CDS Recruitment 2025: Check Vacancies, Selection Process & Exam Dates
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
CDS Recruitment 2025: To choose applicants for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy (OTA), CDS recruitment is performed. The hiring process happens twice a year. The CDS 1 2025 application process was started from December 11, 2024 to January 1, 2025. The CDS 1 2025 notification was released on December 11, 2024. The CDS 1 2025 exam was conducted on April 13, 2025. Candidates can download their admit card from the official website. On the other hand, the CDS 2 2025 notification was released on May 28, 2025. The CDS 2 registration process was started from May 28 to June 17, 2025. The CDS 2 2025 exam was held on September 14, 2025.
- CDS Recruitment Application Process 2025
- CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026
- CDS Recruitment Vacancies 2025
- CDS Recruitment Exam Pattern 2025
- CDS Recruitment Syllabus 2025
- CDS Recruitment Selection process 2025
CDS Recruitment Application Process 2025
Registration: 10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25
Commonly asked questions
Candidates can check below the methods to make corrections in the CDS 1 application form 2026:
- Visit at upsc.gov.in
- Click on the link available for CDS 1 form correction
- Log in to the registered account using login credentials
- Make corrections to the application form
- Save and print a copy of the modified copy of registration form
- Log out from the registered profile
Candidates can provide their preference in the application form for the CDS exam by choosing the IMA, INA, AFA, OTA.
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026
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 |
|---|---|
| 09 Oct ' 25 | CDS 2 2025 Result |
| 14 Sep ' 25 | CDS 2 Exam 2025 |
| 04 Sep ' 25 | CDS 2 2025 admit card |
CDS Recruitment Vacancies 2025
The candidates can check the approximate CDS 2 vacancy 2025 breakdown in the table below. The vacancy was released for both male and female candidates:
| CDS 2 Vacancy 2025 |
|
|---|---|
| Academy |
No. of approximate Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun –161st (DE) Course commencing in July 2026 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders] |
100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course commencing in July, 2026 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders and 02 for Hydro] |
26 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in July, 2026 i.e. 220 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry] |
32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 124th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in October, 2026.. |
276 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 124th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in, October, 2026. |
19 |
| Total |
453 |
The vacancies for the respective defence academies were released along with the CDS notification. Check the vacancies of the CDS 1 2025 in the table below:
| CDS 1 Vacancy 2025 |
|
|---|---|
| Academy |
No. of approximate Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun - 160th (DE) Course commencing in January 2026 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders] |
100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course commencing in January, 2026 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders] |
32 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January, 2026 i.e. No. 219 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry] |
32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 123rd SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in April, 2026. |
275 |
| Officers Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 37th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April, 2026. |
18 |
| Total |
457 |
Also Read: CDS Vacancies
Commonly asked questions
The Commission released the CDS 1 and 2 exam date at upsc.gov.in. The CDS 1 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026 and the CDS 2 on September 13. Candidates must be aware that these dates are released by the UPSC.
CDS Recruitment Exam Pattern 2025
The written exam of IMA, INA, and AFA comprises three sections. Candidates carries 300 marks, each paper is conducted for two hours. The question paper for OTA comprises two sections. The total marks for the test are 200. Each paper is conducted for two hours. SSB Interview for IMA, INA, and AFA is for 300 marks each while for OTA it is 200.
CDS Negative Marking Scheme
The competitive exam conducted by the UPSC follows a negative marking scheme as the CDS exam. 1/3 marks are deducted as a penalty for wrong answers in the CDS exam. The candidates are advised to answer the questions which are they sure of or they penalised for the wrong answer.
Also Read: CDS Exam Pattern
Commonly asked questions
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
The duration of each subject paper in the CDS 2026 exam is mentioned below.
1. For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy: English, General Knowledge and Mathematics all have two hours duration.
2. For Officers' Training Academy (OTA)-English and GK for both separately 2 hours duration
CDS Recruitment Syllabus 2025
CDS syllabus comprises topics from the subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The standard of Elementary Mathematics is of Class 10 level. The standard of other subjects is of Graduation level.
| Subjects | Topics |
|---|---|
| English |
The question paper is designed to test the candidates’ understanding of |
| General Knowledge |
Economics, Physics, Current Affairs, Politics, History, Geography, Sociology, etc |
| Elementary Mathematics |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, etc |
Commonly asked questions
The CDS 2026 exam dates were released by the authority. In the last month of the preparation, candidates should focus more on revision of all the important topics. Give test regulary. Revise and update yourself with current affairs. Maintain physical and mental health. Take proper sleep. Revise and practice previous year question papers. Also, focus on time management, etc.
CDS Recruitment Selection process 2025
CDS selection process includes the written exam and SSB Interview. On the basis of the marks of the written exam, candidates are selected for SSB Interviews. Candidates qualifying for the SSB Interview are recommended for final selection. Candidates are offered admission based on the marks of the written exam, SSB Interview, ranks, medical fitness, and vacancies.
Commonly asked questions
The UPSC will release the CDS 2026 admit card at upsc.gov.in. The CDS 1 exam is scheduled to be conducted on April 12, 2026 and CDS 2 on September 13.
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
Some of the books, help candidates in their CDS preparation are given below:
- High School English Grammar & Composition Edition by Wren and Martin
- Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- English Grammar & Composition by S.C Gupta
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The authority released a total of 453 vacancies for the CDS 2 exam 2025 for admission to the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy for courses.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
It is advised to the candidates to reach the CDS exam centre one hour before the given time. They should carry hall ticket along with them otherwise they will not be able to give the exam.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Yes, the English section of the CDS exam is scorable if it is prepared properly. Usually the difficulty level of the exam is moderate.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Candidates can check the cut off marks for the CDS exam by visiting the official website at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC will release the cutoff according to the academy or course.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The methods to check the CDS cut off marks is provided below:
- Visit at upsc.gov.in.
- Click on the :Examination" tab.
- Go to the "Cut Off Marks" dropdown menu.
- Click on the download link and save it for future reference.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month 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 a month ago
The CDS exam is conducted offline or pen and paper mode. Objective questions will be asked in the examination. Candidates need to mark their choices of answers in the sheet that was provided during the exam. CDS 1 2026 notification will be released on December 10.
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months 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
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
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What are the best books for the English subject for CDS preparation?