By AimIndia Team 
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for Combined Defence Services CDS Exam 2025. This prestigious national-level examination offers an excellent opportunity to join India’s elite armed forces, including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
Candidates interested in government jobs in defense can now apply online. Here’s everything you need to know about the CDS Exam 2025, including important dates, eligibility criteria, fees, and the application process.
What is the CDS Exam?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year. It’s a gateway for candidates to become commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The selection process includes:
- A written exam.
- A SSB interview.
- A medical examination.
If you dream of serving your country with honor, the CDS Exam 2025 is your chance to step forward!
CDS Exam 2025 Overview
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination 2025 (1) |
| Vacancies | 457 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Dates | 11th to 31st December 2024 |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Date | 13th April 2025 |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates for CDS 2025
Mark these dates on your calendar to avoid missing any deadlines:
| Events | CDS 1 Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 11th December 2024 |
| Application Start Date | 11th December 2024 |
| Application End Date | 31st December 2024 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31st December 2024 |
| Admit Card Release | April 2025 |
| Exam Date | 13th April 2025 |
CDS-1 Vacancies
The UPSC has announced a total of 457 vacancies for CDS 1 Exam 2025. Here’s the breakdown:
| Academy | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 32 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women | 18 |
| Total Vacancies | 457 |
Eligibility Criteria for CDS 2025
Before applying, ensure you meet the eligibility requirements:
Nationality
- Indian citizens or candidates from Nepal/Bhutan.
- Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before 1st January 1962.
- Migrants of Indian origin from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and other specified countries.
Educational Qualification
- IMA & OTA: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- INA: Degree in Engineering.
- AFA: Bachelor’s degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR Engineering degree.
Age Limit
- IMA: Unmarried males born between 2nd January 2002 and 1st January 2007.
- INA: Same as IMA.
- AFA: 20-24 years as of 1st January 2026.
- OTA: Male and female candidates born between 2nd January 2001 and 1st January 2007.
Marital Status
- IMA & INA: Only unmarried males.
- AFA: Married and unmarried males; however, marriage during training is not allowed.
- OTA: Unmarried males and females.
Physical Standards
- Candidates must meet the physical fitness requirements as prescribed by the UPSC.
How to Apply for CDS 2025?
- Visit the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in.
- Click on the CDS 1 2025 Application Form link.
- Complete the registration by providing your details.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit your form and save a copy for future reference.
⏳ Deadline to Apply: 31st December 2024 (6:00 PM)
Application Fee
- General/OBC: ₹200
- SC/ST/Females: No fee
- Payment can be made online via net banking, credit/debit card, or offline at an SBI branch.
CDS Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The exam consists of multiple-choice questions conducted offline.
For IMA, INA, AFA
- English: 100 marks
- General Knowledge: 100 marks
- Mathematics: 100 marks
For OTA
- English: 100 marks
- General Knowledge: 100 marks
Selection Process
- Written Exam: Qualify the subject-wise tests.
- SSB Interview: Assess your personality, intelligence, and aptitude.
- Medical Exam: Ensure physical fitness as per the guidelines.
Physical Standards
- Minimum height for male candidates: 157 cm.
- Female candidates: 152 cm.
- Specific relaxation for candidates from certain regions (details in notification).
CDS Admit Card 2025
Admit cards will be released in April 2025. Download it from the UPSC website using your registration ID.
CDS 2025 Result and Cut-Off
- Result: Published on the official UPSC website after the exam.
- Cut-Off: Based on the difficulty of the exam and number of candidates.
CDS Exam Centres 2025
| State/UT | Exam Centers |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Anantpur, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam |
| Assam | Dispur, Dibrugarh |
| Bihar | Gaya, Patna |
| Chhattisgarh | Bilaspur, Raipur |
| Delhi NCR | Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Gautam Buddh Nagar |
| Goa | Panaji |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Rajkot |
| Haryana | Faridabad, Gurgaon |
| Himachal Pradesh | Dharamsala, Mandi, Shimla |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Jammu, Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Dharwad, Mysore |
| Kerala | Kochi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Thiruvananthapuram |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur |
| Maharashtra | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Pune, Thane |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Kohima |
| Odisha | Cuttack, Sambalpur, Rourkela |
| Puducherry | Puducherry |
| Punjab | Chandigarh, Ludhiana |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Vellore |
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Hanumakonda (Warangal Urban) |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Uttarakhand | Almora, Dehradun, Srinagar |
| Uttar Pradesh | Aligarh, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Varanasi |
| West Bengal | Kolkata, Siligudi |
| Union Territories | Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Leh |
Official Links
| Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 Notification 2025 PDF | Download Notification PDF |
| CDS 1 Application Form 2025 | Apply Online |
| CDS Admit Card 2025 | Download Admit Card |
| Official UPSC Website | Visit UPSC Website |
| Exam Syllabus and Pattern | Check Exam Syllabus |
| FAQs on CDS Exam | Read FAQs |
| CDS Cut-Off Details | Check Previous Year Cut-Offs |
| Online Fee Payment Instructions | Fee Payment Guide |
| CDS Result | View Results |
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
The CDS (Combined Defence Services) Exam is a national-level test conducted by UPSC to recruit officers for the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Officer’s Training Academy.
Unmarried male and female candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for age, education, and nationality can apply.
IMA and INA: 19–24 years
AFA: 20–24 years
OTA: 19–25 years
The fee is ₹200 for general and OBC candidates. SC/ST and female candidates are exempted.
You can apply online at the official UPSC website, www.upsc.gov.in, from December 11 to December 31, 2024.
The written exam will be held on April 13, 2025.
There are 457 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
The selection includes:
Written Test
SSB Interview
Medical Examination