Combined Defence Services ()

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the CDS 1 Result 2024 of recommended candidates. Earlier, the authority released the CDS 1 2024 final merit list at upsc.gov.in. 590 candidates made it to the final list. Out of these 120 are women and 470 are men who will be enrolled in the 35th Short Service Commission Women (NonTechnical) and 121st Short Service Commission Course (Men), which will begin in April 2025. 

The UPSC will conduct the CDS 1 2025 exam on April 13, 2025. The admit card is a mandatory document that will be released on the official website for the CDS 1 2025 exam. The CDS 1 2025 application correction window was activated. The CDS 1 2025 registration process was closed on January 1, 2025. The CDS 1 application form 2025 was released on December 11, 2024, on the official website. The CDS 1 2025 notification was released on December 11, 2024. The notification for CDS 1 2025 was published in the form of a PDF and consists of the important details related to the CDS exam. The authority released CDS 1 2025 approximate number of vacancies 457 that will be filled by the organisation through the recruitment process. 

On the other hand, CDS 2 2025 notification will be released on May 28, 2025. The CDS 2 application form 2025 will be available from May 28 to June 17, 2025. The CDS 2 2025 exam will be conducted on September 14, 2025. As per the exam pattern, the total marks for IMA, INA, and AFA is 300 and for OTA 200. 

CDS 2025 Exam Highlights

Go through the highlights of the UPSC CDS 1 exam from the table below to know every bit of the examination. Male and female candidates seeking admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy can check out the recruitment process.

CDS Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2025 exam

CDS Eligibility 2025

To be eligible for the exam, candidates need to fulfil the following CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025:

CDS Nationality

Candidates who have settled in India permanently can apply for the CDS exam.

CDS 1 Age Limit 2025

Candidates can check below the prescribed age limit for the CDS 1 exam:

• For the Indian Military Academy (IMA), unmarried males must be between 19 to 24 years
• For the Indian Naval Academy, unmarried male candidates must be between 19 to 24 years
• Candidates applying for the Air Force Academy should be between 20 to 24 years
• For the Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for men), unmarried male candidates must be between 19 to 26 years
• For the Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course), candidates between 19 to 26 years

CDS 2 Age Limit 2025

The CDS 2 age limit prescribed by UPSC for applying to the different academies is given below:

• IMA: Candidates for IMA should be unmarried and must have been born not earlier than the age limit prescribed in the CDS notification 
• INA: Unmarried male candidates can apply for INA
• AFA: To apply for AFA, the age of candidates should be between 20 to 24 years. The upper age limit of candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years
• OTA (SSC Course for men): To apply for the OTA course (SSC Men), candidates must be unmarried and must be within the age limit prescribed in the CDS notification 
• OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical Course): Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees who have not remarried are eligible to apply. 

CDS Qualification

Candidates need to meet the following educational qualifications for applying for the CDS exam:

• For IMA and Officers’ Training Academy, the required educational qualification is Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university
• For the Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised university
• For the Air Force Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised university. They must have studied Physics and Mathematics in Class 12

Can the 12th pass apply for CDS?

No, to be eligible for the CDS exam candidates must have a graduation degree from a recognised university or be appearing in the final year of their graduation. The candidates who want to apply for INA must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised University and Institution while AFA candidates must have a degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Maths at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of Graduation/provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB. Candidates who are in the final year of graduation can apply provisionally.

Can females apply for the CDS Exam?

Yes, female candidates can apply for the CDS exam for Officers' Training Academy courses.

CDS Physical Fitness

Candidates must be physically and mentally fit as per the guidelines prescribed by UPCS. Candidates are advised to check the CDS physical and medical standards before applying for the CDS exam. 

CDS Heights and Weight Standards

• The minimum required height for male candidates is 157.5 cm. (157 cm for the Navy and 162.5 cm for the Air Force) and that for female candidates is 152 cm. 
•  Gorkhas and individuals belonging to the North-Eastern region of India, Garhwali, and Kumaon, the minimum required height is 5 cm less than the other candidates.
• For candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum required height is 2 cm less than the candidates from other regions. 
• Body Mass Index (BMI) should be below 25. 
• The ratio of the waist and hip should be below 0.9 for males and 0.8 for females.
• Waist Circumference should be less than 90 cm for males and 80 cm for females.

