
CDS 2 Question Papers 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the CDS 2 2025 Exam on September 14, 2025. Candidates after the conduction of an exam will be able to check below CDS 2 2025 English, GK and Maths official question papers. Candidates will also be able to raise objections against CDS 2 question papers 2025 via the question paper representation portal. Solving CDS question papers will help aspirants to know the types of questions asked in the CDS exam, the difficulty level of questions, the CDS exam pattern weightage given to the topics, and important segments of the syllabus. UPSC CDS question papers/sample papers are the best resources for preparation. Besides solving the question. Candidates can download CDS question paper PDF from this page for different sets of test booklets- A, B, C, and D for English, GK, and Maths.
The authority released the CDS 1 Question Paper 2025 officially. Candidates will be able to refer to the CDS 1& 2 question papers while checking the CDS Answer Key 2025. UPSC announced a total combined vacancy of approximate 457 (for IMA, INA, AFA, & OTA). The authority announced the CDS 1 2025 result on April 28, 2025.
Also Read: CDS Preparation Tips
Candidates can check below the steps to download the CDS question papers for free.
- Visit our website; Shiksha.com.
- Create your profile by mentioning certain details.
- Once a profile is generated, you will be able to download the question papers for free.
- Download and save it.
Yes, the examination authority will release the CDS Question Papers 2025 officially on the official website. The question papers will be released in the form of PDF. Candidates will be able to download the CDS question papers 2025 from this page also for free. The question papers will help candidates to check the difficulty level of the exam, questions asked, pattern changed or not, etc.
- CDS 1 & 2 2025 English, GK & Maths Question Paper
- CDS Previous Years Question Papers
- Do CDS Questions Repeat?
- What is CDS Previous Year Paper?
- CDS Previous Year Question Paper
- Importance of UPSC CDS Question Papers
- How to Challenge CDS Question Papers 2025?
- CDS Exam Pattern 2025
- CDS Syllabus 2025
- Was CDS 2 Paper 2024 Easy?
CDS 1 & 2 2025 English, GK & Maths Question Paper
Candidates will be able to check CDS 2 Question papers 2025 below once they are released. Candidates can also raise objection against the CDS 2 Question papers 2025.
CDS 1 2025 English, GK & Maths Official Question Papers
Candidates can check here the CDS 1 2025 English, GK and Maths official question paper pdf.
Paper | Download PDF |
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CDS 1 English Paper 2025 PDF (Set A) | Download Here |
CDS 1 GK Paper 2025 PDF (Set A) | Download Here |
CDS 1 Maths Paper 2025 PDF (Set A) | Download Here |
CDS 2 2024 English, GK and Maths question paper
Candidates can check here the CDS 2 2024 English, GK and Maths question paper pdf officially.
Paper | Download PDF |
---|---|
CDS 2 English Paper 2024 PDF (Set A) | Download Here |
CDS 2 GK Paper 2024 PDF (Set A) | Download Here |
CDS 2 Maths Paper 2024 PDF (Set A) | Download Here |
Commonly asked questions
To be eligible for the CDS exam, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Age Limit: Candidates must be at least 19 years old when applying for the CDS exam. The age limit for female candidates is generally the same as for male candidates, ranging from 19 to 25 years
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from a UGC-recognized university. Final-year students who are expected to complete their degree before the commencement of the respective academy's training can also apply
- Nationality: Candidates must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, a subject of Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee permanently settled in India
- Physical Standards: Candidates must meet the specific physical fitness requirements, including height, weight, visual acuity, and overall physical health. The physical requirements for each of the three wings (OTA, INA, AFA) are detailed in the official CDS notification
- Marital Status: There are no specific restrictions based on marital status for most academies under CDS. Both unmarried and married candidates may be eligible, subject to meeting the other eligibility criteria
- Attempts: There is no restriction on the number of CDS exam attempts for candidates who have completed their graduation
It is essential to check the official CDS notification for any specific variations in eligibility criteria and to ensure that candidates meet all the requirements mentioned by the official body.
