Avision is One of the Best Combined Defence Service (CDS ) Online Coaching Centre in India

There are two phases in the CDS exam conducted by UPSC to recruit candidates for the Defence forces. Those who will appear for the exam on 01 September 2025 should know all the CDS exam information.

The authorities published a detailed advertisement and official notification on 11th December 2024 for the CDS 2 2025 examination and the link was activated for the online UPSC CDS 2025 application form on 17 May. The candidates must submit their forms within the given time frames because no forms will be accepted after the window closes.

☛ CDS 2 Application Form 2025 - Direct Link

☛ CDS 1 Analysis 2025 - Check Here

We have provided the complete details of the CDS 2025 here. Apart from the latest updates, the aspirants must also be aware of some general details about the upcoming CDS 2 examination. The following table provides a great overview of the same:

●      15 May 2025: CDS 2 Notification and Application Form 2025 was Released.

●      15th May 2025: CDS 1 2025 Exam was Conducted.

●      7 to 10 days before exam : CDS 1 Admit Card Released.

●      15th May 2025: CDS 1 Notification and

Application Form 2025 was Released.

●       To be notified : CDS 2 2025 Results were out.

CDS or Combined Defence Services exam, is a national-level examination held in order to recruit eligible people in various armed forces throughout India.

UPSC CDS exam recruits candidates in the following armed forces:

●      Indian Army

●      Indian Navy

●      Indian Airforce

●      Naval Academy

●      Officers Training Academy 

The authorities UPSC released the UPSC CDS notification 2025 PDF on their official website on 11 th December 2025. Aspirants can download CDS 2 notification 2025 from the direct link mentioned below which carries all the information related to the recruitment drive, including syllabus, vacancy, exam date, exam pattern, etc.

> CDS 2 Notification 2025 - Download PDF

The dates for the CDS exam 2025 were declared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). 

The important dates for CDS 1 2025 exam are as follows:

The following dates are essential for the CDS 2 exam 2025:

Aspirants must be well acquainted with the CDS 2025 eligibility and fulfill each criterion in order to proceed further in the selection process. There are four parameters included in the eligibility criteria, which are physical standards, nationality, education qualification, and UPSC CDS age limit.

The complete CDS 2025 Eligibility at the following levels:

Physical Standards: The aspirants who have applied for different posts in the CDS 2025 need to be mentally and physically fit in order to meet the physical standard guidelines.

Nationality: aspirants must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who had migrated to India before January 01, 1962, with the intention of Permanent Settle.

Check the educational qualification required for different job posts from the table below.

There is a fixed age limit criterion for all the posts, which aspirants must fulfill or else their candidature can be canceled at any stage of the selection process. The CDS age limit for all the posts is 20 years to 24 years. It means:

●      For IMA, INA, AFA: Candidates must be born not earlier than 2nd July 2000 and not later than 1st July 2005.

●      For Officers' Training Academy (Men and Women): Candidates must be born not earlier than 2nd July 1999 and not later than 1st July 2005.

Aspirants can prepare better for the exam and plan their study strategies if they know the open positions. The information on various Indian Army, Navy, Airforce, Naval Academy, and Officers Training Academy vacancies under CDS 2025 is released by the authorities, and it is provided in the table below.

Last year 341 vacancies were announced for Combined Defence Services, out of which 324 were released for male candidates and 17 for females. They should look at the previous year's CDS Vacancy to understand the recruitment process and the level of competition for the CDS exam 2025:

Aspirants had to apply online for the CDS exam in order to submit the application form within the allotted days. They can go through the general instructions required to be followed for ease in form submission.

They must follow these steps of the CDS 2025 Apply Online to successfully submit the online forms.

●      Visit the official site.

●      On the Page click on the link that reads "Combined Defence Services Examination 2025".

●      Under the section of PART I read the instruction carefully and at the Bottom click on Yes / हां.

●      Now the application form for CDS 2025 will appear in which you need to fill in your personal and contact details.

●      Select the preference for the academies as per age & qualification.

●      Now continue to the next step. The registration ID would be generated.

●      The candidates should then head to "Part II" of the application form.

●      The next step is to deposit the fee of ₹ 200/-.

●      Once the fee payment is done, select the desired examination centre.

●      Upload a scanned copy of the photograph and signature as per the file size & dimensions specified in the official notification.

●      Click "Submit" and then print/download the application form for the CDS exam for future use.

The CDS application fee should be submitted with the online form without which the application will not be accepted.