Visual Standards for CDS 2025

Candidates who want to appear in CDS 2025 must know about visual standards. The UPSC has divided visual standards into three parts – IMA & OTA, Naval Candidates, and Air Force. The details of the visual standards are given below: 

CDS IMA and OTA Visual standards 

• Uncorrected vision (max allowed) - 6/60 &6/60
• BCVA - Right 6/6 & Left 6/6 
• Myopia -
• Hypermetropia -
• Lasik/equivalent surgery - Permitted 
• Colour perception: CP II 

CDS Naval Visual Standards 

• Uncorrected without glasses: 6/12, 6/12
• Corrected with glasses: 6/6, 6/6
• Myopia Limit: -1.5D 
• Hypermetropia Limit: +1.5D
• Binocular Vision: III
• Limits of Colour Perception: I 

CDS Air Force Visual Standards

Candidates who wear spectacles regularly are not eligible for India Air Force. The visual standards for the Air Force have been given below: 

• Hypermetropia Colour Vision CP-1
• Hypermetropia: +2.0 d Sph
• Manifest Myopia: Nil
• Retinoscopic Myopia- 0.5 in any meridian
• Astigmatism : +0.75 D Cyl (with + 2.0 D- Max) 

Maddox Rod Test 

at 33 cms: 

• Exo-16 prism D
• Eso-6 prism D
• Hyper-1 prism D 
• Hypo-1 prism D 

 at 6 meters: 

• Exo-6 prism D 
• Eso-6 prism D 
• Hyper-1 prism D 
• Hypo-1prism D

CDS Application Form 2025

The CDS 1 2025 application process was started on December 11, 2024. The last date to apply was January 1, 2025. Candidates need to register themselves for the OTR and then they are allowed to fill out the CDS application form. 

How to Make Corrections in the CDS 1 Application Form?

The steps to make corrections in the CDS 1 application form have been given below for the candidates:

• Go to the official website 
• Click on the link available for CDS 1 form correction 
• Log in to the registered account using login credentials
• Make corrections to the CDS 1 application correction
• Save and print a copy of the modified CDS 1 application form 
• Log out from the registered profile

CDS Application Fee

• The application fees can be paid both online and offline
• The application fees are INR 200 for General and OBC male candidates
• SC and ST candidates were exempted from fee payment

How to Fill CDS 1 2025 Application Form Online?

The steps have been given below for the candidates to apply for the CDS 1 exam:

• Go to the official website- upsconline.nic.in
• Login into the account on the OTR platform (The registration process for OTR has given above)
• Fill out the details that have been asked for part 1 registration
• Upload the photograph, signature and photo identity proof 
• Make the application fees
• Choose the exam centre for the CDS 1 exam 
• Finally, submit the application form 
• The confirmation message will be sent to the registered mobile number and email id

CDS Exam Pattern 2025

CDS exam pattern 2025 is divided into a written exam and SSB Interview. The written exam for IMA, INA, and AFA comprises three sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The test paper for admission to OTA comprises two sections: English and General Knowledge. Each section is held for two hours. The total marks of the test for IMA, INA, and AFA are 300, while it is 200 for OTA. The SSB Interview for IMA, INA, and AFA carries 300 marks each while it is 200 marks for OTA. The SSB Interview procedure consists of two stages: I and II. Stage I of the SSB Interview comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT) and Interviews, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conferences.

CDS Syllabus 2025

CDS Syllabus comprises topics from English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The standard of the CDS syllabus for Mathematics is of Class 10 standard, while for other subjects, it is of graduation level. Candidates can check the syllabus below.

