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CDS Exam Pattern 2025 - Check CDS 1 Exam Pattern Here
Edited By Sneha Vinod | Updated on Jul 12, 2024 12:48 PM IST | #CDS
Union Public Service Commission prescribes the UPSC CDS 1 exam pattern 2025 in the official notification. As per the UPSC CDS 2025 exam pattern, the written exam is conducted for the IMA, INA, AFA and OTA courses. According to the CDS exam pattern, to be eligible for these courses, candidates will have to clear a written exam and the SSB interview. The SSB interview is a personality test to get an idea of the candidate’s intelligence that is conducted as part of the.
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While preparing for the exam, candidates can make use of the exam pattern in conjunction with the CDS exam syllabus 2025 to better prepare for the exam. The UPSC CDS exam is conducted for the recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy.
It is important to consult the detailed CDS exam pattern 2025 to better understand the nuances of the exam, such as the stages of the exam, marking scheme, time duration of the exam as well as the subjects on which question papers will be based. Candidates must thoroughly go through the CDS 2025 notification for all information. For more information pertaining to the CDS 2025 exam pattern, read the full article below.
Highlights of CDS 1 Exam Pattern 2025
Particulars | Details |
Mode of Exam | Offline only |
Number of questions asked IMA, INA and AFA | 300 multiple choice questions |
Number of questions in OTA | 200 multiple choice questions |
Maximum Marks | 300 ( Indian Military, Navy and Air Force) and 200 (OTA) |
Duration of Exam | 2 hours (120 minutes) for each paper |
Medium | Hindi or English |
Negative marking | One-third of marks were deducted for each wrong answer |
CDS 2025 Exam Pattern: Stages of CDS exam
The CDS 2025 exam is conducted in 2 phases-
Written Examination
Interview for intelligence and personality test
CDS Exam Pattern 2025 - For Written Examination
The first stage of the CDS recruitment process is the written exam. According to the UPSC CDS exam pattern, one written exam is conducted for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Navy Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA) and another one for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). The questions are asked from all three subjects in the written test for IMA, INA, and AFA, whereas there is no mathematics paper for the OTA course.
Hence in the CDS 2025 OTA written exam, the question will be asked from two sections only - English and General Knowledge. The total time duration for the IMA, INA, and AFA written tests is 6 hours whereas for the OTA written test 4 hours is allotted. Candidates can consult the table below for more details regarding the CDS 2025 exam pattern.
CDS Exam Pattern for For IMA, INA, and AFA
Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
English | 2 hours | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
Exam Pattern of CDS 2025 for OTA
From the following table, candidates can check the CDS OTA exam pattern to prepare for the OTA exam.
Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
English | 2 hours | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
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CDS Exam Pattern 2025 - For SSB Interview
Candidates who qualify in the CDS written exam are required to appear in the SSB interview. For the CDS interview round, candidates will be called at one of the Services Selection Centres. According to the UPSC CDS exam pattern 2025, the interview will be conducted in two stages. Only those candidates who clear stage I of the CDS interview are permitted to appear for stage II. Check below the details about both stages of the CDS interview.
Stage I: Stage I of the CDS interview consists of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Tests (PP and DT).
Stage II: The CDS interview stage II includes a personal interview, Group testing officer tasks, Psychology Tests and the conference.
Following the CDS exam pattern 2025, these tests will be conducted for four days and the personality of a candidate is assessed by three different assessors - The Interviewing Officer (IO), the Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist. There is no separate weightage for each test.
Also Read:
UPSC CDS Marking Scheme 2025
As per the CDS 2025 exam pattern, candidates are awarded one mark for each correct answer whereas 0,33 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer. There is no negative marking for un-attempted questions, Check below the table to learn more about the CDS marking scheme.
CDS Marking Scheme
Specifications | English | GK | Mathematics |
Maximum marks | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Marks for the correct answer | +1 mark for each correct option | +1 mark for each correct option | +1 mark for each correct option |
Negative marking | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
CDS Syllabus 2025
UPSC provides CDS 2025 syllabus along with official CDS notification in online mode at upsc.gov.in. The written exam is divided into three sections. In the English sections of the CDS syllabus, candidates need to prepare more with grammar and increase their word power. In order to crack the Maths section of the CDS exam syllabus, the only key is practice.
Read the newspaper daily and keep yourself updated with current affairs for the general awareness section. It is important to go through the entire CDS syllabus before starting the preparation as this will give you a better idea about your weaker and stronger section.
Also read: Basic Information about category-wise career exams
- Top 20 Career Exams for Central Government Jobs
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- Top 8 SSC Exams in Central Government Jobs
- Top 7 Railway (RRB) Exams
CDS Mock Test 2025
Candidates preparing for the UPSC CDS 2025 exam must attain the CDS mock tests. The mock test helps the students to know the exact exam pattern of CDS 2025. Candidates can know the CDS exam pressure and the environment of the exam hall. With the help of mock tests, candidates can assess their level of CDS 2025 preparation. There are numerous online mock tests available.
