Latest Update: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the CDS 1 Answer Key 2025 on April 20, 2025. Candidates who appeared for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I) 2025, which was conducted on April 5, 2025, can now check and download the official answer key from the UPSC website. The answer key has been released for all the three papers – English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
More About 2025
Important: Candidates can challenge the official answer key if they find any discrepancy. The objection window is open from April 20, 2025 to April 27, 2025. All representations should be submitted in the prescribed format along with supporting documents and a fee of Rs. 50 per question challenged.
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) I 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Date | April 5, 2025 |
| Answer Key Release Date | April 20, 2025 |
| Objection Window | April 20 – April 27, 2025 |
| Result Declaration | Expected by June 2025 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
How to Download CDS 1 Answer Key 2025
Follow these simple steps to download the UPSC CDS I 2025 Answer Key:
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in
- Click on the “Examination” section on the homepage
- Look for “Answer Keys” or “Answer Keys – CDS (I) 2025” link
- Click on the respective link for the paper you want to check (English/General Knowledge/Elementary Mathematics)
- The answer key will open in a new tab/window as a PDF file
- Download and save the answer key PDF for future reference
- Cross-check your answers with the official key to calculate your probable score
CDS 1 2025 Exam Pattern
The CDS examination consists of three papers for candidates applying for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA), while candidates applying for Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) need to attempt only two papers. The exam pattern for CDS I 2025 is as follows:
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks | Applicable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 | IMA, INA, AFA |
Note: For admission to OTA, candidates need to take only English and General Knowledge papers. The total maximum marks for OTA are 200, while for IMA, INA, and AFA, the total maximum marks are 300.
How to Calculate Your Probable Score
Follow these steps to calculate your probable score based on the official CDS I 2025 Answer Key:
- Cross-check your answers with the official answer key for each section
- For each correct answer, award yourself 1 mark
- For each incorrect answer, deduct 1/3 mark (0.33 mark) as there is negative marking
- Calculate your total score for each paper separately
- Add the scores of all papers to get your overall probable score
How to Challenge CDS 1 Answer Key 2025
If you find any discrepancy in the official answer key, you can challenge it by following these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in
- Navigate to the Answer Key Challenge section
- Login using your Registration ID/Roll Number and Password
- Select the question(s) you want to challenge
- Provide your alternate answer and supporting evidence/documents for each challenged question
- Pay the processing fee of Rs. 50 per challenged question via online payment methods
- Submit your representation before the deadline (April 27, 2025)
- Take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference
Important Dates for CDS 1 2025
| Notification Release Date | December 20, 2024 |
| Online Application Start Date | December 20, 2024 |
| Online Application End Date | January 17, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release Date | March 20, 2025 |
| Examination Date | April 5, 2025 |
| Answer Key Release Date | April 20, 2025 |
| Answer Key Challenge Window | April 20 – April 27, 2025 |
| Result Declaration | Expected by June 2025 |
| SSB Interview Call Letters | To be announced after result declaration |
CDS 1 2025 Vacancies
| Academy | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 45 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men | 175 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women | 25 |
| Total | 377 |
CDS 1 2025 Expected Cut-off Marks
Based on the previous year’s trends, the expected cut-off marks for CDS I 2025 are as follows:
| Academy | Expected Cut-off (Out of 300/200) |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 130-140 out of 300 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 135-145 out of 300 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 140-150 out of 300 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men | 85-95 out of 200 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women | 80-90 out of 200 |
Note: These are estimated cut-offs based on previous trends and the actual cut-offs may vary based on factors like the difficulty level of the examination, number of vacancies, and the performance of candidates.
CDS 1 2025 Selection Process
The selection process for CDS I 2025 consists of the following stages:
- Written Examination: The first stage involves a written examination as per the pattern mentioned above.
- SSB Interview: Candidates who qualify the written examination will be called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview, which is conducted over 5 days and includes various psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews.
- Medical Examination: Candidates who clear the SSB Interview will undergo a comprehensive medical examination as per military standards.
- Final Merit List: The final merit list will be prepared based on the combined performance in the written examination and SSB Interview.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there negative marking in the CDS examination?
How can I challenge the official CDS 1 2025 Answer Key?
What is the validity of the CDS 1 2025 result?
When will the CDS 1 2025 final result be declared?
How many times is the CDS exam conducted in a year?
What is the refund policy for the answer key challenge fee?
Contact Details
For any queries related to CDS I 2025 Answer Key or the challenge process, candidates can contact:
- Facilitation Counter: UPSC, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069
- Phone: 011-23385271, 011-23381125, 011-23098543
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: upsc.gov.in
Conclusion: Candidates who appeared for the CDS I 2025 examination should download the official answer key and calculate their probable scores. If you find any discrepancy in the answer key, make sure to challenge it within the specified time frame with proper evidence. Keep checking the official UPSC website for further updates on the result declaration and SSB Interview dates. Best of luck for your result!
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