●      The application fee for the CDS 2025 exam is ₹ 200/-.

●      SC/ST/Females are exempted from fee payment.

●      The payment submission is available in both offline and online modes.

●      The payment can be done via Net Banking, Mastercard/Debit Card or cash deposit in any branch of SBI Bank.

Aspirants preparing for the CDS exam 2025 need to be aware of the paper pattern since the exam pattern of the CDS 2025 exam is different for Officer Training Academy and Indian Naval Academy/Indian Military Academy/Indian Air Force. It is divided into two sections:

●      Written Examination

●      Intelligence & Personality Interview

There are 3 papers in the exam of Indian Naval Academy/Indian Military Academy/Indian Air Force carrying a total of 300 marks. The total duration of each exam is 2 hours.

The exam of Officer Training Academy (OTA) has 2 subjects carrying a total of 200 Marks. The duration of the CDS exam is 4 hours.

Aspirants are required to check the entire syllabus of CDS 2025 for its thorough preparation.

●      General Knowledge: History, Physics, Biology, Geography, Political Science, and current affairs of the last 4-5 months from the examination date.

●      English: Basic Grammar, Synonyms, Antonyms, Comprehension Solving, Error Spotting, Para Jumbles, etc.

●      Elementary Math: Natural numbers, Integers, Percentages, HCF and LCM, Geometry, Logarithms, Trigonometry, Time & distance, Statistics, Mensuration, etc.

The AFA, IMA, INA & Officers posts are recruited based on four rounds. Listed below are the 4 stages of CDS 2025.

●      Written Exam

●      SSB Interview/Personality Test

●      Document Verification

●      Medical Examination

Those who qualify the exam with good marks in the written examination and SSB Interview are featured in the merit list. It is important to note that the final round of selection is based on the medical fitness for all available posts.

During the training period, the candidates are eligible to receive a fixed stipend amount for all the officers at the equivalent levels of Army, Navy, and Air Force. Currently, the expected stipend for the training period is ₹ 56,100 per month.

Here the aspirants can get a complete idea of the CDS 2025 Salary of the officers at different ranks by analysing the table schematized herewith.

The promotions of CDS officer under their tenure are enlisted below: -

●      Captain - Two years of commissioned service

●      Major - Six years of commissioned service

●      Lieutenant Colonel - Thirteen years of commissioned service

●      Colonel - Fifteen years of commissioned service

●      Colonel (TS) - Twenty-six years of commissioned service

●      Major General - Twenty-five years of commissioned service

●      Brigadier - Twenty-three years of commissioned service

●      Lieutenant General - Twenty-eight years of commissioned service

●      General - No restrictions

●      Lieutenant - Promotion only after completion of training

We will provide the direct link to download the CDS admit card 2025 made available by the officials where applicants can log in and download their CDS 2025 Admit Card, with their Registration ID & Roll No. They must ensure all the information mentioned on the hall ticket is correct. In case of any discrepancy, they might not be allowed to appear for the exam. Applicants must carry their admit cards to the examination centre without fail.

Aspirants are advised to follow the best CDS 2025 Preparation Tips and strategies to clear it.

●      They must start preparing at least 6 months in advance. As the UPSC CDS exam is very popular, competition can be quite tough.

●      They need to select the study material carefully. There are many books and materials available, however, not all of them are useful, so choose wisely.

●      They need to practise previous year’s question papers and mock tests to check level of preparation and identify weak areas.

●      Aspirants must know strength and weakness to plan their preparation accordingly and not leave any gaps in between.

●      At AVISION’s Exam Prep, our experts have created high-quality study material and mock tests to help make your journey easier and improve your chances of cracking the CDS 2025 exam.

As a part of sound preparation, proper practice of the CDS 2025 Question Papers is necessary. Aspirants should keep attempting the previous year's papers along with the regular preparation for the CDS exam 2025.

Aspirants must get hold of the best study material for proper guidance. Here we have provided a subject-wise list of best books for the exam trusted by experts for CDS 2025 preparation.

The detailed analysis of the CDS 2025 exam will be done through the questions and answer keys. Aspirants will get an idea of the expected marks with the release of CDS 2025 Answer Key. We will share the direct link for aspirants to access the CDS 2025 answer key as soon as it is out after the successful completion of the examination.

UPSC will release the CDS 2025 Result on its official site after the completion of the exam which shall include the roll number and name of the candidates qualified for being interviewed by the Service Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence.

