CDS - II 2025 Offline Exam – Timing, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme and More

The Combined Defence Services Examination is set to be conducted on September 14, 2025, by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Find out all about its timing, syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme and more.

The Combined Defence Services Examination is held by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year. It is an exam for aspirants who wish to enter the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as commissioned officers. Aspirants who pass the exam are deemed eligible to serve in the armed forces.

CDS–II 2025 is the second session of the year. This year, it will be conducted in offline mode - as always, across multiple centres, on September 14, 2025. Find out all about this exam, its timing, syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, etc, as well as other important instructions for aspirants.

CDS-II 2025 Exam Admit Card Details

As a candidate, the admit card is a document that you must show mandatorily when you try to secure an entry into the CDS 2 examination hall. You are supposed to take along a printed copy of the admit card on your exam day. 

This year, on September 4, 2025, the UPSC released the admit card for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) – II 2025 examination officially. Candidates who registered successfully can download their admit card from www.upsc.gov.in, the official website of UPSC, using their roll number or registration details. 

The card comprises vital information about candidates, such as:

·         Name of candidate, 

·         Father’s name,

·         Scanned photograph,

·         Signature,

·         Application number,

·         Roll number,

·         Category,

·         Reporting time,

·         Detailed exam timings

There are other specific instructions that you should read carefully. You will not be allowed to enter the exam centre without the admit card. 

CDS – II 2025 Exam Schedule

This exam is conducted in offline mode. Two hours of duration are allotted for each paper. Take a look at the schedule for each exam paper:

·         English paper - 9.00 am to 11.00 am, 

·         General Knowledge - 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm, and 

·         Elementary Mathematics - 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm

You must report well in advance for the exam papers. Exactly 10 minutes before the exam for each paper is set to commence, the gates will close. 

CDS – II 2025 Exam Pattern

The exam pattern tends to vary, based on which academy you apply for. If you opt for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA), you have to appear for three papers: 

·         English, 

·         General Knowledge, and 

·         Elementary Mathematics. 

100 marks will be allotted for each paper. 

However, if you apply for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), you have to sit for only two papers: 

·         English and 

·         General Knowledge. 

Each will have a total of 100 marks. 

All the papers will be objective in nature. Other than the English paper, you will find the rest of the papers available in both English and Hindi.

CDS – II 2025 Exam Marking Scheme

The CDS–II 2025 exam has a straightforward marking scheme. You will get one mark for each correct answer. There will be a deduction of one-third of a mark for each incorrect answer. Thus, you need to answer very carefully. There will be no penalty if you do not answer any question. 

CDS–II 2025 2025Exam Syllabus and Important Topics

The syllabus for this exam is structured around three core subjects: 

·         English, 

·         General Knowledge, and 

·         Elementary Mathematics

For English, you have to prepare for topics such as:

·         Synonyms, 

·         Antonyms, 

·         Spotting errors, 

·         Sentence improvement, and 

·         Comprehension passages. 

The General Knowledge section includes:

·         History, 

·         Current affairs, 

·         Indian and world geography, 

·         Defence-related developments, 

·         Economics, 

·         Polity, and 

·         Basic concepts of physics, chemistry, and biology. 

Elementary Mathematics includes:

·         Algebra, 

·         Arithmetic, 

·         Trigonometry, 

·         Mensuration,

·         Geometry, and 

·         Statistics

Mensuration and Geometry are especially important within mathematics. Vital weightage is given to topics such as:

·         Circles and tangents, 

·         Properties of triangles, 

·         Areas of squares and rectangles, and 

·         Volumes of cones, cylinders, and spheres 

CDS – II 2025 Exam-Day Instructions

There are clear exam-day guidelines issued by the UPSC. As a candidate, you have to accurately follow these:

·         Carry a printout of your admit card

·         Do not carry any electronic device, such as your mobile phone, calculator or smartwatch inside the exam hall

·         Before the paper ends, you cannot leave the exam hall

·         You must report on time; once the gates close, no late entry will be allowed

·         You should also follow safety and social distancing protocols, if applicable, such as wearing a mask

·         Preserve your admit card until the completion of the entire recruitment process 

Conclusion

Passing the CDS–II 2025 examination can gain you an entry into the armed forces of India. Download the admit card from the official UPSC website and stay updated on further details from the UPSC. Best of luck for your success in the examination. 

Also Read:

• CDS - II 2025