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

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

Edited By Sneha Vinod | Updated on Jul 15, 2024 12:31 PM IST | #CDS

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

The written exam in the CDS 1 selection process 2025 is for testing the candidate's aptitude and reasoning abilities. Whereas the SSB round of the exam in the CDS 1 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

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 - To be announced

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 CDS 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 Question (FAQs)

1. When is the CDS 1 2025 exam scheduled to be held?

CDS 1 2025 exam will be held on April 13, 2025.

2. What is the minimum age to apply for the CDS exam?

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

3. What post does one get recruited to after clearing the CDS exam?

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

4. Does UPSC release the CDS official answer key?

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

5. What is the first stage of CDS selection procedure?

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

6. What is the second stage of CDS 2025?

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

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Questions 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:

  1. 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.

  1. 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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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