Dreaming of serving the nation as an officer in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force? 🎖️ The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2025 notification for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). With 453 vacancies available, this is your chance to join the prestigious defence forces. The last date to apply online is 17th June 2025, and the exam will be held on 14th September 2025.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know—eligibility, exam pattern, selection process, and step-by-step application guide. Let’s dive in!
📌 Key Highlights: UPSC CDS II 2025
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services (CDS) II 2025 |
| Total Vacancies | 453 |
| Courses Offered | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA (SSC Men & Women) |
| Age Limit | Varies by course (See Eligibility) |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (Free for SC/ST/Female Candidates) |
| Exam Date | 14th September 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 17th June 2025 |
| Official Website | https://upsconline.nic.in |
🎖️ Vacancy Details: CDS II 2025
Here’s the course-wise vacancy distribution:
| Course | Vacancies | Gender | Commencement Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA, Dehradun (161st DE Course) | 100 | Male | July 2026 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala | 26 | Male | July 2026 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad | 32 | Male | July 2026 |
| OTA, Chennai (SSC Men – NT) | 276 | Male | October 2026 |
| OTA, Chennai (SSC Women – NT) | 19 | Female | October 2026 |
Note: Vacancies are tentative and subject to change.
✅ Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
Nationality
-
Must be an Indian citizen, or
-
A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
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A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, etc.
Age Limit & Marital Status
| Course | Age Limit | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 19–24 years (Born 02/07/2002–01/07/2007) | Unmarried |
| INA | 19–24 years (Born 02/07/2002–01/07/2007) | Unmarried |
| AFA | 20–24 years (Born 02/07/2002–01/07/2006) | Unmarried (Below 25) |
| OTA (Men) | 19–25 years (Born 02/07/2001–01/07/2007) | Unmarried |
| OTA (Women) | 19–25 years (Born 02/07/2001–01/07/2007) | Unmarried/Widow/Divorcee |
Note: Male divorcees/widowers are not eligible for IMA/INA/AFA.
📚 Educational Qualification
| Course | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| IMA & OTA | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
| Indian Naval Academy | B.E./B.Tech (Engineering degree) |
| Air Force Academy | Bachelor’s degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level or B.E./B.Tech |
Final-year students can apply but must submit proof of passing by:
-
IMA/INA/AFA: 01/07/2026
-
OTA: 01/10/2026
💰 Application Fee
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General/OBC Candidates: ₹200
-
SC/ST/Female Candidates: Exempted
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Payment Mode: Online (Debit/Credit Card/UPI/Net Banking)
⚡ Selection Process
The selection process includes:
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview (Intelligence and Personality Test)
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
UPSC CDS II 2025 Exam Pattern
For IMA, INA, AFA:
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
For OTA (Men & Women):
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
All questions will be of an objective type. There is a penalty of 1/3 mark for each wrong answer.
Final Merit: Based on written exam + SSB marks.
📝 How to Apply Online?
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Visit UPSC Online Portal
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Register & fill the CDS Application Form
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Upload documents (Aadhaar recommended)
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Pay the fee (if applicable)
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Submit & download confirmation
⚠️ Important: No changes allowed after submission!
🔗 Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| UPSC Website | http://upsc.gov.in |
| Join WhatsApp Updates | Click Here |
| Join Telegram Channel | Click Here |
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 28th May 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 17th June 2025 |
| Exam Date | 14th September 2025 |
| SSB Interview | Dec 2025 – Mar 2026 |
💡 Key Takeaways
✔ 453 Vacancies for IMA, INA, AFA & OTA (Men/Women)
✔ Age Limit: Varies by course (19–25 years)
✔ Educational Qualification: Graduation (Engineering for Navy)
✔ Last Date: 17th June 2025
✔ Exam on 14th September 2025
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can female candidates apply for CDS II 2025?
Yes! Women can apply for OTA (SSC Non-Technical) course (19 vacancies).
Q2. Is there negative marking?
Yes, 0.33 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
Q3. Can final-year students apply?
Yes, but they must submit proof of passing by the specified dates.
Q4. What is the salary after training?
-
IMA/INA/AFA: ₹56,100 – ₹2,50,000/month (as per 7th CPC)
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OTA (SSC): ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500/month
🎯 Final Thoughts: UPSC CDS II 2025
The CDS II 2025 exam is a golden opportunity for aspirants to join India’s elite defence forces. With 453 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA, this is your chance to serve the nation with pride.
Start preparing now! Focus on English, GK, Maths (for IMA/INA/AFA), and SSB interview skills. Don’t miss the last date (17th June 2025)—apply online before it’s too late!
Jai Hind!
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