CDS 1 Exam Date 2025, Check Exam Schedule and Timings

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the schedule for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination 2025. The CDS 1 exam is scheduled for 13 April 2025, with the online application process commencing on 11 December 2024. The exam will be conducted offline at various centers across the country. To excel, candidates should focus on early preparation by familiarizing themselves with the syllabus, exam pattern, and UPSC guidelines. This guide provides detailed insights into the CDS 1 exam 2025, covering key dates, timings, and preparation strategies to help you succeed.

CDS 1 Exam Date 2025

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam, conducted by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC), is a gateway for individuals aspiring to join the Indian Defence Forces as officers. This exam, conducted every year, facilitates the selection of candidates for higher training at institutes such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA). For the 2025 cycle, the official UPSC CDS notification is expected to be released soon, providing detailed information about the eligibility criteria, vacancies, salary package and exam pattern.

CDS 2025 Exam Date: Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is set to release the notification for CDS 1 2025 on 11 December 2024, marking the start of the online application process. Interested candidates will have until 31 December 2024 to complete and submit their applications. A summary of the application process and key recruitment details is provided below for your convenience.

CDS 1 2025 Exam Date

The key dates for the CDS 1 exam are outlined in the table below. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the exam dates for both CDS 1 2025 and CDS 2 2025. Let’s take a closer look at each set of important dates.

CDS 2 2025 Exam Date

Here are the recently announced important dates for the CDS 2 2025 exam. The department has confirmed both exam dates, providing candidates with essential timelines for their preparation.

CDS 1 Admit Card 2025

The UPSC CDS 1 2025 application forms will be made available in December 2024 on the official UPSC website, upsc.gov.in. Candidates can expect to receive their admit cards about one week before the exam date, which will be conducted in offline mode. For candidates applying to the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy, the exam duration will be 6 hours. On the other hand, candidates applying for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) will have 4 hours to complete the exam, focusing only on two subjects: English and General Knowledge.

CDS 2025 Exam Timings and Schedule

For candidates preparing for the CDS 2025 examination, the schedule and important guidelines have been provided to facilitate a smooth testing experience. It is crucial for candidates to plan to arrive at their designated exam center at least 30 minutes before their session starts, as entry gates will close strictly 10 minutes prior to the beginning of each shift.

The CDS exam will be conducted in three sessions:

• Shift I: The English examination is scheduled for all candidates from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
• Shift II: The General Knowledge (GK) exam, also mandatory for all candidates, will take place from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
• Shift III: The Elementary Mathematics paper is set for 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM but is required only for candidates who are not applying for the Officers Training Academy (OTA).

Candidates are advised to carefully plan their arrival and be well-prepared for each shift’s requirements to ensure a smooth examination experience.

CDS Exam Centre 2025

The CDS exam is conducted at multiple locations across India, and candidates will be informed about their designated exam center through their admit card. The complete list of available exam centers will also be provided in the official notification for candidates to consult. During the application process, applicants will have the option to select their preferred exam center. To make the exam more accessible, the CDS 1 2025 exam will offer a wide range of centers across the country, allowing candidates to choose the most suitable location as per their convenience while filling their applications.

CDS 2025 Important Dates

As you prepare for the CDS 2025 exam, staying informed about important dates is crucial. Keeping track of these key deadlines will help you plan your preparation more efficiently and stay on top of your goals. Although the official notification will be released later this year, the exam date has already been confirmed.

CDS 2025 Exam Day Guidelines

The most important thing on the day of the exam is to follow the right guidelines. Defence Adda247 will make you aware of the important guidelines of the exam. It is important that candidates are aware of these guidelines beforehand. The things to keep in mind on the day of the exam are as follows:

• Candidates must bring their CDS Exam Admit Card with them.
• Check the information on the admit card properly so that there is no error of any kind.
• Along with the admit card, also bring a document like Aadhaar Card, Driving License, or Voter ID for your identification.
• Carrying any book, paper, calculator or other items in the examination hall is prohibited.
• Rough sheets, if required, will be provided by the exam centre, so avoid bringing your own rough sheets.

CDS 2025 Exam Pattern

The CDS examination consists of several subjects, each with a designated time limit and maximum marks. The English paper will be allotted 2 hours and is worth 100 marks. Similarly, the General Knowledge and Mathematics papers each have a 2-hour duration and are each worth 100 marks. Following the written exam, candidates who qualify will proceed to the SSB Test/Interview, which spans 5 days and is evaluated out of a total of 300 marks.