CDS Exam | Vacancies, Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is a national-level exam for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces. Successful candidates are recruited into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). This article provides updated information on the CDS exams scheduled in 2025.
CDS Exam Overview
| Particulars |
CDS 1 2025 |
CDS 2 2025 |
| Notification Date |
December 20, 2024 |
May 22, 2025 |
| Application Period |
Dec 20, 2024 – Jan 10, 2025 |
May 22 – Jun 12, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release |
March 2025 |
August 2025 |
| Exam Date |
April 20, 2025 |
September 21, 2025 |
| Mode of Exam |
Offline |
Offline |
| Language |
English & Hindi |
English & Hindi |
Vacancies (Tentative)
| Academy |
Expected Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) |
100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) |
22 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) |
32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Men) |
169 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Women) |
16 |
Eligibility Criteria
A. Nationality
Candidates must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
B. Educational Qualification
| Academy |
Qualification Required |
| IMA & OTA |
Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university |
| INA |
Engineering degree from a recognized university/institution |
| AFA |
Bachelor’s degree with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level or Engineering degree |
C. Age Limit
| Academy |
Age Limit (as of January 1, 2025) |
| IMA |
19 – 24 years |
| INA |
19 – 24 years |
| AFA |
20 – 24 years (upper age limit extended to 26 for candidates with a valid commercial pilot license) |
| OTA |
19 – 25 years |
D. Marital Status
- IMA, INA, and AFA: Only unmarried male candidates can apply.
- OTA: Both unmarried males and females can apply.
CDS Exam Pattern
| Paper |
Subject |
Duration |
Maximum Marks |
| Paper 1 |
English |
2 hours |
100 |
| Paper 2 |
General Knowledge |
2 hours |
100 |
| Paper 3 |
Elementary Mathematics (For IMA, INA, AFA only) |
2 hours |
100 |
- OTA candidates only need to appear for English and General Knowledge papers.
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deduction for each incorrect answer.
CDS Syllabus
English
- Spotting errors
- Sentence improvement
- Reading comprehension
- Fill in the blanks
- Synonyms & antonyms
- Idioms and phrases
General Knowledge
- Current events (national & international)
- History of India
- Geography (India & World)
- Indian Polity
- Indian Economy
- Science and Technology
- Defence-related knowledge
Elementary Mathematics (For IMA, INA, AFA only)
Arithmetic
- Number systems
- Percentage, profit & loss
- Time and work
- Time, speed & distance
- Ratio & proportion
- Simple & compound interest
Algebra
- Basic operations
- HCF & LCM
- Linear equations
- Quadratic equations
Geometry
- Lines and angles
- Triangles and circles
- Properties of quadrilaterals
Mensuration
- Areas and volumes of geometric figures
Trigonometry
- Basic trigonometric ratios
- Height and distance problems
Statistics & Probability
- Mean, median, and mode
- Probability theory
Selection Process
The selection process includes:
- Written Examination – Candidates must clear the written test as per the cut-off decided by UPSC.
- SSB Interview – Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
- Medical Examination – Candidates must meet the prescribed physical and medical standards.
- Final Merit List – The final selection is based on performance in the written exam and SSB interview.
Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the detailed syllabus for all subjects.
- Regular Practice: Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Physical Fitness: Engage in regular physical activities to meet the required fitness standards.
- Stay Updated: Keep track of current affairs and general knowledge topics.
For official information, visit the UPSC website: upsc.gov.in
