Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), has invited applications for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (II), 2025 to be conducted on 14th September, 2025 for admission to the different courses commencing in July/October 2026.

The vacancies are as follows: (i) Indian Military Academy, Dehradun– 100 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders] (ii) Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala – 26 [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders and 02 for Hydro] (iii) Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - 32 [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry] (iv) Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) SSC (Men) – 276 (v) Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) SSC (Women) – 19 (Total 453). The details of the courses are given in the Notification at https://upsc.gov.in/.

Applicants are required to specify clearly in respective column of the Online Application, the Services for which he/she wishes to be considered in the order of his/her preference. If a male candidate is competing for Short Service Commission (Army) only, he should indicate OTA as the one and only choice. However, a male candidate competing for Short Service Commission Course at OTA as well as Permanent Commission course at IMA, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy should indicate OTA as his last preference; otherwise OTA will be deemed to be the last choice even if it is given a higher preference by the candidate. Women candidates are being considered only for Short Service Commission at OTA. They should indicate OTA as the only choice.

Eligibility: Applicant must satisfy Nationality condition given in the detailed Notification.

Age Limits, Sex and Marital Status: (i) For IMA—Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 2002 and not later than 1st July, 2007 (ii) For Indian Naval Academy—Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 2002 and not later than 1st July, 2007 (iii) For Air Force Academy— 20 to 24 years as on 1st July, 2026 (born not earlier than 2nd July, 2002 and not later than 1st July, 2006 (Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable up to 26 yrs -born not earlier than 2nd July, 2000 and not later than 1st July, 2006. Candidate below 25 years of age must be unmarried. Marriage is not permitted during training. Married candidates aged 25 years or above are eligible to apply but during training period they will neither be provided married accommodation nor can they live with family out of the premises. (iv) For Officers' Training Academy -(SSC Course for men) unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 2001 and not later than 1st July, 2007 (v) For Officers' Training Academy- (SSC Women Non-Technical Course) Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible. They should have been born not earlier than 2nd July, 2001 and not later than 1st July, 2007.

Educational Qualifications: (i) For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai — Degree of a recognised University/ equivalent (ii) For Indian Naval Academy— Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution (iii) For Air Force Academy—Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering. Those who are studying in the final year/semester Degree course and have yet to pass the final year degree examination can also apply. They will be required to submit proof of passing the degree examination at the time of commencement of course as specified in the Notification.

Physical Standards: Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards as per guidelines given in Appendix-III of the Notification.

Application: Application can be submitted online at https://upsconline.nic.in latest by 11:59 pm on 17th June, 2025.

Fee: Applicants excepting Female/SC/ST candidates who are exempted from payment of fee, should pay a fee of Rs. 200/- by Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or by using internet banking facility of any Bank.

Scheme of Examination: The Competitive examination for selection comprises: (a) Written examination (b) Interview for intelligence and personality test of such candidates as may be called for interview at one of the Services Selection Centres.

The subjects of the written examination, the time allowed and the maximum marks allotted to each subject will be as follows: (a) For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy: Three papers, English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics; each of 2 hours’ duration carrying 100 marks each (b) For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy: Two papers, English, General Knowledge; each of 2 hours’ duration carrying 100 marks each. Details are given in the Notification. The papers in all the subjects will consist of objective type questions only. There will be negative marking for wrong answers marked.

UPSC will prepare a list of candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in the written examination as fixed by the Commission. Candidates who are declared successful in the written exam will be detailed for intelligence and personality test at the Service Selection Board (SSB) based on their preference by the respective service HQ.

The SSB procedure consists of two stage Selection process - stage I and stage II. Only those candidates who clear the stage I are permitted to appear for Stage II. (a) Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT). Candidates will be shortlisted based on combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT (b) Stage II Comprises of Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over 4 days. The details of these tests are given at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.

Candidates finally selected after Medical Examination will undergo a course of training for the specified period. While, the cost of training including accommodations, books, uniforms, boarding and medical treatment will be borne by Government, candidates will be expected to meet their pocket expenses themselves.

Commission will be granted only on successful completion of training. Details are given in the Notification.