CDS 2025 Notification, CDS 1 Notification, Exam Date
The CDS 1 2025 Notification is released on December 11, 2024, on the official UPSC website. The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is held twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit officers for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The exam consists of three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each paper is 2 hours long and carries 100 marks. After the written exam, candidates who qualify will be invited for an interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB), where their personality, intelligence, and leadership skills will be assessed.
Given the competitiveness of the exam, candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly by practicing previous year’s question papers, using study materials, and taking practice tests. For those seeking extra help, coaching classes from institutions like the National Defence Institute can provide valuable guidance and support.
CDS 2025 Exam Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the Combined Defence Service (CDS) Examination 2025, which is held biannually to recruit officers for the Indian Armed Forces, including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). The exam will be conducted offline and consists of three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, with each paper lasting 2 hours. The exam will feature multiple-choice questions, and candidates will be penalized with a 1/3 mark deduction for each incorrect answer. The application process for CDS 2025 will be online, and candidates must pay an application fee of INR 200. Eligible candidates must be between 20 and 24 years old, unmarried, and have either completed or be in their final year of graduation. The purpose of the CDS exam is to select candidates for various defense academies, and the job location will be across India. For more information, candidates can visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
Category |
Details |
Organization |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Exam Name |
Combined Defence Service Examination 2025 |
Frequency of CDS Exam |
Biannual |
Mode of Application |
Online |
Language of Written Exam |
Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
Mode of Examination |
Offline |
CDS Application Fees |
INR 200 |
Type of Questions |
Multiple-choice questions |
Eligibility |
20 to 24 years, Unmarried Males & Females, Passed Graduation or Final Year |
CDS Exam Duration |
2 hours (per paper) |
Marking Scheme |
1/3 penalty for each incorrect answer |
Purpose of CDS Exam |
Admission to IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA |
Job Location |
All Over India |
Official Website |
CDS 2025 Vacancies
Name of the Academy |
Number of Vacancies |
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun |
100 |
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala |
32 |
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad |
32 |
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) SSC Men |
275 |
Officers Training Academy, Chennai SSC Women |
18 |
Total Vacancies |
457 |
CDS 2025 Eligibility
Eligibility Criteria |
Details |
CDS 2025 Nationality |
Citizen of India, Subject of Nepal/Bhutan, Tibetan refugee (migrated before Jan 1, 1962), or individuals of Indian origin from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire & Vietnam for permanent settlement in India. |
CDS 2025 Exam Education Qualification |
For I.M.A. & Officers’ Training Academy: Graduation in any subject from a recognized University. For Indian Naval Academy: Graduation in Engineering from a recognized University. For Air Force Academy: Bachelor's degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering. |
CDS 2025 Age Limit |
20 to 24 years. Detailed age limits are mentioned in the official notification. |
CDS 2025 Marital Status & Sex |
Indian Military Academy & Indian Naval Academy: Only unmarried males. Indian Air Force Academy: Both married and unmarried males can apply, but marriage during training is not allowed. Officers Training Academy: Unmarried males and females can apply. |
UPSC CDS Physical Standards 2025
Candidates intending to take the CDS exam should carefully review the physical standards before applying to confirm their eligibility.
CDS 2025 Male Height and Weight
Height (cm) |
18 years |
20 years |
22 years |
24 years |
152 |
44 |
46 |
47 |
48 |
155 |
46 |
48 |
49 |
50 |
157 |
47 |
49 |
50 |
51 |
160 |
48 |
50 |
51 |
52 |
162 |
50 |
52 |
51 |
54 |
165 |
52 |
53 |
55 |
56 |
168 |
53 |
55 |
57 |
58 |
170 |
55 |
57 |
58 |
59 |
173 |
57 |
59 |
60 |
61 |
175 |
59 |
61 |
62 |
62 |
178 |
61 |
62 |
63 |
64 |
180 |
63 |
64 |
65 |
66 |
183 |
65 |
67 |
67 |
68 |
185 |
67 |
69 |
70 |
71 |
188 |
70 |
71 |
72 |
74 |
190 |
72 |
73 |
74 |
76 |
193 |
74 |
76 |
77 |
78 |
195 |
77 |
78 |
79 |
81 |
CDS 2025 Female Height and Weight
Height (cm) |
20 years |
25 years |
30 years |
148 |
39 |
41 |
43 |
150 |
40 |
42 |
43.5 |
153 |
42 |
43.5 |
45 |
155 |
43 |
44 |
46 |
158 |
45 |
46 |
48 |
160 |
46 |
47 |
49 |
163 |
47 |
49 |
51 |
165 |
49 |
51 |
53 |
168 |
50 |
52 |
54 |
CDS Eyesight 2025
Candidates applying for CDS 2025 should be aware of the visual standards to confirm their eligibility. These standards are categorized for IMA & OTA, Naval candidates, and Air Force candidates.
