Get All Details of CDS 1 2025 Exam conducted by UPSC Twice in a Year, Download Previous Year Papers, Age limit, Notification, Application Fee, Salary, Perks and Benefits Complete Details.
To be Notified
21 April 2025
₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500
459
Graduation
To be Announced
To be Notified
UPSC CDS 1 2025 Notification has been released. A total of 459 Vacancies have been announced for the Combined Defence Services Examination . Check out the below table to have an overview of the CDS 2025 exam.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Combined Defense Services Examination |
| Conducting institute | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Application Start Date | December 11, 2024 |
| Exam Date | 21 April 2025 |
| Exam website | UPSC Official Website |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam frequency | Twice in Year |
| Exam Language | English and Hindi |
| Number of question | General English: 120 General Knowledge: 120 Elementary Maths: 100 |
| Number of papers | IMA, INA, & AFA: 3 (General English, General Knowledge, & Elementary Mathematics) OTA: 2 (General English & General Knowledge) |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam stages | Written exam and SSB Interview |
| Exam stages | Written exam and SSB Interview |
| Exam Purpose | Selecting Candidate as a Commissioned officer in the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours for each paper |
| Total Marks | Written Exam OTA: 200 IMA, INA and AFA: 300 SSB Interview: OTA: 200 IMA, INA and AFA: 300 |
| Exam fees | General and OBC male candidates: Rs. 200 Female, SC, and ST candidates are exempted from fee payment: Nil |
| Qualification | Passed or appearing for graduation |
| Category | Defence Jobs |
The CDS (Combined Defense Services) Exam is a national-level exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select candidates for admission into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA). The exam is aimed at assessing the candidates' knowledge, aptitude, and potential to join the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers. It consists of a written test, followed by the SSB interview. It is the gateway for defence job aspirants to join the Indian Armed Forces.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy | Degree of a recognised University or equivalent. |
| For Indian Naval Academy | Engineering from a recognised University/Institution |
| For Air Force Academy | degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering. |
| Age Limit | IMA: 20-24 Years OTA: 20-25 Years AFA:20-24 Years Above Dates are till Date of Joining Academy |
The CDS selection process involves a few stages that the candidates have to clear with flying colors to go a step closer to obtaining their desired post in their desired academy like AFA, IMA, etc. The various selection stages include
The first phase in the CDS selection procedure is the written exam. It comprises 2 hour papers. Candidates will just have to attempt the English and General Knowledge sections of the examination for admission to the officer training academy. Candidates for the Indian Naval Academy, Indian Maritime Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy must pass all three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
The personality exam or SSB interview is the second phase in the CDS selection process. Stage I and Stage II of the SSB technique are two-stage selection processes. Only those applicants who have passed Stage I are eligible to take Stage II.
In this stage, all required documents of the candidates will be verified.
All of the shortlisted candidates will undergo a medical examination to determine whether or not they are medically fit. A Board of Service Medical Officers conducts a medical examination of the applicants nominated by the Services Selection Board. Women applicants are examined by a Medical Board made up of male and female doctors, specialists, and gynecologists. A Lady Medical Officer will also be a member of the Board. Only those candidates who have been deemed fit by the Medical Board will be allowed into the Academy.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| GK | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
FAQ