First things first, let’s start with the simplest possible question: what exactly is the CDS exam? “CDS” is an acronym for “Combined Defence Services” Examination. The “Combined Defence Services”Examination (CDS) is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy.

Officer Training Academy (CDS OTA) is cpnducted in offline mode (pen-paper based) test consisting of objective type questions to test a candidate’s English and General Awareness. The only major difference between CDS-OTA paper and CDS Exam for NDA, IMA and IAF is that the former does not have a Mathematics section while all the latter do.

Officer Training Academy is one of the most renowned training establishments of the Indian Army. It totally focuses on training officers for short service commission. Individuals who aspire to serve and protect their country are always welcomed at the two campuses of the Academy, one at Chennai and the other at Gaya. The expected vacancies offered by the academy will be around 200.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

CDS Nationality Criteria

For CDS exam, the candidate should be a subject/citizen of any 1 of the following countries/regions:

1. A citizen of India
2. A subject of Bhutan
3. A subject of Nepal
4. A Tibetan refugee who came to India before July 1, 1962 with the intention of permanently setting in India.
5. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka or East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or from Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
   Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (b), (c), (d) and (e) shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India

CDS Educational Qualification

All the candidates should have completed their Graduation or should be appearing for the final year degree examination. The individual educational qualification required for each institution is discussed below.

• I.M.A. and OTA: Degree of a recognized University or equivalent.
• Indian Naval Academy (INA):  Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution.
• Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

Note: The candidates who are in the final years of their Degree Course and have yet to pass the final year Degree examination are also eligible to apply. Such candidates are required to submit the proof of passing the requisite qualifying examination by a date to be specified in the Commission’s Notice for the Examination.

CDS 2025 Age and Marital Status Criteria

The candidate should go through the cut off dates for age limit and marital status criteria before filling the online Application form for CDS examination1:

For Indian Military Academy (IMA): The candidate falling in the age group of 19 – 24 Years i.e. they are born not earlier than January 2, 2001 & not later than January1, 2006 only. The candidate should also be unmarried to be considered eligible.

CDS 2025 Physical Criteria

To be applying for the Defence services the basic and the most important criteria for a candidate is to be physically and mentally fit. It is a category on which the candidate can look forward to serve its country in a way they want to.

It is a vital eligibility criterion for a CDS 2025 candidate. He/ she should have good mental as well as physical health. Mentioned below are the Physical as well as mental guidelines to be followed by the candidates for the CDS 2025:

Physical Standards for CDS exam 2025

• It is advisable for the candidate to get oneself medically examined before filling application form. It is because if due to some reason the candidate was found unfit, he/ she wouldn’t be an eligible candidate. Hence, all the effort of the candidate will go in vain.
• It is important for the candidate to have a body, which is free from any disease as well as free from any disability. If at all the candidate who might be unfit may apply for Appeal Medical Board (AMB) to be completed within 42 days of SMB.

Height and Weight Standard Eligibility Criteria

For Army and Navy Males

For Navy 45* and 47**

A ± 10% (for Navy) departure from the average weight given in the Table above is to be considered within normal limit. However, in individuals with heavy bones and broad built as well as individuals with thin built but otherwise healthy this may be relaxed to some extent on merit.

Before the SSB (Service Selection Board) interview the candidate should make sure of the following pointers:

Visual Standards for Air Force

• Candidates who habitually wear spectacles are not eligible for Air Force.
• Minimum distant vision 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other correctable to 6/6 only for

Hypermetropia Colour vision CP-1

• Hypermetropia: +2.0 d Sph
• Manifest Myopia: Nil
• Retinoscopic Myopia: –0.5 in any meridian permitted
• Astigmatism: +0.75 D Cyl (with + 2.0 D- Max)

Maddox Rod Test

(i) at 6 meters: Exo-6 prism D | Eso-6 prism | D Hyper-1 prism D | Hypo-1prism D

(ii) at 33 cms: Exo-16 prism D | Eso-6 prism D | Hyper-1 prism D | Hypo-1 prism D

Spinal Conditions for Air Force

Past medical history of diseases or injury of the spine or sacroiliac joints, either with or without objective signs which have prevented the candidate from successfully following a physically active life, is a case for rejection for commissioning in IAF. History of spinal fracture/prolapsed intervertebral disc and surgical treatment for these conditions will entail rejection. The following conditions detected during medical exam will disqualify a candidate for Air Force service.

