CDS 2 Question Papers 2025 - Download Question Papers PDFs
Upcoming Event
CDS Exam Date:14 Sep' 25 - 14 Sep' 25
UPSC will release the official CDS 2 question papers 2025 online on the official website, upsc.gov.in. The official previous years UPSC CDS question papers will also be available to download on the official website. Candidates can download the question paper of UPSC CDS exam directly from this page. For the CDS 2025 question papers, various coaching institutes release the unofficial CDS answer key.
This Story also Contains
- CDS 1 Question Papers PDF Download 2025
- CDS Question Papers Download PDF - Previous year's
- CDS 2 Question Papers 2024 (Official)
- CDS 1 Question Papers 2024 (Official)
- CDS 2 previous year question papers
- CDS Answer Key 2025
- CDS Syllabus 2025
- CDS Preparation Tips 2025
Those who are preparing for the CDS exam are advised to make use of previous years question papers in order to prepare more thoroughly for the exam. Candidates can download the previous years CDS question papers from the links provided below.
CDS 1 Question Papers PDF Download 2025
Candidates can download the CDS 1 2024 question paper from the table below after the official release.
| Papers | Download link |
| Elementary Maths | Download here |
| English | Download here |
| General Knowledge | Download here |
CDS Question Papers Download PDF - Previous year's
You can download UPSC CDS question papers from the links below
CDS 2 Question Papers 2024 (Official)
Candidates will be able to download the CDS 2 2024 question paper from the below table after the official release.
| Papers | Download link |
| Elementary Maths | Download here |
| English | Download here |
| General Knowledge | Download here |
Recommended eBooks
Related eBooks & Sample Papers
CDS 1 Question Papers 2024 (Official)
Candidates can download the CDS 1 2024 question paper from the below table.
| Papers | Download link |
| Elementary Maths | Download here |
| English | Download here |
| General Knowledge | Download here |
CDS 1 previous year question papers
CDS English Question Paper | CDS General Knowledge Question Paper | CDS Mathematics Question Paper | |
CDS Question Papers 2023 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2022 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2021 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2020 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2019 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2018 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2017 | Click Here |
CDS 2 previous year question papers
CDS 2 English Question Paper | CDS 2 General Knowledge Question Paper | CDS 2 Mathematics Question Paper | |
CDS Question Papers 2023 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2022 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2021 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2020 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2018 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2017 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2016 |
Benefits of CDS previous year's question papers
Candidates attempting the CDS previous year question paper with the solution can benefit aspirants in many ways, some of which are mentioned below -
Practising using past question papers helps get an idea of the difficulty level of the exam.
Candidates can become aware of the way that important topics in the CDS syllabus will be expressed in the exam.
By practising the CDS previous year's question papers, candidates will be able to get an idea of their progress.
Solving past question papers help candidates understand their weak points so that they can figure out how to improve them.
Solving CDS question papers while keeping a timer will make it easier for candidates to answer questions in the actual CDS exam on time. It has the added benefit of increasing accuracy and question-solving speed.
Also download question papers of other UPSC exams
- UPSC IAS Question Papers 2025
- UPSC ESE Question Papers 2025
- NDA Question Papers 2025
- CAPF Question Papers 2025
CDS Question Papers 2025: How to Download?
Visit the UPSC official website - upsc.gov.in
In the header tab, click on "Examination" and select "Previous Year Question Paper" from the dropdown
Select the year for which the CDS question paper needs to be downloaded
Download the CDS question paper and practice daily.
How to Challenge CDS Question Papers 2025?
After the exam is conducted, UPSC will provide aspirants with a challenge option which is also known as the "Question Paper Representation Portal" QPRep. Candidates will be able to challenge the CDS 2025 question papers within one week. The steps to challenge are mentioned below -
Visit the official UPSC - upsc.gov.in.
Click on the examination tab and select “Time Frame for Representation”.
A new window will appear. Click on the link given in PDF i.e. https://upsconline.nic.in/miscellaneous/QPRep/.
Click on made representation for CDS question paper.
Fill in all details in the required field and submit the representation.
Check here list of other government exams
Marking Scheme of question papers of CDS 2025
CDS written exam is conducted in pen and paper mode. CDS 2 question paper 2025 with answer pdf is MCQ-based. Each section consists of 100 marks with a time duration of 2 hours. There is a negative marking of 1/3rd marks which will be deducted for wrong answers.