Parameter |
Standards |
Uncorrected vision (max allowed) |
6/60 & 6/60 |
BCVA – Right |
6/6 |
BCVA – Left |
6/6 |
Myopia |
Nil |
Hypermetropia |
+2.0 d Sph |
Lasik/equivalent surgery |
Permitted |
Colour perception |
CP II |
Maddox Rod Test at 33 cms |
Exo-16 prism D, Eso-6 prism D, Hyper-1 prism D, Hypo-1 prism D |
Maddox Rod Test at 6 meters |
Exo-6 prism D, Eso-6 prism D, Hyper-1 prism D, Hypo-1 prism D |
CDS 2025 Eyesight: Air Force
Candidates who regularly wear spectacles are not eligible for the Indian Air Force. The visual standards for the Air Force are as follow:
Vision Parameter |
Standards |
Hypermetropia |
+2.0 d Sph |
Color Vision |
CP-1 |
Manifest Myopia |
Nil |
Retinoscopic Myopia |
0.5 in any meridian |
Astigmatism |
+0.75 D Cyl (with +2.0 D Max) |
CDS 2025 Eyesight: Navy
Parameter |
Standards |
Uncorrected without glasses |
6/12, 6/12 |
Corrected with glasses |
6/6, 6/6 |
Myopia Limit |
-1.5D |
Hypermetropia Limit |
+1.5D |
Binocular Vision |
III |
Limits of Colour Perception |
I |
CDS 2025 Exam Pattern
1. For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy:
Subject |
Duration |
Maximum Marks |
English |
2 Hours |
100 |
General Knowledge |
2 Hours |
100 |
Mathematics |
2 Hours |
100 |
SSB Test/Interview |
5 Days |
300 |
2. For Admission to the Officers’ Training Academy:
Subject |
Duration |
Maximum Marks |
English |
2 Hours |
100 |
General Knowledge |
2 Hours |
100 |
SSB Test/Interview |
5 Days |
300 |
CDS 2025 SSB Interview
Stage |
Process |
1 |
Officer Intelligence Rating |
Picture Perception and Description Test |
|
2 |
Psychology Test |
Interview |
|
Group Testing Officer Task |
|
Conference |
How to prepare for CDS Exam 2025
To effectively prepare for the CDS exam, it’s crucial to focus on every aspect of the process. Start by giving equal attention to the written exam, which covers a comprehensive syllabus across three subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each of these topics requires a deep understanding and consistent practice to score well. In addition to the written exam, the SSB interview process is equally important and assesses your personality, intelligence, leadership qualities, and suitability for a career in the Indian Armed Forces. The SSB interview involves various stages, such as psychological tests, group discussions, personal interviews, and physical tasks, all designed to evaluate your overall potential.
To succeed in both the written exam and the SSB interview, it's essential to have a clear and structured strategy. For detailed guidance and a step-by-step approach to both the exam and interview preparation, visit our comprehensive CDS exam strategy by clicking on this link. This resource will help you navigate through each stage with confidence, ensuring you are well-prepared and ready for success. LINK
CDS 2025 Application Form
The application process for CDS 1 2025 will begin on December 11, 2024, and end on December 31, 2024. For CDS 2 2025, the application period will be from May 28, 2025, to June 17, 2025. Candidates can apply online through the official UPSC website to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force as officers.
CDS 2025 Application Fee:
· The application fee is ₹200 for all categories except SC/ST and female candidates, who are exempt from the fee.
· Payment can be made online (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card) or offline (cash deposit at any SBI branch).
Steps to Fill Out the CDS 2025 Application Form:
Step 1: Online Registration
· Visit the UPSC official website and go to the CDS 2025 section.
· Click on the application link and create an account by providing your name, date of birth, email, and phone number. Choose a username and password for future logins.
Step 2: Fill in the Application Form
· Log in with your credentials.
· Enter your personal details (name, gender, nationality, address), educational qualifications, and preferred academy and branch.
· Double-check all details for accuracy.
Step 3: Upload Documents
· Upload a recent passport-sized photo and your signature in the required format.
· Attach any other documents, like educational certificates or identity proof, if needed.
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
· Pay the fee using online methods like credit/debit cards or net banking, or through SBI offline deposit, based on your category.
Step 5: Submit the Application
· Review all details and uploaded documents to ensure they are correct.
· Click on "Submit" to complete the application.
Step 6: Print the Application Form
· After submission, take a printout of your application form for future reference.
CDS 2025 APPLICATION LINK
Other Useful Links
CDS 2025 Important Links |
LINKS |
CDS Notification |
|
CDS Strategy Video |
|
SSB Mock Interview |
|
CDS Free Guidence |
|
CDS FREE Study Material |
|
CDS Full Course |
|
CDS Test Series |