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Q1. Is the SSB interview process for CDS 2025 a one-day process?
Ans. No, the SSB interview doesn't take place on a single day. Stage 1 and Stage 2 are also involved. Each step takes four days to complete.
Q2. How does the Officer Intelligence Rating Test work?
Ans. This is the first step in stage. It involves verbal and non-verbal reasoning sections. Candidates must respond to between 55 and 60 questions overall.
Q3. The address listed on the application form changed after I submitted my application for the Air Force exam. How can I handle that?
Ans. Send a self-addressed, unstamped envelope and a notice of the new address to the address listed below.
Room No. 17, Opp. Vayu Bhawan, Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi-110011, PO 3 (A) Air HQS.
Q4. How is the final selection made for CDS?
Ans. The final selection is based on candidates' performance in all three stages of the selection process: Written Examination, SSB Interview, and Medical Examination. A merit list of recommended candidates is published.
Q5. Can candidates choose their preferred service (Army, Navy, Air Force) and academy (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA)?
Yes, candidates can express their preferences, and the allocation of candidates to the respective services and academies is based on merit and the preferences they have indicated.
CDS Selection Process 2025, Written Test, SSB & Medical Test Stages
CDS Selection Process 2025 consists of three selection stages Written Test, SSB, and Medical Test. Students have to qualify for all the selection stages to get into defence via CDS route.
Nigam Sharma27 May, 2025
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CDS Selection Process 2025: UPSC will officially announce the CDS 2 2025 Notification on 28th May as per the UPSC Calendar 2025. CDS Selection Process 2025 comprises three stages, i.e. Written Test, SSB, and Medical Test. Candidates who want to join the Combined Defence Services (CDS) should qualify for all three selection rounds. UPSC authorities prepared the selection process keeping in mind to test the abilities and knowledge of candidates capable of handling defence duties. After the release of the official notification, students can get the information regarding any changes that may occur in the selection process guidelines. CDS 2 Written Exam 2025 will be held offline on 14th September 2025.
CDS Selection Process 2025
The CDS Selection Process 2025 is designed by the exam conducting authorities to test candidates' capabilities in multiple stages. The first round in CDS is of Written Test. Candidates get multiple-choice questions from the English, GK, and Mathematics sections. The paper is conducted through the offline mode. Candidates who qualify for the CDS Written Test go for the SSB round and then, Medical Test. These stages test the problem-solving, thinking skills, and medical fitness of the candidates. In the medical test, the officials test the medical fitness of the candidates. A candidate is declared medically FIT or UNFIT after the result declaration. Finally, the candidates who qualify for all the selection rounds go for the training.
CDS Selection Process 2025 Overview
The Union Public Service Commission conducts the CDS (Combined Defence Service) exam twice a year. Candidates with a graduate degree to participate in the exam. There are three selection stages in the recruitment process: Written Test, SSB, and Medical. A table is provided with details of CDS Selection Process 2025.
CDS Selection Process 2025 Overview
Organization
Union Public Service Commission
Exam Name
Combined Defence Services (CDS)
Vacancies
To Be Notified
CDS 2 2025 Notification
28th May 2025
CDS 2 2025 Exam Date
14th September 2025
Mode of Application
Online
Selection Process
Written Test- Interview- Medical Examination
Language of Written Exam
Bilingual
Mode of Examination
Offline
Type of Questions
MCQ
CDS 2 Exam Duration
2 hours (Each Paper)
Marking Scheme
1/3 for Each Incorrect Answer
Job Location
All Over India
Official Website
upsc.gov.in
CDS Selection Process 2025
The eligible candidates are required to participate in a three-stage process as part of the CDS Recruitment 2025. The CDS Selection Process includes a written examination, SSB Interview, Medical Examination, and final merit list conducted by the UPSC. The final selection will be based on the performance in these stages. Now, let's examine the selection process for this recruitment drive. The CDS follows a three-stage recruitment process, which comprises:
Written Test
SSB Interview
Medical Examination
At last, the Merit List is prepared by the authorities after the successful completion of the CDS Selection Process 2024.
CDS IMA, INA, and AFA Selection Process 2025
The CDS Selection Process begins with the CDS Offline Examination. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) compiles a list of candidates who achieve the minimum qualifying marks in the written examination, as determined by the Commission at its discretion. After this, they are called for the next phase, SSB. Let us understand every phase individually to understand the CDS Selection Process thoroughly.
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:
Subject
Duration
Maximum Marks
English
2 Hours
100
General Knowledge
2 Hours
100
Mathematics
2 Hours
100
SSB Test/Interview
5 Days
300
B) For Admission to the Officers’ Training Academy, the following exam pattern is to be followed:
The written examination for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) consists of two papers totalling 200 marks. Candidates who pass this examination by attaining the minimum qualifying marks will progress to the next stage, the interview round.
Subject
Duration
Maximum Marks
English
2 Hours
100
General Knowledge
2 Hours
100
SSB Test/Interview
5 Days
300
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.
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.
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.
