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UPSC CDS Exam 2025, UPSC CDS 2

UPSC CDS Exam 2025, UPSC CDS 2 Notification PDF, Eligibility & Syllabus

CDS Exam 2 2025 notification will out on May 28, 2025 with applications open till June 17. Candidates can appear in the CDS Exam on September 14 by downloading admit card from UPSC website.

PWOnlyIAS

May 19, 2025

UPSC CDS Exam 2025, UPSC CDS 2 Notification PDF, Eligibility & Syllabus

The UPSC CDS Exam 2025 for entry into Combined Defence Services will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on September 14th, 2025. It provides an opportunity for candidates to join the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Officers’ Training Academies (OTA). 

The exam is conducted twice a year and includes two crucial stages: a written exam and an SSB. Here is a comprehensive guide on the exam notification, eligibility, application process, and selection procedure. 

UPSC CDS Exam 2025 Overview

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2 Exam 2025, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is scheduled to take place on 14th September 2025. The official notification will be released on 28th May 2025, along with the application form. Candidates will be able to apply online from 28th May to 17th June 2025. UPSC will also provide a correction window after the application process, and the CDS 2 2025 Admit Card will be issued a few weeks before the exam. The number of vacancies for CDS 2 will be updated in the official notification.

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UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2025 Overview
Organization Union Public Service Commission
Exam Name Combined Defence Service Examination 2025
Frequency of CDS Exam Biannual
Mode of Application Online
Language of Written Exam Bilingual
Mode of Examination Offline
CDS Application Fees INR 200
Type of Questions Multiple-choice questions
Eligibility
  • 20 to 24 years
  • Unmarried Males & Females
  • Passed Graduation or appearing for the final year of Graduation
CDS Exam Duration 2 hours (each paper)
Marking Scheme 1/3 for each incorrect answer
Purpose of the CDS Exam Admission of candidates for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy
Job Location All Over India
Official Website upsc.gov.in

Important Dates for UPSC CDS Exam 2025

The UPSC CDS Exam 2025 will have two cycles: CDS 1 and CDS 2. Below are the important dates for both exams:

CDS 2025 Events CDS 1 2025 Dates CDS 2 2025 Dates
CDS 2025 Notification 11 Dec 2024 28 May 2025
CDS 2025 Vacancies 457 will be updated
CDS 2025 Application Form 11 Dec 2024 28 May 2025
Last date to apply for CDS 2025 31 Dec 2024 17 Jun 2025
CDS 2025 Application Form Correction 1 Jan 2025 To be Updated
Last Date to Apply Online 7 Jan 2025 To be Updated
CDS 2025 Admit Card 03 April 2025 To be Updated
CDS Exam Date 2025 13 Apr 2025 14 Sep 2025

Also Read: UPSC CDS Exam Date 2025

CDS 2 Exam Notification PDF Download

The CDS 2 Exam 2025 Notification PDF will be officially released by UPSC on 28th May 2025 on its website www.upsc.gov.in. This detailed notification will include vital information such as the number of vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, and important dates related to the exam. Candidates preparing for the CDS 2 2025 exam must download and thoroughly read the notification to ensure they meet all requirements.

Direct Link to Download CDS 2 Notification 2025 PDF (Inactive)

Stay Updated on the UPSC portal to access the CDS 2 2025 Notification PDF and stay updated on official announcements.

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS Exam 2025

Candidates must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the CDS Exam 2025:

Nationality:

  • Must be a citizen of India.
  • Subjects of Nepal/Bhutan or Tibetan refugees settling in India are also eligible.

Age Limit:

  • IMA (Indian Military Academy): 19–24 years
  • INA (Indian Naval Academy): 19–24 years
  • AFA (Air Force Academy): 20–24 years
  • OTA (Officers Training Academy): 19–25 years

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Educational Qualification:

  • IMA & OTA: Graduate degree in any discipline.
  • INA: Degree in Engineering.
  • AFA: Degree in Engineering or Graduate (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level).