Below is the syllabus for CDS exam:
1. English Section:
- Reading Comprehension
- Spotting the Error
- Fill in the blanks
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Idioms and Phrases
- Sentence Arrangement
- Ordering of words in Sentence
- Sentence Improvement/Correction
2. Mathematics Section:
- Arithmetic (Number System, Time and Work, Profit and Loss)
- Elementary Number Theory
- Algebra (Basic operations, Remainder Theorem, Simultaneous Equations)
- Trigonometry (Simple trigonometric identities, Heights and Distances)
- Geometry (Lines, Angles, Circles, Polygons)
- Mensuration (Areas, Volumes)
- Statistics (Data Collection, Graphical Representation)
3. General Knowledge Section:
- Indian History
- Political Science
- Economics
- Geography
- Environment
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Current Affairs
- Defence Related Questions
4. OTA (Officers' Training Academy) Syllabus:
- General Knowledge
- English
Here are some effective ways to revise for the CDS exam:
- Make notes: Making notes is an effective way to revise for the CDS exam. While preparing for the exam, make notes of important concepts, formulas, and key points. These notes will help you revise quickly and efficiently.
- Revise regularly: Regular revision is essential for retaining the information and concepts. Schedule regular revision sessions to go through your notes, study material, and sample papers.
- Solve previous year question papers: Solving previous year question papers is an effective way to revise for the CDS exam. It will help you understand the exam pattern, types of questions asked, and improve your time management skills.
- Use flashcards: Flashcards are an effective way to revise important concepts and formulas. Write down the important concepts and formulas on flashcards and revise them regularly.
- Practice mock tests: Mock tests are an effective way to revise for the CDS exam. They will help you evaluate your performance, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your time management skills.
- Discuss with peers and mentors: Discussing the concepts and solving problems with peers and mentors is an effective way to revise for the CDS exam. It will help you clarify your doubts and get feedback on your performance.
Remember, revision is an ongoing process, and you should allocate enough time for it in your overall preparation strategy. Also, make sure to focus on understanding the concepts and not just memorizing them.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CDS exam evey six months. The candidates can prepare for the CDS exam in three month. However, the candidates need to focus and study rigorously in order to crack the CDS exam in three months. While preparing for the CDS exam in three months, the candidates need to take following things in consideration:
- Basics of the exam: If a candidate has completed his/her graduation and twelfth standard with grip on the subjects then it is easy to cover the complete syllabus in time. However, if the candidate have to start from scratch then it will be very difficult to cover the syllabus of the CDS exam
- Time Table: The candidate must stic a time table that can complete the syllabus in time as well as leave ample time for revisions and mock tests
- Question Pattern: The candidtae must go through the question pattern and solve the previous years' question paper and search for repition in topics and question asked in the exam.
- Mock Test: Take maximum number of mock tests in exam condiction to get habit of sitting and taking the exam. It will help the candidate get relief from freefo in the CDS exam.
Download previous year CDS question papers and sample papers. Use them for practice and improve your speed and accuracy. You can download CDS previous year question papers and the preparation guides for free.
CDS Previous Years Question Papers
CDS 1 2024 Question Papers
CDS 2 2023 Question Papers
CDS 1 2023 Question Papers
CDS 2022 Question Papers
CDS 2021 Question Papers
CDS 2020 Question Papers
CDS 2019 Question Papers
CDS 2017 Question Papers
CDS 2018 Question Papers
CDS 2016 Question Papers
CDS 2015 Question Papers
Do CDS Questions Repeat?
One can find a lot of questions repeated in the CDS exam, especially the static general section of the CDS exam. More than 50 per cent topics asked in the CDS exam are repetitive.
Commonly asked questions
What is CDS Previous Year Paper?
Commonly asked questions
Hi Practicing CDS question papers help to find out previously asked topics and chapters in the CDS exam. Candidates can also find out their strong and weak areas with the help of question papers. After completion of all the syllabus, candidates must practice the online mock test for their preparations How to Start CDS Preparation Understand The Syllabus And Exam Format. Examine the exam syllabus and exam pattern if you want to pass the CDS exam. Practice Mock Exams And Previous Year Papers. Keep The Basics Clear. Concentrate On Important Issues. Start With Simpler Questions. Create A Proper Schedule. Some of the books recommended for CDS OTA are as follows: Objective General English S. P. Bakshi. Wren & Martin's High School English Grammar & Composition Wren and Martin's. Word Power Made Easy Norman Lewis. Geography, History, Economy NCERT (standard 6th-12th. General Knowledge Lucent book and News paper.
Yes, previous years' question papers play an important role in the preparation for the CDS 2025 exam. Scroll down for more information:
- It helps in understanding the exam pattern and structure.
