UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2025
UPSC Combined Defence Service Exam II Recruitment 2025
Table of Contents
UPSC CDS II 2025 Notification: Apply for 453 Defence Posts
Overview: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the UPSC CDS II 2025 Notification for 453 vacancies across the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. This is an excellent opportunity for those seeking Defence Jobs 2025. Apply online from May 28, 2025, to June 17, 2025. Check eligibility, syllabus, salary, posting, and more below. 
Important Dates for UPSC CDS II 2025 | |
| Notification Date: | 28-05-2025 |
| Online Application Period: | 28-05-2025 to 17-06-2025 |
| Last Date for Payment of Fee: | 17-06-2025 (up to 6 PM) |
| Exam Date: | 14-09-2025 |
Application Fee for UPSC CDS II 2025 | |
| General/OBC/EWS: | Rs. 200/- (Non-refundable) |
| SC/ST/Female Candidates: | Exempted |
| Pay the fee online via the UPSC payment portal. No offline payment modes are accepted. | |
Age Limit for UPSC CDS II 2025 (As on 01-01-2025) | |
| IMA: | 19 to 24 years |
| INA: | 19 to 24 years |
| AFA: | 19 to 23 years |
| OTA (Men): | 19 to 25 years |
| OTA (Women): | 19 to 25 years |
| Age relaxation applicable as per government rules for reserved categories. Check official notification for details. | |
Important Links for UPSC CDS II 2025 | |
| Apply Online: | Apply Now |
| Official Notification: | Notification PDF |
| Official Website: | UPSC |
Physical Standards (Height & Weight)
Candidates must meet physical standards as per armed forces guidelines:
Height: Minimum 157.5 cm (Men), 152 cm (Women)
Weight: Proportionate to height and age as per standards. Overweight/underweight candidates may be rejected.
Number of Vacancies for UPSC CDS II 2025 | |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA): | 100 Posts |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA): | 45 Posts |
| Air Force Academy (AFA): | 32 Posts |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) - Men: | 120 Posts |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) - Women: | 25 Posts |
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS II 2025 | |
| Nationality: | Candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Bhutan, or Nepal, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement. |
| Educational Qualification: |
|
| Marital Status: | Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply. |
| Physical Standards: | Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to the examination as per guidelines of the Indian Armed Forces. |
CDS II 2025 Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Subjects:
- English: Vocabulary, Grammar, Comprehension
General Knowledge: Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Economy
Mathematics (for IMA, INA, AFA): Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Statistics
Exam Pattern:
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
Centre of Examination
UPSC conducts the CDS II Exam in major cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Lucknow, Bhopal, and more. Candidates must select their preferred center during application.
Pay Scale of Army Officers & Equivalent Ranks
Lieutenant: Rs. 56,100 - 1,77,500
Captain: Rs. 61,300 - 1,93,900
Major: Rs. 69,400 - 2,07,200
Lieutenant Colonel: Rs. 1,21,200 - 2,12,400
Additional perks include Military Service Pay (Rs. 15,500), DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, and Uniform Allowance.
Posting & Promotion
Posting: Army officers are liable to serve anywhere in India and abroad.
Promotion: Promotions are based on service records, exams, and vacancies. Career progression typically follows Lieutenant → Captain → Major → Lt Colonel → Colonel → Brigadier, and beyond.
How to Apply
- Visit upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the application form and upload documents.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the form and download the acknowledgment.
Scheme of Examination for UPSC CDS II 2025
The UPSC CDS exam is conducted in two main parts:
1. Written Examination: This includes objective type questions on subjects depending on the academy applied for.
2. Interview: Candidates who clear the written exam are called for an intelligence and personality test at Services Selection Centres.
Written Examination Subjects, Duration & Maximum Marks
For Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA):
| Subject | Subject Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 Hours | 100 |
For Officers' Training Academy (OTA):
| Subject | Subject Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
Total marks for written exam and interview:
- IMA, INA, AFA: Written - 300 marks; Interview - 300 marks
- OTA: Written - 200 marks; Interview - 200 marks
Exam Question Format and Rules
- All question papers contain only objective (multiple choice) questions.
- General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are bilingual (Hindi & English).
- Metric units are used in questions as necessary.
- Candidates must write their answers independently; no help or scribes allowed.
- Calculators are not allowed inside exam halls.
- Minimum qualifying marks may be fixed by UPSC for any/all subjects.
Standard and Syllabus
Standard: Mathematics is at 10th-grade (Matriculation) level; other subjects at graduate level.
