The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2025. This examination offers a prestigious opportunity for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces.
Overview
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Organization: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
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Examination Name: Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2025
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Total Vacancies: 453
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Application Mode: Online
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Official Website: www.upsc.gov.in
Important Dates
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Notification Release Date: 28 May 2025
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Start of Online Application: 28 May 2025
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Last Date to Apply Online: 17 June 2025
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Last Date for Fee Payment: 17 June 2025
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Application Correction Window: As per schedule
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Examination Date: 14 September 2025
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Admit Card Release: To be announced
Vacancy Details
| Course/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 | 14 |
| Total | 453 |
Note: The number of vacancies is provisional and may be changed by UPSC.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be:
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A citizen of India, or
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A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
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A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit (As on 1st July 2026)
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IMA: Unmarried male candidates born between 2nd July 2002 and 1st July 2007.
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INA: Unmarried male candidates born between 2nd July 2002 and 1st July 2007.
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AFA: Unmarried male candidates born between 2nd July 2002 and 1st July 2006.
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OTA (Men & Women): Unmarried male/female candidates born between 2nd July 2001 and 1st July 2007.
Educational Qualifications
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IMA & OTA: Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
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INA: Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution.
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AFA: Degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.
Note: Candidates appearing in the final year/semester of their degree course can also apply.
Application Fee
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General/OBC Candidates: ₹200/-
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Female/SC/ST Candidates: Exempted(UPSC Online)
Payment Mode: Online through Debit/Credit Card or Net Banking, or by depositing the money in any Branch of SBI by cash.
Selection Process
The selection process comprises:
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Written Examination:
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For IMA, INA, AFA:
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English: 100 marks
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General Knowledge: 100 marks
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Elementary Mathematics: 100 marks
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For OTA (Men & Women):
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English: 100 marks
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General Knowledge: 100 marks
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Interview for Intelligence and Personality Test:
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Conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB) for candidates who qualify in the written examination.
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Examination Pattern
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Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper-based)
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Type: Objective Type Questions
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Duration: 2 hours for each paper
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Medium: English and Hindi (except for the English paper)
How to Apply
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Visit the official UPSC website: upsconline.nic.in.
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Click on the link for "Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC".
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Select "Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025".
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Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process.
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Fill in the application form with the required details.
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Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature.
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Pay the application fee as applicable.
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Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
Important Links
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Apply Online: Click Here
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Official Notification: Click Here
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Official Website: www.upsc.gov.in
Candidates are advised to read the official notification thoroughly before applying to ensure they meet all eligibility criteria and understand the application process.
