Home / Exams / UPSC / CDS

UPSC CDS 2025

Combined Defence Services — IMA · INA · Air Force Academy · OTA
Graduation Required Age: 19–25 (varies) ~400 Vacancies/Cycle Held Twice a Year
300
Total Written Marks (IMA/INA/AFA)
200
Total Written Marks (OTA)
900
SSB Interview Marks
₹56,100
Starting Pay (Lt.)

Eligibility

EducationGraduation (stream varies)
IMA / OTA Age19–25 years
INA Age19–25 years
AFA Age19–24 years (PCM)
Marital StatusUnmarried (IMA/INA/AFA)
GenderMale & Female (OTA)

Written Papers

English100 marks, 120 Qs, 2 hrs
General Knowledge100 marks, 120 Qs, 2 hrs
Elementary Maths100 marks, 100 Qs, 2 hrs
Maths (OTA)Not applicable
Negative Marking⅓ per wrong answer

Academies

IMAIndian Military Academy, Dehradun
INAIndian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
AFAAir Force Academy, Hyderabad
OTAOfficers Training, Chennai

Application Fees

General / OBC / EWS₹200
SC / STNil
Female (all)Nil
Ex-ServicemenNil
ModeOnline only

Academy Comparison

AcademyServiceEducationPapersCourse
IMAIndian ArmyAny GraduationEnglish + GK + Maths1.5 years → Lieutenant
INAIndian NavyB.E./B.Tech (Engg)English + GK + Maths2 years → Sub-Lieutenant
AFAIndian Air ForceB.Sc PCM or B.TechEnglish + GK + Maths3 years → Flying Officer
OTAArmy (SSC)Any GraduationEnglish + GK only11 months → Lieutenant

Selection Process

1

Written Exam

English + GK (+ Maths for IMA/INA/AFA). Shortlists for SSB.

2

SSB Interview (5 days)

Screening, psychology, group tasks, personal interview, conference.

3

Medical Exam

Stringent medical fitness standards set by respective service HQ.

4

Merit & Joining

Combined merit of written + SSB. Academy joining instructions issued.

English (100 Marks · 120 Qs · 2 Hours)

Graduation level▼

Grammar & Usage

  • Spotting Errors
  • Sentence Improvement
  • Active / Passive Voice
  • Direct / Indirect Speech

Vocabulary

  • Synonyms & Antonyms
  • One-word Substitution
  • Idioms & Phrases
  • Word order / Fill in blanks

Comprehension

  • Reading Passages
  • Inferential Questions
  • Summary & Precis

General Knowledge (100 Marks · 120 Qs)

Class 10–Grad level▼

History

  • Indian History & Culture
  • Modern History & Freedom Struggle
  • World History (broad)

Geography

  • India & World Geography
  • Physical, Economic & Human
  • Climate & Resources

Polity & Economy

  • Indian Constitution
  • Governance & Policies
  • Budget, RBI, Economic Terms

Science & Current Affairs

  • General Science (Physics/Chem/Bio)
  • Defence & National Events
  • Sports, Awards, Books

Elementary Mathematics (100 Marks · 100 Qs — IMA / INA / AFA only)

Class 10 level▼

Arithmetic

  • Number System
  • Fractions, Decimals, HCF/LCM
  • Percentage, Profit & Loss
  • Ratio & Proportion
  • Simple & Compound Interest

Algebra & Geometry

  • Basic Algebraic Identities
  • Linear Equations
  • Lines, Angles, Triangles
  • Circles & Mensuration

Statistics

  • Data Collection & Tabulation
  • Frequency Distributions
  • Bar Charts, Pie Charts
  • Mean, Median, Mode

Progress: 0 / 0 tasks done

Week 1 — English & Mathematics

7 days▼

Week 2 — General Knowledge

7 days▼
Score: 0 / 0

CDS I 2024 Notification

Published on upsc.gov.in

Dec 2023

CDS I 2024 Written Exam

English, GK and Maths papers

21 Apr 2024

CDS I 2024 SSB Interviews

At 5 SSBs across India

Jun–Oct 2024

CDS II 2024 Notification

Second cycle notification

May 2024

CDS II 2024 Written Exam

Held across centres India-wide

1 Sep 2024

CDS I 2025 Notification

Expected — monitor upsc.gov.in

~Nov–Dec 2024

CDS I 2025 Written Exam

Expected approx.

~Feb–Apr 2025

Get instant CDS alerts. We notify you the moment UPSC publishes CDS notifications, admit cards and results.

Get Alerts