CDS Selection Process 2025: Written Test, SSB Interview and Document Verification

The selection process is released in the Combined Defence Service notification 2025 with two stages. Candidates will proceed further in the UPSC CDS Exam 2025 Recruitment Process by clearing the selection process stages. Candidates will be selected based on a written examination and then be shortlisted for an interview process. It will be conducted to test the intelligence as well as conduct a personality test for the candidates.

• The shortlisted candidates will be chosen based on merit and preference for the respective academies like the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Indian Air Force Academy, etc.
• Each candidate needs to understand what is the selection procedure for the CDS Recruitment 2025.

This article will give you complete information about every step of recruitment such as the number of papers and interview details, and required documents for your better understanding of this recruitment selection process. The CDS Selection Process 2025 has been released with the official release of the CDS 2025 notification.

CDS Selection Process 2025

The eligible applicant will have to appear for a two-stage process which includes a written examination along with Interview to be conducted by the CDS Recruitment 2025 board based on which selection will be finalized. Let's have a look at the Selection Process for this recruitment drive.

Stage 1- Candidates will have to appear for a written examination.

Stage 2- Candidates who cleared the written examination will be called for an Interview process.

Note: 

• Final merit list will be prepared based on their process in writing as well as in the interview.
• Successful candidates will be called for a Medical Examination and then those who clear bit will go for a Document verification round

To get the detailed CDS Result, candidates can visit the linked article.

The candidates who are applying to these respectable academies as mentioned above should be well aware of the latest examination pattern to have a well-informed idea about the important topics and sub-topics from an examination point of view. 

The written exam pattern for the CDS Examination varies in the case of the OTA or Officer Training Academy and other academies(Indian Naval Academy, Indian Military Academy, Indian Air Force, etc.). Let us look at the tabulated forms below for a better idea. 

To get the detailed CDS Syllabus, candidates can visit the linked article.

Stage 1: Written Examination

Exam Pattern for INA, IMA & IAF

The candidates should be aware of the exam weightage in the case of the written examination stage which comprises 3 objective papers for a total of 300 marks(100 marks each).

There will be negative marking of 0.33 marks for every wrong answer. In the case of Maths, you will get +1 for every correct answer and -0.33 for every wrong answer. Let us go through the table to understand better. 

For details on the CDS Eligibility Criteria, refer to the linked article.

Exam Pattern for Officer Training Academy (OTA)

The written exam stage for the OTA comprises 2 papers for a total of 200 marks. The candidates who clear this exam with the minimum qualifying marks will be further shortlisted for the interview round. There will be a negative marking of 0.33 marks for every wrong answer. Let us look at the table below to understand better. 

To get the detailed CDS Admit Card, candidates can visit the linked article.

Stage 2: SSB Interview/ Personality Test

Only candidates who clear the written examination stage will proceed to the CDS interview round. It will comprise of two stages as given below: 

Stage I: Candidates will have to appear for a Picture Perception & Description Test which will test their Intelligence and personality. 

Stage II: Stage two consists of 4 days assessment which tests candidates' psychology towards this Job, Physical fitness and confidence to represent the defence system of India.

• Psychological Tests, 
• Interview round, 
• Group testing office tasks 
• A conference round. 

CDS Officer Intelligence Rating

The Officer Intelligence Rating test is the first step in the CDS Interview 2025 Stage 2 selection process. The test is divided into two sections: verbal reasoning and nonverbal reasoning. Candidates must answer 55-60 questions from both parts to pass this test.

For details on the UPSC CDS Cut Off, refer to the linked article.

CDS Picture perception and Description test

This section of the Stage 1 CDS Interview is difficult because it tests the candidate's memory retention and comprehension skills. This screening test is fun to take because candidates have only 30 seconds to look at a hazy image and then have to explain it in three minutes. Candidates must concentrate on seven fundamental parameters in this limited time frame:

• Character
• Mood
• Age
• Sex
• Past (what happened in the picture situation just before the click)
• Present (what events currently take place)
• Future (what will happen next in the picture)

CDS Interview Day by Day Schedule

What after CDS Interview 2025?

After the CDS 2025 interview process is completed, the candidate is verified, which includes document verification. Candidates who pass the interview must bring their original documents, as well as two self-attested copies, to the SSC (Services Selection Center) after the interview. The list of documents that must be carried out at the time of selection is given below.

• Qualification Certificates
• Proof of Identity (Pan Card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID, etc.)
• Passport Size Photographs
• Category Certificate for the Reserved Category Candidates
• Proof of Residence
• Birth Certificate

The last but most crucial step is the medical examination. This step is used to determine whether or not the chosen aspirant is physically capable of serving in the officer cadre. This confirmation is required. You must complete all verification procedures before being considered for final employment.

Note: You have to qualify for the personality tests mentioned above to proceed to the document verification and medical test rounds.

For details on the CDS Previous Year Question Papers, refer to the linked article.

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Document Verification

Candidates will have to produce relevant documents for verification purposes. This round is equally important as other rounds because improper documentation will lead to the ineligibility of the candidates. We believe that no one would wish to return after all the rigorous stages, hence do prepare a list of documents before the exam date. This habit will keep you away from the last-minute hassle.

To get the detailed CDS Salary, candidates can visit the linked article.

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Medical Process

An applicant who is recommended by the Services Selection Board will undergo a compulsory medical examination by a Board of Service Medical Officers. Women Aspirants will undergo Medical Examination by a Medical Board comprising male/ female doctors/ specialists/Gynaecologists. There will be a Lady Medical Officer as a member of the Board. Only those candidates will be admitted to the Academy who are declared fit by the Medical Board.

To get the detailed CDS Exam Pattern, candidates can visit the linked article.

CDS Disqualification Criteria 

• Candidates who were admitted to the Air Force Academy, Indian Military Academy, National Defence Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Officers' Training Academy, Chennai, but were removed due to objectionable behaviour will not be considered for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy, or the Army's Short Service Commission.
• Candidates who have withdrawn from the Indian Military Academy due to a lack of Officer-Like Qualities (OLQ) will not be considered for admission.
• Candidates who were previously chosen as Special Entry Naval Cadets but were subsequently withdrawn from the National Defence Academy or Naval Training Establishments due to a lack of Officer-like qualities will be ineligible for admission to the Indian Navy Academy.
• Candidates who dropped out of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers' Training Academy (OTA), National Cadet Corps (NCC), or Graduate course due to a lack of officer-like qualities would not be considered for a Short Service Commission in the Army.

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Key points

• Qualified applicants will have to produce the relevant Certificates/Documents and mark sheets in original at the time of the interview, failing which he/they will not be allowed to appear in the interview.
• The decision once taken by the Commission as to the eligibility or otherwise of a candidate for admission to written examination or selection will be final and no correspondence or personal inquiry will be entertained. 

The various stages that the applicants must know for clearing the exam. The candidate must qualify for these selection criteria laid down by the authorities. Candidates can download the Testbook app for more updates and also get tips to prepare for their competitive exams.