The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is a national-level competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year to recruit candidates for officer-level posts in the Indian Armed Forces, including the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Established under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Service, and Pensions, the UPSC is India’s premier recruiting agency for civil and defence services. The CDS 2025 exam (CDS I expected in February 2025, CDS II in September 2025) targets graduates aspiring to serve as commissioned officers. The selection process includes a written exam, a Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, and a medical examination. Approximately 4–5 lakh candidates appear annually for around 400–500 vacancies. This proforma provides a comprehensive overview of the UPSC CDS 2025 exam, including posts, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus, to assist candidates in their preparation.

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Posts

The UPSC CDS 2025 exam recruits candidates for the following officer-level posts across various defence academies:

  • Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun:
    • Eligibility: Male candidates; training for permanent commission in the Indian Army.
    • Pay Scale: Level-10 (₹56,100–1,77,500 as per 7th CPC).
    • Vacancies (Indicative): ~100 (based on CDS II 2024).
  • Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala:
    • Eligibility: Male candidates; training for permanent commission in the Indian Navy.
    • Pay Scale: Level-10 (₹56,100–1,77,500).
    • Vacancies (Indicative): ~32.
  • Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad:
    • Eligibility: Male and female candidates; training for permanent commission in the Indian Air Force (Flying Branch).
    • Pay Scale: Level-10 (₹56,100–1,77,500) + Flying Allowance.
    • Vacancies (Indicative): ~32.
  • Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai:
    • Eligibility: Male (SSC Men, Non-Technical) and female (SSC Women, Non-Technical) candidates; Short Service Commission in the Indian Army.
    • Pay Scale: Level-10 (₹56,100–1,77,500).
    • Vacancies (Indicative): ~275 (Men), ~18 (Women).
  • OTA Chennai (SSC Non-Technical Naval Wing):
    • Eligibility: Male and female candidates; Short Service Commission in the Indian Navy.
    • Pay Scale: Level-10 (₹56,100–1,77,500).
    • Vacancies (Indicative): ~10–15.

The exact number of vacancies for CDS I and II 2025 will be specified in the official notifications (expected December 2024 for CDS I and May 2025 for CDS II) at upsc.gov.in. Salaries include allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other service-specific benefits, with career progression through promotions and seniority.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nationality: Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee (before Jan 1, 1962), or PIO with intent to settle in India.
  • Educational Qualification:
    • IMA & OTA: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
    • INA: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
    • AFA: Bachelor’s degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or Bachelor of Engineering.
    • Note: Final-year students can apply, subject to proof of passing by deadline.
  • Age Limit:
    • IMA: 19–24 years (Unmarried males, born between July 2, 2001 & July 1, 2006).
    • INA: 19–24 years (Unmarried males, same as IMA).
    • AFA: 20–24 years (Unmarried; CPL holders up to 26 years).
    • OTA: 19–25 years (Unmarried males; unmarried/widowed/divorced females, not remarried).
  • Physical Standards:
    • Height: Minimum 157 cm (162.5 cm for AFA); 152 cm for females.
    • Weight: Proportionate to height & age.
    • Vision: 6/6 in one eye, 6/9 in the other (correctable to 6/6) for AFA.
  • Application Fee:
    • General/OBC (Male): ₹200
    • Female/SC/ST: Exempted

Exam Pattern

The UPSC CDS 2025 exam consists of a written examination, SSB Interview, and medical examination.

  • Written Exam:
    • Mode: Offline (Objective MCQs).
    • IMA, INA, AFA: 3 papers – English, GK, Mathematics (100 marks each; 2 hrs each).
    • OTA: 2 papers – English, GK (100 marks each; 2 hrs each).
    • Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deduction per wrong answer.
  • SSB Interview:
    • Total Marks: 300 (IMA/INA/AFA), 200 (OTA).
    • Duration: 4–5 days.
    • Stage I: OIR Test + PPDT.
    • Stage II: Psychology, Group Tasks, Personal Interview, Conference.
  • Medical Examination:
    • Scope: Conducted post-SSB for recommended candidates.
    • Includes: Vision, hearing, physical fitness, pilot aptitude (AFA).

Syllabus

  • English: Comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, sentence improvement, cloze test, idioms, para jumbles.
  • General Knowledge: Current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, science, defence, static GK.
  • Mathematics (IMA/INA/AFA): Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, statistics.
  • SSB Interview: OIR, PPDT, TAT, WAT, SRT, SDT, group tasks, lecturette, interview.

Preparation Tips

  • Understand Syllabus: Focus on high-priority topics.
  • Practice: Mock tests & previous year papers.
  • Physical Fitness: Regular exercise for SSB tasks.
  • Recommended Books:
    • English: Wren & Martin, Word Power Made Easy
    • GK: Lucent’s GK, Manorama Yearbook
    • Maths: R.S. Aggarwal, NCERT (6–10)
    • SSB: Let’s Crack SSB Interview, Arihant
  • Current Affairs: Read The Hindu/Indian Express & Pratiyogita Darpan.

Important Dates (Tentative)

  • CDS I 2025:
    • Notification Release: December 11, 2024
    • Application: Dec 11, 2024 – Jan 7, 2025
    • Exam: February 9, 2025
    • SSB: April–June 2025
  • CDS II 2025:
    • Notification Release: May 28, 2025
    • Application: May 28 – June 17, 2025
    • Exam: September 14, 2025
    • SSB: Nov 2025 – Jan 2026
  • Admit Card: 10–15 days before exam.
  • Results: 1–2 months post-exam.

Question Bank

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