The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination to select candidates for admission to defense training services. Successful candidates will be able to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), or Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), beginning in July 2026.
The selection process has a written exam followed by Interview. See the instructions below to prepare for this Sarkari Exam.
CDS II 2025 Exam Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) II 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification Date | May 28, 2025 |
| Application Window | May 28 to June 17, 2025 |
| Exam Date | September 14, 2025 |
| Admit Card | Early September 2025 |
| Result (Written) | October 2025 (Expected) |
| SSB Interview | Nov 2025 – Feb 2026 (Tentative) |
| Final Result | Mid-2026 (After SSB) |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (Exempt for SC/ST/Female) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidates must be:
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An Indian citizen, or
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A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
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A Tibetan refugee settled in India before Jan 1, 1962
Age Limit (As of July 1, 2026)
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IMA & INA: Unmarried males aged 19–25
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AFA: 20–24 years (up to 26 with CPL license)
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OTA (Men & Women): 19–25 years
Educational Qualification
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IMA & OTA: Bachelor’s degree from a renowned university.
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INA: Degree in Engineering.
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AFA: Degree with Physics & Math at 10+2 level or B.E./B.Tech.
Final-year students may apply if they can provide proof of passing before the course begins.
How to Apply
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Visit upsc.gov.in
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Complete One-Time Registration (OTR)
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Fill up the CDS II 2025 application form in two parts:
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Part I: Personal details & academy preference
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Part II: Payment, center selection, and document uploads
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Submit and save a copy of application for reference or future use
Required Documents
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Scanned passport size photo & signature (JPEG, 20–300 KB)
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Photo ID (Aadhar, Passport, etc.)
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Academic certificates (if applicable)
CDS II Exam 2025 Pattern For IMA, INA, AFA
| Paper | Marks | Duration | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours | 120 |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours | 120 |
| Elementary Maths | 100 | 2 hours | 100 |
CDS II Exam 2025 Pattern For OTA (Men & Women)
| Paper | Marks | Duration | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours | 120 |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours | 120 |
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Marking Scheme: +1 mark (Math), +0.83 (English/GK); -0.33 for wrong answers
Syllabus Overview
English: Grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, sentence correction, para jumbles
General Knowledge: Current affairs, history, geography, science, polity, economics
Mathematics: Class 10-level topics like algebra, trigonometry, geometry, statistics, etc.
CDS 2 2025 Vacancies
Vacancies would be published with the official notification on May 28, 2025. [As a reference – CDS I 2025 offered 457 seats]:
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IMA: 100
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INA: 32
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AFA: 32
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OTA (Men): 258
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OTA (Women): 35
Selection Process
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Written Exam – Candidates must meet minimum cut-offs in each paper
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SSB Interview – Two stages:
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Stage I: OIR and PPDT
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Stage II: Psychology tests, group tasks, interview
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Medical Test – Conducted by Service Medical Boards
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Final Merit List – Based on performance in the written test and interview
Admit Card & Result
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Admit Card: Available online by early September 2025
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Written Result: October 2025 (PDF on UPSC website)
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Final Result: Mid-2026 (after SSB)
Salary & Benefits
| Stage | Salary/Benefit |
|---|---|
| During Training | ₹56,100 per month (Stipend) |
| Lieutenant (On Join) | ₹56,100–1,77,500 + Allowances |
| Other Perks | Medical, pension, housing, insurance |
Exam Centres
Available across 70+ Indian cities. Candidates can select preferences during the application.
Preparation Tips
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Study on NCERTs (Class 10–12) for basics
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Study with previous years’ CDS papers and mock tests
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Improve current affairs knowledge using newspapers and other news sources
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Use standard preparation books for GK, Reasoning
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Prepare for Exam with physical training, group discussions, and mock tests. And Best of Luck!