
Combined Defence Services (CDS I) Exam 2025
This page provides all necessary information regarding the UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS I) Exam , including important dates, eligibility, application fees, salary details, and more.
Post Related Details & Overview
UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS I) Exam 2025 offers opportunities for eligible candidates to join prestigious defence academies. The recruitment process includes written exams, personal interviews, and medical evaluations. Selected candidates will receive rigorous training and competitive benefits as future officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
Important Dates
- Application Start: 11-12-2024
- Last Date to Apply Online: 31-12-2024 (upto 06:00 PM)
- Last Date to Fee Payment: 31-12-2024
- Correction Last Date: 01-07 January 2025
- Exam Date: 13 April 2025
- Admit Card Available: Before Exam
Application Fees
- General / OBC: ₹200
- SC / ST: ₹0 (No Fee)
- All Category Female : ₹0 (No Fee)
Age Limits and Marital Status for CDS I 2025
- IMA: Unmarried males born between 2nd Jan 2002 and 1st Jan 2007.
- Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried males born between 2nd Jan 2002 and 1st Jan
2007.
- Air Force Academy: Age 20-24 years as on 1st Jan 2026 (born between 2nd Jan 2002
and 1st Jan 2006).
CPL holders: Upper age limit 26 years (born between 2nd Jan 2000 and 1st Jan 2006). - OTA (Men): Unmarried males born between 2nd Jan 2001 and 1st Jan 2007.
- OTA (Women): Unmarried women, issueless widows, and issueless divorcees (not
remarried) born between 2nd Jan 2001 and 1st Jan 2007.
- For more details, please read the official notification.
UPSC CDS I 2025: Vacancies and Eligibility Criteria
Post Name | Total Post | Eligibility Criteria |
---|---|---|
Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
|
Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 32 | |
Officers Training Academy (OTA) | 275 | |
OTA Women | 18 |
|
Air Force | 32 |
|
Courses and Approximate Vacancies for UPSC CDS I 2025
S. No. | Name of the Course | Approximate No. of Vacancies |
---|---|---|
1 | Indian Military Academy, Dehradun - 160th (DE) Course
(January 2026) [Includes 13 NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Army Wing) vacancies] |
100 |
2 | Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Executive Branch
(General Service)/Hydro (January 2026) [Includes 06 NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) vacancies] |
32 |
3 | Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training
Course (January 2026) [Includes 03 NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) vacancies] |
32 |
4 | Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai - 123rd SSC (Men) (NT) Course (April 2026) | 275 |
5 | Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai - 37th SSC (Women) (NT) Course (April 2026) | 18 |
Total | 457 |
UPSC CDS I 2025 Selection Process
- Application Submission - Candidates fill out the online application form on the
UPSC website.
- Admit Card Release - Download the admit card for the written exam.
- Written Examination -
- Stage 1: General Knowledge, English, and Mathematics test for IMA, INA, and AFA.
- Stage 2: General Knowledge and English test for OTA.
- Stage 1: General Knowledge, English, and Mathematics test for IMA, INA, and AFA.
- Result of Written Exam - Shortlisted candidates are announced for the SSB
interview.
- SSB Interview - Includes psychological tests, group discussions, and personal
interviews.
- Medical Examination - Candidates undergo a medical check-up to meet the required
health standards.
- Final Merit List - Successful candidates are selected based on written exam and SSB
performance.
- Training - Selected candidates are called for training at their respective
academies (IMA, INA, OTA, AFA).
Examination Scheme for CDS I 2025
- Written Test - As outlined below.
- Interview - Intelligence and personality assessment at one of the Services
Selection Centres.
Subjects for the Written Exam
- For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force
Academy:
- English (2 Hours - 100 Marks)
- General Knowledge (2 Hours - 100 Marks)
- Elementary Mathematics (2 Hours - 100 Marks)
- English (2 Hours - 100 Marks)
- For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy:
- English (2 Hours - 100 Marks)
- General Knowledge (2 Hours - 100 Marks)
- English (2 Hours - 100 Marks)
- The total marks for the written exam and interview are 300 for IMA, INA, AFA, and 200 for OTA.
- All questions will be objective-type.
- The question papers will be provided in both Hindi and English for General Knowledge and Elementary
Mathematics.
- Candidates must write the answers by hand. No scribe assistance will be allowed.
- Calculators are prohibited inside the exam hall.
CDS Exam Difficulty Level & PDF Syllabus Download
- The level of Elementary Mathematics will be based on the Matriculation standard.
- The standard of other subjects will be at the graduate level of an Indian University.
- For downloading the syllabus, please visit the "Important Links" section below.
Indian Armed Forces Pay Scale (2024)
- Lieutenant: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10)
- Captain: ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900 (Level 10B)
- Major: ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200 (Level 11)
- Lieutenant Colonel: ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400 (Level 12A)
- Colonel: ₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900 (Level 13)
- Brigadier: ₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600 (Level 13A)
- Major General: ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 (Level 14)
- Lieutenant General HAG Scale: ₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100 (Level 15)
- HAG+ Scale: ₹2,05,400 – ₹2,24,400 (Level 16)
- VCOAS/Army Cdr/Lieutenant General (NFSG): ₹2,25,000 (fixed) (Level 17)
- COAS: ₹2,50,000 (fixed) (Level 18)
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 p.m. (fixed)
- Fixed Stipend for Cadet Training: ₹56,100 p.m. (Starting pay in Level 10)
Guide to Apply for UPSC CDS I 2025 – Step-by-Step Process
-
🔍 Find the CDS Notification
Search for the UPSC CDS I 2025 recruitment notification on the official UPSC website.
-
📝 Read the Eligibility Criteria
Ensure you meet all the eligibility criteria, such as age limit, educational qualifications, etc.
-
📑 Register on the UPSC Portal
Create an account on the UPSC official website if you don't have one, and log in.
-
💻 Fill the Application Form
Complete the online application form with accurate details, including personal and educational information.
-
💳 Pay the Application Fee
Pay the required application fee through the available online payment methods.
-
🖼️ Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other necessary documents as per the requirements.
-
🔄 Review the Application
Carefully review all the details in your application before submitting it.
-
📨 Submit the Application
Once you have verified all the information, submit your application form.
-
🗓️ Download the Admit Card
After the admit card is released, download it from the UPSC portal.
-
📅 Prepare for the Examination
Start your preparation for the CDS exam according to the syllabus and exam pattern.
Important Links | |
---|---|
CDS EXAMINATION (I) Form | Apply Online |
Exam Notification CDS (I) | Download |
CDS EXAMINATION (I) Syllabus | Download in PDF |
UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (UPSC) | Official Website |
For Latest Jobs Update | Join - Telegram |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
Q1: What is the age limit for UPSC CDS I 2025?
The age limit for candidates applying to different academies varies. Please refer to the official notification for detailed age criteria.
-
Q2: What is the last date to apply online for CDS I 2025?
Last Date to Apply Online: 31-12-2024 (up to 06:00 PM)
-
Q3: What is the syllabus for the CDS exam?
The syllabus includes subjects like English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Check the official notification for detailed syllabus information.
-
Q4: Can I apply for multiple academies in CDS I 2025?
Yes, you can apply for multiple academies under the CDS exam, depending on your eligibility criteria for each.
-
Q5: When will the CDS I 2025 admit card be released?
The admit card will be released a few weeks before the examination date. Keep checking the official UPSC website for updates.
-
Q6: Is there any negative marking in the CDS exam?
Yes, there is negative marking for incorrect answers in the CDS exam. Ensure you attempt questions carefully.