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The UPSC CDS 2 Question Paper 2025 has been officially released, including papers for English, General Knowledge (GK), and Elementary Mathematics. Conducted on 14 September 2025, this exam marks a major event for CDS aspirants. These papers offer a valuable opportunity to assess your performance, how you fare in question types, topic coverage, and exam difficulty. Analysing the paper helps candidates build a more focused strategy for future attempts.
UPSC CDS 2 Question Paper 2025 Overview
UPSC conducted the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam 2 on 14 September 2025 in three sections for IMA, INA, and AFA candidates; OTA candidates had only two sections (English and GK). The question papers cover various topics like comprehension, history, current affairs, arithmetic, algebra, and more. They provide clarity on pattern, marking, and the level of preparation needed.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC CDS (II) 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Date | 14 September 2025 |
| Subjects | English, General Knowledge (GK), Elementary Mathematics |
| Papers for IMA / INA / AFA | English + GK + Maths |
| Papers for OTA | English + GK |
| Total Marks (IMA / INA / AFA) | 300 (100 marks per subject) |
| Total Marks (OTA) | 200 (100 each for English & GK) |
| Duration per Paper | 2 hours each |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CDS 2 Question Paper 2025 Download PDF
The CDS 2 2025 Question Papers for English, GK, and Maths have been made available in PDF format. Aspirants can download these to check exact questions asked, difficulty level, and to practice under exam-like conditions. Having access to all sets helps with comparing different versions and consistency.
| Subject | Download PDF |
| English | UPSC CDS 2 English Question Paper 2025 PDF |
| General Knowledge | UPSC CDS 2 General Knowledge Question Paper 2025 PDF |
| Mathematics | UPSC CDS 2 Mathematics Question Paper 2025 PDF |
Steps to Download UPSC CDS 2 Question Paper 2025
Here are clear steps to download the CDS 2 Question Paper 2025 PDFs:
- Go to the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in).
- Navigate to the “Examinations” section.
- Select “Previous Question Papers / Question Paper PDF” for CDS.
- Find the listing for CDS 2 2025.
- Choose the subject you want (English, GK, Maths).
- Select the Set (A, B, C or D) if applicable.
- Download the PDF and save for study and revision.
UPSC CDS 2 Exam Pattern 2025
Here’s the exam pattern confirmed in CDS 2 2025, showing number of papers, durations, and marks:
| Academy | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA / INA / AFA | English, General Knowledge, Maths | 300 (100 each) | 2 hours each |
| OTA | English, General Knowledge | 200 (100 each) | 2 hours each |
Each question is worth 1 mark.
Negative marking: one-third (0.33) mark deducted for each wrong answer.
UPSC CDS 2 Booklist 2025
To prepare effectively using the 2025 CDS paper data, these books are recommended:
| Subject | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| English | “Objective General English” by SP Bakshi; Wren & Martin Grammar; Practice through previous papers |
| General Knowledge | Lucent’s GK; NCERT Social Science & Science; Current Affairs magazines / newspapers |
| Mathematics | NCERT Mathematics (Class 6-10), R.S. Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude, Arihant / other CDS Maths practice books |
| Past Papers / Mock Tests | All sets (A-D) of CDS 2 2025 papers; Mock test series by reputed institutes |
UPSC CDS 2 Success Rate
As of the latest reports, precise numbers for the final qualified candidates after SSB are yet to be officially released. But some data points show that:
| Year | Registered / Appeared | Qualified Written / Final Recommended | Observations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Thousands appeared for CDS 2 2025 (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA) | Data not fully published yet | The exam remains highly competitive; performance assessment relies heavily on written + SSB |
| Previous Years | Similar trend of lakhs of applications, smaller number qualifying | Success rate well under 1% overall | Stresses the importance of strong preparation |
Preparation Tips for UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2025
Use these pointed tips for UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2025 to improve your chances of success.
- Solve all sets of the 2025 CDS paper under exam conditions (timed, strict).
- Make topic-wise notes especially for GK: polity, history, current affairs, geography.
- For Maths, revise core concepts (algebra, arithmetic, geometry) and formulae; practice shortcuts where applicable.
- Regularly do reading comprehension and grammar drills for the English section.
- Analyse your errors from the 2025 paper; understand which topics cost you marks.
- Work on accuracy to avoid negative marking mistakes.
- Keep updated on recent developments (government policies, international events, etc.), as CDS GK often includes current affairs.
UPSC CDS 2 Question Paper 2025 FAQ
Q1. When was the CDS 2 2025 exam held?
It was conducted on 14 September 2025.
Q2. Which subjects are in the CDS 2 exam?
English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. OTA candidates have only English & GK.
Q3. How many marks is the exam for IMA/INA/AFA vs OTA?
For IMA / INA / AFA total is 300 marks (100 for each subject). For OTA total is 200 marks (English + GK only).
Q4. Is there negative marking?
Yes, for each wrong answer, 1/3 mark is deducted.
Q5. Where can I download all sets of the 2025 CDS 2 papers?
All subject papers and sets (A, B, C, D) are available in PDF from the UPSC website / under “Previous Question Papers” section.