Also read:
CDS Answer Key 2025
Apart from the question papers, UPSC will also release the CDS 2025 answer key on the official website. The official website will have all the correct answers to the questions asked in the exam. However, as soon as the exam is over, various coaching institutes release the unofficial CDS answer keys 2025 which are memory-based.
Also Read
CDS Syllabus 2025
The CDS 2025 syllabus is mentioned in the official notification. The syllabus consists of all the subjects, topics, and sections on which the CDS question paper 2025 will be based. As per the IMA, INA, and AFA syllabus, the subjects are English, GK, and Elementary Knowledge. For OTA, the subjects are English and GK.
Quick Links :
CDS Preparation Tips 2025
To prepare for the CDS 2025 exam aspirants need to follow the steps mentioned below -
Stick to the official syllabus and CDS 2025 exam pattern.
Download the CDS previous year's question paper and practice them regularly.
The difficulty level of the exam is graduation level so just make sure to cover the syllabus topics
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is there negative marking in the CDS 2025 exam?
A:
Yes, there is negative marking in the exam which is 1/3rd mark per wrong attempt.
Q: How can I download the CDS question paper 2025?
A:
You can download the CDS question paper 2025 from the official website and from the download links that are mentioned in the article.
Q: What are the cut-off marks of CDS 2025?
A:
The CDS cut off 2025 will be released according to the difficulty level of the CDS question paper.
Q: Is the CDS exam difficult?
A:
No, the exam is not very difficult however, the competition is tough due to a lot of candidates applying for few, limited vacancies. If you prepare well you can qualify for the exam.
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On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to CDS ?
Hi dear candidate,
The age limit for various roles in CDS are:
1) IMA: 19 to 24 years of age, 8 to 9 attempts.
2) INA: 19 to 24 years of age, 8 to 9 attempts.
3) OTA: 19 TO 25 years of age, 10 to 11 attempts.
This is all considering your DOB as of 26 Oct, 2005 as you are 19 years old in Aug 2025.
Know more at:
CDS Exam Dates 2025 (Out) - Check UPSC CDS 2 Complete Exam Schedule
CDS Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, DV, Pay Scale
BEST OF LUCK
Yes, you will be eligible for CDS-1 2027 under OTA (SSC Women – Non-Technical Course). The age limit for OTA is 19–25 years (you must be born between 2nd Jan 2001 and 1st Jan 2007). Since your date of birth is 4 July 2002, you will be 24 years old at that time, so you fall within the required age range.
But you will not be eligible for IMA, INA or AFA, because their upper age limit is 24 years, and by 2027 you will cross that limit.
As per the CDS OTA eligibility criteria, for female candidates applying to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), the age limit is 19 to 25 years (unmarried females only).
Since your date of birth is 16th June 2005, you will turn:
21 years old in June 2026,
25 years old in June 2030.
CDS exam is conducted twice every year, so you’ll be eligible from the year you complete graduation (2026) till you turn 25 in 2030.
Your eligible attempts:
CDS 2 2026
CDS 1 2027
CDS 2 2027
CDS 1 2028
CDS 2 2028
CDS 1 2029
CDS 2 2029
CDS 1 2030 (maybe last)
So, you will have around 7 to 8 attempts to appear for CDS OTA before you cross the maximum age limit.
Hello ,
If your goal is to appear for CDS Exam, then here’s what you need to know:
- For IMA, INA, and AFA: A regular full-time degree from a recognized university is required. So, regular B.Tech is perfectly valid.
- For OTA : Any recognized Bachelor’s degree (even BCA) is acceptable. But since you mentioned Online BCA, note that CDS does not accept distance/online degrees unless UGC-DEB approved and equivalent to a regular course.
So, a regular B.Tech is a safer and more accepted option for all CDS branches. Online BCA may work only if it's recognized, but always double-check the latest UPSC CDS eligibility rules before applying.
Best wishes !
Thank you.
Hi dear candidate,
To be eligible for CDS 1 Exam 2026, your age should fall between 20 to 24 years old. And with your date of birth of 21 December 2002, means that you will be 23 years old as of 1st January, 2026. CDS 1 exam 2026 is expected to take place in April 2026.
Considering the above:
Yes, you will be able to give exam for CDS 1 in 2026.
ALL THE BEST !
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