(a) Granulomatous disease of spine

(b) Arthritis/Spondylosis

• Rheumatoid arthritis and allied disorders
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Osteoarthrosis, spondylosis and degenerative joint diseases
• Non-articular rheumatism (e.g. lesions of the rotator cuff, tennis elbow, recurrent lumbago etc.)
• Miscellaneous disorders including SLE, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, vasculitis.

(c) Spondylolisthesis/spondylolysis/spondylosis
(d) Compression fracture of vertebrae
(e)Scheurman’s desease (Adolescent Kyphosis)
(f) Loss of cervical lordosis when associated with clinically restricted movements of the cervical spine.

(g) Unilateral/bilateral cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological or circulatroy deficit.

Physical Conditioning:

Prospective candidates are advised to keep themselves in good physical condition by following the under mentioned routine:

• Running: 2 to 4 km in 15 minutes
• Pushups & Sit-ups: Minimum 20 each
• Chin ups: Min. 8
• Rope Climbing: 3 to 4 metres

Other Important Facts

The following conditions detected on X-ray examination will be disqualifying for entry to Army and Navy:

(a)  Granulomatous disease of spine.

(b)  Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis & allied disorders and ankylosing spondylitis

(c)  Scoliosis more than 10o degree as measured by Cobb's Method.

(d)  More than mild Kyphosis/Lordosis.

(e)  Spondylolisthesis/Spondylosis/Spondylolysis.

(f)  Herniated nucleus pulposes.

(g)  Compression fracture of Vertebra.

(h)  Sacralisation Disease.

(i)  Cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological or Circulatory deficit.

(j)  Presence of Schmorl's node at more than one level.

(k)  Atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial anomalies.

(l)  Incomplete Sacralisation Unilateral or Bilateral.

(m)  Spinabifida other than SV 1 and LV 5.

(n)  Any other abnormality, if so considered by specialist.

APPLICATION FEE AND INTIMATION CHARGE: (Non Refundable)

Application Fee: Candidates (excepting Female /SC/ST candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) are required to pay a fee of Rs.200/- (Rupees two hundred only) either by depositing the money in any Branch of SBI by Cash, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur/State bank of Hyderabad/State Bank of Mysore/State Bank of Patiala/State Bank of Travancore or by using Visa/Master Credit/Debit Card

No fee exemption is, however, available to OBC candidates and they are required to pay the full prescribed fee

Combined Defence Services (CDS) OTA Exam Pattern

Highlights of OTA Paper

The subjects of CDS OTA written exam, the time allowed and the maximum marks allotted to each subject is tabulated below:

I) Written Exam

The scheme of the CDS written exam (subject combination) is slightly different for admission to various academies:

The total marks for CDS written exam for Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy & Air Force Academy will be 300 marks.

The standard of the paper in Elementary Mathematics will be of class 10 level. The standard of papers in other subjects will approximately be such as may be expected of a graduate of an Indian University. The question papers for General Knowledge (GK) and Elementary Mathematics will be set in both Hindi and English.

II) SSB Interview

Candidates who qualify the written exam will have to appear before the Service Selection Board (SSB) for an interview (personality test.) You may have to appear in any of the 3 SSB centres in India: Allahabad, Bhopal or Bangalore.

The total marks for SSB round for Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy & Air Force Academy will be 300 marks.
The total marks for SSB round for Officers' Training Academy will be 200 marks.

The SSB shortlisting consists of two stages conducted over a total of 5 days. You need to qualify in stage-1 in order to further to stage-2. Details about these stages:

1. Stage 1 would include the following (Day 1):
a. An intelligence test known as "Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)" - there would be a verbal test and a written test
b. A "Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT)"- You would have to describe a picture that is shown for 30 seconds, writing in detail about whatever is shown in the picture. You would be given 4 minutes for the same.
c. After writing about the picture, all candidates would be divided into groups of 15 and would have to discuss about the same photograph and arrive at a common conclusion about it.

