UPSC Combined
Defence Services Examination II 2025
This Govt Job Portal news, outlines the application process and requirements for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025, covering eligibility criteria such as nationality, age limits, gender, marital status, and educational qualifications for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy. It details the online application method, including document submission, fee payment procedures, and crucial deadlines, while also highlighting the selection process, which involves a written examination followed by intelligence and personality tests by the Services Selection Board, along with rigorous medical standards and physical fitness requirements. The document also provides information regarding training, pay, allowances, and conditions of service for commissioned officers in each branch.
The UPSC CDS examination serves as a primary
route for aspiring officers to join various branches of the Indian Armed
Forces. The selection process involves a written examination, Service Selection
Board (SSB)/Computer Pilot Selection System (CPSS) testing, and a rigorous
medical examination. Extensive medical guidelines are outlined, covering
various physical and mental parameters required for fitness to serve in the
Armed Forces. More information about the CDS exam 2025 is given below in this
recruitment news.
Audio Podcast of this Employment News in Hindi
Overviews
About this UPSC Recruitment
Exam Name: Combined Defence
Services Exam-2.
Vacancies: The vacancies available
for the 161st (DE) Course commencing in July 2026 at the following academies
are as follows:
· Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun: 100 vacancies
(including 13 reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate (Army Wing) holders).
· Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala: 26 vacancies for
Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro (including 06 for NCC 'C' Certificate
(Naval Wing) holders and 02 for Hydro).
· Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad: Vacancies for the 220
F(P) Course commencing in July 2026 (including 03 reserved vacancies, specific
number not explicitly stated for the overall intake in the excerpt).
Eligibility
Criteria for applying the CDS Exam 2025
Age Bond: The age criteria for applying for this UPSC Recruitment are as follows:
·
For IMA and Indian Naval Academy: "Unmarried male
candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 2002 and not later than 1st July,
2007 only are eligible."
·
For Air Force Academy: Age limit is "20 to 24 years as on
1st July, 2026, i.e., born not earlier than 2nd July, 2002 and not later than 1st
July, 2006". The sex eligibility is not explicitly stated for AFA in this
excerpt, though previous context implies male candidates for the mentioned
courses.
Qualification: The educational
criteria for applying different forces are as follows:
1. For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai: Applicants must have a
Graduation Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.
2. For Indian Naval Academy— Degree in Engineering from a recognised
University/Institution
3. For Air Force Academy: Must have a Degree from a recognised
University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of
Engineering.
4. Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of Graduation/provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB.
UPSC CDS Written
Examination Pattern 2025
1. For IMA/INA/AFA: The written
examination consists of three subjects and the exam pattern is as follows:
·
English
(Code 11, 2 Hours, 100 Marks)
·
General
Knowledge (Code 12, 2 Hours, 100 Marks)
·
Elementary
Mathematics (Code 13, 2 Hours, 100 Marks)
2. For Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): The written
examination consists of two subjects (details not as comprehensive in this
excerpt but mentioned for context):
·
English
(Paper-I)
· General Knowledge (Paper-II)
Candidates who qualify for the written examination
are detailed for the SSB tests.
· For
IMA(D.E), Navy (S.E), and Air Force Academy courses, SSB tests are conducted in
February-March 2026.
· Candidates
qualifying for the SSC Course only will have SSB tests from April to June 2026.
· Candidates
for Air Force (Flying) undergo the Computer Pilot Selection System (CPSS) and/or the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test. Failure in CPSS limits consideration to other
preferred services if applied through the CDS Exam.
UPSC CDS Training
and Financial Assistance:
· Candidates
admitted to the academies are not considered for any other commission or
permitted to appear for any interview or examination after final selection.
· The government bears the cost of training, including food, accommodation, and medical
treatment.
· Financial
assistance may be granted by the Government to cadets whose parents/guardians
have an income below a specified limit (Rs. 1,500/- per month, under revision).
Partial assistance may be given for income up to Rs. 2,000/- per month (under
revision) if there are multiple sons/wards in training.
· Specific
scholarships (Parshuram Bhau Patwardan Scholarship and Colonel Kendal Frank
Memorial Scholarship) are tenable at the IMA.
· An
outfit allowance is provided to cadets for clothing and necessaries.
