🛡️ UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2025: Grab Your Chance to Serve the Nation – 453 Vacancies Across Army, Navy & Air Force!
📅 Last Date to Apply: Extended till 20th June 2025
✍️ Written Exam Date: 14th September 2025
✨ Introduction: Begin Your Journey into the Defence Forces
If you dream of wearing the uniform and serving the nation with pride, the UPSC CDS II 2025 Examination is your golden opportunity. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS II), 2025, announcing 453 vacancies for induction into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
This blog will guide you through every single detail of the CDS II 2025 notification, including vacancy breakdown, eligibility, selection process, salary, exam pattern, how to apply, and all essential dates.
Let’s dive in! ⚔️
🔍 What is UPSC CDS?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment into the Indian Armed Forces. It is one of the most sought-after opportunities for graduates who aspire to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force as commissioned officers.
The CDS II 2025 is your ticket to:
- Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
- Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
- Air Force Academy, Hyderabad
- Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Men & Women)
📝 Latest Update – Important Notice
📢 The last date to apply for UPSC CDS II 2025 has been extended from 17th June to 20th June 2025! This gives candidates more time to prepare and complete their applications through the new UPSC Online Application Portal.
📌 UPSC CDS II 2025 Overview at a Glance
| 📑 Particulars | ℹ️ Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination II, 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Vacancies | 453 |
| Application Period | 28 May 2025 – 20 June 2025 |
| Exam Date | 14 September 2025 |
| Selection Process | Written Exam, SSB Interview, Medical Examination |
| Training Academies | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA (Men & Women) |
📊 UPSC CDS II 2025 Vacancy Details
Here’s the vacancy-wise distribution for various courses and academies:
| 🏫 Course Name | 📍 Location | 📅 Commencement | 🎯 Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Dehradun | July 2026 | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Ezhimala | July 2026 | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Hyderabad | July 2026 | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – SSC (Men) | Chennai | October 2026 | 276 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – SSC (Women) | Chennai | October 2026 | 19 |
| Total Vacancies | 453 |
🔗 Important Web-Links
| 🔗 Description | 🔗 Link |
|---|---|
| 🗒️ Official Notification PDF | Download Here |
| 🖱️ Apply Online | Click to Apply |
| 🌐 UPSC Official Website | Visit UPSC |
✅ Eligibility Criteria for CDS II 2025
📍 Nationality
A candidate must be:
- 🇮🇳 A citizen of India, or
- 🇳🇵 A subject of Nepal, or
- 🗺️ A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East Africa, or Vietnam to settle permanently in India.
📝 Note: Candidates other than citizens of India need an eligibility certificate issued by the Indian Government.
🎓 Educational Qualification
| Academy | Educational Requirement |
|---|---|
| IMA / OTA | Graduation from a recognized university |
| INA | Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution |
| AFA | Graduation (with Physics & Math at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering |
💡 Final Year Students can apply, but must submit proof of passing the final exam before the academy course starts.
🎂 Age Limit, Gender & Marital Status
| Academy | Age Limit | Gender | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | 19–24 yrs (Unmarried male) | Male | Unmarried |
| INA | 19–24 yrs (Unmarried male) | Male | Unmarried |
| AFA | 20–24 yrs (Born 2nd July 2002 – 1st July 2006) | Male | Unmarried |
| OTA (Men) | 19–25 yrs (Born 2nd July 2001 – 1st July 2007) | Male | Unmarried |
| OTA (Women) | 19–25 yrs | Female | Unmarried / Widow / Divorcee without children |
✈️ CPL Holders (Commercial Pilot Licence) may apply up to age 26 for AFA.
💼 UPSC CDS II 2025 Salary Structure & Benefits
💰 Pay Scale
| Rank | Pay Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10B | ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400 |
🏅 Military Service Pay (MSP)
- Fixed MSP for officers from Lieutenant to Brigadier: ₹15,500/- per month
🏫 Training Stipend
- Cadets during training will receive ₹56,100/- p.m. as a stipend.
🎁 Additional Allowances
- 👨👩👧 CEA: ₹2813 per month per child (Nursery to Class XII)
- 🧥 Dress Allowance: ₹25,000 annually
- 🍽️ Free Ration
- 🚗 Transport Allowance (TPTA): ₹7,200 + DA or ₹3,600 + DA
- 🛡️ Risk/Hardship/Field Area Allowance
- 💵 Insurance Cover: Up to ₹1.25 Cr (Air Force), ₹1 Cr (Army) during training
📘 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 |
⛔ Negative marking applies
🌐 Papers available in both Hindi and English (except English paper)
🧠 UPSC CDS II 2025 Selection Process
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview
- Stage I: OIR + PPDT
- Stage II: GTO Tasks, Psych Tests, Personal Interview
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List
🏥 Only candidates declared medically fit and found in order of merit are selected for training.
📲 How to Apply Online for CDS II 2025?
🌐 Step-by-Step Guide
- Visit Official Portal: https://upsconline.nic.in/upsc/OTRP/
- Create Account: Register under the new application portal (OTRP).
- Fill CAF Form: Common Application Form for CDS II 2025.
- Upload Documents: Photo ID (preferably Aadhaar), Signature, Photo, Certificates.
- Pay Fee: ₹200 (Gen/OBC); No fee for SC/ST/Women
- Submit Form: Review all fields and click submit.
⚠️ No corrections allowed post submission.
💳 Application Fee Details
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC | ₹200/- |
| SC/ST/Female | Nil |
✅ Mode of Payment: Debit/Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking
🧾 Key Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card or other valid photo ID
- Educational Certificates
- Passport-size Photograph
- Scanned Signature
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- NCC Certificate (if claiming reservation)
📅 Important Dates – UPSC CDS II 2025
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| 📢 Notification Release | 28 May 2025 |
| 📝 Application Start | 28 May 2025 |
| ❌ Last Date to Apply | 20 June 2025 |
| 📚 Written Exam | 14 September 2025 |
| 📣 Result Declaration | October 2025 (Tentative) |
🎯 Final Tips to Crack CDS II 2025
🔖 Start Early: Begin preparation with NCERTs, standard GK books, and basic math.
🗞️ Stay Updated: Read newspapers daily (The Hindu, Indian Express) for GK.
🧮 Practice Maths: Focus on Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic – especially for IMA, INA, AFA.
📚 Revise Regularly: Make short notes and revise frequently.
🏋️ Fitness First: Physical fitness is crucial for SSB and training.
🏁 Conclusion
UPSC CDS II 2025 is more than just an exam – it’s the beginning of a noble life of courage, service, and discipline. With 453 vacancies open, now is your time to act. Whether your aim is to be a frontline fighter, a naval strategist, or an air warrior, the CDS II exam can be your launchpad.
🛡️ The country is calling — will you answer?
📥 Apply Now: UPSC CDS II Application Portal
📘 Read Official Notification: Download PDF