CDS Question Papers 2025
For better preparation for the exam, candidates must solve the previous year's CDS 2025 question paper to understand the important topics. Manage the time in a way so that 2-3 CDS sample question papers can be solved everyday.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
1. Is the exam pattern of CDS 2025 the same for IMA, INA, AFA written exam and OTS written exam?
No, the UPSC CDS exam pattern 2025 for the IMA, INA, AFA written exam and OTS written exam is not the same. Check the details in the above article.
2. How many questions will be asked in the CDS exam 2025?
As per the CDS 2025 exam pattern, there will be questions in the IMA, INA, and AFA written exams and 200 questions in the OTA written exam.
3. What will be the maximum marks for the CDS question paper?
The maximum marks for the CDS IMA, INA, and AFA question paper is 300 whereas marks for the OTA question paper is 200.
4. How can I prepare for the CDS 2025 exam?
Solve the question papers based on the syllabus and exam pattern of CDS. Manage your time as per the syllabus of CDS.
5. Is the CDS exam tough?
Yes, it is a bit tough, but if candidates have prepared for the exam efficiently, they can qualify for the exam.
6. When will the CDS 1 2025 notification be released?
CDS 1 notification 2025 will be released online on December 11, 2024 at upsc.gov.in.
7. When is the CDS 1 2025 exam?
The CDS 1 2025 written exam will be conducted on April 13, 2025.
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5 min ⋆ Jul 05, 2024 12:07 PM ISTQuestions related to CDS
Have a question related to CDS ?
Hello,
For CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the eligibility criteria regarding age are as follows:
-
Age Limit
:
- Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2006 are eligible.
Since your date of birth is 3rd May 2003, you fall within the eligible age range for the CDS exam.
-
Number of Attempts
:
- There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CDS exam as long as you meet the age criteria.
Therefore, you have as many attempts as you need until you cross the upper age limit (which is usually around 24 years for CDS IMA, but it's always best to check the latest notification from UPSC for any changes).
As of now, based on your age, you are eligible to appear for the CDS exam and have multiple attempts remaining.
Good luck with your preparations!
Prachi Kumari 25 July,2024
Hello,
Age Criteria for CDS OTA:
- For Officers Training Academy (OTA) : Candidates must be unmarried and between 19 and 25 years old. The specific birth date range for a given year of examination is usually mentioned in the official notification by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Age Eligibility:
For the CDS exam conducted in 2026, considering the typical cutoff dates:
- For CDS OTA 2026 : You should be born between January 2, 2001, and January 1, 2007, to be eligible (this range might slightly vary each year, so it’s best to check the official notification for the exact dates).
Given your date of birth (March 13, 2001), you will be 25 years old in March 2026. Thus, you will fall within the eligible age range for the OTA in 2026.
Educational Qualification:
- You will complete your graduation in 2023, which satisfies the educational requirement for the CDS exam (a bachelor's degree from a recognized university).
So, Based on the information provided, you will be eligible to apply for the CDS OTA in 2026, given your age and educational qualifications.
Hope it helps you!
Prachi Kumari 20 July,2024
Ofcourse you can give cds exam until the age of 25 years if you have completed your graduation.there is no best year for attempting any exam it depends on your preparation if you are confident that you are going to crack the exam go for it dont waste your time for the right time to come.
Cds exam is conducted by UPSC hence it is hard you need to prepare for it do hard work smartly update yourself with ongoing news to get good marks in current affairs section as this is the toughest part of exam which keep changes with time.
sadafreen356 16 July,2024
Hey there,
The age limit to appear in the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 25 years. Additionally, you must be unmarried for some segments like Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) and have completed your graduation before appearing for the CDS exam.
Given your date of birth is December 17, 2001, you will be eligible to appear for the CDS 2025 exam for segments like Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) but you won't be eligible for segments like Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA) because these segments require the age between 18 years to 23 years and by the time of CDS exam in 2025 your age will be more than 23 years. So, you won't be able to appear for IMA and INA.
If you need more information on any topic, feel free to ask your questions.
Thank you, and best wishes for your future!
kumardurgesh1802 07 July,2024
Hey there,
The age limit to appear in the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 25 years. Additionally, you must be unmarried for some segments like Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) and have completed your graduation before appearing for the CDS exam.
Given your age will be 25 in July 2027, you will be eligible to appear for the CDS-1 2027 exam for segments like Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) only if the CDS-1 Exam helds before July 2027 but you won't be eligible for segments like Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA) because these segments require the age between 18 years to 23 years and by the time of CDS exam in 2027 your age will be more than 23 years. So, you won't be able to appear for IMA and INA.
If you need more information on any topic, feel free to ask your questions.
Thank you, and best wishes for your future!
kumardurgesh1802 07 July,2024
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