CDS 1 Exam Date 2025, Check Exam Schedule and Timings

The Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) has released the schedule for the 2025 Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam. The CDS 1 exam will be held on 13 April 2025, for which the online application window will open on 11 December 2024. Candidates will take this offline exam at designated centers across the country. Early preparation is the key to success, which includes thoroughly understanding the syllabus, exam pattern, and guidelines provided by the UPSC. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the CDS 1 exam 2025, including important dates, exam timings, and strategies for effective preparation.

CDS 1 Exam Date 2025

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam, conducted by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC), is a national entrance examination for individuals aspiring to join the Indian Defence Forces. The exam is conducted annually to select candidates for officer roles, with successful candidates receiving high-quality training at prestigious institutes such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA). In the 2025 cycle, the UPSC will soon release the official CDS notification, detailing the eligibility requirements, available posts, salary structures and exam formats.

CDS 2025 Exam Date: Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will issue the notification for CDS 1 2025 on 11 December 2024, signaling the beginning of the online application process. Candidates will have until 31 December 2024, to submit their application forms for the CDS 1 exam. Below is a concise summary of the application process and other relevant recruitment details. For further information, refer to the table below.

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.