- This section tests the candidate's understanding of the English language and their ability to use words effectively
- Key topics include: Grammar and Usage: Spotting errors, sentence improvement, and correct usage of verbs, adjectives, and adverbs
- IE Education+4Reddit+4EaseToLearn
- com+4 Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, and one-word substitutions
- Reddit Comprehension: Reading passages followed by questions to assess understanding
- Careers360+1Shiksha+1 Sentence Arrangement: Ordering of sentences to form coherent paragraphs
- Reddit Idioms and Phrases: Understanding and usage of common idiomatic expressions
- Adda247+4Reddit+4IE Education+4
2. General Knowledge
- This section evaluates the candidate's awareness of current events and general understanding of various subjects
- Topics include:Current Affairs: National and international events, awards, sports, and important conferences
- History: Indian history, including ancient, medieval, and modern periods Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world
- Polity: Indian Constitution, political system, and governance
- Economics: Basic economic concepts, Indian economy, and economic policies
- General Science: Fundamental concepts of physics, chemistry, and biology
- Defense-related Topics: Military exercises, defense organizations, and related developments
- Shape
3. Elementary Mathematics
- Applicable only for candidates applying to IMA, INA, and AFA
- This section tests basic mathematical skills
- Topics include:Arithmetic: Number systems, operations, and properties
- Percentages, ratios, and proportions
- Simple and compound interest
- Time and distance, time and work
- Profit, loss, and discount
- Algebra: Basic operations and factorization
- Linear equations and inequalities
- Quadratic equations
- Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratios and identities
- Heights and distances
- Geometry: Lines, angles, and triangles
- Properties of circles, rectangles, and squares
- Congruence and similarity of triangles Mensuration: Areas of squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles
- Surface area and volume of cuboids, cylinders, cones, and spheres
- Statistics: Collection and tabulation of data
- Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode
CDS 2025 Syllabus & Key Information
Exam Syllabus
The CDS 2025 exam consists of main sections:
- English -- Grammar and Usage , Vocabulary ,Comprehension: Reading passages followed by questions to assess understanding
- General Knowledge -- History , Geography , Polity , Economics
Key Dates
- CDS I 2025: Exam Date: April 13, 2025 (Sunday) Exam Schedule: English: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM General Knowledge: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Elementary Mathematics: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Admit Card Release: April 3, 2025 Notification Release: December 11, 2024 Application Period: December 11, 2024, to January 1, 2025 CDS II 2025: Exam Date: September 14, 2025 (Sunday) Notification Release: May 28, 2025 Application Period: May 28 to June 17, 2025
Admit Card Download
- Navigate to the Admit Card Section: On the homepage, click on the link titled "e-Admit Cards for Various Examinations of UPSC"
- Select the CDS 2025 Exam: Find and click on the link for "Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2025"
- Read Important Instructions: Carefully read the instructions provided and proceed by clicking on the "Yes" button
- Choose Login Method: Opt to download the admit card by either: Registration ID: Enter your Registration ID, Date of Birth, and Captcha code
- Roll Number: Enter your Roll Number, Date of Birth, and Captcha code
- Download and Print: After logging in, your admit card will be displayed
- Verify all details, download the admit card, and print a clear copy for the examination day
CDS 2025 Answer Key
Step1:CDS 2025 Answer Key (Unofficial & Official)
- Unofficial Answer Keys are usually released by coaching institutes (like BYJU’s, Major Kalshi Classes, Gradeup) on the day of the exam
- UPSC does not release a provisional answer key for objections
- The Official Answer Key is released only after the final result is declared—mainly for transparency
Step2:Final Answer Key (Official)
- Released by UPSC at: https://upsc
- gov
- in Includes correct answers for each set (A, B, C, D) for all subjects
- Published after the SSB interviews and final merit list
- No objections are entertained once it's out
Step3:CDS Result Calculation
- Criteria Details Subjects Evaluated English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics (only for IMA, INA, AFA) Total Marks 300 for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 for OTA Marking Scheme +1 mark for correct answer, -0
- 33 (⅓) for wrong answer Unattempted Questions No marks awarded or deducted Cut-off Score Varies each year and academy-wise SSB Call Based on written exam cut-off; shortlisted for SSB interview Final Merit Written Score + SSB Interview Score
Understanding the CDS 2025 Exam
English Paper
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Topics Dominated By: Spotting errors, fill in the blanks, comprehension, sentence improvement Tip: Focus on grammar and reading speed
General Knowledge (GK)
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Most Questions From: Current Affairs (National & International) Indian History (Modern & Ancient) Polity & Economy Science (Basic Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Elementary Mathematics (For IMA/INA/AFA)
Difficulty: Moderate Key Topics: Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Time & Work, Speed & Distance, Mensuration Tip: Time management is crucial due to lengthy calculations
CDS 2025 Preparation Tips
Best Books for CAT Preparation
| Subject | Book Name | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| English | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) |
| English | Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
| General Knowledge | General Knowledge 2025 | Lucent |
| General Knowledge | Manorama Yearbook | Malayala Manorama |
| General Knowledge | NCERTs (6th to 10th - Science, History, Geography, Polity) | NCERT |
| Mathematics | Quantitative Aptitude | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Mathematics | Mathematics for CDS | Rakesh Yadav / Pathfinder |
| Previous Year Papers | CDS Solved Papers | Arihant / Pathfinder |