CDS Preparation Tips 2025

Lakhs of candidates appear for the CDS exam every year, therefore, the competition is high. Candidates need to prepare well to ace the exam. Here are a few tips and tricks on how candidates can prepare for the exam:

• Understand the exam pattern and syllabus 
• Solve previous years' question papers to know the types of questions asked in the exam and difficulty level
• Lay emphasis on the important topics
• Make a proper timetable and follow that diligently 
• Clear the basic concepts of Maths from the high school books 

CDS Exam Day Guidelines

While appearing for the CDS exam, candidates need to follow the exam day guidelines given below:

• Candidates should carry their admit cards along with one photo identity proof (original and photocopy) to the exam centre
• Candidates are allowed to carry a clipboard or hardboard, black ball pen to the exam centre
• A sheet for doing rough work is provided by the invigilator
• Candidates should not bring books, notes, loose sheets, electronic or any other type of calculators, mathematical and drawing instruments, log tables, stencils, slide rules, test booklets, and rough sheets
• Mobiles, Bluetooth, pagers, or any other communication devices are not allowed inside the premises of the exam centre

CDS Admit Card 2025

CDS 1 admit card 2025 will be issued online by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) on the official website-upsc.gov.in. The candidates will be allowed to access the CDS 1 admit card from the official website through the candidate's login using the registration number or roll number and date of birth. The steps to download the admit card by following the steps given below:

• Go to the official website
• Click on the CDS admit card link
• The link will redirect to the new page
• Click on the CDS Admit card link
• Read the instructions carefully
• Fill out the details asked like application number, date of birth, etc.
• Click on the submit button
• The admit card will appear on the screen
• Download the admit card and save it for later use 

Discrepancies in UPSC CDS Admit Card

Candidates are advised to check their name, father’s name, category, date of birth, photograph, signature, etc. printed on the admit card carefully. In case there are any discrepancies in the details, candidates should immediately contact the examination authority. Candidates should provide the following details while reporting the issue:

• Exam name and year
• Registration number
• Roll number
• Postal address (Candidates need to mention the application number)

What to Do If You Find Discrepancy in the CDS Admit Card?

According to the latest instructions by the UPSC for the CDS exam, the candidates should follow the measures given below:

• In case of any discrepancy in the e-Admit Card, the same may be communicated to the Commission immediately at e-mail ID: Skindo- upsc@gov.in, to enable the Commission to decide between the matte
• In case the photograph is not visible or available on the e-admit Card, candidates are advised to carry three (03) identical photographs (one photograph for each session) along with the printout of the e-admit Card at the Venue of the Examination for appearing at the Examination with an undertaking. No paper Admit Card will be issued for the Examination by the Commission

CDS 1 Answer Key 2025

The CDS 1 2025 answer keys will be released by the UPSC on the official website. However, the coaching institutes release the CDS 1 answer key for the candidates who will sit in the CDS 1 exam. CDS Answer Key by Coaching Institutes is a significant part of the CDS 1 2025 exam. With the help of these answer keys, the candidates can calculate their marks for the exam and estimate their chances of getting selected for the SSB interview.

CDS 1 Answer Key 2025

The unofficial answer key for the CDS 1 exam will be released by various coaching Institutes. The candidates will be able to download the CDS 1 Answer Key PDF by following the steps given below:

• Click on the link for CDS 1 Answer Key
• Click on the CDS Answer PDF Link 
• The CDS 1 Answer Key PDF will appear on the screen 
• Download the CDS 1 Answer Key and save it for later use. 

CDS 1 Result 2025

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the CDS 1 2024 Final merit list. Candidates can check below. Further, the authority will release the CDS I 2025 exam result for all four courses i.e. IMA, INA, AFA, OTA (Men) & OTA (Women) of Combined Defence Services Examination –(I) , 2025, on the official website. The result will be released in the form of a PDF that comprises the name and roll number of the candidates who qualified for the CDS exam. The candidates will also be able to check the CDS result on the official website-upsc.gov.in.

How to Download CDS 1 Result 2025?

The candidates can check the CDS I 2025 result by following the steps given below:

• Go to the official website-upsc.gov.in 
• Click on the CDS I result link on the website 
• The CDS I 2024 result PDF will appear on the screen 
• Check the result and save it for later use

CDS Expected Cut Off 2025

The expected cut off for the CDS 1 exam is provided in the table below. The CDS 1 expected cut off is based on the difficulty level, previous trends and more:

The expected cut off for the CDS 2 exam 2025 is provided below:

FAQs CDS Exam 2025