Manipal University Online MBA
ApplyApply for Online MBA from Manipal University
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.
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.
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 |
|
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:
Written Exam
SSB Interview
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:
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
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) |
CDS 1 2025 exam will be held on April 13, 2025.
The minimum age to apply for the CDS exam is 19 years.
After clearing the CDS exam, candidates are recruited as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Yes, UPSC will release the official CDS answer key at upsc.gov.in.
As per the CDS selection process, the first stage of written test.
As per the CDS selection process, the second process is the SSB interview.
Application Date:26 July,2024 - 24 August,2024
Exam Date:01 September,2024 - 01 September,2024
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:
Since your date of birth is 3rd May 2003, you fall within the eligible age range for the CDS exam.
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,
For the CDS exam conducted in 2026, considering the typical cutoff 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.
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!
Apply for Online MBA from Manipal University
Accepted by more than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries worldwide
Apply for Online M.Com from Manipal University
Apply for GRE® Test now & save 10% with ApplyShop Gift Card | World's most used Admission Test for Graduate & Professional Schools