UPSC CDS Notification 2025 has been published at ‘upsc.gov.in’. The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. It is conducted twice a year.

CDS 1 2025 registration began on December 11, 2024, and CDS 2 2025 notification and application form will be released on May 28, 2025. According to the UPSC CDS Notification 2025, there are a total of 457 vacancies for various courses in the first phase of the CDS exam.

Download UPSC CDS Notification 2025 PDF

The UPSC CDS Notification 2025 PDF can be downloaded directly from the official UPSC website, upsc.gov.in. This notification contains important details such as exam dates, eligibility criteria, application procedure, and the syllabus. Candidates are advised to thoroughly review the PDF to ensure they meet all the requirements before applying. Here is the direct link to access the CDS 1 Notification:

CDS 1 Notification

UPSC CDS 2025 Notification Overview

The CDS Exam is held twice a year — CDS 1 and CDS 2. Each cycle has its own set of notifications, application dates, and exam schedules. Before applying for the exam, candidates must know the complete schedule of the CDS exam. Here’s an overview of the CDS 2025 Exam:

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CDS 2025 Notification Important Dates

The CDS 1 2025 Notification has been released on the UPSC official website. Below is the schedule for the CDS 2025 Exam as per the latest notification:

Eligibility Criteria for CDS 2025

The eligibility criteria for CDS are divided into nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and physical standards.

• Nationality: Candidate must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India.
• Age Limit: 20 to 24 years. The detailed age limit will be mentioned in the official notification PDF
• Educational Qualification:
  • IMA and OTA: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
  • INA: Engineering degree from a recognized university.
  • AFA: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Physical Standards: Candidates must meet certain physical standards set by the commission to qualify for service in the Armed Forces.

UPSC CDS 2025 Exam Pattern

The CDS Exam consists of three sections IMA, INA, and AFA. Candidates must familiarize themselves with the exam pattern in order to perform well in the exam. Each paper is conducted for 2 hours and includes objective-type questions. Negative marking is applicable, with 1/3rd marks deducted for each wrong answer.

Check Out UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025

1. For Admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy:

2. For Admission to the Officers’ Training Academy:

Types of CDS Admit Cards

• Written Exam Admit Card: Issued for candidates appearing in the CDS Written Examination.
• SSB Interview Call Letter: Issued to candidates who qualify for the written exam and are eligible for the SSB Interview.

Candidates must download the admit card from the UPSC website and bring it to the exam center along with a valid ID proof.

CDS 2025 Selection Process

The CDS 2025 Selection Process is a multi-stage procedure conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to evaluate candidates’ aptitude, intelligence, and physical fitness for a career in the defense services. Here’s a breakdown of each stage:

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1. Written Examination:
   The first stage is a written examination consisting of multiple-choice questions. The subjects tested include English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. This exam is held separately for each academy (IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA). Candidates must score above the cut-off in each subject to qualify for the next round.
2. SSB Interview/Personality Test:
   Candidates who pass the written exam are invited to the Services Selection Board (SSB) for the interview and personality test. This stage assesses officer-like qualities, leadership skills, and overall suitability for a defense role. The SSB process includes group discussions, individual tasks, and personal interviews to evaluate candidates’ mental agility, teamwork, and communication skills.
3. Document Verification:
   Shortlisted candidates must provide their original documents for verification, which include educational certificates, age proof, and any other relevant credentials. Document verification ensures that candidates meet all eligibility requirements set by UPSC.
4. Medical Examination:
   Following the SSB interview, candidates undergo a comprehensive medical examination conducted by a Military Hospital. This examination checks if the candidate meets the required physical and medical standards for defense service. The medical fitness criteria vary depending on the academy but generally assess height, weight, vision, and overall health.
5. Final Merit List:
   The final stage of selection is the preparation of a merit list based on candidates’ performance in the written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination. Candidates are then allotted seats in their preferred academies (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA) according to their ranks and preferences.