The CDS 1 2025 exam was conducted on April 13, 2025. The CDS 1 2025 Answer key PDF for Maths, English, and General Knowledge is shared in the article for the candidates. Candidates can download the CDS 1 2025 exam unofficial answer key for all sets that is released by Major Kalshi Classes.
CDS 1 2025 Answer Key by Major Kalshi
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted to recruit Commissioned Officers for the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and OTA. The CDS 1 2025 exam was conducted on April 13, 2025. The CDS exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service. Candidates are chosen based on a written exam, followed by an SSB interview for IQ and personality. Following the end of an exam, many institutes offer an unofficial CDS answer key to assess performance. Major Kalshi is one of them. It also publishes the answer key for the CDS Written Exam 2025 following the exam. Scroll down to learn more about CDS 2025, as well as direct access to the answer key.
Also Read:
CDS 1 2025 English and GK Question Paper Analysis And Answer Key
- CDS 1 & 2 Exam
- CDS 1 Exam 2025: Highlights
- How to Download CDS 1 Answer Key 2025 by Major Kalshi?
- CDS 1 Question Paper PDF Download 2025
- Previous Years CDS Question papers and Answer Keys
- How to calculate scores using CDS Answer Key 2025?
- What is CDS Salary?
CDS 1 & 2 Exam
The UPSC conducts the CDS exams twice a year, namely CDS 1 and CDS 2. The CDS 1 exam, is held for courses beginning in January at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, and the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, as well as courses beginning in April at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. CDS 2 is, on the other hand, conducted for courses beginning in July at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, and the Officers Training Academy in Chennai.
Also Read: CDS Maths Question Paper 2025
Commonly asked questions
Candidates can download the answer key of CDS as given below.
- Click the given links for the UPSC CDS answer key.
- On a new page, the answer key opens in PDF format.
- Download the answer key and save it.
The authority (UPSC) will release the CDS answer key for the written examination on the official website.
The CDS 1 2026 answer key will be released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on its official website a few days or a couple of weeks after the exam is over. Several coaching institutes may also release the unofficial CDS answer keys shortly after the conduction of an exam.
No. The CDS 2026 answer key will not be the same for all the subjects. The separate answer keys will be released for each subject. Candidates need to download it via matching their question paper set to calculate their scores.
CDS 1 Exam 2025: Highlights
Below is mentioned in detail about the CDS 1 Exam including exam level, frequency, stages, mode, etc.
| Parameters |
Details |
|---|---|
| Name of exam |
Combined Defence Services Examination |
| Conducted by |
|
| Exam Level |
National |
| Exam frequency |
Twice a year (April and September) |
| Exam mode |
Offline |
| Exam stages |
Written exam and SSB Interview |
| Exam timing |
The time allotted to each paper such as English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics is two hours |
| Language of question paper |
English and Hindi |
| No of questions |
Elementary Maths: 100 General English: 120 General Knowledge: 120 |
| Total marks |
Written Exam IMA, INA and AFA: 300 OTA: 200 SSB Interview IMA, INA and AFA: 300 OTA: 200 |
| Marking scheme |
One mark for the correct answer 0.33 marks deducted for wrong answers |
How to Download CDS 1 Answer Key 2025 by Major Kalshi?
Below, the steps are mentioned to download CDS answer key 2025 by Major Khalsi:
- Visit our Shiksha website where direct links to download the CDS 1 answer key PDF have been provided.
- Select your Question Paper Set-A/B/C/D
- CDS 1 answer key 2025 will be displayed as per your question paper on the screen.
- Download the CDS 1 answer key and save it for future reference and comparison.
Also Read: CDS Cut Off 2025
CDS 1 Answer Key by Major Kalshi Classes 2025
Candidates can check below answer key by Major Kalshi classes.
| CDS 1 2025 Paper | CDS 1 2025 Answer key PDF |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 English Answer Key (All Set) | |
| CDS 1 General Knowledge Answer key (Set B) | |
| CDS 1 Maths Answer Key (Set D) | Download Here |
CDS 1 Question Paper PDF Download 2025
The candidates will be able to download the CDS 1 question paper on April 13, 2025, in the table below:
| CDS Question Paper | CDS Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 English Question Paper | |
| CDS 1 General Knowledge Question Paper | Download Here (Set B) |
| CDS 1 Maths Question Paper | Download Here (Set D) |
Previous Years CDS Question papers and Answer Keys
candidates can check below the previous years CDS exam question papers and answer key.
