The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the Combined Defence Services (CDS) II Examination 2025 to recruit officers for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), with courses commencing in July 2026. The online application window opens on 28 May 2025 and closes on 17 June 2025, with the exam scheduled for 14 September 2025. Eligible unmarried candidates aged 20–24 years can apply at upsc.gov.in for 453 vacancies. This guide provides simple details on eligibility, application steps, selection process, and more for UPSC CDS II 2025 aspirants.
UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2025 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam | Combined Defence Services (CDS) II 2025 |
| Total Vacancies | 453 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Location | All India (Training: IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, AFA Hyderabad, OTA Chennai) |
| Stipend (Training) | ₹56,100/month (Level-10) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
- Notification Release: 28 May 2025
- Application Start Date: 28 May 2025
- Application Last Date: 17 June 2025
- Fee Payment Last Date: 17 June 2025
- Form Correction Window: As per schedule
- Exam Date: 14 September 2025
- Admit Card Release: ~4 September 2025 (Tentative)
- Result Declaration: Expected October 2025
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹200
- SC / ST / Female: ₹0
- Payment Mode: Online (Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI) or Offline (SBI E-Challan)
- Refund Terms: Non-refunded post-submission.
Age Limit
- For Indian Military Academy : 02/07/2002 To 01/07/2007
- For Indian Naval Academy : 02/07/2002 To 01/07/2007
- For Air Force Academy : 02/07/2002 To 01/07/2006
- Officers Training Academy : 02/07/2001 To 01/07/2007
- Age Relaxation: No relaxation for reserved categories, per UPSC rules.
- Proof: Date of birth as per Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate.
Also Read:- UPSC NDA II Recruitment 2025
Eligibility Criteria
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized university or equivalent. |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution. |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Bachelor’s Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering. |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized university or equivalent. |
- Nationality: Indian citizen, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or specific refugees/migrants (e.g., Tibetan refugees before 1 January 1962) with eligibility certificate.
- Marital Status: Unmarried male/female for IMA, INA, AFA; unmarried or widower/widow without children for OTA (SSC Non-Technical).
- Physical Standards: Minimum height (157 cm for IMA/OTA, 162.5 cm for AFA/INA), weight proportionate, and vision/medical fitness per CDS guidelines.
Vacancy Details
Selection Process
The UPSC CDS II 2025 selection process includes:
- Written Exam: Three papers for IMA/INA/AFA (English, General Knowledge, Mathematics); two for OTA (English, General Knowledge).
- SSB Interview: 5-day process (Stage I: Screening; Stage II: Psychological Tests, Group Tasks, Interview) assessing leadership and personality.
- Medical Examination: Fitness check per CDS standards.
- Final Merit List: Based on written exam (300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA) + SSB interview (300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA).
How to Apply for UPSC CDS II 2025?
- One-Time Registration (OTR):
- Visit upsconline.nic.in → “New Registration.”
- Enter name, date of birth, gender, mobile, email; verify via OTP.
- Create a password and save OTR credentials.
- Fill Application Form:
- Log in → Select “Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025.”
- Part I: Add personal details, educational qualifications, academy preferences (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA), and exam center.
- Part II: Upload photo, signature (JPG, 20–300 KB), and photo ID (PDF, 20–300 KB, e.g., Aadhaar, Voter ID).
- Pay Fee:
- Pay ₹200 (General/OBC/EWS) online or via SBI E-Challan; SC/ST/Female exempt.
- Use Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
- Submit & Print:
- Review details, agree to declaration, and submit.
- Download and print the form with Registration ID for records.
Important Links
| Content | Dates | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Apply Online | 28/05/2025 | Click Here |
| Official Notification | 28/05/2025 | Click Here |
| Official Website | 27/05/2025 | Click Here |
FAQs – UPSC CDS II 2025
Q1. When does the UPSC CDS II 2025 application process start?
Ans: The online application starts on 28 May 2025.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CDS II 2025?
Ans: The last date is 17 June 2025, with fee payment due by the same date.
Q3. What is the age limit for UPSC CDS II 2025?
Ans: Candidates must be 20–24 years as of 1 July 2025 (born between 2 July 2001 and 1 July 2005). No age relaxation for reserved categories.
Q4. What are the educational qualifications for CDS II 2025?
Ans: IMA/OTA: Bachelor’s Degree (any stream). INA: Engineering Degree. AFA: Bachelor’s Degree with Physics/Math at 10+2 or Engineering.
