CDS 2 Exam Day Guidelines 2025: Check Code of Conduct for Exam, Schedule & Timings
Combined Defence Services Exam 2026 ( CDS )
Exam On - 12 Apr '26
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 |
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.
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.
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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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 2 weeks 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 6
Answered 2 weeks 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
Answered 2 months ago
After qualifying the SSB round, the selected candidates need to undergo a medical examination. A candidate is declared medically fit or unfit after the result announcement. After qualifying all the selection rounds they will go for training.
C
Contributor-Level 6
The Commission released the CDS 1 notification at upsconline.nic.in. It was released on December 10, 2025. The CDS 1 2026 application dates are December 12 to December 30, 2025. The UPSC CDS 1 exam will be held on April 12, 2026. On the other hand, CDS 2 notification will be announced on May 20, 2026 and the last date to apply will be June 9. The CDS 2 2026 exam will be conducted on September 13, 2026.