The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2025 under Examination Notice No. 11/2025.CDS-II, dated 28th May 2025. This recruitment offers a golden opportunity for eligible unmarried graduates to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) through this prestigious examination. The last date to apply online is 17th June 2025.
This notification includes admission to various courses scheduled to begin in 2026. Interested candidates must apply through the new UPSC Online Application Portal at https://upsconline.nic.in and ensure they meet all eligibility conditions. The exam will be held on 14th September 2025 across various centers in India.
Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2025
Conducting Body
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Notification No.
11/2025.CDS-II
Total Vacancies
453
Application Mode
Online
Official Website
upsc.gov.in
Exam Date
14th September 2025
Admit Card Release
One week before the exam
UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2025Important Dates
Event
Date
Notification Release Date
28th May 2025
Last Date to Apply
17th June 2025 (11:59 PM)
Exam Date
14th September 2025
Result Declaration (Tentative)
October 2025
UPSC CDS II 2025 Application Fee
Category
Fee Amount
General/OBC
₹200/-
SC/ST/Female
Exempted
UPSC CDS II 2025 Vacancies and Qualifications
Course
Vacancies
Qualification
Indian Military Academy (IMA)
100
Degree from a recognized university
Indian Naval Academy (INA)
26
Degree in Engineering
Air Force Academy (AFA)
32
Degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or B.E.
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Men)
276
Degree from a recognized university
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Women)
19
Degree from a recognized university
UPSC CDS II 2025 Age Limit
IMA & INA: Unmarried male candidates born between 2nd July 2002 to 1st July 2007.
AFA: 20 to 24 years as on 1st July 2026. Born between 2nd July 2002 and 1st July 2006. CPL holders up to 26 years.
OTA (Men): Unmarried male candidates born between 2nd July 2001 to 1st July 2007.
OTA (Women): Unmarried women, issueless widows/divorcees born between 2nd July 2001 to 1st July 2007.
UPSC CDS II 2025 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 objective type. There is a penalty of 1/3 mark for each wrong answer.
How to Apply for UPSC CDS II 2025
Eligible candidates must apply online via https://upsconline.nic.in before 17th June 2025. Candidates must complete the new Universal Registration and Common Application Form, upload documents, and submit the application fee. No correction facility will be provided after submission. Use of Aadhaar as ID is strongly recommended for ease of verification.
