The CDS 2 2025 GS exam wrapped up on September 14, 2025. Defense aspirants from all corners of the country participated enthusiastically. You can now access the official CDS pyq pdf to check your performance or prepare better for upcoming exams. We have put together all the details and resources you need.
The Combined Defense Services examination ran three separate time slots. English Language tests took place from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by General Knowledge from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Elementary Mathematics closed the day from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The exam authorities issued each paper in four sets—A, B, C, and D. Students must note their specific set to review the CDS question paper correctly. Candidates aiming for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Indian Naval Academy (INA) took all three papers. Others attempted only specific sections based on their service preference.
We have created direct links to the CDS 2 2025 GS paper with a breakdown of exam topics. You’ll find steps to download official question papers and use them for revision effectively. Coaching institutes will soon release answer keys to help you calculate your expected score.
CDS 2 2025 GS Paper Overview and Exam Structure
A good grasp of the CDS 2 2025 General Studies paper structure helps candidates get ready and direct their way through the big syllabus. Let’s get into everything about this vital part of the Combined Defense Services examination.
Exam date and shift timings for GS paper
The Union Public Service Commission held the General Knowledge paper on September 14, 2025, in the second shift from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. This paper comes after the English test (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM) and before the Elementary Mathematics paper (4:00 PM to 6:00 PM). The General Knowledge section stands as a vital paper for all candidates, whatever defense academy they’re applying to.
| 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 |
CDS 2 2025 Solution Video Links
- CDS 2 2025 English Exam Analysis | Live Paper Solution : visit
- CDS 2 2025 GS Exam Analysis | Live Paper Solution : visit
- CDS 2 2025 Maths Exam Analysis | Live Paper Solution : visit
Total marks, duration, and question format
The General Knowledge paper carries 100 marks and has 120 multiple-choice questions. Candidates get two hours to complete this section. Students who practice with previous years’ cds question papers should know that all questions are objective with no descriptive parts.
Right answers earn one mark, while wrong ones lead to a 0.33 mark penalty. This means candidates should take a strategic approach to the cds gs paper and avoid random guessing. The paper comes in both English and Hindi, so candidates can pick their preferred language.
Difference in paper pattern for OTA vs IMA/INA/AFA
A clear difference exists between the exam patterns for different academies:
| Academy | Papers Required | Total Marks | Total Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA/INA/AFA | English, GK, Mathematics | 300 | 6 hours |
| OTA | English, GK only | 200 | 4 hours |
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) candidates need to take only the English and General Knowledge papers. On the other hand, those who want to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), or Air Force Academy (AFA) must also take the Elementary Mathematics paper.
The General Knowledge paper stays similar for everyone, but this structural difference substantially affects how candidates prepare. OTA aspirants wrap up their exam by 2:30 PM, while IMA/INA/AFA candidates continue until 6:00 PM. On top of that, OTA candidates’ evaluation happens on two papers instead of three, which makes scoring well in GK even more important for their overall performance.
Topic-Wise Breakdown of CDS 2 2025 GS Paper
The CDS 2 2025 General Studies paper really tested candidates’ knowledge in several important areas. A look at the cds question paper shows clear topic patterns that aspirants should note while studying from cds previous year question papers with solutions pdf.
Indian Polity: Fundamental Rights and DPSP
Much of the exam consisted of Polity questions, with 12-15 questions appearing in the CDS GK paper. This high-priority section tested Constitutional provisions, Articles, Schedules, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles of State Policy extensively. Questions about equality, freedom, religion, and cultural and educational rights stood out. The DPSP section evaluated how well candidates understood state policy guidelines and their implementation.
Geography: Physical features and rivers
Geography is a vital part of the GS paper that tests candidates’ grasp of physical, political, and economic concepts. The paper emphasized climate, rivers, mountains, natural resources, and international boundaries. Questions about major Indian rivers like Ganga (also known as Bhagirathi), Yamuna, and international rivers appeared often. The paper included questions about mountain ranges such as the Himalayas and the Andes.
History: Indian National Movement and Revolt of 1857
The history section delved deep into the Revolt of 1857, known as the First War of Independence. The questions covered political causes like the Doctrine of Lapse and annexation of Awadh. Economic factors included wealth drain and land revenue policies. Social triggers ranged from racial discrimination to missionary activities. Military reasons spanned pay discrimination and greased cartridges. The paper tested knowledge about leaders like Bahadur Shah Zafar, Nana Saheb, and Rani Lakshmibai.
