UPSC CDS-2 Exam 2025 Notification for 457 Posts, Exam Date, Application Form

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued the official notification for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2024. This exam aims to select candidates for courses at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Eligible candidates can submit their applications online until 31st December 2024, with the examination scheduled for 13th April 2024.

Contents

1 UPSC CDS (I) 2025 Overview
2 FAQs

UPSC CDS (I) 2025 Overview

Exam Name	Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2024
Conducting Body	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Courses Offered	IMA, INA, AFA, OTA
Vacancies	457
Mode of Application	Online
Official Website	upsc.gov.in

Quick Links:-

Important Dates

Event	Date
Notification Release Date	11 December 2024
Online Application Start Date	11 December 2024
Last Date to Apply Online	31 December 2024
Exam Date	13 April 2025

Application Fee

Category	Fee
General/OBC	₹200
Female/SC/ST	Nil

Payment can be made via online methods or by depositing cash at any SBI branch.

Vacancy Details

Academy	Vacancies
Indian Military Academy (IMA)	100
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	32
Air Force Academy (AFA)	32
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA, Men)	275
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA, Women)	18

UPSC CDS (I) 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

Indian citizen or as prescribed in the notification (subject of Nepal, Bhutan, or Indian origin migrants).

Age Limit

IMA: Unmarried male candidates born between 2nd January 2002 and 1st January 2007.
INA: Same as IMA.
AFA: 20 to 24 years as of 1st January 2026.
OTA: Unmarried male and female candidates born between 2nd January 2001 and 1st January 2007.

Educational Qualification

IMA and OTA: Candidates Should have Degree from a recognized university.
INA: Candidates Should have Degree in Engineering from a recognized university.
AFA: Candidates Should have Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering.

Selection Process

Written Examination:
- IMA, INA, AFA:
  - English: 100 Marks
  - General Knowledge: 100 Marks
  - Elementary Mathematics: 100 Marks
- OTA:
  - English: 100 Marks
  - General Knowledge: 100 Marks
SSB Interview:
- Intelligence and personality tests conducted by Services Selection Board (SSB).
Merit List:
- Based on combined scores of the written exam and SSB interview.

Exam Pattern

Subject	Duration	Marks
English	2 Hours	100
General Knowledge	2 Hours	100
Elementary Mathematics (IMA, INA, AFA only)	2 Hours	100

Negative marking applies to wrong answers.

How to Apply for UPSC CDS (I) 2025

Visit upsconline.nic.in.
Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process.
Fill out the application form and upload the necessary documents.
Pay the application fee and submit your application.
Print the application confirmation page for future reference.

UPSC Recruitment

FAQs

Can females apply for the UPSC CDS Examination?

Yes, females can apply for specific academies like the Officers’ Training Academy.

What is the duration of training at the Indian Military Academy?

The training duration at the Indian Military Academy is typically 18 months.

Is there any relaxation in age limits for reserved categories?

Yes, certain reserved categories have relaxation in the upper age limit as per UPSC guidelines.

How many attempts are allowed for the UPSC CDS Examination?

There is no limit on the number of attempts for the UPSC CDS Examination, provided candidates meet the age criteria.