CDS Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, Document Verification

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, Document Verification

Upcoming Event

CDS Exam Date:14 Sep' 25 - 14 Sep' 25

Meghana Mohana KrishnanUpdated on 28 May 2025, 06:18 PM IST

UPSC mentioned the detailed CDS 2025 selection procedure in the official notification. There are two stages of the CDS recruitment process - a written exam and an SSB interview in the selection process of CDS 2025. The Combined Defence Services exam is held twice every year. Candidates who qualify for the written CDS exam will be called for the SSB interview round.

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, Document Verification
UPSC CDS Selection Process 2025

The written exam in the CDS 2 selection process 2025 is for testing the candidate's aptitude and reasoning abilities. Whereas the SSB round of the exam in the CDS 2 2025 selection process tests candidates' psychological aptitude and mental condition. Candidates have to clear all stages of the UPSC CDS selection process to get recruited as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. As per the CDS OTA selection process, OTA applicants have to appear for only 2 papers. To know more about the CDS selection process 2025, read the article below.

CDS 2025 Overview

Candidates can check the details about the CDS exam from the below table.

Name of the exam

Combined Defence Services Examination 2025

Official website

upsconline.nic.in/ upsc.gov.in

Commonly known as

CDS examination

Conducting authority

Union Public Service Commission

Frequency of exam

Twice per year

Number of vacancies

CDS 1 - To be announced

CDS 2 - 483

Mode of application

Online

Mode of exam

Offline

CDS exam stages

  • Written Exam

  • SSB Interview

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Stages

The CDS selection process has two stages. Applicants need to clear both to get recruited in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The two-stage of CDS selection process are:

  1. Written Exam

  2. SSB Interview

CDS Selection Process 2025 for Written Examination

The first stage of the CDS 2025 selection process is a written exam. As per the CDS 2025 exam pattern, the CDS written exam comprises three papers - English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for admission in IMA, IFA and INA. For admission to Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), candidates just have to appear for two papers - English and General Knowledge. All the questions asked in the CDS written exam are multiple-choice questions. Candidates are given 2 hours time to attempt each paper. As per the CDS selection process 2025, candidates qualifying for the written examination are called for SSB Interview.

Quick links:

CDS Selection Process 2025 for SSB Interview

Candidates qualifying the stage 1 of the CDS selection process 2025 are called for the SSB interview stage. This stage of the CDS selection process is conducted over a period of 5 days to test applicants intelligence, personality, physical strength and more. The following table provides the day-wise breakup of the SSB interview round.

CDS SSB Interview selection process stage

Days

Events

SSB Day 1

Reporting, Filling of forms, Picture Perception and Description Test

SSB Day 2

Thematic Apperception Test, Self Description Test, Situation Reaction Test, Word Association Test

SSB Day 3

Group Testing Officers’ Tasks - Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Half Group Task, Progressive Group Task & Individual Obstacle Task

SSB Day 4

Individual Obstacle Task, Command Task, Final Group Task, Personal Interview & Individual Lecturette

SSB Day 5

Conference & Document Verification

Quick links:
CDS Eligibility Criteria
CDS Application Form

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Medical Exam & Document Verification

After clearing the CDS SSB interview, applicants have to go through a medical CDS examination conducted by a Special Medical Board. A medical examination may last up to 4 to 6 days. While appearing for the medical exam, candidates are advised to keep all their documents ready. In case an applicant fails to produce the required documents, will be disqualified from the CDS selection process.

CDS Salary 2025 - Rank Wise

Rank

Level

Pay Scale

Lieutenant

Level 10

Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500

Captain

Level 10 B

Rs 61,300 -Rs 1,93,900

Major

Level 11

Rs 6,94,00 – Rs 2,07,200

Lieutenant Colonel

Level 12 A

Rs 1,21,200 – Rs 2,12400

Colonel

Level 13

Rs 1,30,600 - Rs 2, 15,900

Brigadier

Level 13 A

Rs 1,39,600 - Rs 2,17,600

Major General

Level 14

Rs 1,44,200 - Rs 2,18,200

Lieutenant General HAG Scale

Level 15

Rs 1,82, 200 - Rs 2,24,100

HAG+Scale

Level 16

Rs 2,05,400 – Rs 2,24,400

VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG)

Level 17

Rs 2,25,000/-(fixed)

COAS

Level 18

Rs 2,50,000/-(fixed)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When is the CDS 2 2025 exam scheduled to be held?
A:

CDS 2 2025 exam will be held on September 14, 2025.

Q: What is the second stage of CDS 2025?
A:

As per the CDS selection process, the second process is the SSB interview.

Q: What post does one get recruited to after clearing the CDS exam?
A:

After clearing the CDS exam, candidates are recruited as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

Q: Does UPSC release the CDS official answer key?
A:

Yes, UPSC will release the official CDS answer key at upsc.gov.in.

Q: What is the first stage of CDS selection procedure?
A:

As per the CDS selection process, the first stage of written test.

Q: What is the minimum age to apply for the CDS exam?
A:

The minimum age to apply for the CDS exam is 19 years.

Articles
|
Next
Upcoming Competition Exams
Ongoing Dates
TNTET Application Date

11 Aug'25 - 8 Sep'25 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
Puducherry Police Constable Application Date

13 Aug'25 - 12 Sep'25 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
SSC Stenographer Score Card Date

14 Aug'25 - 13 Sep'25 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Access to Justice
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Online Course of Indian Constitution
Via NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
Online BA Punjabi
Via Guru Nanak Dev University Directorate of Online Studies
BA
Via Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta
Human Rights
Via National Law School of India University, Bangalore
Environmental Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Swayam
 220 courses
Edx
 201 courses
LawSikho
 127 courses
NPTEL
 92 courses
Futurelearn
 89 courses
Coursera
 76 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to CDS

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 !