Stage 1 would be conducted over 1 day. Candidates who don't clear this stage, would be asked to go back.

2. Stage 2 would be conducted over 4 days and would consist of a variety of activities through which your personality would be judged by 3 different people viz an interviewing officer (IO), a group testing officer (GTO) and a psychologist:

Day 2:

Different types of "psychological tests" would be held:

• Thematic Apperception Test: The word "apperception" means to be fully aware of an idea or feeling. In this test, 12 pictures (that includes a blank image) would be shown.  Each of these pictures would be flashed for 30 seconds each and you would be given 4 minutes to write a story around the situation shown by these 12 images, what was going on in these pictures and what would be the final outcome. Fot the blank image, you have to imagine a picture of your choice and write a story about it.
• Word Association Test: 60 words would be flashed in front of you for 15 seconds each and you have to jot down the whatever comes to your mind about each word.
• Situation Reaction Test: You would be provided with a booklet that lists 60 everyday situations in life. You will have to respond to each situation by writing down how you would react (think/ feel/ act) in each case.
• Self Description Test: You will be required to write 5 paragraphs related to your opinion about your parents/guardian, friends, teachers/ superiors.

Day 3:

Various tasks would be conducted by a "Group Testing Officer" (GTO):

• Group Discussion: You would be given two topics (one on a social issue and one related to a current event) to discuss informally in a group. The group discussion on each topic will last 20 minutes. You are not expected to arrive at any definitive conclusion.
• Group planning exercise:  This exercise would be conducted as follows - a given model would be explained, the GTO would then read out its narrative, you would be then given 5 minutes to read it yourself. Another 10 minutes will be spent in writing your individual solution to the problem and the next 20 minutes would be spent discussion the solutions in a group. Whatever final solution/ conclusion is derived, would have to be narrated.
• Progressive group task: This will be an outdoor activity in which four obstacles with progressively increasing levels of difficulty must be completed in 40 - 50 minutes. Structures, helping material and load will be provided to the group.
• Group obstacle race: One group will be pitched against another group to cross a set of six obstacles with a snake like load to carry.
• Half group task: This would be similar to the progressive group task with helping material and load to be carried. Every group will be divided into two sub-groups and would be given the same obstacle in such a manner that when one group is working, the other group cannot see it.  Each group would have to complete the task in 15 minutes.
• Lecturette:  A lecturette means a "short lecture." This is not a group task. You would be required to give a short talk (on a topic that you may choose from 4 given topics) to the group.  You will be given 3 minutes to prepare for your lecturette. Topics may vary from "women empowerment", "yoga", "stem cell research", "capital punishment for rape" etc.

Day 4:

This day would consist of some more group tasks:

•  Individual Obstacles: A set of 10 obstacles (numbered from 1-10; each number denoting the pint it carries) would have to be tackled individually within 3 minutes.
• Command Task:  Each individual is selected as their group's leader for one task consisting of an obstacle to be completed in 15 minutes (like the Progressive Group Task)
• Final Group Task: This would include an obstacle similar to the Progressive Group Task, to be finished in 15 - 20 minutes.

Day 5:

There would be a closing address, a conference and announcement of results followed by dispersal.

During the "conference", all the three assessors I.E. psychologist, interviewing officer and GTO meet together to discuss each candidate's performance and decide their final result. To remove any doubt, you are called in, so that they can judge you one last time by asking a few questions.

The "interviews" are conducted from day 1-4  by the interviewing officers in the afternoon.

How to apply for CDS

The candidates, who are falling into the above eligibility criteria must visit on UPSConline.nic.in. The form is divided into 2 parts; Part 1 and Part 2. After visiting upsconline.nic.in

• Click on the CDS 1 2025
• Then a page will be displayed having instruction. Click on YES at the bottom of the page.
• Then carefully enter your personal information and contact details.
• Then give your preference for the services as per your eligibility and add your NCC details; if eligible.
• After completion of part one, you will be provided registration id which u have to use to go to part 2.
• In part 2, opt the medium of fees deposition.
• After depositing fees, upload your photo and sign with given dimensions, then select your exam center and submit the form.