Only those who will appear for the CDS exam 2025 will be eligible to view the result status. They can check the result with the help of their roll number details as received along with the admit card or name-wise. 

In order to check the result of the CDS 2025, aspirants must follow the steps mentioned below:

●      Log in to the official website of the Union Public Service Commission

●      Under the navigation section, click on the "Results" link.

●      Now check for the "UPSC CDS Result" Link and click on it.

●      Fill in the required details such as registration number & date of birth.

●      Click on the "Submit" button.

●      Check your result status of the CDS exam corresponding to your roll number & name.

The authorities will officially release CDS 2025 Cut Off along with the declaration of the final result. Aspirants appearing for the CDS 2025 exam must check out the previous year's cut-off to determine the number of good attempts.

In order to check the cut-off of the CDS Exam, aspirants must follow the steps mentioned below:

●      Go to the official website and click on the "Examination" link in the header navigation.

●      Go to the drop-down menu and click on "Cut Off Marks”.

●      You will get a list of year-wise cut-off marks of CDS 2025.

5      A new window will be displayed, containing the Cut off marks of Ph5se 1 or 2 in a PDF format.

●      You can download this PDF for future use.

Aspirants must attempt the CDS Mock Test in order to achieve high score marks in the exam. In this way they can grab the required speed and accuracy to ace the exam while identifying gaps in their knowledge and preparing them for the upcoming CDS 2025 exam as well.

Aspirants who will apply for the exam need to choose an appropriate examination centre as per their feasibility. Check the list of state-wise CDS exam centres below:

AVISION's Exam Prep is providing online live classes for the CDS 2025, mentored by their expert educators. Their video lectures are rich with detailed study material, PDFs, practice questions, doubt classes, and much more.

One of the benefits of taking the CDS Online Coaching is to save time and use every minute for preparing effectively. With the help of the CDS live classes they can cover the in-depth syllabus and understand the topic deeply with a complete clarification. 

What is CDS 2025 exam?

CDS 2025 is a government exam conducted by UPSC on a national level to recruit young graduates in the Army, Navy, Indian Airforce, Naval Academy, and Officers Training Academy (Men & Women). The candidates must be conversant with all the parameters of the CDS exam 2025 to outperform and outrank in the exam.

What is the CDS notification 2025 release date?

CDS notification 2025 was released on 17 May on the official site by the concerned authorities. Candidates are advised to keep updated with the latest updates to ensure they do not miss any important dates. The notification comprises all the details of the apply online, CDS exam date, and selection process and will present a complete information handout to the candidates.

What is the CDS 2 exam date 2025?

The CDS 2 2025 exam date is 03 September. The admit card for the same will be made available on the official website of UPSC. Similarly, the result will be released after a few days of the exam, and candidates should keep an eye out for the next steps in the recruitment process.

From where can I download CDS notification 2025 PDF?

The notification has been published for the 2025 session. You can download the CDS Notification PDF from the official website of UPSC, or it can easily be accessed through the link provided here. It contains information on the vacancies, syllabus, and eligibility with other relevant information about the exam.

What is the difference between CDS 1 and CDS 2?

Every year, the Union Public Service Commission conducts the CDS exam twice to recruit eligible candidates for the armed forces. The notification for CDS 1 is usually released in January/February and the CDS 2 notification is released in May/June along with the number of vacancies. Every other parameter for both the 1 and 2 exams is the same, including syllabus, eligibility, selection process, etc.

Can I apply for the CDS exam after 12th class?

No, the minimum educational qualification for the CDS 2025 exam is Graduation. Candidates who have not completed their graduation cannot apply for the exam.

What is the Eligibility Criteria of UPSC CDS?

An applicant applying for the CDS 2025 exam must have or be able to acquire a graduate degree before the course starts. There are the minimum and maximum age limit criteria as well, which stand at 21-23 years in AFA and 21-24 in other academies. Anyone not adhering to the CDS eligibility criteria will be disqualified.

What is the full form of CDS?

The full form of CDS is Combined Defence Services. The exam is held every year to recruit eligible candidates into the armed forces across India for IMA, INA & OTA posts.

What is the qualification required for CDS 2025?

Combined Defence Services Examinations (CDS) is a graduate-level entrance examination. Those who possess graduation (or in the last year) and fall into the prescribed age group can apply for the exam.

What is the age limit for CDS 2025?