Science: Human body, diseases, and environment
Biology took center stage in the science section with a focus on human anatomy and physiology. The paper covered the human heart, genetics, biotechnology, evolution, tissues, reproduction, nutrition, and diseases in detail. Questions about vitamins and related ailments appeared frequently. Food production and food chain concepts also featured prominently.
Current Affairs: Government schemes and defense news
Current affairs made up about 15 questions drawn from events in the last 6-10 months. The paper focused on national affairs like government schemes and policies. International affairs covered summits and treaties. Defense news included military exercises and appointments. Sports events, awards, economic developments, and scientific advancements rounded out this section. Defense-specific topics like exercises “Garuda” and “Surya Kiran” appeared regularly.
Download Official CDS 2 2025 GS Question Paper PDF
Students who want to analyze their performance or prepare for future exams can now easily access the official cds question paper PDFs. Here’s a simple guide to get these helpful resources.
Set-wise download links: A, B, C, D
The CDS 2 2025 General Studies question papers came in four different sets during the exam. Students can get these papers through official channels:
- Set A: CDS-2 2025 GS Paper Set A
- Set B: CDS-2 2025 GS Paper Set B
- Set C: CDS-2 2025 GS Paper Set C
- Set D: CDS-2 2025 GS Paper Set D
Steps to access official UPSC release
Getting the official cds pyq pdf is simple. Just follow these steps:
- Go to UPSC’s official website (upsc.gov.in)
- Click on the “Examinations” tab
- Pick “Combined Defense Services (CDS) Question Paper PDF” from the dropdown menu[163]
- Select the 2025 examination year
- Choose your set (A, B, C, or D)
- Click the General Studies paper link
- Download the PDF to your device
How to use the question paper for revision
The cds gs paper makes an excellent study tool. Start by finding the set you wrote during your exam. Take time to review each question and understand your strong and weak areas. These papers help you spot common topics and question patterns. You can use them to set clear goals for your next attempt or interview prep.
How to Use the Answer Key and Estimate Your Score
Your next significant step after downloading the cds gs paper is to use the answer key to estimate your performance. This process will help you assess where you stand before the official results are announced.
Identify your question paper set
The first task is to find your assigned set (A, B, C, or D) from the examination. You’ll find this information printed on your question paper. Your set’s correct identification is vital since question order is different in each set, which makes accurate comparison impossible otherwise. The answer keys are released separately for each set to ensure precise evaluation of your responses.
Apply negative marking: 0.33 per wrong answer
The CDS examination uses a strict negative marking scheme in all subjects. Your total score will lose 0.33 marks (one-third) for each incorrect answer. Questions you leave unattempted do not carry any penalty. This scoring method makes accuracy more important than random guessing and pushes candidates to be strategic about their attempts.
Calculate total score and compare with expected cutoff
Your final score calculation requires counting all correct answers (worth 1 mark each), multiplying wrong answers by 0.33, and subtracting this penalty from your correct score. Let’s say you attempt 90 questions in the General Studies paper and get 70 correct with 20 wrong answers. Your calculation would be: 70 – (20 × 0.33) = 63.4 marks. The next step is to compare your calculated score with previous years’ cutoffs to evaluate your qualification chances.
Conclusion
Thousands of aspirants have completed their CDS 2 2025 General Studies examination, taking a vital step toward their defense career dreams. This piece explores the GS question paper’s structure, marking scheme, and subject analysis. You can access the official question papers for all sets directly.
Future preparation depends on a clear grasp of the exam pattern. The requirements differ between academies. IMA/INA/AFA aspirants must attempt all three papers. OTA candidates focus on English and General Knowledge sections only.
The topics show a strong focus on Indian Polity, Geography, History, Science, and Current Affairs. The negative marking of 0.33 marks for each wrong answer makes strategic question selection essential. Random guessing won’t help.
The official question papers become valuable resources whether you just finished the exam or plan future CDS attempts. Download your specific set (A, B, C, or D) and check it against answer keys to gage your performance.
Joining the elite defense services needs proper preparation and a smart strategy. These official CDS 2 2025 GS question papers give you the tools to evaluate your performance. You can spot areas needing improvement and build a stronger foundation for your defense sector opportunities.