Syllabus For CDS

Detailed Syllabus For Combined Defence Services (CDS) OTA Written Examination

CDS OTA English Syllabus

• English Section in OTA 2025 is a mixture of Vocabulary based, Grammar-based and Comprehension based questions.
• This paper is designed to test a candidate’s verbal reasoning as well as communication abilities.
• As for the Reading Comprehension part, questions are usually direct and to the point and the difficulty level is easy to moderate.
• There are 120 questions asked from this section.
• While the topics covered in this section are not that difficult but do require immense practice and good command over English language. 

CDS OTA Paper 2 Structure

Paper 2 is made of General Knowledge questions which is an important part of the exam and fairly difficult.

CDS OTA Syllabus: General Knowledge

The section that tests a candidates level of awareness within the country and worldwide as well.

• There will be static GK questions as well. Static GK signifies facts about the places, people and things that will remain same in the future as well.
• Questions are asked from the recent topics and current affairs broadly featuring between March 2025 and April 2025.

Tabulated below are some important topics that form CDS syllabus for GK section:

Admit Card for CDS

How to Download Admit Card

Step 1: Visit the UPSC official website- www.upsc.gov.in

Step 2: On the homepage, check the ‘What’s New’ Section and click on “e-Admit Card-CDS Examination (II) 2025” link.

Step 3: A new page will open, click on ‘Download’ link.

Step 4: Read all the instructions carefully. (Take a print out of the instructions, if needed)

Step 5: Click on yes and a new page will open

Step 6: Enter the following details in the fields provided.

• Registration number and date of birth OR
• Roll number and date of birth OR
• Name, Father’s Name, and date of birth

Step 7: After filling the details, click on the ‘submit’ tab.

Step 8: The online Admit card for CDS 2025 will appear on the screen.

Step 9: Download and print copies of the same. Admit card should be preserved for future correspondence.

First things first, let’s start with the simplest possible question: what exactly is the CDS exam? “CDS” is an acronym for “Combined Defence Services” Examination. The “Combined Defence Services”Examination (CDS) is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy.

Officer Training Academy (CDS OTA) is cpnducted in offline mode (pen-paper based) test consisting of objective type questions to test a candidate’s English and General Awareness. The only major difference between CDS-OTA paper and CDS Exam for NDA, IMA and IAF is that the former does not have a Mathematics section while all the latter do.

Officer Training Academy is one of the most renowned training establishments of the Indian Army. It totally focuses on training officers for short service commission. Individuals who aspire to serve and protect their country are always welcomed at the two campuses of the Academy, one at Chennai and the other at Gaya. The expected vacancies offered by the academy will be around 200.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

CDS Nationality Criteria

For CDS exam, the candidate should be a subject/citizen of any 1 of the following countries/regions:

1. A citizen of India
2. A subject of Bhutan
3. A subject of Nepal
4. A Tibetan refugee who came to India before July 1, 1962 with the intention of permanently setting in India.
5. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka or East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or from Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
   Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (b), (c), (d) and (e) shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India

CDS Educational Qualification

All the candidates should have completed their Graduation or should be appearing for the final year degree examination. The individual educational qualification required for each institution is discussed below.

• I.M.A. and OTA: Degree of a recognized University or equivalent.
• Indian Naval Academy (INA):  Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution.
• Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

Note: The candidates who are in the final years of their Degree Course and have yet to pass the final year Degree examination are also eligible to apply. Such candidates are required to submit the proof of passing the requisite qualifying examination by a date to be specified in the Commission’s Notice for the Examination.

CDS 2025 Age and Marital Status Criteria

The candidate should go through the cut off dates for age limit and marital status criteria before filling the online Application form for CDS examination1:

For Indian Military Academy (IMA): The candidate falling in the age group of 19 – 24 Years i.e. they are born not earlier than January 2, 2001 & not later than January1, 2006 only. The candidate should also be unmarried to be considered eligible.