- It helps to identify the recurrent topics.
- It also boosts the speed and accuracy.
- It improves problem-solving skills mainly in the mathematics section.
- It also enhances general knowledge and English comprehension.
- It helps to track the progress.
- It helps to understand the level of difficulty of the exam.
- Enhance retention for general knowledge.
- Boost confidence, etc.
In CDS, written exam comprises three papers namely English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics aiming for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA). There are two papers for candidates aiming for the Officers Training academy (OTA).
For IMA, INA, AFA: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics
For OTA: English and General Knowledge
CDS Previous Year Question Paper
When beginning with the preparation for Combined Defence Service Examination, it is important to go through CDS previous years' question papers to know the pattern of questions asked in the exam. Solving the CDS previous years question papers helps candidates to understand the types of questions asked in the exam, nature of questions, and difficulty level of questions.
Related Links: CDS 1 2025 Admit Card
Commonly asked questions
The duration of each subject paper in the CDS 2025 exam is mentioned below:
1. For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy:
English: 2 hours duration
General Knowledge: 2 hours duration
Mathematics: 2 hours duration
2. For Officers' Training Academy (OTA)
English: 2 hours duration
General Knowledge: 2 hours duration
Importance of UPSC CDS Question Papers
The benefits of solving CDS question papers are given below:
Familiarity with CDS Exam Pattern
The best way to crack the exam is to develop an understanding of CDS exam pattern. Referring to previous years' question papers helps candidates to do this by providing them with the necessary information about the CDS syllabus and topics covered in the exam. It also helps in determining the weightage of marks allotted to different topics. Accordingly, candidates can draft preparation strategies for the exam.
Understanding of Question Format
CDS question papers offer a detailed understanding of the type, nature, and format of questions asked in the exam. Besides, they also explain to candidates the level of difficulty of questions from a particular section.
Helps in Finding Important Topics
Going through CDS question papers, candidates are able to find out the important topics. There are certain topics that are asked every year in the exam. Candidates can prepare those topics for the exam in priority.
Helps in Practice
We all know Practice Makes Man Perfect. The more candidates solve CDS question papers, the more they will be familiar with the type and nature of questions being asked in the exam. It will help candidates to learn time management during exams. It also improves the speed and accuracy of candidates.
Assesses Performance
CDS question papers help candidates assess their preparation and track their progress. It also helps in identifying the weak and strong areas. Accordingly, candidates can beef up their preparation to improve the weak areas.
Commonly asked questions
In the CDS exam, for the IMA, INA, and AFA, the paper has three sections, each consisting of 100 questions. One mark is awarded for each correct answer, and for the wrong answer, one-third of the mark will be deducted.
How to Challenge CDS Question Papers 2025?
Candidates have the facility to challenge CDS question papers released by UPSC. The process to challenge the question papers is given below:
- Candidates can challenge the question papers through Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep)
- For each exam, the commission has fixed a time frame of seven days
- To raise objections, candidates need to enter details like roll number, date of birth, and random image
- After entering these details, candidates must submit their challenges
Direct Link: to be updated here
Commonly asked questions
In the CDS exam (INA, AFA, and IMA), multiple-choice questions are asked in all the papers. The General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers will be available in both languages, Hindi and English.
In the CDS exam, the General Knowledge section consists of subjects including Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Defence-related knowledge, Sociology, Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), Environment, Sports, Culture, etc. It is advised to the candidates to analyse the CDS exam and solve previous year question papers.
CDS Exam Pattern 2025
CDS 1 exam 2025 will be conducted offline. The exam for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA) comprises three sections. The test for these academies carries 300 marks. The exam pattern of the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) has two sections. The total marks for the exam are 200. Candidates qualifying for the written exam are called for SSB Interview.
Commonly asked questions
The CDS exam pattern has been divided into two categories- Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA). The exam taken for the IMA, INA, AFA is taken for three subjects- General Awareness, Mathematics and English. On the other hand, the OTA exam is taken for two subjects- English . and General Awareness. The exam pattern for these categories have been given below for the candidates: For IMA, INA and AFA: a)Total Number of Subjects: English. Elementary Mathematics and General Knowledge b) Time Duration: Six hours (2 hours for each paper) c) Maximum Marks: 300 marks (100 marks for each paper) For OTA: a) Total Number of Subjects: English . and General Knowledge b) Time Duration: Four hours (2 hours for each paper) c) Maximum Marks: 200 Marks (100 marks for each paper). .
