CDS Selection Procedure 2025: Get Dates, Interview, Preparation

CDS 2025 Selection Procedure will be commenced in June 2025. The CDS 2025 selection procedure will include three stages i.e. Written Test, SSB Interview and Medical examination. CDS (Common Defence Service) is a national level entrance exam regulated by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). 

Are you confused about the selection criteria of CDS? Don’t worry, Check below to know more… 

This exam is conducted twice in a year to recruit eligible applicants in Indian Navy Academy, Indian Military Academy and Air Force Academy (INA, IMA, AFA). Candidates will need to clear the CDS exam to be eligible for selection procedure. 

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In this article, we have provided complete information related to the CDS 2025 SSB Interview such as selection procedure dates, interview round, preparation tips etc.  

CDS 2025 Selection Procedure Dates

Applicants must go through the important dates of CDS 2025 Selection Procedure:

CDS Written Examination

This is the first stage of CDS selection procedure. A written exam will consist of three papers – English, General Knowledge and Mathematics. Candidates will need to appear for these papers to get admission in IMA, INA and IFA. To get admission in Officers Training Academy, students will appear for two papers- English and General Knowledge.

A written exam will consist of Multiple Choice Questions and students will get two hours to complete each exam. The Candidates who qualify the stage I will be called for the interview round. 

CDS SSB Interview Round

CDS SSB Interview round is the second stage of CDS selection process. Candidates who have qualified the stage I will be able to appear in stage II. The SSB Interview will be undertaken for five days. This interview is conducted to test the intelligence, personality and many other attributes of students.

Applicants who qualify the SSB Interview will become eligible for further selection process i.e. medical exam. It is the last stage of CDS selection process, during which candidates will have to produce documents for verification process. 

CDS SSB Interview Procedure

The CDS SSB Interview procedure will be mentioned below in a following table:

Day- 1: 

• The first day of CDS SSB will be called ‘Screening Day’.
• Screening day will include Psychological Aptitude Test i.e. Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test, Perception and Description Test ( PP and DT).
• The OIR test examines the reasoning and mental ability of students through 80 logical problems.
• In PP and DT, applicants view a hazy picture for 30 seconds and then write a story about it within 4.5 minutes.
• After writing the stories, applicants will discuss their stories in group of 8 – 10 people.
• Then, results will be announced and students who pass will be called “Screened In” advancing to the next stage.

Day 2:

The second day involves various tests such as Thematic Apperception Test, Self Description Test, Situation Reaction Test and Word Association Test.

Day 3: 

The third day involves various Group Testing Officers Task.

Applicants will need to appear for Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Half Group Task, Progressive Group Task and Individual Obstacle Task.

Day 4: 

On fourth day, candidates will have to appear in different tasks such as Command Task, Final Group Task, Individual Obstacle Task, Personal Interview and Individual Lecturrate.

Day 5:

This is the final or last day of interview process i.e. Conference day which involves applicants’ appearance in front of three assessing officers. This is conducted to decide whether candidates recommend as an officer in Indian defence force or not. The CDS SSB interview result will be declared within an hour after a completion of board meeting. Selected applicants will undergo a medical test for further 3 or 5 days. 

CDS Preparation Tips

The CDS preparation schedule should be well planned and organized. Applicants must prepare for exam as per the syllabus and exam pattern. Choose the best preparation books and study materials. CDS preparation requires a lot of hard work and dedication. The selection of candidates will be based on their performance in written exam and SSB interview. 

Following are the preparation tips for Written Test:

• Must know the Syllabus and Exam Pattern:  To crack the CDS written exam, applicants should go through the complete syllabus and exam pattern of exam. This will help candidates to cover the topics for exam. Candidates can try to focus on weaker sections and cope up with them to avoid confusion.
• Make a proper study schedule: Candidates should prepare a study schedule and regularly follow it to complete the entire syllabus of exam. Students should manage the time effectively for exam and must devote six to eight hours for daily preparation.
• Solve previous year papers and mock tests: Solving previous year question papers plays an important role in preparation. This will help candidates to gain familiarity with the questions asked in exam. Students will get an idea about the difficulty level of exam, marking scheme and distribution of questions.

Go through the tips for SSB Interview:

• Be Confident: One must maintain confidence while appearing for an interview. Candidates should have a positive attitude and believe in their capabilities. 
• Analyze your strengths and weaknesses: Students should work on their weaknesses and build a concrete wall around your strengths. Your focus should be on how to present yourself in CDS SSB interview and how to develop your personality.
• Personality Development: To be an intelligent person will not be enough for an interview, candidates should be strong, mature and must possess a well developed personality. Communication skills are a very important part of personality development. 

Documents Required for Interview:

Following are the documents required for the SSB Interview process:

• Academic degrees (Class 10th, 12th and Graduation)
• Birth certificate
• Eligibility certificate
• Identity proof
• Passport size photograph
• Residence proof 
• Passport size photograph
• Caste certificate etc.

In case of any other queries related to CDS 2025 Selection Procedure, then ask your queries in the comment section below.