CDS 2025 Physical Criteria

To be applying for the Defence services the basic and the most important criteria for a candidate is to be physically and mentally fit. It is a category on which the candidate can look forward to serve its country in a way they want to.

It is a vital eligibility criterion for a CDS 2025 candidate. He/ she should have good mental as well as physical health. Mentioned below are the Physical as well as mental guidelines to be followed by the candidates for the CDS 2025:

Physical Standards for CDS exam 2025

• It is advisable for the candidate to get oneself medically examined before filling application form. It is because if due to some reason the candidate was found unfit, he/ she wouldn’t be an eligible candidate. Hence, all the effort of the candidate will go in vain.
• It is important for the candidate to have a body, which is free from any disease as well as free from any disability. If at all the candidate who might be unfit may apply for Appeal Medical Board (AMB) to be completed within 42 days of SMB.

Height and Weight Standard Eligibility Criteria

For Army and Navy Males

For Navy 45* and 47**

A ± 10% (for Navy) departure from the average weight given in the Table above is to be considered within normal limit. However, in individuals with heavy bones and broad built as well as individuals with thin built but otherwise healthy this may be relaxed to some extent on merit.

Before the SSB (Service Selection Board) interview the candidate should make sure of the following pointers:

Visual Standards for Air Force

• Candidates who habitually wear spectacles are not eligible for Air Force.
• Minimum distant vision 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other correctable to 6/6 only for

Hypermetropia Colour vision CP-1

• Hypermetropia: +2.0 d Sph
• Manifest Myopia: Nil
• Retinoscopic Myopia: –0.5 in any meridian permitted
• Astigmatism: +0.75 D Cyl (with + 2.0 D- Max)

Maddox Rod Test

(i) at 6 meters: Exo-6 prism D | Eso-6 prism | D Hyper-1 prism D | Hypo-1prism D

(ii) at 33 cms: Exo-16 prism D | Eso-6 prism D | Hyper-1 prism D | Hypo-1 prism D

Spinal Conditions for Air Force

Past medical history of diseases or injury of the spine or sacroiliac joints, either with or without objective signs which have prevented the candidate from successfully following a physically active life, is a case for rejection for commissioning in IAF. History of spinal fracture/prolapsed intervertebral disc and surgical treatment for these conditions will entail rejection. The following conditions detected during medical exam will disqualify a candidate for Air Force service.

(a) Granulomatous disease of spine

(b) Arthritis/Spondylosis

• Rheumatoid arthritis and allied disorders
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Osteoarthrosis, spondylosis and degenerative joint diseases
• Non-articular rheumatism (e.g. lesions of the rotator cuff, tennis elbow, recurrent lumbago etc.)
• Miscellaneous disorders including SLE, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, vasculitis.

(c) Spondylolisthesis/spondylolysis/spondylosis
(d) Compression fracture of vertebrae
(e)Scheurman’s desease (Adolescent Kyphosis)
(f) Loss of cervical lordosis when associated with clinically restricted movements of the cervical spine.

(g) Unilateral/bilateral cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological or circulatroy deficit.

Physical Conditioning:

Prospective candidates are advised to keep themselves in good physical condition by following the under mentioned routine:

• Running: 2 to 4 km in 15 minutes
• Pushups & Sit-ups: Minimum 20 each
• Chin ups: Min. 8
• Rope Climbing: 3 to 4 metres

Other Important Facts

The following conditions detected on X-ray examination will be disqualifying for entry to Army and Navy:

(a)  Granulomatous disease of spine.

(b)  Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis & allied disorders and ankylosing spondylitis

(c)  Scoliosis more than 10o degree as measured by Cobb's Method.

(d)  More than mild Kyphosis/Lordosis.

(e)  Spondylolisthesis/Spondylosis/Spondylolysis.

(f)  Herniated nucleus pulposes.

(g)  Compression fracture of Vertebra.

(h)  Sacralisation Disease.

(i)  Cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological or Circulatory deficit.

(j)  Presence of Schmorl's node at more than one level.

(k)  Atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial anomalies.

(l)  Incomplete Sacralisation Unilateral or Bilateral.

