The CDS 2 2025 English exam, a crucial component of the Combined Defence Services examination, took place on September 14, 2025. This defence services exam, as outlined in the CDS 2 notification, marks a significant step for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy (AFA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA) in their defense career journey.
The Combined Defence Services 2 2025 consists of three main sections – English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each subject test runs for two hours, providing a comprehensive assessment of the candidate’s abilities. Students applying to IMA, INA, and AFA must take all three papers, with the total score adding up to 300 marks. This article offers a detailed look at the CDS 2 2025 English paper, along with the answer key, expected cut-off scores, and useful CDS preparation tips to help future candidates prepare better.
What you will learn:
- A detailed analysis of the CDS 2 2025 English Question Paper
- How to find the official answer key and solutions
- Expected CDS 2 2025 English Cut Off and past trends
- Smart preparation strategies for upcoming defence services exams
CDS 2 2025 English Paper Analysis
The CDS 2 2025 English paper challenged candidates with moderate language difficulties. Students who took the test reported difficulty levels ranging from easy to moderate.
The paper structure followed its traditional format of 120 questions worth 100 marks. Each correct answer earned 1 mark while wrong answers led to a 1/3rd mark deduction. Students found vocabulary questions quite simple and the comprehension passages remained accessible to all skill levels.
The distribution across different topics showed varying emphasis:
| Topic | Questions | Good Attempts |
| Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms) | 20 | 12-16 |
| Reading Comprehension | 10 | 6-8 |
| Para Jumbles | 20 | 12-16 |
| Grammar | 10 | 6-8 |
| Fill in the Blanks | 10 | 6-8 |
| Error Detection | 10 | 6-8 |
| Idioms and Phrases | 5 | 3-4 |
Students reported the paper’s length as somewhat challenging. Expert analysis suggests scoring well in 70-80 questions would be adequate. The paper introduced several new question formats that weren’t seen in the CDS 1 exam.
This analysis emphasizes why aspiring candidates should strengthen their vocabulary, sharpen reading comprehension abilities, and master para jumbles as these areas dominated the paper’s content.
Answer Key and Question Paper Access
The CDS 2 2025 English question paper and answer key are now available following the defence services exam that took place on September 14, 2025. Many coaching institutes have published their unofficial answer keys for all sets, while UPSC will release the official version soon. As per the CDS 2 notification, candidates can expect the official answer key to be released within a few weeks of the exam.
Accessing the CDS 2 2025 English Question Paper:
The question papers are available in set-specific PDFs:
| Set | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| Set A | Download PDF | Available |
| Set B | Download PDF | Available |
| Set C | Download PDF | Available |
| Set D | Download PDF | Available |
Here’s how you can access the official answer key once it’s released:
- Go to upsc.gov.in
- Click “Examinations” → “Answer Key”
- Select “Combined Defence Services (CDS)”
- Choose your set and download the PDF
The CDS 2 2025 English paper employs negative marking in its scoring system. You’ll receive one mark for each correct answer, while wrong answers will result in a deduction of 0.33 marks. The paper consisted of 120 questions worth 100 marks in total, meaning each question carries approximately 0.83 marks.
Students should refer to their specific set to verify answers since questions appear in different orders across sets. These answer keys provide an excellent opportunity to estimate your score before the official CDS 2 result is announced.
CDS 2 2025 Solution Video Links
- CDS 2 2025 English Exam Analysis | Live Paper Solution : visit
- CDS 2 2025 Exam Expected Cut Off | Live Paper Solution : visit
CDS 2 2025 English Cut Off and Trends
The CDS 2 2025 English Cut Off plays a crucial role for candidates awaiting their results. Previous trends indicate that candidates must score at least 20% in each paper to qualify.
These are the expected cut-off ranges for the written exam:
| Academy | Written Exam Expected | Final Selection Expected |
| IMA | 120-125 | 245-255 |
| INA | 110-125 | 240-250 |
| AFA | 145-150 | 265-270 |
| OTA (Men) | 85-100 | 160-170 |
| OTA (Women) | 90-100 | 165-170 |
The cut-off thresholds depend on multiple factors:
- Available vacancy numbers
- Total number of CDS exam participants
- CDS 2 2025 English paper’s difficulty level
- Past year’s patterns
Historical data suggests that candidates need to score above 255 marks for IMA, 240+ for INA, and 270+ for AFA to get selected. Officers Training Academy (OTA) candidates should aim for scores above 175 for men and 178 for women.
The authorities will prepare the final merit list based on written exam scores, SSB interview performance, and medical examination results. Candidates should target scores higher than these expected thresholds to boost their chances of selection.
These trends help candidates set achievable goals while preparing for future Combined Defence Services examinations.
CDS Preparation Tips
To excel in the Combined Defence Services examination, consider the following CDS preparation tips:
- Develop a strong vocabulary foundation
- Practice reading comprehension regularly
- Master para jumbles and sentence rearrangement
- Focus on grammar rules and their applications
- Solve previous years’ question papers
- Time management during the exam is crucial
- Stay updated with current affairs for the General Knowledge section
- Strengthen your mathematical skills for the Elementary Mathematics paper
Conclusion
The CDS 2 2025 English examination presents both challenges and opportunities for defence aspirants. Our analysis has shown a moderate difficulty level in the paper, with vocabulary and para jumbles requiring extra attention from candidates. The answer key now allows candidates to estimate their performance before the official CDS 2 result is declared.
Understanding the expected cut-off marks helps aspirants set realistic goals. The English paper was slightly lengthy, but candidates who completed 70-80 good attempts can feel confident about crossing the minimum threshold. However, excelling in the CDS 2 2025 English exam requires more than just meeting cut-offs—it demands comprehensive preparation across all sections.
This analysis will benefit future CDS candidates in their preparation. Knowledge of the pattern, smart time management, and focused practice on high-weightage topics like vocabulary and comprehension will substantially boost your success chances. The core assessment areas remain consistent despite changes in question types from previous exams.
Remember that the CDS 2 2025 English exam is just one part of your journey towards a prestigious defence career. Maintain the right perspective while preparing for upcoming opportunities. Your dream of joining the armed forces through the Combined Defence Services examination is definitely within reach with determined effort and smart preparation.