Here are some effective ways to revise for the CDS exam:
- Make notes: Making notes is an effective way to revise for the CDS exam. While preparing for the exam, make notes of important concepts, formulas, and key points. These notes will help you revise quickly and efficiently.
- Revise regularly: Regular revision is essential for retaining the information and concepts. Schedule regular revision sessions to go through your notes, study material, and sample papers.
- Solve previous year question papers: Solving previous year question papers is an effective way to revise for the CDS exam. It will help you understand the exam pattern, types of questions asked, and improve your time management skills.
- Use flashcards: Flashcards are an effective way to revise important concepts and formulas. Write down the important concepts and formulas on flashcards and revise them regularly.
- Practice mock tests: Mock tests are an effective way to revise for the CDS exam. They will help you evaluate your performance, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your time management skills.
- Discuss with peers and mentors: Discussing the concepts and solving problems with peers and mentors is an effective way to revise for the CDS exam. It will help you clarify your doubts and get feedback on your performance.
Remember, revision is an ongoing process, and you should allocate enough time for it in your overall preparation strategy. Also, make sure to focus on understanding the concepts and not just memorizing them.
CDS Syllabus 2025
Commonly asked questions
The authority released the CDS 2025 syllabus along with the notification. Candidates who are preparing for CDS exam 2025 must follow the syllabus to prepare for the exam. The CDS syllabus is divided into two categories-
a) INA (Indian Naval Academy), IMA (Indian Military Academy), and AFA (Air Force Academy)
b) OTA (Officers Training Academy)
The syllabus for the IMA, INA and AFA comprises three sections English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. Further, the syllabus for OTA comprises English and General Knowledge. OTA exam syllabus does not have a Maths section
To get the detailed syllabus for INA, IMA and AFA click on the refer to the link below: https://www.shiksha.com/exams/cds-exam-syllabus.
Was CDS 2 Paper 2024 Easy?
Commonly asked questions
Get prep tips, practice papers, exam details and important updates
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Answered a week ago
The CDS 2 2025 admit card will be released around one week before the exam date. It will be released on the official website. Eligible candidates will be able to download their e-admit card from the official website by using their login credentials. The UPSC CDS 2 2025 exam is scheduled to be conduc
J
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
No. The commission released the notification for the CDS 2 exam 2025 on May 28, 2025. Candidates can apply for the designated exam centres across India as mentioned in the notification. The list of exam centers has been mentioned in the notification. Exam centres are allotted on a first-apply-first
K
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
Yes, the UPSC will release the CDS admit card a few days before the exam. The admit card will consist of the exact address and name of the exam centre.
J
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has launched a new Online Application Portal to streamline the registration process for all exams. The new portal is live at upsconline.nic.in and replaces the older One-Time Registration (OTR) module, which now will no longer be functional. As per the offi
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
Candidates can provide their preference in the application form for the CDS exam by choosing the IMA, INA, AFA, OTA.
M
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
Candidates required a lot of details while filling out the CDS 2025 application form. Candidates can check below the list of required documents:
- Adhaar Card
- Class 10th, 12th roll number
- Academic certificates of Bachelor's and Master's degrees
- Caste Certificate
- Scanned copy of signature, photograph, and
C
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
Scroll down to know the steps to fill out the application form for the CDS exam:
- Go to the official website for application
- Log in to your registered account or register for the OTR (the steps to register for UPSC OTR have been given below in the article)
- Click on the CDS exam link
- Fill out the details
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Candidates can check below the steps to make corrections in the CDS 2 application form:
- Visit the official website
- Click on the link available for CDS 2 form correction
- Log in to the registered account using login credentials
- Make corrections to the CDS 2 application correction
- Save and print a copy of
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
The Commission will release the CDS 2 2025 notification on May 28, 2025 at upsconline.nic.in. The online application link is available from May 28 to June 20, 2025. Candidates can download notification via direct link provided below.
I
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
To register for OTR, the candidates can check below the steps:
- Go to the official website- upsconline.nic.in
- Click on the new registration tab
- Fill out the details- Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Mobile number, Email Id, etc.
- Enter the captcha
- Click on Submit
- OTP will be sent to your registered mo
V
Beginner-Level 5
When will the CDS 2 2025 admit card be released?