(m)  Spinabifida other than SV 1 and LV 5.

(n)  Any other abnormality, if so considered by specialist.

APPLICATION FEE AND INTIMATION CHARGE: (Non Refundable)

Application Fee: Candidates (excepting Female /SC/ST candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) are required to pay a fee of Rs.200/- (Rupees two hundred only) either by depositing the money in any Branch of SBI by Cash, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur/State bank of Hyderabad/State Bank of Mysore/State Bank of Patiala/State Bank of Travancore or by using Visa/Master Credit/Debit Card

No fee exemption is, however, available to OBC candidates and they are required to pay the full prescribed fee

Combined Defence Services (CDS) OTA Exam Pattern

Highlights of OTA Paper

The subjects of CDS OTA written exam, the time allowed and the maximum marks allotted to each subject is tabulated below:

I) Written Exam

The scheme of the CDS written exam (subject combination) is slightly different for admission to various academies:

The total marks for CDS written exam for Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy & Air Force Academy will be 300 marks.

The standard of the paper in Elementary Mathematics will be of class 10 level. The standard of papers in other subjects will approximately be such as may be expected of a graduate of an Indian University. The question papers for General Knowledge (GK) and Elementary Mathematics will be set in both Hindi and English.

II) SSB Interview

Candidates who qualify the written exam will have to appear before the Service Selection Board (SSB) for an interview (personality test.) You may have to appear in any of the 3 SSB centres in India: Allahabad, Bhopal or Bangalore.

The total marks for SSB round for Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy & Air Force Academy will be 300 marks.
The total marks for SSB round for Officers' Training Academy will be 200 marks.

The SSB shortlisting consists of two stages conducted over a total of 5 days. You need to qualify in stage-1 in order to further to stage-2. Details about these stages:

1. Stage 1 would include the following (Day 1):
a. An intelligence test known as "Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)" - there would be a verbal test and a written test
b. A "Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT)"- You would have to describe a picture that is shown for 30 seconds, writing in detail about whatever is shown in the picture. You would be given 4 minutes for the same.
c. After writing about the picture, all candidates would be divided into groups of 15 and would have to discuss about the same photograph and arrive at a common conclusion about it.

Stage 1 would be conducted over 1 day. Candidates who don't clear this stage, would be asked to go back.

2. Stage 2 would be conducted over 4 days and would consist of a variety of activities through which your personality would be judged by 3 different people viz an interviewing officer (IO), a group testing officer (GTO) and a psychologist:

Day 2:

Different types of "psychological tests" would be held:

• Thematic Apperception Test: The word "apperception" means to be fully aware of an idea or feeling. In this test, 12 pictures (that includes a blank image) would be shown.  Each of these pictures would be flashed for 30 seconds each and you would be given 4 minutes to write a story around the situation shown by these 12 images, what was going on in these pictures and what would be the final outcome. Fot the blank image, you have to imagine a picture of your choice and write a story about it.
• Word Association Test: 60 words would be flashed in front of you for 15 seconds each and you have to jot down the whatever comes to your mind about each word.
• Situation Reaction Test: You would be provided with a booklet that lists 60 everyday situations in life. You will have to respond to each situation by writing down how you would react (think/ feel/ act) in each case.
• Self Description Test: You will be required to write 5 paragraphs related to your opinion about your parents/guardian, friends, teachers/ superiors.

Day 3:

Various tasks would be conducted by a "Group Testing Officer" (GTO):