UPSC CDS Medical
Examination Process:
· Medical
examinations are conducted by Medical Officers, Spl Medical Officers, and
Medical Boards.
· Psychological
examinations are part of the SSB selection procedure.
· Candidates
declared unfit have provisions for the Appeal Medical Board (AMB) and the Review
Medical Board (RMB).
· Specific
investigations (Haemogram, Urine RE/ME, Chest X-ray, USG abdomen and Pelvis)
are mandatory during the Special Medical Board.
· Further
investigations may be requested by the Medical Officer or Medical Board.
Important Dates
28th
May 2025 is the start date to apply online for CDS Exam 2025
17th
June 2025 is the last date to apply online for this UPSC Recruitment 2025.
Important Links
FAQ’s Related to
this UPSC CDS Exam 2025
1. What are the different academies and
courses offered for entry into the Indian Armed Forces?
Answer: The Combined Defence
Services Examination (CDSE) leads to entry into several prestigious
institutions. These include the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun,
which offers the 161st (DE) Course commencing in July 2026 with 100 vacancies
(including 13 reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate holders in the Army Wing). The
Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala offers a course commencing in July 2026
for the Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro with 26 vacancies (including 6
for NCC 'C' Certificate holders in the Naval Wing and 2 for Hydro). The Air
Force Academy (AFA) in Hyderabad conducts the (Pre-Flying) Training Course, the
220 F(P) Course, also commencing in July 2026 (including 3 vacancies reserved
for NCC 'C' Certificate holders). Finally, there is the Officers' Training
Academy (OTA), though specific course details and vacancies are not explicitly
detailed for the upcoming cycle in these excerpts. Separate appendices (I, II,
III, and IV) provide brief particulars for candidates joining IMA, INA, AFA, and
OTA, respectively.
2. What are the eligibility criteria
regarding age, sex, and marital status for the different academies?
Answer: Eligibility criteria vary depending on
the academy. For the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and the Indian Naval Academy
(INA), only unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 2002 and
not later than 1st July 2007 are eligible. For the Air Force Academy (AFA), the
age limit is 20 to 24 years as on 1st July 2026, meaning candidates should be
born not earlier than 2nd July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2006. While the
excerpt primarily focuses on male candidates for IMA, INA, and AFA (for the specific
courses mentioned), the medical standards section indicates the presence of
physical standards for female candidates in Ground Duty Branches of the Air
Force and for Short Service Commission in the Army, implying opportunities for
women in other streams not explicitly detailed in the vacancy section.
3. What is the examination structure for
admission to these academies?
Answer: The examination
structure depends on the academy the candidate is applying for. For admission
to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy,
the written examination consists of three subjects: English (Code 11), General
Knowledge (Code 12), and Elementary Mathematics (Code 13). Each subject has a
duration of 2 hours and a maximum of 100 marks. For admission to the Officers'
Training Academy, the written examination consists of two subjects: English
(Paper-I) and General Knowledge (Paper-II), though codes and specific
durations/marks are not provided in this excerpt. In the case of a tie in the
aggregate final marks, candidates for IMA, INA, and AFA are ranked higher if
they secure more marks in the combined written total of English, General
Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. For OTA, the tie is resolved based on
higher marks in the combined written total of English and General Knowledge.
4. What are some of the key medical
standards and common reasons for rejection?
Answer: The medical standards
for joining the Armed Forces are stringent and designed to ensure candidates
are physically and mentally capable of handling demanding conditions. General
guidelines emphasize the absence of weak constitution, bodily defects, underweight,
overweight, or obesity. Common reasons for rejection include musculoskeletal
deformities of the spine, chest, pelvis, and limbs (like scoliosis, kyphosis,
mal-united fractures), certain ear, nose, and throat conditions (like
perforated eardrums, chronic otitis media, deviated nasal septum causing
significant obstruction), specific dental conditions (fewer than 14 dental
points, severe pyorrhea, significant jaw discrepancies), gastrointestinal
issues (gallstones, fistulas, enlarged spleen), genito-urinary problems
(disease of genital organs, undescended testis), certain skin conditions
(vitiligo, hyperhidrosis, extensive disfiguring scars), history of chronic
cough or Bronchial Asthma, and evidence of pulmonary Tuberculosis. Vision
standards also vary by entry type, with restrictions on refractive errors, eye
surgeries (LASIK is permitted for some graduate entries but not for 10+2
entries or specific Air Force roles like Pilot and Observer), and certain eye
conditions (like nystagmus, lenticular opacities in the visual axis).