English (Code No. 11)
Tests understanding and use of English language including vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
General Knowledge (Code No. 12)
Covers current events, scientific phenomena, Indian history, and geography.
Elementary Mathematics (Code No. 13)
Includes Arithmetic, Number Theory, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.
Topics: Number systems, percentages, profit & loss, ratio, HCF/LCM, quadratic equations, trigonometric identities, areas and volumes, data representation.
Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB Interview)
The SSB interview has two stages:
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). Shortlisting is based on these.
- Stage II: A 4-day process including interview, group tasks, psychological tests, and final conference.
Personality is assessed by Interviewing Officer, Group Testing Officer, and Psychologist. Marks are awarded after holistic assessment of Officer Like Qualities (OLQs). Candidates are either Recommended or Not Recommended for commission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2025
- IMA: 100 posts
- INA: 45 posts
- AFA: 32 posts
- OTA (Men): 120 posts
- OTA (Women): 25 posts
- Nationality: Citizen of India, or a subject of Bhutan/Nepal, or a Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962.
- Educational Qualification:
- IMA, INA, AFA: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- OTA: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates can apply.
- Physical Standards: Candidates must meet the physical standards as per Indian Armed Forces guidelines.
- Written Examination (objective-type questions).
- Interview/Personality Test (SSB Interview).
- Document Verification & Medical Examination for final merit-based selection.
- IMA: 19-24 years (born between 2nd July 2001 and 1st July 2006).
- INA: 19-24 years.
- AFA: 20-24 years.
- OTA: 19-25 years.
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature in specified format.
- 10th/12th/Bachelor’s degree certificates (as applicable).
- Caste/Category certificate (if applicable).
- Any other relevant certificates for age/physical standard relaxation.
Important Instructions for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2025
These instructions are for candidates applying for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2025. Please read them carefully before filling the UPSC CDS II Online Application 2025.
- The decision of UPSC in all recruitment matters is final and binding. No correspondence or personal inquiries will be entertained.
- Candidates must ensure that they meet all eligibility criteria (e.g., age, educational qualifications, nationality) as specified in the official notification before applying.
- The recruitment process includes a Written Examination (English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics for IMA/INA/AFA) followed by an SSB Interview/Personality Test. Final selection is based on overall performance.
- Providing incorrect information or violating rules at any stage will lead to disqualification. If detected post-appointment, your service may be terminated without notice.
- Reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC/NCC) claiming benefits must indicate this in the UPSC CDS II Online Application 2025 and provide valid certificates as per the prescribed format during document verification.
- Ensure uploaded photograph (20-300 KB, JPEG) and signature (20-300 KB, JPEG) are clear and meet UPSC’s specified dimensions. Unclear uploads will lead to rejection.
- Upload other required documents (e.g., NCC 'C' Certificate, if applicable) in the specified format. Review and re-upload if needed before final submission.
- After submitting the UPSC CDS II Online Application 2025, download and print the form for future reference. No hard copy submission is required unless specifically requested.
- Candidates must carry the same original photo identity proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN Card, etc.) as mentioned in the online application to the exam center.
- Age limits for CDS II 2025 (as of January 1, 2026): IMA (19-24 years), INA (19-24 years), AFA (20-24 years), OTA (Male & Female) (19-25 years).
- Marital status and gender eligibility criteria vary by academy. Check the official notification before applying.
- Selected candidates will be allocated to IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA based on their preferences, merit, and availability of vacancies.
- Submit only one application. Multiple applications will lead to rejection of all, with forfeiture of any fees paid for duplicate submissions.
- Provide an active email address and mobile number. All updates, including admit cards and results, will be communicated via the UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in). No changes to contact details are allowed after submission.
- No changes to the UPSC CDS II Online Application 2025 (e.g., name, category, contact details) are allowed after final submission.
- Applications with incomplete details, missing documents, or misrepresentation will be rejected at any stage of the recruitment process.
- For technical issues while applying online, visit the UPSC helpline or refer to the instructions at the UPSC online portal (upsconline.nic.in). No personal inquiries will be addressed.
- UPSC may cancel, modify, or amend the number of vacancies or recruitment process at any time without prior notice or assigning reasons.
- Candidates currently serving in the armed forces or government organizations must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) during document verification.
- Canvassing in any form or use of unfair means will lead to disqualification or termination, if detected post-appointment.
- No travel allowance will be paid for appearing in the written examination or SSB Interview/Personality Test.
- Candidates must ensure their final year/degree results are declared by the SSB Interview stage and provide original certificates during verification.
- Selected candidates will be placed on probation as per respective academy rules and will undergo rigorous training as per defense service standards.