• Group Discussion: You would be given two topics (one on a social issue and one related to a current event) to discuss informally in a group. The group discussion on each topic will last 20 minutes. You are not expected to arrive at any definitive conclusion.
• Group planning exercise:  This exercise would be conducted as follows - a given model would be explained, the GTO would then read out its narrative, you would be then given 5 minutes to read it yourself. Another 10 minutes will be spent in writing your individual solution to the problem and the next 20 minutes would be spent discussion the solutions in a group. Whatever final solution/ conclusion is derived, would have to be narrated.
• Progressive group task: This will be an outdoor activity in which four obstacles with progressively increasing levels of difficulty must be completed in 40 - 50 minutes. Structures, helping material and load will be provided to the group.
• Group obstacle race: One group will be pitched against another group to cross a set of six obstacles with a snake like load to carry.
• Half group task: This would be similar to the progressive group task with helping material and load to be carried. Every group will be divided into two sub-groups and would be given the same obstacle in such a manner that when one group is working, the other group cannot see it.  Each group would have to complete the task in 15 minutes.
• Lecturette:  A lecturette means a "short lecture." This is not a group task. You would be required to give a short talk (on a topic that you may choose from 4 given topics) to the group.  You will be given 3 minutes to prepare for your lecturette. Topics may vary from "women empowerment", "yoga", "stem cell research", "capital punishment for rape" etc.

Day 4:

This day would consist of some more group tasks:

•  Individual Obstacles: A set of 10 obstacles (numbered from 1-10; each number denoting the pint it carries) would have to be tackled individually within 3 minutes.
• Command Task:  Each individual is selected as their group's leader for one task consisting of an obstacle to be completed in 15 minutes (like the Progressive Group Task)
• Final Group Task: This would include an obstacle similar to the Progressive Group Task, to be finished in 15 - 20 minutes.

Day 5:

There would be a closing address, a conference and announcement of results followed by dispersal.

During the "conference", all the three assessors I.E. psychologist, interviewing officer and GTO meet together to discuss each candidate's performance and decide their final result. To remove any doubt, you are called in, so that they can judge you one last time by asking a few questions.

The "interviews" are conducted from day 1-4  by the interviewing officers in the afternoon.

How to apply for CDS

The candidates, who are falling into the above eligibility criteria must visit on UPSConline.nic.in. The form is divided into 2 parts; Part 1 and Part 2. After visiting upsconline.nic.in

• Click on the CDS 1 2025
• Then a page will be displayed having instruction. Click on YES at the bottom of the page.
• Then carefully enter your personal information and contact details.
• Then give your preference for the services as per your eligibility and add your NCC details; if eligible.
• After completion of part one, you will be provided registration id which u have to use to go to part 2.
• In part 2, opt the medium of fees deposition.
• After depositing fees, upload your photo and sign with given dimensions, then select your exam center and submit the form.

Syllabus For CDS

Detailed Syllabus For Combined Defence Services (CDS) OTA Written Examination

CDS OTA English Syllabus

• English Section in OTA 2025 is a mixture of Vocabulary based, Grammar-based and Comprehension based questions.
• This paper is designed to test a candidate’s verbal reasoning as well as communication abilities.
• As for the Reading Comprehension part, questions are usually direct and to the point and the difficulty level is easy to moderate.
• There are 120 questions asked from this section.
• While the topics covered in this section are not that difficult but do require immense practice and good command over English language. 

CDS OTA Paper 2 Structure

Paper 2 is made of General Knowledge questions which is an important part of the exam and fairly difficult.

CDS OTA Syllabus: General Knowledge

The section that tests a candidates level of awareness within the country and worldwide as well.

• There will be static GK questions as well. Static GK signifies facts about the places, people and things that will remain same in the future as well.
• Questions are asked from the recent topics and current affairs broadly featuring between March 2025 and April 2025.

Tabulated below are some important topics that form CDS syllabus for GK section:

Admit Card for CDS

How to Download Admit Card

Step 1: Visit the UPSC official website- www.upsc.gov.in

Step 2: On the homepage, check the ‘What’s New’ Section and click on “e-Admit Card-CDS Examination (II) 2025” link.

Step 3: A new page will open, click on ‘Download’ link.

Step 4: Read all the instructions carefully. (Take a print out of the instructions, if needed)

Step 5: Click on yes and a new page will open

Step 6: Enter the following details in the fields provided.

• Registration number and date of birth OR
• Roll number and date of birth OR
• Name, Father’s Name, and date of birth

Step 7: After filling the details, click on the ‘submit’ tab.

Step 8: The online Admit card for CDS 2025 will appear on the screen.

Step 9: Download and print copies of the same. Admit card should be preserved for future correspondence.