CDS 2 2025: Eligibility, Age Limit, Exam Date, Syllabus & Medical Standards

So, you planning to take a shot at the CDS 2 2025 exam? Well, great choice The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is one of the most sought-after opportunities for those looking to join the Indian Armed Forces. And guess what? CDS 2 2025 is just around the corner.

Let’s dive deep into everything you need to know about CDS 2 2025 – eligibility, age criteria, exam schedule, the full syllabus, and of course, the medical standards you need to meet.

Who Can Apply for CDS 2 2025?

First things first, who is eligible? The CDS 2 2025 eligibility criteria are straightforward, but it’s important you go through them carefully.

Nationality:

Indian citizen.
Or a subject of Nepal.
Or a person of Indian origin who migrated from select countries (like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya etc.) with the intention of settling in India.
Indian citizen.
Or a subject of Nepal.
Or a person of Indian origin who migrated from select countries (like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya etc.) with the intention of settling in India.

CDS 2 2025 Educational Qualification:

- For IMA & OTA: A degree from a recognised university.
- For INA: Engineering degree.
- For AFA: Degree with Physics & Maths in 10+2 or a B.E/B.Tech.
Oh, and if you’re in the final year of your graduation, you can apply too, but make sure you have the degree certificate by the course start date. Also, women are only eligible for the OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) course.

CDS 2 2025 Age Limit (Let’s Break It Down)

Alright, now the age talk. This part can be confusing sometimes, so let’s simplify it:

Academy	Age Range	Gender & Marital Status
IMA	2 July 2002 to 1 July 2007	Unmarried Male Only
INA	Same as IMA	Unmarried Male Only
AFA	2 July 2002 to 1 July 2006 (or 2 July 2000 if CPL holder)	Unmarried < 25, Married ≥ 25 (but can’t live with spouse during training)
OTA (Men)	2 July 2001 to 1 July 2007	Unmarried Male Only
OTA (Women)	Same as OTA Men	Unmarried Women, widows or divorcees without children

Important note: If you’re married and under 25, not happening. Defence forces have strict rules on this during training.

CDS 2 2025 Exam Date (Mark Your Calendar!)

Time to whip out your planner. Here’s the exam timeline you shouldn’t miss:

Notification Released: 28 May 2025
Last Date to Apply: 20 June 2025 (till 11:59 PM)
Exam Date: 14 September 2025 (Sunday)
Admit Card: Available a week before the exam on UPSC’s website

Don’t wait until the last moment to apply. Popular exam centers fill up real quick!

CDS 2 2025 Syllabus & Paper Pattern

Here comes the main part. If you’re aiming to crack CDS 2 2025, you need to know the syllabus inside-out.

For IMA, INA, and AFA:

English (100 marks, 2 hours)
General Knowledge (100 marks, 2 hours)
Elementary Mathematics (100 marks, 2 hours)

For OTA:

English (100 marks, 2 hours)
General Knowledge (100 marks, 2 hours)

Yep, no maths for OTA. Lucky, huh?

Each paper is objective type (MCQ-style). There’s negative marking too – 0.33 marks deducted for every wrong answer. So guess wisely.

Quick Subject Breakdown:

English: Grammar, comprehension, sentence correction, and vocabulary.
General Knowledge: Current events, history, geography, science.
Maths: Based on Class 10 level. Includes algebra, arithmetic, geometry, mensuration, and trigonometry.

Pro tip: Focus on previous year papers. CDS pattern is pretty consistent year to year.

CDS 2 2025 Medical Standards

Here’s where many aspirants lose out – the medical test. So don’t ignore this part.

What to Expect:

A full physical check-up at a military hospital.
Height, weight, eyesight, hearing, and dental hygiene will be tested.
For Air Force, there’s an additional CPSS (Computerized Pilot Selection System) test.

Basic Guidelines:

Height: Minimum 157.5 cm for males (may vary slightly for wings).
Vision: 6/6 or 6/9 corrected vision for most roles.
Hearing: Should be normal in both ears.

Eye surgery? Color blindness? May be disqualifying depending on the academy. Oh, and tattoos. They’re generally allowed only on the inner forearms and certain tribal cases.

Important: Even if you crack the written and SSB, medical unfitness will get you rejected.

What's the Selection Process Like?

Selection Process is divided into 4 parts:

1. Written Test (CDS 2 2025 you’re prepping for)

This is the first hurdle and is conducted by UPSC. You’ll need to perform well in:

English
General Knowledge
Elementary Mathematics (only for IMA, INA, AFA)

Remember, the test is objective type and includes negative marking, so accuracy matters. Scoring high here ensures you get shortlisted for the next big thing: the SSB.

2. SSB Interview – A 5-Day Personality & Intelligence Test

The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview is honestly the real game-changer. It’s not a traditional interview; it’s a five-day long, rigorous mental, emotional, and psychological evaluation.

Let’s break it down:

Day 1: Screening Test

OIR Test (Officer Intelligence Rating): Basic verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions.
PPDT (Picture Perception and Discussion Test): You’ll see a blurred image for 30 seconds. Then, you’ll write a story and later discuss it in a group.

This is the elimination round. Only those who clear Day 1 stay for the next four days.

Days 2 to 4: Psychological, Group & Personal Interviews

Psychological Tests: Includes TAT (Thematic Apperception Test), WAT (Word Association Test), SRT (Situation Reaction Test), and SDT (Self Description Test). These reveal your subconscious thoughts and decision-making.
GTO Tasks (Group Testing Officer):
- Group discussions
- Group planning exercises
- Progressive group tasks (PGT)
- Command task
- Final group task
- Lecturette

These activities check how you behave in a group, your communication, team spirit, and leadership.

Personal Interview: Conducted by an interviewing officer. Questions can range from your education, hobbies, family, current affairs to why you want to join the defence forces. They may grill you, be casual, or go deep into any topic — be honest and stay calm.

Day 5: Conference Round

This is when all assessors – Psychologist, GTO, and IO – come together and decide your fate. You’ll face a panel and they might ask simple questions like your experience during the SSB or current news. It’s brief but crucial.

Only those with officer-like qualities (OLQs) as per their holistic evaluation are recommended.

3. Medical Exam

If you clear the SSB, congrats – but you’re not done yet, You now go through a full medical check-up at a military hospital. It covers:

Physical fitness
Vision and hearing standards
Blood/urine tests
Mental health assessment

Unfit candidates can appeal and go for re-examination.

4. Merit List (based on marks in written + SSB)

Finally, UPSC combines your written exam marks and SSB performance to prepare the merit list. Medical fitness is mandatory, but the final selection depends on your rank and number of vacancies.

Even if you’re medically fit and cleared the SSB, if your marks don’t make the cut, you might not get a call letter. So, consistency across all stages is key!

Need Help Preparing?

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Cracking CDS exam takes the right strategy, discipline, and the right guidance. That’s where Noval Doon Defence Academy steps in.

We provide the best CDS coaching designed for serious aspirants just like you. From top-notch faculty and structured study plans to mock tests and personalized mentorship – we’ve got your back.

Join Noval Doon Defence Academy and take your first step toward becoming a future officer.

Final Thoughts on CDS 2 2025

All in all, CDS 2 2025 is your golden ticket to an adventurous and respectable career. Whether it’s the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, or OTA – there’s a place for everyone who’s determined and eligible.

Start your prep early, revise smart, and take care of your fitness. Remember, getting selected is not just about being book-smart. It’s about having the right mindset and dedication. So lace up, stay focused, and go give CDS 2 2025 your best shot. Jai Hind

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