UPSC CDS II 2025 Notification To Be Released Today: Know Eligibility, Exam Pattern And More

Last Updated:May 28, 2025, 09:04 IST

UPSC CDS II 2025: Candidates can apply on upsc.gov.in until June 17, 2025. The exam is scheduled to be conducted on September 14, 2025.

UPSC CDS II 2025 Notification: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the official notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2025 today, May 28. Aspirants who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces through the CDS route can access the detailed notification on the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in, once released.

The application process will begin along with the release of the notification and will remain open until June 17, 2025. The CDS II 2025 written examination is scheduled to be held on September 14, 2025. UPSC CDS exam serves as a gateway for candidates to join prestigious institutions like the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).

How To Apply For UPSC CDS II 2025?

Interested candidates can apply for the exam by following a few simple steps:

Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on the link for Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025.

Step 3: Complete the registration process using basic details.

Step 4: Log in to the portal using the registered credentials.

Step 5: Fill in the application form, upload documents, and pay the application fee.

Step 6: Submit the form and download the confirmation page.

Step 7: Print a hard copy for future reference.

UPSC CDS II 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet specific educational and age requirements to be eligible for the CDS exam:

For the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is required.

For Indian Naval Academy (INA): An engineering degree from a recognized university or institution.

For Air Force Academy (AFA): A degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering.

The CDS exam is open to unmarried male and female candidates who meet the physical and medical standards set by the respective academies.

UPSC CDS II 2025: Exam Pattern

The CDS examination is conducted in two stages: the written exam and the SSB interview. The structure of the written exam varies depending on the academy applied for:

For IMA, INA, and AFA: The written exam consists of three papers — English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each section is two hours long, with a total duration of six hours. The combined maximum marks are 300.

For OTA: The written exam includes English and General Knowledge sections only, with each paper lasting two hours. The total marks for OTA candidates are 200.

Candidates who qualify in the written examination will be called for the SSB interview, a comprehensive process that tests candidates’ psychological fitness, leadership potential, and suitability for a career in the armed forces.

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