| CDS Question Paper | CDS Question Paper PDF 2024 |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 English Question Paper | |
| CDS 1 General Knowledge Question Paper | |
| CDS 1 Maths Question Paper | Click Here |
CDS 2 Answer Key by Major Kalshi Classes 2024
The unofficial answer key by the Major Khalsi Classes will be provided after the exam is concluded. The CDS answer key PDF will be provided in the table below:
| Paper |
All Sets Answers |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 English Answer Key (All Set) |
|
| CDS 2 GK Answer Key (Set A) |
Available Soon |
| CDS 2 Maths Answer Key |
Available Soon |
| Paper |
All Sets Answers |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 English Answer Key (All Set) |
Click Here |
| CDS 1 GK Answer Key (Set A) |
Click Here |
| CDS 1 Maths Answer Key |
Available Soon |
CDS 2 Question Paper PDF Download 2023
The candidates can download the CDS 2 question papers in the table given below:
| CDS Question Paper | CDS Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 English Question Paper | Click Here |
| CDS 2 General Knowledge Question Paper | Click Here |
CDS 1 Question Papers 2023
The candidates can check the CDS 1 Question papers for English, Maths General Knowledge in the table below:
| CDS Question Paper | CDS Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 English Question Paper | Download Here |
| CDS 2 General Knowledge Question Paper | Download Here |
| CDS 1 Maths Question Paper | Download Here |
CDS 2 Answer Key 2023 (Unofficial)- Download Link
Major Khalsi released the unofficial answer key for CDS 2 for Maths, English, and GK all set so that students can calculate their approximate scores. The official answer key will be released by the commission after the time for raising objections is over. For the ease of candidates, we will provide the direct link to download the pdf answer.
| Paper |
All Sets Answers |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 English Answer Key |
Click Here |
| CDS 2 GK Answer Key |
Click Here |
CDS 1 Answer Key 2023 (Unofficial)- Download Link
Major Khalsi released the unofficial answer key for CDS 1 for Maths, English, and GK all set so that students can calculate their approximate scores. The official answer key will be released by the commission after the time for raising objections is over. For the ease of candidates, we will provide the direct link to download the pdf answer.
| Paper |
All Sets Answers |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 English Answer Key |
Download Here |
| CDS 1 GK Answer Key |
Download Here |
| CDS 1 Maths Answer Key |
How to calculate scores using CDS Answer Key 2025?
Candidates need to follow the marking scheme to calculate the scores prescribed by the examination authority.
- There is a penalty for wrong answers, and for the correct answer, the candidate will allot the marks assigned to the particular question.
- There is a negative marking for an incorrect answer. 1/3 marks are deducted as per the CDS exam pattern.
- If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer and a penalty of 1/3 marks will be deducted.
- If a candidate does not attempt a question, then there will be no penalty for that question.
- The scores of a candidate will be calculated by the UPSC, which is based on the number of correct answers after applying the penalty for wrong answers.
Also Read:
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
1 Apr '26 - 30 Apr '26
1 Apr '26 - 30 Apr '26
20 May '26
9 Jun '26
7 Apr '26 - 21 Jun '26
21 Jun '26
19 Jul '26
22 Aug '26 - 23 Aug '26
30 Sep '26
6 Oct '26 - 5 Nov '26
What is CDS Salary?
The candidates can check the stipend and the salary of the CDS posts according to their levels in the table below:
| Rank |
Level |
Salary (In INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant |
Level 10 |
56,100 -1,77,500 |
| Captain |
Level 10 B |
61,300- 1,93,900 |
| Major |
Level 11 |
69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel |
Level 12A |
1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel |
Level 13 |
1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
| Brigadier |
Level 13A |
1,39,600-2,17,600 |
| Major General |
Level 14 |
1,44,200-2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale |
Level 15 |
1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
| HAG Scale |
Level 16 |
2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) |
Level 17 |
2,25,000 (fixed) |
| COAS |
Level 18 |
2,50,000 (fixed) |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
There are various coaching institutes for CDS in Dehradun. Some of them are Doon Defence Dreamers, Centurion Defence Academy, Brigadier Defence Academy, etc. It will be better to visit personally to the coaching institutes in Dehradun, take the reviews regarding faculties, infrastructure, requiremen
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
Doon Defence Dreamers as per the results and reputation is considered to be the top choice institute for the CDS preparation. But before joining any institute, it will be better to visit the campus in Dehradun, evaluate the faculty, infrastructure and the guidance provided there.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
There are several CDS coaching institutes in Dehradun which provides comprehensive written and SSB guidance. Some of the academies are mentioned below:
Centurion Defence Academy
Prasad's Banking SSC and CDS Coaching Institution
Major Kalshi Classes
Dehradun Defence School, etc.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
The top CDS coaching institute in Dehradun include Cadets Defence Academy, often recognised for high selection rates and tailored SSB training, and Dehradun National Academy of Defence (DNAD). Candidates can check below for some of the other notable institutes -
1. Centurion Defence Academy
2. Doon De
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
In the CDS exam, a good score varies as per the academy. Generally as per the experts, 120 to 150+ in the written exam for IMA/INA/AFA and 90 to 110+ for OTA are considered to be the good score along with the strong SSB performance. Also, cutoff changes every year and candidates required a minimum
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Generally, the CDS 1 exam is considered to be moderate to difficult level as the syllabus is vast and consists of challenges which are subject specific. But as per the previous year trend it is moderate in difficulty level. With proper strategy, consistency and hard work exam can be cracked by the c
C
Contributor-Level 6
Role: Editorial Domain
Education: Mass Com & Journalism, MSC Mathematics
Expertise: Sarkari Exam Expert
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Shikha Goyal is a double post graduate with more than 12 years of experience in education domain, journal
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