UPSC CDS Exam Date 2025: Check CDS 1 & CDS 2 Exam Schedule

The UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam 2025 is a crucial opportunity for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces. Staying informed about the important dates helps aspirants plan their preparation and application process effectively. Below is a table listing the key dates for CDS 2025, including notification release, application deadlines, and exam dates for both CDS 1 and CDS 2.

Event	CDS 1 2025	CDS 2 2025
Notification Release Date	6th February 2025	7th July 2025
Last Date to Apply	26th February 2025	27th July 2025
Exam Date	7th April 2025	14th September 2025
Result Declaration	May 2025 (Tentative)	October 2025 (Tentative)

Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria for the CDS 2025 selection process, encompassing physical standards, nationality, educational qualifications, and age limits as outlined by the UPSC. It is imperative for applicants to satisfy these conditions to progress in the selection process:

Candidates must meet specific physical fitness criteria outlined in the official CDS notification for admission to the Combined Defence Services (II). Armed Forces Medical Services Medical Officers conduct thorough medical examinations, and the Board of Medical Officers’ decision is final. Candidates need to be in good physical and mental health, free of any condition that could hinder military duties in various environments and situations.

• Male candidates must be at least 157 cm tall, with exceptions for Gorkhas and candidates from specific regions.
• Female candidates must be at least 152 cm tall, with exceptions for Gorkhas and candidates from specific regions.

Visual Standards

Candidates must not have any eye defects. Refractive surgery (PRK/LASIK/SMILE) is allowed for all branches except special forces personnel like submarines, divers, and MARCO. Radial Keratotomy disqualifies candidates for recruitment. In summary, candidates must be physically and mentally fit, meeting specified height, weight, and visual standards, with exceptions for certain regions and special forces personnel.

Nationality

To qualify for the CDS 1 exam 2025, candidates must be either:

• Citizens of India
• Subjects of Nepal/Bhutan
• Tibetan refugees who migrated to India before January 01, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement.

CDS Educational Qualification

Educational criteria for different job posts are as follows:

Academies	Educational Qualification
Indian Air Force Academy	Candidates must have a degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.
Indian Military Academy & Officers’ Training Academy	Candidates must have a degree or equivalent from a recognized university
Indian Naval Academy	Candidates must have an engineering degree from a recognized university or institute.

CDS Age Limit 2025

The commission has established a fixed age limit for all posts. Aspirants must fall within the specified criteria, failing which their candidature can be canceled at any stage of the selection process. The CDS age limit 2025 for all posts is 20 to 24 years, implying:

• For IMA, INA, and AFA: Candidates must be born between 2nd January 2002 and not later than 1st January 2007.
• For the Officers’ Training Academy (Men and Women), Candidates must have been born between 2 January 2000 and 1 January 2006.

CDS Syllabus 2025 : Click to Check

CDS Salary 2025

During the training period, officers at the equivalent levels in the Army, Navy, and Air Force will receive a fixed stipend, currently set at ₹56,100 per month.

CDS Officer Salary at Different Ranks

CDS Salary for officers varies for the different ranks. Below we have discussed the CDS Salary at different ranks

Rank	Level	CDS In Hand Salary
Lieutenant	10	₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500
Captain	10B	₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900
Major	11	₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200
Lieutenant Colonel	12A	₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400
Colonel	13	₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900
Brigadier	13A	₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600
Major General	14	₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200
Lieutenant General HAG Scale	15	₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100
HAG+Scale	16	₹2,05,400 – ₹2,24,400
VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG)	17	₹2,25,000/- (fixed)
COAS	18	₹2,50,000/- (fixed)

CDS Career Growth and Promotion

The career growth and promotions for CDS officers during their tenure are as follows:

• Lieutenant: Promotion after completion of training.
• Captain: Two years of commissioned service.
• Major: Six years of commissioned service.
• Lieutenant Colonel: Thirteen years of commissioned service.
• Colonel: Fifteen years of commissioned service.
• Colonel (TS): Twenty-six years of commissioned service.
• Major General: Twenty-five years of commissioned service.
• Brigadier: Twenty-three years of commissioned service.
• Lieutenant General: Twenty-eight years of commissioned service.
• General: No restrictions.

CDS 1 2025 Important Instructions

• Write only in black ballpoint pen.
• In the appropriate space on the answer sheet, provide your Centre and subject, followed by the CDS 2025 test booklet series (in brackets), subject code, and the exam roll number.
• Encode your CDS 2025 booklet series (A, B, C, or D), subject code, and roll number in the circles provided on the answer sheet.
• If the CDS booklet series is not printed on the test booklet or the answer sheet is unnumbered, report immediately to the invigilator for replacement.
• Any omission/mistakes/discrepancy in encoding/filling details, especially Roll Number and Test Booklet Series Code, may lead to rejection of the answer sheet.
• Before starting the CDS 2025, check the test booklet for any unprinted, torn, or missing pages/items. If found, replace it with a complete test booklet of the same series and subject.
• Do not write your name or anything other than the specific items of information on the CDS answer sheet/test booklet/sheet for rough work.
• Do not fold, damage, or put extraneous markings on the CDS Answer Sheet. Avoid writing on the reverse side of the answer sheet.