CDS Selection Process 2025: Written Test, SSB Interview & Document Verification

Selection is done based on the written exam and SSB Interview.

• SSB Interview is a two-stage process
• Candidates need to secure CDS cut off marks to qualify for each stage of selection
• Candidates are assigned All India Ranks based on their merit
• The allotment is done on merit-cum-preference basis
• In the subject of written exams, candidates need to secure 20 per cent
• All candidates need to undergo training for certain period

Candidates can check below the stages under the CDS selection process below:

• In the first stage of CDS selection process, candidates have to attempt three papers for selection in Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA) whereas Officers Training Academy (OTA) candidates have to attempt only two papers
• In the second stage of CDS selection process, candidates have to appear for SSB interview where they are assessed on the basis of intelligence, personality and psychological aptitude. 
• Candidates qualifying both the stages are required to undergo training at IMA, INA, AFA and OTA
• Any graduate candidate can apply for the exam

What are the CDS stages before the exam?

The CDS stages begin with the release of the notification for the CDS exam. The CDS is taken twice a year and the selection process is repeated in same order for both cycle.

CDS Notification 

The UPSC releases the notification for the CDS exam twice a year. The notification for the CDS exam is released one after the conduction of the previous cycle. T

CDS Application Form

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) releases CDS application form online. Any graduate candidates are eligible to apply for the exam. The application fees are INR 200 and female/SC/ST candidates are exempted from paying the fees.

CDS Admit Card

CDS admit card is issued for written exam by UPSC. All registered candidates can download the admit card from the official website using their registration number or roll number. SSB Interview call letter is issued after the declaration of CDS result of written exam. Qualified candidates can download the call letter for SSB Interview from the respective websites of Army, Navy and Air Force.

CDS Written Exam

The written exam of Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA) comprises three sections. The exam for OTA comprises two sections. The total marks for admission to IMA, INA and AFA carries 300 marks while it is 200 for admission to OTA.

Also Read:

CDS exam pattern

CDS syllabus

CDS Result

CDS result for written exam is declared online. The roll numbers of qualified candidates are made available in PDF. Those qualifying the written exam are called for SSB Interview. 

SSB Interview

The SSB procedure consists of two-stage Selection process-stage I and stage II. Only those candidates who clear the stage I are permitted to appear for stage II.

Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT). Stage II Comprises of Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference.

Also Read: How to Crack CDS SSB Interview?

Final Selection

The candidates will be placed in the order of merit on the basis of the total marks secured by them in the written examination and in the SSB tests. The final selection will be made in order of merit subject to medical fitness and the number of available vacancies.

The first stage of CDS 2025 selection process is the written test which includes three papers-English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for admission in IMA, INA and AFA

• For admission to Officers' Training Academy, candidates have to appear for two papers only-English and General Knowledge
• CDS written exam is objective in nature and time allotted to each paper is two hours
• Candidates who will qualify the written exam will become eligible for the second stage of the CDS selection process, i.e. interview

The second stage of CDS selection process is the SSB interview:

• CDS Interview is a five-day process and is held in two stages
• Candidates are judged physically, mentally and psychologically 
• Candidates need to clear stage 1 inorder to be shortlisted for stage 2
• The Officer Intelligence Rating & Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT) is a one-day programme. Candidates are scrutinsed based on verbal and non-verbal abilities

Check below the details related to Officer Intelligence Rating and PPDT:

Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)

The Officer Intelligence Rating test is the first part of Stage 2 of SSB Interview. The test comprises two sections- Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning. 

Verbal Reasoning Section

A total of 50 questions are asked from the Verbal Ability Reasoning section in the OIR test. Candidates will be given 30 minutes to complete the test and then proceed to the Non-Verbal Reasoning Section.

Non-Verbal Reasoning Section

In this section, candidates are asked to attempt 50 questions within 25 to 30 minutes.

Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)

This section assesses the candidate's memory retention along with the abilities to comprehend situations. Candidates are given only 30 seconds to observe a hazy picture and expound on it within three minutes. Within this time frame, candidates have to focus on the following parameters:

• Age
• Sex
• Mood
• Character
• Past (what happened in the picture situation just before the click)
• Present (what events currently take place)
• Future (what will happen next in the picture)

The SSB interview schedule for the CDS exam is given below.

Note: If the candidates do not get their interview call letter before the CDS interview then the candidates are advised to contact the exam authority as soon as possible or they will not be allowed in the CDS interview. The contact details for the CDS exam authority has been given below for the ease of the candidates:

Army HQ/Rtg. (CDSE Entry/ SSC Women Entry for Officers Training Academy)

175, West Block-III,

Ramakrishnapuram, New Delhi- 110066

OR contact on telephone No. 26176028

The candidates appearing for the CDS Air force and Navy Interview they will have to contact the Air Force Head Quater. 

On successful commissioning, the stipend given to Gentlemen or Lady Cadets during the entire duration of training in service academies at IMA and OTA is INR 56,100. At the Indian Military Academy, candidates are given military training for a period of 18 months. On successful completion of training, Gentlemen Cadets are granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Lt. subject to medical fitness. Candidates joining INA will be under probation till the completion of initial training.  The cadets are commissioned in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant after successful completion of approximately 18 months of training. The approximate duration of training for Flying Branch (Pilots) at the Air Force Academy is 74 weeks.

Refer CDS Selection Process 2025 FAQs Here