CDS 2 Exam 2025 (OUT): Exam (14 sept), Admit Card & 453 Vacancies

CDS 2 Exam Highlights

CDS 2 Exam 2025

The CDS 2 exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is done for candidates who are aiming to join the Indian Armed Forces through various academies like the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. For the 2025 cycle, the official notification was released on 28 May 2025. The applications for it started from 28 May 2025 to 17 June 2025 (extended till 20 June 2025). The admit cards for it are expected to be made available on 4 September 2025 with the examination scheduled to be conducted on 14 September 2025. In this cycle, the exam is being held for the recruitment of a total of 453 vacancies.

The application process is done in online mode on the UPSC's official , where the candidate swill have to register, then fill out the personal and academic details, upload required documents, and pay a INR 200 fee (if applicable). The exam consists of a two-stage selection process: first, a written test conducted in pen-and-paper mode, followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview. The written exam includes subjects like English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics (Maths is only for IMA, INA, and AFA applicants). Each incorrect answer results in a deduction of 1/3rd mark.

CDS 2 Admit Card 2025

The CDS 2 admit card is release by UPSC few days before the exam whic is set to occur on 14 September 2025 in threes shifts on the same day. Based on the previous trends the admit car will be released on 4 September 2025 (tentative). 

It contains all the important information like:

• Name of the candidate
• Candidate date of birth
• Signature and photograph of the candidate
• Exam centre date and time
• Exam centre code
• Exam day guidelines

The admit card is important for the candidates who are going to appear in the exam as it is a mandatory document for entering the examination centre. Candidates are required to carry a hard copy of it along with the photo identity card and two passport size photographs. 

CDS 2 Answer Key 2025

The UPSC will release the CDS 2 answer key after the exam are held on the 14 September 2025. The tentative date for the release of the aIt consists of correct answers for all questions asked in the written exam of all the subjects like english, generla knowledge, and mathematics. Unofficial keys are released immediately after the exams are held by different coaching institutes, while the official answer key is published few days later on the UPSC website https://upsc.gov.in/examinations/answer-key. 

All the correct answer to the questions asked in the exam are mentioned in the CDS 2 answer key. It helps the candidates cross check their response with official answer key and estimate their approximate score in the exam.

CDS 2 Result 2025

The CDS 2 Result is released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in two stages: first, the written exam result will be declared on 1 October 2025 (tentative), and later, the final merit list will be made publis after the SSB interview. The result is published in the PDF format on the official UPSC website, comprising of the roll numbers and names of candidates who have qualified for the next stage. For CDS 2 2025, the written exam is scheduled for September 14, 2025 after which qualified candidates will be called for SSB round.

Candidates can view their results by downloading the PDF and using the search function (Ctrl+F) to find their roll number or name in the list. Those who qualify the written exam must then register for the SSB interview round and submit relevant documents. The final result, which includes marks from both the written exam and SSB interview, are expected to be released in early 2026.

CDS 2 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The CDS 2 exam consists of questions from english, general knowledge. And mathematics subject. Each section is of 2 hours duration and consist of 100 marks. Candidates are awarded +1 for every correct answer and .33 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer. The detailed marking scheme and exam pattern are mentioned below:

For IMA, INA, and AFA

For OTA (Men & Women)

CDS 2 Syllabus 2025

The CDS 2 syllabus is released by UPSC on its official website. It comprises of topics from english, general knowledge, and mathematics. The OTA has a slightly different syllabus as compared to the other academies. The detailed syllabus is mentioned below.

For IMA, INA, and AFA

For OTA (Men & Women)

CDS 2 Exam Eligibility Criteria

The UPSC sets the eligibility criteria for all the candidates who want to appear for the CDS 2 exam. The CDS paper 2025 date is set to be conducted on 14 September 2025 in three shifts. The eligibility criteria for the exam is as follows:

General Eligibility

• Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement. Persons of Indian origin who migrated from select countries are also eligible, provided they have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
• Age Limit: Varies by academy:
• IMA/INA: Candidates between the age of 19 to 24 years of age.
• AFA: Candidates between the age of 19 to 24 years (up to 26 years for CPL holders).
• OTA (Men): Unmarried males with age between 19 to 25 years.
• OTA (Women): Unmarried women, with age between 19 to 25 years of age.

• Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried. Male divorcees and widowers are not considered unmarried and are therefore ineligible.

2. Educational Eligibility

• IMA & OTA: A degree from a recognized university or its equivalent.
• INA: An engineering degree from a recognized university/institution.
• AFA: A degree from a recognized university (Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.

3. Special Eligibility

• Physical Standards: Candidates must be physically fit according to the physical standards set by UPSC. This includes height, weight, vision, and general health parameters.
• Medical Fitness: A thorough medical examination is conducted during the SSB process. Candidates must meet the medical standards for their respective academies.

CDS 2 Application Form 2025

The CDS 2 Application Form was made public on 28 May 2025, along with the official notification by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Candidates who want to fill the application form had until 20 June 2025 (extended deadline) to complete the application. Admit cards are expected to be available from September 7, 2025, ahead of the written examination scheduled on September 14, 2025. The application form for the exam is INR 200 for the general category/OBC studntes and female/SC/ST candidates are exempted for paying the application fee. The application form will be considered complete once the application fee is submitted by the candidate. 

The application process consists of two stages: Part I requires candidates to fill out the basic information such as their name, date of birth, educational qualifications, and preferred academies. Part II includes uploading of their photograph and signature in the format mentioned in the notification, selecting the exam center, and making the payment of the application fee. After successfully submitting, candidate will receive a confirmation message, and they will have to download or print the application form for future reference. 

CDS 2 Cutoff 2025

The CDS 2 cutoff 2025 marks are the minimum 20% marks a candidate has to score in the exam in order to be eligible for the next round of the recruitment process. CDS 2 is released by the UPSC once the recruitment cycle is completed on their official website. The cutoffs for the previous year is mentioned below. 

CDS 2 Selection Process 2025

The CDS 2 exam consists of two step selection process in which first step is of written exam, where the candidate has to give the written exam and if qualified then they would be called for the next SSB round. In SSB round they would then be tested on different parameters. The final merit list will be prepared after the SSB round is completed. The UPSC will conduct the recruitment process by following the below mentioned steps.

Step 1: Written Examination- Candidates will have to give a offline test consisting of multiple choice questions from subjects like English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics (Math is only for IMA, INA, AFA).

Step 2: Result Declaration- The UPSC will release a list of qualified candidates based on their performance in written exam.

Step 3: SSB Interview- Shortlisted candidates will be the called for a two-stage personality and intelligence assessment by the Services Selection Board (SSB).

Step 4: Medical Examination- Candidates declared successful in the SSB round will then be tested for physical and medical fitness.

Step 5: Final Merit List- It will be prepared based on the marks in the written exam and SSB interview. The medically fit candidates will then be selected for training in the academy.

CDS 2 Exam Important Dates 2025