The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is one of the most popular ways to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as an officer. Conducted by UPSC twice a year, the exam is open to graduates and final-year students who dream of serving the nation.
In this article, we break down the CDS 2 2025 exam pattern, eligibility, and selection stages in simple terms.
CDS 2 2025 Eligibility Criteria
| Entry | Qualification Required | Age Limit | Gender |
| IMA (Army) | Graduate (any stream) | 19–24 years | Male |
| INA (Navy) | B.E./B.Tech | 19–22 years | Male |
| AFA (Air Force) | B.E./B.Tech or Physics+Maths | 20–24 years | Male |
| OTA (Officers Training Academy) | Graduate (any stream) | 19–25 years | Male & Female |
Final-year students are also eligible to apply.
CDS Exam Pattern
| Academy | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
| IMA/INA/AFA | English, GK, Mathematics | 100 each | 2 hours each |
| OTA | English, GK only | 100 each | 2 hours each |
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer
- Objective-type paper (OMR)
Selection Process
- Written Exam by UPSC
- SSB Interview (5-day process)
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List
SSB is the same for all branches, but only candidates who clear the written exam are called for it.
