CDS Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, Document Verification

UPSC mentions the detailed CDS 2025 selection procedure in the official notification. There are two stages of the CDS recruitment process - a written exam and an SSB interview in the selection process of CDS 2025. The Combined Defence Services exam is held twice every year. Candidates who qualify for the written CDS exam will be called for the SSB interview round.

The written exam in the CDS 1 selection process 2025 is for testing the candidate's aptitude and reasoning abilities. Whereas the SSB round of the exam in the CDS 1 2025 selection process tests candidates' psychological aptitude and mental condition. Candidates have to clear all stages of the UPSC CDS selection process to get recruited as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. As per the CDS OTA selection process, OTA applicants have to appear for only 2 papers. To know more about the CDS selection process 2025, read the article below.

CDS 2025 Overview

Candidates can check the details about the CDS exam from the below table.

Name of the exam

Combined Defence Services Examination 2025

Official website

upsc.gov.in

Commonly known as

CDS examination

Conducting authority

Union Public Service Commission

Frequency of exam

Twice per year

Number of vacancies

CDS 1 - To be announced

CDS 2 - To be announced

Mode of application

Online

Mode of exam

Offline

CDS exam stages

  • Written Exam

  • SSB Interview

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Stages

The CDS selection process has two stages. Applicants need to clear both to get recruited in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The two-stage of CDS selection process are:

  1. Written Exam

  2. SSB Interview

CDS Selection Process 2025 for Written Examination

The first stage of the CDS 2025 selection process is a written exam. As per CDS exam pattern, the CDS written exam comprises three papers - English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for admission in IMA, IFA and INA. For admission to Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), candidates just have to appear for two papers - English and General Knowledge. All the questions asked in the CDS written exam are multiple-choice questions. Candidates are given 2 hours time to attempt each paper. As per the CDS selection process 2025, candidates qualifying for the written examination are called for SSB Interview.

Quick links:

  • CDS Syllabus 2025
  • CDS Question Papers 2025

CDS Selection Process 2025 for SSB Interview

Candidates qualifying the stage 1 of the CDS selection process 2025 are called for the SSB interview stage. This stage of the CDS selection process is conducted over a period of 5 days to test applicants intelligence, personality, physical strength and more. The following table provides the day-wise breakup of the SSB interview round.

CDS SSB Interview selection process stage

Days

Events

SSB Day 1

Reporting, Filling of forms, Picture Perception and Description Test

SSB Day 2

Thematic Apperception Test, Self Description Test, Situation Reaction Test, Word Association Test

SSB Day 3

Group Testing Officers’ Tasks - Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Half Group Task, Progressive Group Task & Individual Obstacle Task

SSB Day 4

Individual Obstacle Task, Command Task, Final Group Task, Personal Interview & Individual Lecturette

SSB Day 5

Conference & Document Verification

Quick links:
CDS Eligibility Criteria
CDS Application Form

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Medical Exam & Document Verification

After clearing the CDS SSB interview, applicants have to go through a medical CDS examination conducted by a Special Medical Board. A medical examination may last up to 4 to 6 days. While appearing for the medical exam, candidates are advised to keep all their documents ready. In case an applicant fails to produce the required documents, will be disqualified from the CDS selection process.

CDS Salary 2025 - Rank Wise

Rank

Level

Pay Scale

Lieutenant

Level 10

Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500

Captain

Level 10 B

Rs 61,300 -Rs 1,93,900

Major

Level 11

Rs 6,94,00 – Rs 2,07,200

Lieutenant Colonel

Level 12 A

Rs 1,21,200 – Rs 2,12400

Colonel

Level 13

Rs 1,30,600 - Rs 2, 15,900

Brigadier

Level 13 A

Rs 1,39,600 - Rs 2,17,600

Major General

Level 14

Rs 1,44,200 - Rs 2,18,200

Lieutenant General HAG Scale

Level 15

Rs 1,82, 200 - Rs 2,24,100

HAG+Scale

Level 16

Rs 2,05,400 – Rs 2,24,400

VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG)

Level 17

Rs 2,25,000/-(fixed)

COAS

Level 18

Rs 2,50,000/-(fixed)