CDS 2025 Exam: Notification, Eligibility, Syllabus, and Preparation Guide

EaseToLearn is providing an exclusive interface for your COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATION 2025. Get the latest updated CDS mock test series, CDS previous year question papers, CDS Question Bank, and CDS Study material. Sign-up on Easetolearn CDS Course to get a Smart Learning which will help you in Time Management.

Easetolearn is the largest online learning platform that gives you the latest and updated exam details for your CDS 2025 examination. Candidates can get all the latest CDS Exam information like key dates, Eligibility requirements, Qualifications, Fee information, and application procedures, etc.

To Join the Online CDS Mock Test Series 2025: Click Here

Click Here for CDS I Official Notification 2025

CDS EXAM DETAILS OVERVIEW 2025

UPSC COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES (I) EXAM 2025-

UPSC-CDS (I) 2025 Exam applications can only be submitted online.

For office student recruitment in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the UPSC-CDS exam is conducted twice a year.

The Service Selection Board conducts interviews with candidates who pass the CDS written test, and if they are ultimately chosen, according on their merit score and list ranking, they then get assigned to one of the following institutes for orientation training:

• Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
• Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
• Air Force Academy, Hyderabad
• Officers Training Academy, Chennai (Madras)
• Officers Training Academy, Chennai SSC Women (Non-Technical)

Click Here to join CDS My Study Room

CDS I EXAMINATION IMPORTANT DATES 2025

• Starting date of CDS 1 Application Form 2025 – 11 December, 2025
• Last date to submit CDS 1 Application Form 2025 - 31 December, 2025
• Release of CDS 1 2025 Admit Card- To Be Notified
• Exam date of CDS 1 2025 – 13 April, 2025
• Declaration of CDS 1 2025 Result-To Be Notified

Women candidates are eligible for CDS OTA (Officers Training Academy, Chennai)

The first three institutes will offer permanent commission to those who register. Officers Training Academy graduates will receive a short service commission. When completing the online application forms, all applicants have to confirm their choices.

CDS 1 Vacancies 2025

Along with the official CDS 1 Notification 2025, fresh vacancies that will be filled through the CDS-I 2025 test for the course starting in 2025 will be released. 457 openings for the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officer's Training Academy have been made public this year through CDS 1 Notification. Look at the distribution of vacancies.

Note- Commission may decide to change the examination's date, which is stated above.

The number of vacancies shown above is descriptive and subject to change by Services H. Q. at any time.

Click Here For CDS 2025 Online Free Mock Test Series

CDS 1 Eligibility Criteria 2025

Candidates must fulfil the qualifying requirements in terms of nationality, age restriction, and educational background in order to apply for the CDS 1 exam 2025.

(a) Nationality :A candidate must be unmarried male/female and must be :
(i) a citizen of India, or
(ii) a subject of Bhutan, or
(iii) a subject of Nepal, or
(iv) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
(v) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
As long as the candidate falls under category (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) above, they must be someone in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been given by the Government of India.However, candidates who are Nepalese Gorkha subjects will not need a certificate of eligibility.

CDS 1 Educational Qualification 2025

(i)For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy-The applicant must hold a bachelor's degree in any field from a recognised college or its equivalent.

(ii)For Indian Naval Academy — The candidate must have obtained their engineering degree from a recognised college or institution.

(iii) For Air Force Academy — The candidate must have a bachelor's degree (with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level) from a recognised college or a bachelor's degree in engineering.

Graduates who have chosen the Army, Navy, or Air Force as their first choice must present proof of graduation or provisional certificates at the SSB on the day the SSB Interview starts.

The CDS exam is helped by taking an online practise test. You can test on a specific CDS syllabus topic. To access the CDS online mock test series- Click here.

CDS 1 Age Limit 2025

NOTE- Male candidates who have been divorced or widowed cannot be considered unmarried for the purpose of admission to the IMA/INA/AFA/OTA, Chennai courses, and as a result, they are not eligible for these courses.

CDS 1 EXAMINATION SCHEME 2025

The CDS 1 Competitive examination comprises:

(a) CDS Written examination

(b) CDS Interview for intelligence and personality test of such candidates as may be called for interview at one of the Services Selection Centres.

The subjects of the CDS written examination as follows:

For Admission to CDS Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy:—

1. English
2. General Knowledge
3. Elementary Mathematics

For Admission to CDS Officers Training Academy:-

1. English
2. General Knowledge

HOW TO APPLY FOR CDS 1 2025

Candidates must use the website to submit their online CDS application forms.

Detailed instructions are available on the above-mentioned UPSC website

A CDS application cannot be submitted in any other way.

CDS Application Fee 2025

You can pay the application fees both offline and online.

The exam fee may be paid in cash at any SBI branch, online through the bank's net banking service, or with any VISA, Mastercard, credit card, or debit card.

CDS EXAMINATION CENTERS 2025

More than 70 places offer the CDS exam. Choosing a desired exam city is a requirement for candidates when filling out the application. Candidates are assigned exam locations according to the first-to-apply rule. Below is a list of the cities hosting CDS exam.

CDS 1 2025 IMPORTANT LINK

Click Here for CDS I Official Notification 2025

https://upsc.gov.in/

CDS EXAM 2025 : FAQs

1. Q: What is the Combined Defence Service (CDS) Examination?
• A: The CDS Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of candidates into the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy.

2. Q: How often is the CDS Examination conducted?
• A: The CDS Examination is generally conducted twice a year, typically in April and November.

3. Q: What are the eligibility criteria for the CDS Examination?
• A: The eligibility criteria include age limits, educational qualifications, and nationality requirements. The specific criteria vary for different academies.

4. Q: What academies are covered under the CDS Examination?
• A: The CDS Examination covers the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA).

5. Q: What is the selection process for the CDS Examination?
• A: The selection process includes a written examination, followed by an interview process conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). Different academies have different selection criteria.

6. Q: Can female candidates apply for the CDS Examination?
• A: Yes, female candidates can apply for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) under the CDS Examination.

7. Q: What are the subjects covered in the CDS written examination?
• A: The CDS written examination includes papers on English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics for certain academies.

8. Q: Is there negative marking in the CDS Examination for incorrect answers?
• A: Yes, there is negative marking for incorrect answers in the objective-type questions of the CDS Examination.

9. Q: How can I apply for the CDS Examination?
• A: Candidates can apply online through the official UPSC website when the notification is released. The application process involves filling out the online application form and paying the required fee.

10. Q: What is the age limit for the CDS Examination?
• A: The age limit varies depending on the academy and the course. Candidates should check the official notification for specific age criteria.

11. Q: What is the training duration at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and other academies?
• A: The training duration varies for different academies. For example, the training duration at IMA is typically one year.

12. Q: What is the official website for CDS Examination updates and notifications?
• A: The official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) (https://www.upsc.gov.in/) provides information and updates related to the CDS Examination.