CDS 2 2025 Exam Shift Timings OUT for September 14: Check GK, English and Maths Schedule

Combined Defence Services Exam 2026 ( CDS )

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CDS 2 Application Process 2026

20 May '26 - 9 Jun '26

Shikha
Shikha Goyal
Assistant Manager
Updated on Sep 14, 2025 01:47 IST
Union Public Service Commission will conduct the CDS 2 exam on September 14, 2025 in three shifts as usual. The exam will be scheduled to be taken from 9.00 am to 11.00 am for the morning session, 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm for the afternoon, and 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Check the shift timings and other details in the article here.

CDS 2 2025 exam will be held by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on September 14, 2025, in three shifts- morning, afternoon, and evening. CDS exam timing for the morning shift is 9.00 am to 11.00 am, 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm for the afternoon shift, and 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm for the evening shift. The authority released the admit card. Check details here.

CDS Shift Timings 2023, CDS 1 Exam, CDS 2023, CDS 2 Exam

CDS Shift Timings 2025

CDS 2 Exam 2025: The Commission released the CDS 2 2025 exam schedule and shift timings. On September 14, 2025, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2025. Candidates can read the entire article to get information related to the CDS Shift Timings 2025. Also, to find eligible applicants for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Navy Academy, etc. The CDS exam is held twice a year. Candidates can go through the thorough information about the CDS 2 Shift Timings 2025, important details related to the exam, and more.

Also Read: CDS 2 2025 Exam Analysis Live Updates

Table of contents
  • CDS 2 Exam Timings 2025
  • UPSC CDS Exam 2025
  • CDS 2 Shift Timings: Exam Date 2025
  • CDS 1 Application Form
  • CDS 2025 Recruitment Process
  • CDS Result Declaration
  • CDS SSB Interview for UPSC
View More

CDS 2 Exam Timings 2025

For admission to the Indian Military, Navy, and Air Force Academies, the written test is the first stage of the CDS Exam 2025 selection process. Candidates must enter the examination room at least 30 minutes before the exam start time. Also, the entrance to the examination hall is closed for each session, ten minutes before the scheduled start time. The CDS 2 paper timing for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics has been mentioned below:

English

Elementary Mathematics

General Knowledge

9.00 am to 11.00 am

4.00 pm to 6.00 pm

12.30 pm to 2.30 pm

Also Read: UPSC CDS Maths Question Paper 2025

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the CDS 2026 exam dates?
A: 

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. 

Q:   When will the CDS 1 2026 exam be conducted?
A: 

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.

Q:   Will the UPSC notify candidates about the exact centre location for CDS exam?
A: 

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.

Q:   What documents do I need to carry to the CDS exam centre?
A: 

Candidates need to carry the following documents to the CDS exam centre
1. CDS Admit Card
2. Photo ID Proof
3. Two passport size photographs

UPSC CDS Exam 2025

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) holds a national-level competitive examination twice a year to choose candidates for positions in the armed forces, including the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Naval Academy, and Officer Training School. UPSC CDS Exam 2025 is one of the prestigious exams that offer all applicants the chance to join one of India's three military forces through this exam. Even though there are varied eligibility conditions for recruitment in the three Indian Armed Forces Academies, the candidates who ace all of them are considered eligible for the CDS 2025.

In the case of IMA, INA, and AFA, the UPSC CDS Exam is divided into three sections: English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. The only subjects tested on the OTA are English and General Knowledge. Each CDS paper is divided into sections that last two hours each.

Also Read: CDS Syllabus 

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CDS 2 Shift Timings: Exam Date 2025

The CDS 2 exam is scheduled for September 14, 2025. The details of the CDS 2 2025 exam is provided below in the table.

CDS 2 Application CDS 2 Admit Card CDS 2 Exam Date 
10-Dec-2025 to 30-Dec-2025 Released 14-Sep-2025
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the prohibited items in the CDS exam centre?
A: 

There are some of the items that candidate can not take with themselves while giving the CDS examination. Such items are mobile phones, laptops, tablets, calculators, etc. That is electronic items are not allowed. If any of the candidate found with such items in the exam centre then he or she will not be allowed to sit in the exam.

Q:   At what time should the candidate reach the CDS examination centre?
A: 

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.

Q:   How do I download the UPSC CDS 2026 recommended marks?
A: 

Candidates can download the UPSC CDS 2026 recommended marks by the following manner:

  • Visit at upsc.gov.in.
  • Click on the CDS 2026 recommended marks link.
  • Click on the PDF link.
  • The marks PDF will appear on the screen. 
  • Download and save it for later use.
Q:   Is CDS 2 2025 exam dates released?
A: 

Yes, the authority released the CDS 2 exam dates, notification at upsc.gov.in. The CDS 2 exam was conducted on September 14, 2025. Also, the CDS 2 notification was released on May 28. The last date to apply was June 17.

CDS 1 Application Form

The CDS application was made available online. The CDS application form 2025 is divided into two sections. Candidates must register, select their desired branches, confirm the information, and create their registration ID in the first section. Candidates must pay the application cost, choose their exam centre, and upload scanned copies of their photo and signature in the second section.

Also Read: UPSC CDS GK Question Paper 2025

CDS 2025 Recruitment Process 

CDS Exam 2025 is conducted for recruitment in the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), and Indian Air Force Academy (IMFA) after passing through the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam. Once the candidate clears the written exam, candidates will be contacted for an interview and medical assessment before a final decision is made. Continue reading to learn about crucial dates for the CDS exam and CDS Shift Timings 2025.

Also Read: UPSC CDS English Question Paper 2025

CDS Result Declaration

The written exam and final selection results are announced separately in two steps. The final result is declared by the commission after the CDS result for the written exam has been made public. The CDS results are released in PDF format that comprises: the roll numbers of the shortlisted candidates, the name of the candidates, and their date of birth.

The candidate who passes the first stage of the CDS exam is called for a personal interview, which will assess their psychological aptitude, personality, and IQ, during the second step of the hiring process. Candidates who will take the CDS exam can view their UPSC CDS 2025 results on the official website.

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CDS SSB Interview for UPSC

By logging on to the website, candidates who pass the CDS written exam can download the call letter for the SSB interview. The SSB interview call letter will provide the reporting date and time. The following documents should be carried by the selected candidates:

  •         Call letter for SSB
  •         Matriculation or 10th-grade passing mark sheet.
  •         Intermediate, 12th grade, or equivalent diploma.
  •         Carry an original certificate of graduation with grades.
  •         A certificate of post-graduation degree and grade reports/mark sheet (if mentioned in the qualification field in the application form).
  •         NCC credentials (if necessary); Identification documentation, such as a passport, voter ID card, PAN card, or Aadhaar card.
  •         The Principal must issue a certificate to the final-year students or applicants whose results are pending.
  •         The five-day SSB interview will include a number of examinations, including intelligence tests, psychological tests, group testing officer tasks (GTO tasks), and others

Read More: CDS Exam Pattern 2025

About the Author
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Shikha Goyal
Assistant Manager

Role: Editorial Domain

Education: Mass Com & Journalism, MSC Mathematics

Expertise: Sarkari Exam Expert

About

Shikha Goyal is a double post graduate with more than 12 years of experience in education domain, journal

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Answered 3 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

...Read more

C

Chanchal Shekhar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 3 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

Manisha Singh

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 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

Satyendra Garg

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 3 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

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

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

...Read more

S

Shikha Shukla

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

...Read more

C

Chanchal Shekhar

Contributor-Level 6