Candidates interested in the UPSC CDS 2025 exam can note that the notification for the exam will be released on December 11, 2025 by the Union Public Service Commission of India. The application form will also be available on the same day on the official website at upsc.gov.in along with the UPSC CDS notification . Before filling the UPSC CDS application form 2025, candidates should thoroughly review the eligibility criteria to ensure they meet the requirements.
UPSC CDS 2025 - Exam Dates, Syllabus, Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern, Notification, Result The UPSC CDS 2025 exam is a national-level examination conducted by UPSC, assessing candidates for positions in the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy. It evaluates candidates' proficiency in subjects such as English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Successful candidates may qualify for various officer ranks in these branches of the armed forces.
UPSC CDS 2025 Exam Dates
The UPSC CDS exam dates 2025 is scheduled to take place on April 13, 2024. The highly anticipated UPSC CDS exam will consist of two divisions, Paper I and Paper II, both administered on the same day but during separate sessions. Candidates aspiring to appear for the UPSC CDS exam 2025 should mark their calendars with these below listed crucial dates to ensure timely preparation and participation.
UPSC CDS Important Dates
Events | CDS 1 dates 2025 | CDS 2 dates 2025 |
Release of UPSC CDS 2025 notification | December 11, 2024 | May 28, 2025 |
Release of CDS application form 2025 | December 11, 2024 | May 28, 2025 |
CDS 2025 application form last date | December 31, 2024 | June 17, 2025 |
CDS exam date 2025 | April 13, 2025 | September 14, 2025 |
CDS Answer Key Release Date | To be announced | To be announced |
CDS Exam Results 2025 | To be announced | To be announced |
UPSC CDS 2025 Application Form
The UPSC CDS application form 2025 will be released on the official website, upsc.gov.in, on December 11, 2024. Candidates are required to begin by registering for the UPSC CDS exam, utilising either their mobile numbers or emails. After completing the UPSC CDS registration process successfully, candidates will receive their registration number and login credentials via the provided contact details.
Using these credentials, applicants can log in to access the UPSC CDS application form, where they must provide all necessary information and remit the registration fee to complete the submission process successfully.
UPSC CDS 2025 application fees according to category
Category | Fees |
General/OBC | ₹200/- |
SC/ST/PWD/Female Candidates | Exempted |
UPSC CDS Eligibility criteria 2025
To be eligible to sit for the exam, candidates must meet the specified criteria outlined in the table below, detailing UPSC CDS eligibility criteria 2025. The UPSC CDS eligibility criteria are as follows:
UPSC CDS eligibility criteria 2025:
Factors | UPSC CDS eligibility criteria |
Age | 20-25 |
Education | A graduation degree from a recognized university or equivalent. |
Nationality | Applicant must be a citizen of India A subject of Bhutan or Nepal A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1st, 1962 with the intention of settling in the country A person of Indian origin migrating from a neighbouring country with the plan to settle in India permanently.
|
Marital Status | Unmarried for most candidates, except for women candidates who can apply for Short Service Commission at OTA (Officers Training Academy). |
Experience | Not required |
No of Attempts | Not specified |
Additional points | Candidates with a valid Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) can apply up to the age of 26, with some conditions for married candidates during training. |
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UPSC CDS 2025 Exam Pattern
Preparing for this highly sought after exam requires a comprehensive understanding of both the UPSC CDS exam pattern 2025 and the eligibility criteria set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Aspiring candidates aiming to become commissioned officers in the Indian Defence Forces must navigate through the intricacies of the exam pattern and syllabus.
1. Written Exam: The CDS exam is conducted in two stages, with the first stage being the written exam. This exam is further divided into different papers depending on the academy candidates are applying for, namely IMA (Indian Military Academy), AFA (Air Force Academy), INA (Indian Naval Academy), and OTA (Officers' Training Academy). The written exam is pen and paper-based, conducted offline.
2. SSB Interview: Candidates who qualify the written exam proceed to the second stage, which is the SSB (Service Selection Board) interview. This interview assesses candidates' personality, intelligence, and compatibility for a career as a commissioned officer in the Defence Forces.
