UPSC CDS Recruitment 2025 Notification: Apply Online for 457 Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, and Important Dates UPSC CDS Recruitment 2025 Notification : The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has published the official notification for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2024 . This examination is conducted to recruit candidates for various courses in the Indian Military Academy (IMA) , Indian Naval Academy (INA) , Air Force Academy (AFA) , and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) . Eligible candidates can apply online until 31st December 2024 , and the examination will be held on 13th April 2024 .
UPSC CDS Recruitment 2025 Overview
Exam Name Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2024
Conducting Body Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Courses Offered IMA, INA, AFA, OTA
Vacancies 457
Mode of Application Online
Official Website upsc.gov.in
UPSC CDS Recruitment 2025 Important Dates
Event Date
Notification Release Date
11 December 2024
Online Application Start Date
11 December 2024
Last Date to Apply Online
31 December 2024
Exam Date
13 April 2025
UPSC CDS Recruitment 2025 Application Fee
Category Fee
General/OBC
₹200
Female/SC/ST
Nil
Payment can be made via online methods or by depositing cash at any SBI branch.
UPSC CDS Recruitment 2025 Vacancy Details
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
UPSC CDS Recruitment 2025 Eligibility Criteria Nationality
Indian citizen or as prescribed in the notification (subject of Nepal, Bhutan, or Indian origin migrants).
Age Limit
IMA : Unmarried male candidates born between 2nd January 2002 and 1st January 2007 .INA : Same as IMA.AFA : 20 to 24 years as of 1st January 2026 .OTA : Unmarried male and female candidates born between 2nd January 2001 and 1st January 2007 .
Educational Qualification
IMA and OTA : Degree from a recognized university.INA : Degree in Engineering from a recognized university.AFA : Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering.
UPSC CDS Recruitment 2025 Selection Process
Written Examination :
IMA, INA, AFA :
English: 100 Marks
General Knowledge: 100 Marks
Elementary Mathematics: 100 Marks
OTA :
English: 100 Marks
General Knowledge: 100 Marks
SSB Interview :
Intelligence and personality tests conducted by Services Selection Board (SSB).
Merit List :
Based on combined scores of the written exam and SSB interview.
UPSC CDS (I) 2025 Exam Pattern
Subject Duration Marks
English
2 Hours
100
General Knowledge
2 Hours
100
Elementary Mathematics (IMA, INA, AFA only)
2 Hours
100
Negative marking applies for wrong answers.
How to Apply for UPSC CDS (I) 2025
Visit upsconline.nic.in.
Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR).
Fill out the application form and upload required documents.
Pay the application fee and submit the application.
Take a printout for reference.
UPSC CDS (I) 2025 Important Links