Physical Standards:

  • Candidates must be physically fit as per the prescribed physical standards set by UPSC.
Also Read: UPSC CDS Eligibility Criteria

UPSC CDS Vacancy 2025

The UPSC CDS 2 Vacancy 2025 details will be officially released along with the notification on 28th May 2025. As of now, the number of vacancies for CDS 2 2025 has not been announced. Candidates are advised to keep checking the official UPSC website for the latest updates.

For reference, the CDS 1 2025 cycle announced a total of 457 vacancies, and a similar range can be expected for CDS 2. The vacancies will be distributed among the following prestigious academies:

Name of the Course Approximate No. of Vacancies
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun 100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala 32
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad 32
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 275 (Men)
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 18 (Women)
Total 457

Once released, the detailed academy-wise vacancy list for CDS 2 2025 will be updated here.

UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2025

The UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2025 has not been released yet. The admit card is expected to be made available a few weeks before the CDS 2 Exam, which is scheduled for 14th September 2025. Candidates who successfully complete the application process will be able to download the admit card from the official UPSC website — upsc.gov.in.

Once released, the CDS 2 Admit Card 2025 will contain important details such as:

  • Candidate’s name and roll number

  • Exam date and time

  • Exam centre address

  • Reporting time and instructions

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2025

The CDS Exam Pattern varies based on the academy applied for. The exam consists of objective-type questions. Here we have provided the UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2025:

  1. For Admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy:

Subject Duration Maximum Marks
English 2 Hours 100
General Knowledge 2 Hours 100
Mathematics 2 Hours 100
SSB Test/Interview 5 Days 300

  1. For Admission to the Officers’ Training Academy:

Subject Duration Maximum Marks
English 2 Hours 100
General Knowledge 2 Hours 100
SSB Test/Interview 5 Days 300

Also Read: UPSC CDS Exam Pattern

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025 Overview

The UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025 is designed to test a candidate’s proficiency in English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. The syllabus differs slightly depending on the academy applied for (IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA). Here’s a detailed overview:

English

  • Vocabulary, Grammar, Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, Comprehension.

General Knowledge

  • History, Geography, Current Affairs, Science, and Indian Constitution.

Mathematics

  • Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Statistics, and Probability.
Also Read: UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025

UPSC CDS Application Process

The application process for the CDS Exam 2025 is conducted online on the UPSC official website.

Steps to Apply

  1. Registration: Visit upsc.gov.in and complete the registration process.
  2. Fill out the Form: Enter personal, educational, and other required details.
  3. Upload Documents: Provide scanned copies of the photograph, signature, and ID proof.
  4. Pay the Fee: ₹200 for General/OBC; exempted for SC/ST/Female candidates.
  5. Submit Form: Review details and submit the application form.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

UPSC CDS Selection Process

By preparing thoroughly for each stage of the UPSC CDS Exam 2025, candidates can enhance their chances of securing a position in the armed forces. The selection process consists of the following stages:

  1. Written Examination: Candidates must qualify in the written test to proceed further.
  2. SSB Interview: A five-day interview process assessing personality, intelligence, and physical fitness.
  3. Medical Examination: Candidates are tested for physical and mental fitness.
  4. Final Merit List: Prepared based on scores in the written exam and SSB interview.

Ready to boost your UPSC CDS 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC CDS online course today!

UPSC CDS Exam Related Articles
UPSC CDS Application Form 2025 UPSC CDS Preparation Strategy
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern UPSC CDS Syllabus
UPSC CDS Preparation Strategy UPSC CDS Eligibility Criteria

Also Read
UPSC Daily Editorials UPSC Daily Current Affairs
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store UPSC Test Series
Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store 

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UPSC CDS Exam FAQs

The CDS 2 Exam 2025 is scheduled to be held on 14th September 2025.

The last date to submit the CDS 2 2025 application form is 17th June 2025.

The UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2025 is expected to be released a few weeks before the exam in September 2025.

The CDS 2 2025 notification was officially released on 28th May 2025.

The CDS 2 2025 vacancies are yet to be updated by UPSC in the official notification.

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