For Written Test:
Exam mode | Offline |
Subjects | English, General Knowledge and Mathematics |
Total Marks | 300 |
Duration | 6 hrs |
Nature of Exam | Objective type |
Medium | English and Hindi |
For IMA, INA, AFA:
Subjects | English, General knowledge and Mathematics |
Duration | 6 hrs(2hr/each subject) |
Max. Marks | 300 marks(100m/each subject) |
For OTA:
Subjects | English and General Knowledge |
Duration | 4 hrs(2 hrs/each subject) |
Max. Marks | 200 marks( 100m/each subject) |
UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025
The UPSC CDS 2025 syllabus covers a wide range of subjects to assess candidates' suitability for admission into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy. The syllabus includes sections such as English, Mathematics, General Knowledge, and OTA-specific subjects.
In the English section, candidates can expect topics like Reading Comprehension, Spotting the Error, Synonyms & Antonyms, and Sentence Improvement.
Mathematics encompasses Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.
The General Knowledge section covers various topics such as Indian History, Political Science, Economics, Geography, Environment, General Science, Current Affairs, and Defence Related Questions.
For OTA, the focus is on General Knowledge and English proficiency.
UPSC CDS Admit Card 2025
The UPSC is expected to release the CDS 2025 admit card around mid-April, similar to previous years. The CDS 1 2025 exam will be held on April 13, 2025 following the usual pattern. UPSC will notify candidates about the availability of the admit card through the official website and the email address provided during registration.
To download UPSC CDS Admit Card 2025, one must follow the below steps,
1. Go to the official UPSC website.
2. Navigate to the login section of the website. Log in using your registered account details.
3. Provide the application number and date of birth as per the information provided during registration.
4. Once logged in, locate the section for downloading the admit card and download the admit card.
UPSC CDS Sample Papers 2025
Regular practice with UPSC CDS sample papers is essential for refining speed and accuracy while honing exam-taking skills. UPSC CDS Sample Papers serve as the gateway to comprehensively understanding the exam pattern, facilitating familiarity with the number of questions, marking scheme, and duration of each section, including English, General Knowledge, or Elementary Mathematics (relevant for specific courses).
Acquiring recent and relevant UPSC CDS sample papers from credible sources such as official UPSC websites, reputable bookstores, or recognized online educational platforms is crucial. Integrating UPSC CDS sample papers into one's study schedule is paramount, ensuring allocation of specific time slots and gradual increase in the number of papers as one progresses.
UPSC CDS Answer Keys 2025
UPSC CDS answer keys are typically released a few days after the examination, allowing candidates to verify their answers and gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses. Candidates should approach the official website upsc.gov.in to acquire UPSC CDS answer keys which with discernment, as occasional errors or discrepancies may occur. If candidates find any discrepancies in the UPSC CDS answer keys, they can raise their concerns through the official channels provided by the UPSC.
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UPSC CDS Preparation Tips 2025
For UPSC CDS 2025 preparation, start early and follow a structured study plan covering all sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Practice with UPSC CDS sample papers and mock tests regularly. Utilise reputable study materials and stay updated with current affairs. Engage in group discussions and seek guidance from mentors. Prioritise self-care and maintain motivation throughout your UPSC CDS preparation journey.
UPSC CDS Results 2025
The exact date for the announcement of UPSC CDS 2025 results will be communicated by the UPSC through its official website and other official channels. Candidates should regularly check the UPSC website for updates regarding UPSC CDS result announcements and related notifications.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to access UPSC CDS Results 2025:
1. Go to the official UPSC website at www.upsc.gov.in.
2. Look for the "Examination" section on the homepage of the UPSC website.
3. Within the Examination section, locate the link related to the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam results for the year 2025.
4. Click on the “CDS Results” link to proceed to the results page.
5. On the results page, you will be prompted to enter specific details such as your roll number or registration ID and your date of birth.
6. Enter the required information accurately and click on the submit or view result button.
7. Once you submit the details, your UPSC CDS Results for 2025 will be displayed on the screen.
8. Finally, UPSC may release a merit list of candidates who have qualified for further rounds of selection. Check if your name appears on the merit list if provided.
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UPSC CDS Cut Off 2025
The UPSC CDS 2025 Cut off will be determined based on various factors such as the difficulty level of the exam, the number of vacancies, and the overall performance of candidates. The cutoff marks are the minimum qualifying marks that candidates must score to be eligible for further rounds of the selection process.
Candidates should note that the UPSC CDS cutoff marks 2025 may differ from previous years, so it's essential to wait for the official announcement from UPSC. Additionally, meeting the UPSC CDS cutoff marks does not guarantee selection; it merely qualifies candidates for further rounds of the selection process, such as the SSB interview for qualified candidates.
