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 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
- 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
CDS 2 Exam Timings 2025
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.
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
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
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 |
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
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.
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.
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.
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

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Student Forum
Answered 6 days 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
Answered 2 months ago
Some of the books, help candidates in their CDS preparation are given below:
- 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 2 months ago
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 2 months ago
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.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
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 2 months ago
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 2 months ago
The methods 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 months 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 months ago
The CDS exam is conducted offline or pen and paper mode. Objective questions will be asked in the examination. Candidates need to mark their choices of answers in the sheet that was provided during the exam. CDS 1 2026 notification released on December 10.
J
Contributor-Level 6
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25

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.