The maximum CDS age limit for Airforce Academy is 23 years, while that of others is 24 years. Anyone outside this age bracket is not considered for the recruitment. Also, note that only unmarried candidates can apply for the CDS exam.

How tough is CDS exam?

The UPSC CDS exam is on the easier side. Focused preparation and persistent practice can make cracking the exam far easier. It is definitely not very tough if you are well-prepared. Thus, practice a lot of mock tests and take online classes to prepare smartly for the competition and crack the exam in the first attempt itself.

What is the CDS 2025 Syllabus?

The CDS exam syllabus includes graduate-level topics in English, General Knowledge, and General Maths. There will be basic concepts asked from the same. The topics under the CDS syllabus are current affairs, history, geography, political science, reading comprehension, error spotting, trigonometry, statistics, geometry, mensuration, synonyms, antonyms, ratio & proportion, etc.

Can girls apply for CDS?

Yes, girls can apply for CDS recruitment. Girls who meet all the eligibility criteria can apply for Officers Training Academy through the official website of UPSC CDS or can also check out the direct link provided above.

How many attempts can be made for CDS 2025?

The minimum age eligibility is 20 years. A candidate of age possessing all the other eligibilities and below the maximum age can apply each time the notification comes during that time. There is no fixed number of attempts to apply for the UPSC CDS 2025 exam.

How many marks are required to crack the CDS exam for the IMA category?

Knowing the previous year cut off helps us to prepare better. The marks required to crack the CDS exam for the IMA category are 145 in the written test and 268 in the final exam based on the last year’s cut off.

How can I Prepare for the UPSC CDS 2025 Exam?

It is just like any competitive examination. Start by understanding the exam syllabus and pattern, followed by selecting the best study materials and starts preparing. Avision’s Exam Prep has a lot of material for CDS 2025 preparation and many more quizzes for practice.

How can I apply online for the CDS exam 2025?

UPSC conducts the CDS exam twice a year. Candidates can apply for CDS through UPSC’s official website. First, you need to register yourself using a valid email id. Now, log in using the registration details and fill up the application form. Lastly, upload the required documents and submit the application fees.

How many times does the UPSC release CDS recruitment notification in a year?

The Combined Defence Services exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the CDS recruitment notification is released twice a year. Candidates can attempt it according to their preference.

What is CDS Salary?

Post-training, they are inducted as Lieutenant in Indian Army and equitable posts in other forces. The cadets are eligible for their CDS Salary of INR 56,100 per month. During the training, the cadets can pay a fixed stipend of INR 6000 per month for pocket expenses in OTA and INR 12,000 per month in other academies. The arrear is released as soon as the cadets complete their training.

Which is the best online test series for CDS?

Avision’s Exam Prep provides you with the best online test series for the CDS exam to enhance your exam preparation and prepare smartly. this test series will prove very useful in practising what you know and identifying the gaps in your preparation.

Is Maths compulsory for CDS?

Yes, it is a compulsory subject for the candidates who have applied for IMA, INA, and AFA. Those applying for OTA are not needed to take this test.

Can I apply for CDS recruitment in the final year?

Yes, those candidates who can complete their graduation before the respective batches begin in the academies can apply for CDS 2025 recruitment. This is an important requirement and must be taken care of.

What is the Officer Training Academy in CDS?

The Officers Training Academy, located in Chennai, is a training academy of the Indian Army that trains officers for the Short Service Commission. Its 49-week course is meant to prepare graduates selected through the CDS 2025 exam for all Army branches except for the Army Medical Corps.

What is the selection process for CDS 2025?

CDS 2025 Selection Process comprises one written exam with three papers (two in case of OTA). The candidates who pass this stage are then called in SSB for the academy they have applied for. Those passing the SSB interview are then taken for medical examination. After passing all these stages, an applicant transforms into a Gentleman Cadet (GC) or Lady Cadet in one of the premier defence academies.

What to do after clearing CDS exam?

Once you have cleared the CDS 2025 written exam, you need to make sure that you get past the SSB interview and the medical examination as well. This might require a little effort from your side as an active person has a better chance of clearing these rounds. Start doing activities like GD for your mental conditioning, while cardio and agility building training will help in physical conditioning.

Is CDS 2025 result released?

Yes, the Commission released the CDS 1 result 2025 on December 2025, containing the names and roll numbers of the selected candidates. Apart from it, Candidates who appeared for the CDS 2 2025 Exam in September will be able to check their results from the direct link as it is activated on  September 2025.