CDS Exam Date 2025 (OUT): UPSC CDS 2 Exam Timing, Schedule & 2026 Dates
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
CDS Exam Date 2025: The Commission will soon announce the CDS 2 result on the official website. The CDS 2 2025 exam was conducted on September 14, 2025. The CDS 2 notification was released on May 28, 2025. The last date to apply was June 20, 2025 (extended). The CDS 1 examination 2025 was conducted on April 13, 2025. The CDS 1 notification 2025 was released on December 11, 2024 and the application form was available from December 11 to January 1, 2025.
CDS 2026 Dates Released
The Commission released the CDS 1 and 2 2026 notification, application process and exam dates on the official website at upsc.gov.in. The CDS 1 2026 notification will be released on December 10, 2025. The CDS 1 2026 application dates are December 12 to December 30, 2025. The CDS 1 2026 exam will be held on April 12, 2026. On the other hand, CDS 2 2026 notification will be announced on May 20, 2026 and the last date to apply will be June 9, 2026. The CDS 2 2026 exam will be conducted on September 13, 2026.
The CDS exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. Candidates need to reach the exam centre as per CDS exam timing. Read below for more details on CDS dates 2025.
Also Read: CDS Syllabus
CDS Latest News & Updates
- CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
- CDS Exam Timing 2025
- Important Events Related to CDS Exam 2025
- CDS Exam Pattern
- CDS Exam Dates 2025 FAQs
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2025 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 10 Dec ' 25 | CDS 1 Notification 2026 |
| 10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25 | CDS 1 Application Process 2026 |
| 12 Apr ' 26 | CDS 1 Exam 2026 |
| 20 May ' 26 | CDS 2 Notification 2026 |
| 20 May ' 26 - 09 Jun ' 26 | CDS 2 Application Process 2026 |
| 13 Sep ' 26 | CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Sep ' 25 | CDS 2 2025 Result |
| 14 Sep ' 25 | CDS 2 Exam 2025 |
| 04 Sep ' 25 | CDS 2 2025 admit card |
CDS Exam Timing 2025
According to CDS shift timing, candidates need to enter the examination hall at least 30 minutes before the scheduled commencement of the examination. Entry to the examination venue closes 10 minutes prior to the scheduled commencement of the exam in each session. CDS 2 2025 exam timing for English, GK and Elementary Mathematics is given below.
| Paper | Exam Timings |
|---|---|
| English (Subject Code 11) | 9.00 am to 11.00 am |
| GK (Subject Code 12) | 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm |
| Elementary Mathematics (Subject Code 13) | 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm |
Commonly asked questions
Important Events Related to CDS Exam 2025
The important events of the CDS exam are explained below:
CDS Application Form
The application form for CDS has been released online. The CDS application form comprises two parts. In the first part, candidates need to register, choose their preferred branches, verify the details and generate their registration ID. In the second part, candidates need to pay the application fees, select the exam centres, and upload scanned images of photographs & signatures.
CDS Exam Date
All registered candidates are required to appear for the CDS exam. The exam comprises two stages, written and SSB Interview. The written exam for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy comprises three sections, English, General knowledge, and Elementary Maths. The written exam for Officers’ Training Academy comprises two sections, English and General Knowledge.
CDS Answer Key Date
The answer key of CDS is released by UPSC after the completion of the recruitment exam. The CDS answer key is released on the official website for different codes of test booklets.
CDS Result Date
The result is released in two stages: written exam and final selection. The commission first announces the CDS result for the written exam, followed by the declaration of the final result. The result displays the roll numbers of shortlisted candidates in PDF format. Along with the release of the CDS result, the CDS cut-off is also released for the candidates. The candidates who will cross the category-wise cut-off will be considered qualified for the CDS exam.
CDS Current Affairs Guide: Download Here
Commonly asked questions
CDS Exam Pattern
The candidates who are going to appear for the CDS exam must know the exam pattern. The CDS exam pattern is mandatory information that helps the applicants understand the CDS exam better. The exam pattern for the CDS exam has been given below:
| CDS Exam Pattern 2025 |
|
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam |
Offline |
| Number of Questions |
300 MCQ |
| Number of questions in OTA |
200 MCQ |
| Maximum Marks |
300 and 200 (OTA) |
| Duration of Exam |
2 hours (120 minutes) for each paper |
| Medium |
Hindi or English |
| Negative marking |
1/3rd mark deducted for each incorrect response |
Commonly asked questions
CDS Exam Dates 2025 FAQs
Candidates can check below the CDS 2025 dates.
Commonly asked questions
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
Yes. In the CDS exam there is a negative marking. One-third mark will be deducted for an incorrect answer. No mark will be deducted for unanswered questions.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
The CDS exam is conducted in an offline mode that is in a pen-paper mode. The exam consists of objective type questions and need to mark their answers in an OMR sheet.
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Apart from the salary, CDS officers receive several allowances, including DA, high altitude allowance, uniform allowance, transport allowance, medical aid, accommodation, children's education allowance, etc. It depends upon the amount of salary, and it varies depending on the designation and academy
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Candidates can check below the CDS 2 2025 age limit:
- IMA: Candidates for IMA should be unmarried and must have been born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2007.
- INA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2007, can apply for INA
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Yes, the CDS 2 application last date to apply was extended to June 20 from June 17, 2025. A one-time extension was provided by the commission. The application correction window was opened from July 7 to July 9, 2025.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
No, the CDS 1 2025 result will be released after the conduction of an exam on the official website. The result will be released in the form of a PDF and consists of the roll numbers of candidates who have qualified for the SSB interview.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
IBPS Clerk prelims admit card 24 Sep '25 - 5 Oct '25
Is there a negative marking in the CDS exam?