UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2025: Written & SSB Structure, Interview

Thinking about joining the Indian Armed Forces through the UPSC CDS exam? You’re not alone! Every year, thousands of aspirants aim to crack this prestigious exam to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), or Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). But before diving into preparation, you need to understand the UPSC CDS exam pattern 2025—written test, SSB interview, and medicals. This guide breaks it all down with real-life examples, expert insights, and research-backed data to help you strategize better.

Table of Contents

Key Highlights of UPSC CDS Exam 2025 📌

Aspect	Details
Organizing Body	UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
Exam Level	National
Exam Mode	Offline (Pen & Paper)
Stages	Written Exam → SSB Interview → Medical Test
Total Attempts	No limit (Age restrictions apply)
Negative Marking	Yes (1/3rd deduction per wrong answer)
Official Notification	Released twice a year (April & October)
Official Website	upsc.gov.in

UPSC CDS Written Exam Pattern 2025 ✍️

The written test is the first hurdle. It varies slightly depending on the academy you’re targeting.

1. For IMA, INA & AFA

Subject	Marks	Duration
English	100	2 Hours
General Knowledge	100	2 Hours
Elementary Mathematics	100	2 Hours

2. For OTA (Officers’ Training Academy)

Subject	Marks	Duration
English	100	2 Hours
General Knowledge	100	2 Hours

🔹 Key Takeaway: If you’re aiming for OTA, Maths isn’t required—focus on English & GK!

UPSC CDS SSB Interview Process 🎤

Clearing the written exam? Congrats! Now comes the real test—SSB Interview (5-6 days long).

SSB Selection Stages Breakdown

Stage	Description
Screening Test	Includes OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) + PPDT (Picture Perception & Discussion Test)
Psychological Tests	Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
GTO Tasks	Group discussions, obstacle courses, command tasks
Personal Interview	One-on-one with an assessing officer
Conference Day	Final recommendation decision

🔹 Expert Insight:

“SSB isn’t about knowledge—it’s about personality. Be genuine, confident, and a team player.”
— Major R. S. Rathore (Retd.), SSB Interview Expert

UPSC CDS Medical Standards 2025 🏥

Even if you ace the written and SSB, medical fitness is non-negotiable.

Key Medical Requirements

Parameter	Standard
Height & Weight	IMA/OTA: 157.5 cm (Men), 152 cm (Women)
Eyesight	6/6 or 6/9 vision (Corrective glasses allowed)
Hearing	Normal hearing ability

🔹 Real-Life Example:
A candidate in 2023 cleared SSB but was rejected due to color blindness. Always check medical standards beforehand!

UPSC CDS Marking Scheme & Cutoffs 📊

Written Exam Marking Scheme

Action	Impact
Correct Answer	+1 Mark
Wrong Answer	-0.33 Marks
Unattempted	0 Marks

Expected Cutoffs (2025)

Academy	Expected Cutoff (Out of 300)
IMA	120-130
AFA	140-150
OTA	90-100

🔹 Pro Tip: Previous year toppers suggest scoring 55%+ in each paper to stay safe.

Preparation Tips for UPSC CDS 2025 🎯

1. Written Exam Strategy

Subject	Tips
English	Focus on grammar, comprehension, vocabulary
GK	Cover current affairs, defense news, history
Maths	Practice algebra, trigonometry, arithmetic

2. SSB Interview Strategy

Aspect	How to Prepare
OIR	Solve reasoning puzzles daily
PPDT	Practice storytelling with random images
GTO	Improve teamwork & leadership skills