UPSC CDS (I) Examination 2025 – Download English, General Knowledge & Elementary Mathematics Question Papers (Official PDFs)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has successfully conducted the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2025, one of India’s most prestigious national-level defence recruitment examinations.
This exam is the gateway to elite defence institutions such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
If you appeared for the CDS (I) 2025 exam or are preparing for CDS (II) 2025 or CDS 2026, this post provides official question paper download links for all three subjects:
- English (Paper I)
- General Knowledge (Paper II)
- Elementary Mathematics (Paper III)
These PDFs will help you understand the question trends, difficulty level, and pattern to enhance your preparation for upcoming attempts.
Overview – UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2025
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services (I) Examination, 2025 |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Purpose | Recruitment into IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Category | Defence / Armed Forces Entry |
| Exam Date | 16 February 2025 (Expected) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| Selection Process | Written Test + SSB Interview + Medical Examination |
CDS 2025 Exam Structure
The CDS exam comprises three subjects for IMA, INA, and AFA, while OTA candidates appear only for English and General Knowledge papers.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | English | 100 | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQ) |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQ) |
| Paper III | Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQ) |
| Total (IMA/INA/AFA) | — | 300 Marks | — | — |
| Total (OTA) | — | 200 Marks | — | — |
Paper I – English
Purpose:
To evaluate the candidate’s command over the English language in areas such as grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and usage.
Total Marks: 100
Duration: 2 Hours
Question Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
Topics Covered in CDS English Paper 2025
Spotting Errors
Antonyms and Synonyms
Fill in the Blanks / Cloze Test
Ordering of Sentences / Para Jumbles
Reading Comprehension Passages
Sentence Improvement
Idioms and Phrases
CDS 2025 English Paper – Difficulty Analysis
| Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammar | 30 | Moderate | Concept-based |
| Vocabulary | 25 | Easy–Moderate | Repetition from previous years |
| Comprehension | 20 | Moderate | Passage-based |
| Sentence Correction | 15 | Moderate | Grammar intensive |
| Synonyms/Antonyms | 10 | Easy | Direct vocabulary questions |
Overall Level: Moderate
Trend: Slightly more focus on vocabulary and comprehension compared to CDS 2024.
Download CDS 2025 English Paper (Official PDF)
| Paper | Download Link | Source |
|---|---|---|
| English Paper (CDS I 2025) | Download PDF (Official UPSC) | UPSC Official |
| Answer Key (English) | View UPSC Official Answer Key | UPSC Official |
UPSC releases the official answer key a few weeks after the written test and final result.
Paper II – General Knowledge
Purpose:
To test the your understanding of current national and international events and their general awareness of science, history, geography, and polity.
Total Marks: 100
Duration: 2 Hours
Type: Objective (MCQ)
Key Topics in CDS GK Paper 2025
| Area | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | Defence Exercises, Awards, Important Days, International Events |
| Indian Polity | Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Parliament, Governance |
| Indian History | Freedom Movement, Modern India, Social Reforms |
| Geography | Indian and World Geography, Climate, Resources |
| Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Basic Concepts) |
| Economy | Budget, Fiscal Policy, Banking System |
CDS GK Paper 2025 – Difficulty Analysis
| Section | Questions | Level | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs | 25 | Moderate | Focused on defence and government schemes |
| Polity | 15 | Moderate | Direct conceptual |
| History | 20 | Moderate | Modern India emphasis |
| Geography | 15 | Easy | Conceptual |
| Science | 15 | Moderate | Application-based |
| Economy | 10 | Moderate | Basic concepts |
Overall Level: Moderate to Difficult
Trend: More emphasis on defence and national events (e.g., military exercises, missions).
Download CDS 2025 GK Paper (Official PDF)
| Paper | Download Link | Source |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge Paper (CDS I 2025) | Download PDF (Official UPSC) | UPSC Official |
| Answer Key (GK) | View UPSC Answer Key | UPSC Official |
Paper III – Elementary Mathematics
Purpose:
To test basic mathematical concepts typically covered in Classes 6–10 (NCERT Level), including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Total Marks: 100
Duration: 2 Hours
Type: Objective (MCQ)
CDS 2025 Mathematics Topics
| Section | Topics Covered | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Percentages, Ratio, Time & Work, Speed, Profit & Loss | 25% |
| Algebra | Quadratic Equations, Simplification, Identities | 15% |
| Geometry | Lines, Angles, Circles, Triangles | 20% |
| Trigonometry | Heights & Distances, Identities | 15% |
| Mensuration | Volume & Surface Area | 10% |
| Statistics | Mean, Median, Mode | 5% |
| Number System | HCF, LCM, Divisibility | 10% |
Mathematics Paper 2025 – Difficulty Review
| Section | Questions | Difficulty | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 30 | Moderate | Calculation-based |
| Algebra | 15 | Moderate | Conceptual |
| Geometry | 20 | Moderate | Requires accuracy |
| Trigonometry | 15 | Moderate–Difficult | Time-consuming |
| Mensuration | 10 | Easy | Formula-based |
| Statistics | 10 | Easy | Direct questions |
Overall Level: Moderate
Trend: Similar to CDS 2024 but slightly more analytical.
Download CDS 2025 Mathematics Paper (Official PDF)
| Paper | Download Link | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary Mathematics Paper (CDS I 2025) | Download PDF (Official UPSC) | UPSC Official |
| Answer Key (Maths) | View Official UPSC Key | UPSC Official |
CDS (I) 2025 Overall Paper Analysis
| Paper | Marks | Level | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | Moderate | Vocabulary & Grammar focus |
| General Knowledge | 100 | Moderate–Tough | Defence-oriented |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | Moderate | Conceptual & lengthy |
| Overall | 300 | Balanced Difficulty | Requires strong fundamentals |
Why You Should Download CDS 2025 Question Papers
You can understand UPSC’s question framing style.
You can identify repeated topics and question patterns.
You can evaluate your speed and accuracy.
You can build familiarity with actual exam difficulty.
You can improve confidence for CDS (II) 2025 and SSB Interview.
Tips for CDS (II) 2025 & CDS 2026 Aspirants
For English:
- Practice daily vocabulary & reading comprehension.
- Read The Hindu editorial for sentence structure improvement.
For GK:
- Focus on current affairs and defence updates.
- Revise NCERT History, Polity, and Geography books.
For Mathematics:
- Practice previous year CDS papers and mock tests.
- Strengthen formulas and time management.
Physical & SSB Preparation:
- Start basic workouts for PET (running, pushups, sit-ups).
- Develop communication and leadership skills for the SSB interview.
Conclusion
The UPSC CDS (I) 2025 Question Papers are indispensable resources for every defence aspirant aiming for CDS (II) 2025 or CDS 2026.
They help you analyze trends, understand question formats, and improve accuracy under exam pressure.
By solving the English, GK, and Mathematics 2025 papers, you can:
Strengthen your conceptual base
Identify recurring topics
Practice real UPSC-level questions
“True soldiers prepare from past battles — analyze CDS 2025 to conquer CDS 2026.”
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