CDS 2 Exam Day Guidelines 2025: Check Code of Conduct for Exam, Schedule & Timings
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
UPSC released the CDS 2 2025 exam day guidelines along with the admit card on the official website at upsc.gov.in. The exam is scheduled to be conducted on September 14, 2025. Check below CDS exam day guidelines to know the dress code, important documents required, and many more.
CDS Exam Day Guidelines
CDS 2 exam day guidelines 2025 released by the Commission. The CDS 2 2025 exam will be held on September 14, 2025. CDS exam time for English paper will be 9.00 am to 11.00 am, 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm for GK, and 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm for Elementary Mathematics. Candidates who will appearing for the CDS exam must carefully go through the CDS 2 exam day instructions and guidelines that will be issued by the UPSC. This will help candidates avoid any last-minute mistakes or confusion. Candidates must abide by the CDS exam day guidelines 2025, ranging from the dress code to the required documents to carry stationary items that are needed during the exam, and so on. Go through the CDS exam day guideline 2025 to know about what to bring, what not to bring, during the exam, and general tips for the entrance exam.
Also Read: CDS 2 2025 Exam Analysis Live Updates
- CDS Shift Timing 2025
- CDS Exam Day Guidelines 2025
- CDS Exam Pattern
CDS Shift Timing 2025
CDS shift timing for different subjects is given below for the candidates. Along with the CDS shift timings, the candidates must check the CDS exam schedule below:
| Paper | Exam Timings |
|---|---|
| English | 9.00 am to 11.00 am |
| GK | 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm |
| Elementary Mathematics | 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm |
It is not mandatory to join a coaching institute for the preparation of the CDS 2026 exam. Candidates should focus on understanding the concepts and practising them. However, the decision to join a coaching institute or not depends upon the individual requirements, available resources, etc.
UPSC released the final merit list for the CDS 2 2024. A total of 574 candidates comprising 510 men and 64 women qualified for admission to the OTA, Chennai. Candidates who are selected will be inducted into the 122nd Short Service Commission Course (Non-Technical) for Men and 36th Short Service Commission Women (non-Technical) course, both scheduled to commence in October 2025.
CDS Exam Day Guidelines 2025
Candidates can check below CDS exam day guidelines released by the UPSC.
- UPSC CDS 2 admit card released by UPSC. Candidates should check the e-admit card carefully and bring discrepancies, if any, to the notice of UPSC immediately.
- Candidates should mention their name, roll number, registration ID, name and year of exam while raising any issue with UPSC.
- Candidates must bring their admit cards along with the original photo identity card. Candidates must preserve their admit cards till the declaration of final results.
- Candidates must enter the exam hall at least 30 minutes before the scheduled commencement of the CDS exam. Entry to the examination venue closes 10 minutes prior to the scheduled commencement of the exam in each session.
- Candidates should note that they will not be allowed to appear at any other venue except the venue mentioned in the e-admit card.
- Mobile phones, calculators, or any electronic gadgets are not allowed inside the exam centre premises.
- There is a penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers marked by a candidate in the objective-type question papers.
Also Read: CDS 2025
- Answers should be marked by a black ballpoint pen.
- Candidates are advised not to bring any valuables/costly items to the examination hall.
- Candidates whose photographs on the e-admit card are not clear, have to bring photo-identity proof such as an Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Passport, Voter Card, and three passport-size photographs one for each session for appearing in the exam with an undertaking.
- Wearing of mask/face cover is mandatory for all candidates. Candidates without masks/face covers will not be allowed entry into the exam centre.
- Candidates will have to remove their masks for verification, whenever required by the examination functionaries.
- Candidates need to carry their own hand sanitizers (small size) in a transparent bottle.
- Candidates need to follow personal hygiene inside the CDS exam centre.
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Yes, candidates are allowed to wear masks at the CDS exam centre. In fact, wearing a mask is mandatory as per the guidelines issued by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Candidates should ensure that they wear a mask covering the nose and mouth at all times while at the exam centre. Candidates are also advised to carry an extra mask and a small bottle of hand sanitizer for their personal use. The exam authorities may also follow other safety protocols, such as thermal scanning, social distancing, and sanitation of the exam hall and other related areas. Candidates should follow the instructions and guidelines issued by the exam authorities and cooperate with them to ensure the safety of everyone present at the exam centre. It's important to note that any violation of the safety protocols or guidelines may lead to disqualification from the exam and other penalties as per the rules and regulations of the UPSC. Therefore, candidates should strictly follow the safety protocols and guidelines issued by the exam authorities and the government to ensure a safe and smooth exam experience.
CDS Exam Pattern
The CDS exam pattern is divided into the written exam and SSB interview. The UPSC CDS exam pattern of written exam for IMA, INA, AFA is different from OTA. The written exam of IMA, INA, and AFA comprises three sections- English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The total marks allotted to the test are 300. The total exam duration for IMA, INA, and AFA is six hours (each section is for two hours). The written exam of OTA comprises two sections- English and General Knowledge. The total marks allotted to the written exam of OTA are 200. The duration of the written exam is four hours (each section is for two hours). The standard of the topics in the CDS syllabus for Elementary Mathematics is of Class 10 level. The standard of papers for other subjects is of graduation level.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Here are the list of some of the books which can help candidates in their preparation.
- 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 Yesterday
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 Yesterday
It is recommended to the candidates to reach the CDS exam centre at least one hour prior to the reporting time. The CDS exam centre allotment is done on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
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 Yesterday
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 Yesterday
The steps 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 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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