How Many Vacancies Are in CDS 2 in 2025?

In case you are planning to join the Indian Armed Forces by getting through the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS), you should keep track of the number of vacancies in each cycle. With the CDS 2 Exam 2025 just around the corner, candidates are anxiously waiting to have the official notification by UPSC on the number of vacancies.

This blog will take a closer look at the CDS 2 2025 vacancies, the trends of the last few years, what you should expect, and how it affects your preparation. Regardless of whether you are aiming at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Ind cds previous year question paperian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), or Officers Training Academy (OTA), it is essential to know how many seats are available to be filled.

Another important point that we will cover is eligibility, selection procedure, and how CDS exam books and CDS previous year question papers can pave your way to success.

What is the CDS 2 Exam?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam twice a year. The second cycle of the examination is the CDS-2, which is usually conducted in September, and the notifications are issued in May or June. Under CDS, the training of candidates is selected at:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun

• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala

• Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad

• Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men & Women)

The exam is open to both male and female candidates (for OTA), while other academies are generally for male candidates only.

CDS 2 2025 Vacancies – What to Expect?

At the moment, UPSC has not issued an official notification for CDS 2 2025. The number of vacancies can be realistically estimated based on the trends and data of the past years.

Here is an overview of CDS 2 vacancies from the last few years to help you understand the pattern:

CDS 2 Vacancies – Year-Wise Analysis

From this table, it's clear that the number of vacancies remains fairly consistent year to year.

Estimated CDS 2 2025 Vacancies

Based on the trend, here’s a tentative projection for CDS 2 2025:

These numbers are not official, but they’re likely close to what UPSC will announce. The final confirmation will be available in the CDS 2 2025 notification, expected in May or June 2025.

Why Knowing the Number of Vacancies is Crucial?

Understanding how many positions are available helps you:

• Gauge competition intensity for each wing.

• Strategize your preparation focus accordingly.

• Choose your first preference wisely during the application.

For instance, IMA and OTA (Men) consistently have the highest number of seats, which may appear to offer better chances. However, competition is equally tough as more candidates opt for these options.

Importance of Cut-Off Trends concerning Vacancies

Every year, UPSC releases the CDS cut-off marks after the final result. These cut-offs are influenced by several factors:

• Number of vacancies

• Overall difficulty level of the exam

• Number of qualified candidates

• Overall performance of the applicants

Here is a general cut-off trend from previous CDS exams to help you understand the impact of vacancies:

Higher vacancies sometimes slightly lower the cut-off, but aspirants should aim well above these marks for better chances.

Read More: CDS Maths Paper Made Easy: Formula Sheet, Shortcuts & Practice Tips

The Notification: What to Look for When It’s Out

When UPSC releases the official CDS 2 2025 notification, carefully review the following sections:

• Exact number of vacancies for each academy

• Eligibility criteria (age limit, marital status, educational background)

• Syllabus & exam pattern

• SSB interview procedures

• Instructions for preferred academies

• Application guidelines

Bookmark the notification page and consider saving a PDF copy for reference throughout your preparation. UPSC notifications are official and final — you should rely only on them for critical details.

Role of CDS Exam Books in Preparation

With over 300+ vacancies expected in CDS 2 2025, preparing with the right resources becomes extremely important. Using well-structured CDS exam books that cover the entire syllabus of English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA/INA/AFA) will:

• Build your conceptual clarity

• Improve your answer accuracy

• Provide mock tests and practice sets

Whether you're a beginner or a repeat aspirant, using updated and syllabus-aligned CDS exam books can significantly boost your performance.

Use of CDS Previous Year Question Paper

Analyzing the CDS previous year question paper is one of the most effective methods to understand:

• Question pattern

• Difficulty level

• Most asked topics

• Time management

Solving previous year papers of the past 5-10 years will help you follow the trend of UPSC, will not leave you surprised on the actual day of the exam, and will also help you gauge your preparation level.

Solve at least one CDS previous year question paper a week before the exam. This creates confidence, and it will enable you to know your weak areas.

Important Preparation Insights Based on Vacancies

1. IMA vs OTA: IMA might also have more vacancies, but you will be required to pass all three papers - English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. OTA is comparatively not as hard (no Math), however, non-math candidates can be competitive.

2. Academy Preference: Select the academy you want to go to depending on your strengths. In case you are weak in Math, OTA is more suitable. IMA is the best choice in case you want a longer service term and a permanent commission.

3. Cut-Offs are Correlated with Vacancies: Normally, the cut-offs can reduce a bit when the vacancies rise. This is, however, not always the case since this also depends on the general difficulty level and the number of aspirants.

4. Female Aspirants: In the case of women candidates, OTA is the sole entry point, and the vacancies are approximately 15-20. Hence, competition is just too stiff, and preparation has to be targeted and regular.

CDS 2 2025 Selection Process (Brief Overview)

To clear all these stages, regular practice through CDS exam books and solving CDS previous year question papers is highly recommended.

CDS 2 2025 Important Dates (Tentative)

Tips to Maximize Your Selection Chances

• Start early: With over 3 lakh candidates appearing every cycle, early preparation is your best edge.

• Follow a study plan: Dedicate fixed hours for English, GK, and Math (if applicable).

• Practice mock tests: Simulate exam conditions weekly.

• Read newspapers: Stay updated for the GK section.

• Revise regularly, especially with the help of notes and past question banks.

Final Thoughts

Although the official CDS 2 2025 vacancies are not yet announced, it is evident that there is a trend of approximately 345-365 total seats being available. These figures are slightly different, but they give a good starting point for the aspirants to set for themselves.

You should remember that success in CDS is not just how many vacancies you have but how well you prepare and how wisely you use your resources. It can be through practicing CDS exam books or studying CDS previous year question papers, but your regular practice will count.

Do not forget to check our website to get the latest CDS news, examination tips, and preparation methods to help you succeed.