Psychological examinations are also part of the selection process, and abnormal
traits can lead to rejection.
5. Are there specific height and weight
requirements?
Answer: Yes, there are minimum
height requirements, and weight should be proportionate to height. The minimum
height for male candidates for entry into the Armed Forces is generally 157 cm.
However, relaxations in height are permissible for specific categories, such as
Gorkhas, candidates belonging to the Hills of North Eastern India, and Tribals from the Ladakh Region (155 cm for males). For Ground Duty Branches in the Air Force,
the minimum height for females is 152 cm, with relaxations for Lakshadweep
ethnicity (150 cm). For flying duty branches in the Air Force, the minimum
height is higher: 162 cm for Pilots, Flight Test Engineers, and WSOs, and 157
cm for other aircrew duties. The documents also provide detailed height and
weight charts that candidates are expected to fall within, with variations
based on age and entry stream.
6. What are the medical standards
related to vision and eye conditions, particularly for Air Force flying duties?
Answer: Vision standards are crucial,
especially for flying duties. Acceptable visual acuity, maximum limits of
refractive error (myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism), and colour perception
standards (CP-II is generally required) are specified and vary depending on the
entry stream and branch. For flying branches in the Air Force (A1G1 Medical
Category), the standards are particularly strict, with very limited or no
permissible refractive error and specific requirements for uncorrected and
corrected vision. Kerato-refractive surgery (like LASIK, PRK, SMILE) is
generally not permitted for 10+2 entries or for flying roles in the Air Force.
For graduate and equivalent entries, it may be permitted under specific
conditions and after a designated post-operative period, provided visual
requirements are met and there are no complications. Certain eye conditions, such as manifest squint, significant exotropia, anisocoria with pupil size
difference >1mm, pseudophakia, certain lenticular opacities in the visual
axis, and optic nerve drusen, are grounds for rejection.
7. What are the financial aspects of
training at these academies, and is financial assistance available?
Answer: During training at the
service academies (IMA, OTA, and corresponding training establishments in the Navy
and Air Force), officer cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month
(Level 10 in Pay Matrix). This stipend is paid during the entire duration of
training. While the government bears the cost of medical treatment, candidates
are expected to meet their pocket and other private expenses. Minimum expenses
at the Indian Military Academy are estimated to be around Rs. 200.00 per month.
Financial assistance may be granted by the Government to cadets whose parent's
or guardian's income is below a certain threshold (Rs. 1,500 per month, under
revision, for full assistance, and up to Rs. 2,000 per month, under revision,
for partial assistance, especially if multiple sons/wards are undergoing
training). There are also specific scholarships available at the Indian
Military Academy, such as the Parshuram Bhau Patwardan Scholarship for cadets
from Maharashtra and Karnataka and the Colonel Kendal Frank Memorial Scholarship
for eligible Maratha cadets who are sons of ex-servicemen. Outfit allowance is
also provided to cadets for the purchase of clothing and necessaries.
8. What are the general terms and
conditions of service after commissioning, including promotion and tenure?
Answer: After commissioning, officers are liable to serve anywhere in India and abroad. Substantive promotions are based on service limits, with promotions to Lieutenant on commission, Captain after two years, Major after six years, Lieutenant Colonel after thirteen years, and Colonel (TS) after twenty-six years of reckonable commissioned service. Further promotions to Colonel, Brigadier, Major General, Lieutenant General, and General are also outlined. For Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in the Army, the initial tenure is 10 years, extendable by a further 4 years, for a total of 14 years. Eligible and suitable SSC officers can be considered for Permanent Commission in their 10th year of service. Those not selected for PC can continue as SSCOs for the full 14 years or opt for release after 5 years. SSC officers who have undergone specialized courses may be required to serve the full 14-year tenure or repay the cost of training if released earlier. Officers are also entitled to leave according to applicable rules and receive various allowances, including Dearness Allowance, Dress Allowance, and Transport Allowance, in addition to their basic pay and Military Service Pay (MSP).
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