CDS Selection Process 2025, Written Test, SSB & Medical Test Stages

CDS 2 2025 Written Test Paper Pattern

First Phase of CDS Selection Process is CDS Written Exam. In the written exam, candidates will be awarded one mark for each correct answer; for each incorrect answer, a penalty of 0.33 marks will be deducted as a negative mark. Regarding the CDS Examination Pattern for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA), the following subjects are taken into consideration.

A) For Admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy, the following exam pattern is to be followed:

CDS Selection Process 2025 SSB Interview

Candidates who pass the written examination are then called for the Service Selection Board (SSB) for the intelligence and personality test. The allocation of candidates to the SSB will be based on their preferences and determined by the respective service headquarters. The SSB Interview for CDS 2 2025 comprises two stages, as follows: SSB Interview is an extensive process that takes place over five days and involves two distinct stages: Stage I and Stage II. These interviews are conducted at specifically designated SSB Centres.

Stage 1: This stage involves an officer's intelligence rating, picture perception, and description test.

Stage 2: In this stage, candidates undergo a psychology test, interview, group testing officer task, and a conference.

For candidates who have chosen the Army (IMA/OTA) as their first choice and have qualified in the written examination, they must register on the recruiting directorate website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. This registration will ensure that they receive the necessary call-up information for the SSB Interview. Candidates who have already registered on the recruiting directorate website are advised not to register again. In this context, Physics Wallah has provided updated information regarding the complete details of the SSB Interview , including updates on the SSB exam and the online procedure.

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SSB Interview Day 1 Screening Test

SSB Screening test consists of:

• The Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and the Picture Perception and Description Test (PP & DT) are two components of the selection process.
• The OIR evaluates the intelligence rating of the officer, while the PP & DT assesses the candidate's ability to perceive and describe images.

SSB Interview Day 2 Psychology Tests

The psychological test conducted during the SSB Interview is considered challenging to pass, as it is evaluated using scientific methods by the SSB assessors. The psychological test in the SSB Interview comprises the following series:

• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): Candidates are required to interpret and narrate stories based on given pictures.
• Word Association Test (WAT): Candidates have to respond with the first word that comes to their mind upon seeing a stimulus word.
• Situation Reaction Test (SRT): Candidates are presented with various situations and asked to provide their responses or reactions.
• Self-Description Test (SDT): Candidates are asked to describe themselves in various aspects, such as strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, and achievements.

SSB Interview, Day 3 & 4 Group Testing (GTO Tasks)

The SSB Interview includes various activities and tasks designed to assess candidates' abilities and qualities. These activities include:

• Group Discussion
• Group Planning Exercise
• Progressive Group Tasks (PGT)
• Half Group Tasks
• Individual Obstacles
• Group Obstacles: Race or Snake Race
• Command Task
• Lecturette
• Final Group Task

These tasks aim to evaluate candidates' teamwork, problem-solving skills, leadership potential, communication abilities, and overall performance in group settings.

SSB Interview Day 5 Conference

Once all the tasks and assessments in the SSB Interview are completed, the results are announced on the final day of the interview process. The selected candidates then proceed to undergo a medical examination. After a few months, a final merit list of the recommended candidates is published.

CDS Medical Examination 

To be considered "Medically fit," a candidate must possess both good physical and mental health and should not have any diseases, syndromes, or disabilities that could hinder their effective performance of military duties. This applies to all types of environments, including various terrains, climates, and seasons, as well as sea and air operations, remote areas, and austere conditions where medical assistance may be limited or unavailable. Additionally, the candidate should be free from any medical conditions that would require frequent visits to medical facilities or dependence on aids or drugs.

CDS Selection Process 2025 Final Merit List

The UPSC CDS Final Merit List is prepared by considering the total scores achieved by candidates in both the written examination and their performance in subsequent evaluation phases, which consist of the Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview and Medical Examination. Individuals who succeed in securing a position on the Merit List become eligible for further selection and training, making their way to becoming an officer in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force, depending on their preferences and meeting the required criteria.

CDS Selection Process 2025 Disqualification Criteria

CDS Disqualification Criteria are decided based on the given points:

• Candidates who have previously gained admission to prestigious institutions such as the AFA, IMA, NDA, INA, and Officers' Training Academy in Chennai but were terminated due to unacceptable behavior will not be permitted or considered for admission to the CDS Selection Process 2025.
• Furthermore, candidates who have been terminated from the Indian Military Academy for lacking officer-like qualities (OLQ) will not be allowed to reapply.
• Similarly, the National Defence Academy or Naval Training Establishments will not admit candidates who previously had the opportunity to join as Special Entry Naval Cadets but left due to a lack of officer-like skills.
• Candidates who withdrew from the NCC, Officer Training Academy, Indian Military Academy, or graduate program due to a lack of officer-like skills will not be given another chance for an Army short service commission.

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