UPSC CDS Selection Process 2025 - Written Test, SSB Interview

UPSC CDS Selection Process 2025

UPSC CDS Selection Process is carried out in three stages: a written examination, an SSB Interview Round, and a Medical Examination. Applicants are required to clear all 3 stages of the CDS selection process to become eligible for becoming a CDS officer. The Union Public Service Commission conducts the CDS exam twice a year. The CDS 1 notification 2025 was released on December 11, 2024. The CDS exam registration ended on January 1, 2025. The CDS exam calendar for the academic year 2025-26 was released on December 11, 2024. Students who clear the CDS written examination and the SSB interview will be called in for a medical test.

The merit list for the UPSC CDS 2025 exam is declared by UPSC based on the performance of applicants in the first two stages of the CDS selection process. The written examination tests an applicant’s knowledge of subjects such as English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge for the IMA, INA, and AFA exams. Applicants who wish to enroll in OTA will only be required to appear for the English Language and General Knowledge papers. After clearing the CDS written examination, based on the CDS selection list, students will be called in for the interview round wherein they will have to undergo a 5-day personality test. Check out the detailed UPSC CDS selection process as given below.

UPSC CDS Selection Process 2025: Written Examination

Appearing for the CDS written examination is the first step of the selection process for CDS. The CDS written examination tests a student’s knowledge in three different sections, namely, English Language, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. This written examination helps the authorities to assess students based on their knowledge and the different skills required for training under various branches of the defence forces. Based on an applicant’s performance in the written examination of CDS, they will be selected for the next round of selection. Check out some of the key aspects of the UPSC CDS written examination here:

• The written exam comprises three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, each lasting two hours.
• Applicants opting for IMA (Indian Military Academy), INA (Indian Naval Academy), and AFA (Air Force Academy), must sit for the Elementary Mathematics, English, and GK papers.
• Applicants aspiring to join OTA only need to take the English and GK papers.
• Each paper is worth 100 marks.
• For a detailed understanding of the exam pattern, refer to the UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2025.

UPSC CDS 2025 Service Selection Board (SSB)

The second stage in the CDS selection process is that of the SSB Interview Round. Under this interview round, students are required to sit for a 5-day personality assessment test. This 5-day interview begins with a “Screening Day” wherein applicants are evaluated based on their reasoning and mental abilities and their imagination skills are put to the test. Applicants who pass the screening round are then admitted to the next set of tests, involving psychological assessments, group tasks, and interviews. The SSB Interview selection round helps the conducting authorities evaluate applicants based on their qualities and skills. Through this round of the selection process, an applicant’s ability to hold military leadership positions is assessed. After the 5th day, the SSB round results are declared. 

Check out the detailed description of the SSB Interview round and the CDS SSB eligibility given as follows:

Screening Day (Day 1)

Here is the detailed description of Day 1 of the Screening Round:

• The first day of the SSB is called the "Screening Day."
• It consists of two parts: the Officer's Intelligence Rating Test (OIR) and the Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT).
• The OIR test assesses reasoning and mental ability through 80 logical problems.
• Candidates choose the correct option from four provided in a booklet.
• Following the OIR test, candidates undergo the PP & DT, testing their imagination.
• Candidates view a hazy picture for 30 seconds and then write a story about it within 4.5 minutes.
• After writing, candidates discuss their stories in groups of 8-10 people.
• Results are announced, and candidates who pass are called "Screened in," advancing to the next stage.

Psychology test, Group Tasks, and Interviews (Day 2-4)

Here is the detailed description of Day 2 to Day 4 of the SSB Round:

• These days involve various activities, including the Psychology test, Group Tasks, and interviews.
• Each activity is assessed by different personnel: A psychologist for the Psychology test, a Group Testing Officer (GTO) for Group Tasks, and an Interviewing Officer for the interview.
• These activities assess candidates' Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) and significantly influence recommendations.

Conference Day (Day 5)

Here is the detailed description of Day 5 of the Conference Round:

• Day 5, also known as the "Conference," involves individual appearances in front of three assessing officers.
• The final result is announced by the President of the Board in the orientation hall.
• Candidates eagerly await the announcement, symbolizing a dream moment for every defense aspirant.

UPSC CDS Selection Process 2025 Document Verification

Candidates will be called in for document verification only after the candidate has qualified for the Interview/Personality Test. Following is the list of documents to be submitted for verification:

• Birth Certificate
• Academic Degrees (HSC, SSC, Graduation, etc)
• Certificate of Eligibility for Specific Candidates
• Passport Size Photograph
• Identity Proof
• Residence Proof etc.
• Category or Caste Certificate (SC, ST, OBC, PH, etc)

UPSC CDS Selection Procedure 2025 Medical Examination

Once the candidates have cleared the SSB Interview Round, they will be called for a medical examination. The medical examination is the third, and final stage of the CDS selection process. The final stage of selection for CDS assesses whether the selected candidates are fit to serve in the military or not. Check out some of the key aspects of the CDS Medical Examination round as follows:

• Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by the Services Selection Board undergo medical examination by a Board of Service Medical Officers. All shortlisted candidates undergo a comprehensive medical examination to determine their fitness for service. Women candidates undergo examination by a Medical Board comprising both male and female doctors, specialists, and a Gynaecologist, with a Lady Medical Officer as a board member.
• Fitness Declaration: Only candidates declared fit by the Medical Board are admitted to the Academy, ensuring they meet the necessary medical standards for military service.
• Document Verification: Candidates must successfully clear all document verification formalities for final recruitment.

How to Change in Communication Address for UPSC CDS?

Candidates who have cleared the UPSC CDS exam are required to notify about any changes in their communication address soon after the result has been declared. Candidates need to notify at the following addresses along with the unstamped self-addressed envelope-

For INA

IHQ of MOD (Navy) DMPR (OI&R Section),

Room No. 204, 'C' Wing,

Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011

For IMA/SSC

Army Headquarters,

A.G's Branch, Rtg. (CDSE Entry Section for males & SSC Women Entry Section for women candidates)

West Block-III, Ground Floor, Wing 1,

Ramakrishnapuram, New Delhi-110066

For IAF

PO 3 (A) Air HQS. 'J' Block,

Room No. 17, Opp. Vayu Bhawan,

Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi-110011

UPSC CDS Selection Process 2025 CDS Disqualification Criteria

Certain behavioural and performance criteria are essential for candidates aspiring to join prestigious military academies and commissions. Here are the points regarding eligibility criteria for various academies and commissions:

• Objectionable Behavior: Candidates removed from the Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Indian Military Academy, Officers' Training Academy, or National Defence Academy due to objectionable behavior are ineligible for entry into the Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Indian Military Academy, or Short Service Commission in the Army.
• Lack of Officer-Like Qualities (OLQ) at IMA: Candidates withdrawn from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) due to a lack of Officer-Like Qualities (OLQ) are not eligible for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy.
• Lack of Officer-Like Qualities (OLQ) at SSC: Similarly, candidates withdrawn from the IMA due to a lack of Officer-Like Qualities (OLQ) are also ineligible for recruitment into the Short Service Commission (SSC).
• Withdrawal from Special Entry Naval Cadets: Candidates previously recruited as Special Entry Naval Cadets but withdrawn from the National Defence Academy (NDA) or Naval Training Establishments due to deficiencies in Officer-like qualities are ineligible for recruitment to the Indian Naval Academy (INA).