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Updated By Jahanvi Bakshi on 18 Mar, 2025 13:23
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2025 has been released by the Union Public Service Commission. The CDS paper pattern consists of a written examination and the SSB interview. Scroll down to check out the detailed UPSC CDS exam pattern, marking scheme, SSB interview pattern, and more.
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UPSC CDS exam pattern 2025 has been announced by the Union Public Service Commission. The CDS paper pattern consists of a written examination and the SSB interview round. Students who wish to become commissioned officers in the field of defence should sit for the CDS 1 examination in 2025. Through the UPSC CDS examination, also known as the Combined Defence Services exam, students get to work as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The UPSC CDS 2025 exam is conducted twice a year. The CDS 1 exam will be conducted on April 13, 2025. The CDS 1 notification was released on December 11, 2024, and the students had until January 1, 2025, to fill out the CDS exam registration form. The CDS paper pattern for the IMA, INA, and AFA is slightly different from the paper pattern of CDS OTA (Officer’s Training Academy). Scroll down to check out the detailed exam pattern for the CDS exam, marking scheme, SSB interview pattern, and more.
Check out some of the key highlights of the CDS paper pattern 2025 through the table attached herewith:
Name of the Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
Name of the Exam | Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam |
Level of the Exam | National Level |
Frequency of Exam | Twice a year |
Mode of Exam | Offline Mode |
UPSC CDS-I Exam Date | April 13, 2025 |
UPSC CDS-II Exam Date | September 14, 2025 |
Eligibility Criteria | Graduate |
Selection Process | Written Exam and SSB Interview |
After Selection Recritement | Training at IMA/OTA/INA/AFA |
Exam Duration | One day |
Exam Time | 120 Minutes |
Negative Marking | 1/3rd Marks is Deducted for Every Wrong Question |
Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Scroll down to check out the total marks of the CDS exam along with the CDS exam syllabus and pattern given below:
Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
(a) For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy: | ||
1. English 2. General Knowledge 3. Elementary Mathematics | 100 100 100 | 2 Hours 2 Hours 2 Hours |
(b) For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy: | ||
1. English 2. General Knowledge | 100 100 | 2 Hours 2 Hours |
The CDS paper pattern for the IMA/INA/AFA examination is slightly different from the CDS exam pattern for OTA. The CDS syllabus for the written examination consists of three major sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Students will be given 2 hours for each section of the test, making the total duration of the test 6 hours. The total marks for the CDS exam are 300. Check out the detailed paper pattern for the CDS exam here:
Particulars | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
English | 100 (1 mark each) |
Elementary Mathematics | 100 (1 mark each) |
General Knowledge | 100 (1 mark each) |
Under the CDS exam pattern for OTA, students will be required to attempt only two sections: English and General Knowledge. The total duration of the CDS OTA exam is 4 hours. Students will be given 2 hours for each section of the exam. The total number of marks for the CDS OTA exam is 200. Check out the detailed exam pattern of the CDS OTA examination given below:
Particulars | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
English | 100 (1 mark each) |
General Knowledge | 100 (1 mark each) |
Students who clear the written examination under the UPSC CDS examination will be called in for the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview round. Check out the detailed CDS SSB interview process here:
The first stage of the UPSC CDS interview round will comprise the following things:
Description and Picture Perception Test
The applicants will be shown a picture for 30 seconds, and then they will be given 4 minutes to write about the same. Thereafter, a few 15-member groups will be formed in which the group members will be asked to discuss the picture and come to a conclusion. The interviewers will conclude themselves regarding the intelligence of the candidates. The ratings will decide who will be eligible for the second stage of the SSB interview round.
The second stage of the UPSC CDS interview round will comprise the following things:
After the completion of both phases, the medical round will be conducted, followed by the preparation of the merit list for admission into courses offered at IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, AFA Hyderabad, and OTA Chennai. After the completion of the courses, the applicants will be inducted into the Indian Defense Services as commissioned officers.
Aspirants must go through the marking scheme for the CDS exam to score well. As per the latest guidelines released by the conducting authorities, for every question that remains unanswered by an applicant, no marks will be deducted. For every incorrect answer, 1/3rd mark will be deducted. Applicants can check out the CDS marking scheme for the examination through the table attached below:
Specifications | English | GK | Mathematics |
|---|---|---|---|
Maximum marks | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Marks for the correct answer | +1 mark for each correct option | +1 mark for each correct option | +1 mark for each correct option |
Negative marking | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
OMR stands for Optical Recognition Technology. OMR is used in various national-level examinations like the UPSC CDS exam, etc. The applicants are required to fill out the OMR sheet, which contains bubble-like diagrams that are required to be filled by the applicants in the specified manner:
Following are the details that are mentioned in the OMR sheet for the UPSC CDS exam. After receiving the OMR sheet, applicants must check the number at the bottom of the sheet. In case the number is not mentioned, then the applicant must consult the respective exam invigilator and get the answer sheet replaced. Details to be filled in the OMR sheet by the applicant appearing for the UPSC CDS exam 2025 are as follows:
Want to know more about UPSC CDS
Students are tested in three sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Some of the commonly asked topics under each section are:
The exam pattern for the CDS IMA, INA, and AFA exams 2025 consists of three sections: General Knowledge, English, and Elementary Mathematics. The total number of marks for each section is 200, making it a total of 600 marks. Students are required to answer all three sections in 6 hours.
The exam pattern for the CDS OTA exam consists of two sections: English and General Knowledge. Students are required to answer both sections in 4 hours. The total number of marks for the OTA exam is 400.
The total mark for the CDS OTA exam is 400.
The CDS 1 exam pattern consists of a written examination and the SSB interview round.
For every wrong anser 1/3rd marks ie. 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in UPSC CDS exam 2024.
UPSC CDS exam 2022 will be conducted in both english and hindi. Candidate can attempt the question paper in any one language
A total of 100 questions are asked in the written exam in the Elementary Mathematics section of UPSC CDS exam.
Total number of 100 questions are asked in the written exam for English section of UPSC CDS exam.
For each paper 120 minutes are provided. Hence the total exam time duration for IMA, INA, and AFA is six hours, while it is four hours for OTA.
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