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Job NotificationMay 29, 2025
UPSC CDS(II) and NDA(II), 2025 Online Form: Check Details!
UPSC CDS(II) & NDA(II) 2025 forms out! Apply by 2025-06-20 for 453 CDS & 406 NDA vacancies. Graduates & 10+2 pass/appearing eligible. Salary ₹56,100-1,77,500. Apply at upsconline.nic.in.
CentralUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC)Graduation, 10+2
Last: 20 Jun 2025
Posts: CDS: 453, NDA: 406
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notifications for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2025 and the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II) 2025. These examinations offer a significant opportunity for eligible male and female candidates aspiring to join the prestigious Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as commissioned officers.
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Key Opportunity
UPSC CDS(II) 2025 offers 453 vacancies, while UPSC NDA(II) 2025 has announced 406 vacancies. This recruitment drive is a direct pathway to a distinguished career in India's defence forces.
Important Dates
Candidates must adhere to the crucial dates for application and examination to ensure their participation in this recruitment cycle.
| Event | UPSC CDS(II) 2025 | UPSC NDA(II) 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | May 28, 2025 | May 28, 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | May 28, 2025 | May 28, 2025 |
| Online Application Last Date | June 20, 2025 | June 20, 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | June 20, 2025 | June 20, 2025 |
| Application Form Correction Window | As Per Schedule | As Per Schedule |
| Written Exam Date | September 14, 2025 | September 14, 2025 |
| Admit Card Availability | Before Exam | Before Exam |
Vacancy Details
A comprehensive breakdown of vacancies for both examinations is provided below, detailing post-wise distribution across various academies and wings.
UPSC CDS(II) 2025 Vacancy Distribution (Total: 453 Posts)
| Academy/Wing | Total Vacancies | Course Commencing |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 | July 2026 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 | July 2026 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 | July 2026 |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (SSC Men) | 276 | October 2026 |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (SSC Women) | 19 | October 2026 |
| Total | 453 | - |
UPSC NDA(II) 2025 Vacancy Distribution (Total: 406 Posts)
| Wing/Academy | Total Vacancies | Female Vacancies | Course Commencing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Defence Academy (Army) | 208 | 10 | July 1, 2026 |
| National Defence Academy (Navy) | 42 | 5 | July 1, 2026 |
| National Defence Academy (Air Force - Flying) | 92 | 2 | July 1, 2026 |
| National Defence Academy (Air Force - Ground Duties Tech) | 18 | 2 | July 1, 2026 |
| National Defence Academy (Air Force - Ground Duties Non-Tech) | 10 | 2 | July 1, 2026 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INAC) (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 36 | 4 | July 1, 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet specific educational qualifications and age limits to be considered eligible for these examinations.
| Examination | Post/Wing | Required Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC CDS(II) 2025 | IMA & Officers' Training Academy (OTA) | Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent. |
| UPSC CDS(II) 2025 | Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution. |
| UPSC CDS(II) 2025 | Air Force Academy (AFA) | Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR Bachelor of Engineering. |
| UPSC NDA(II) 2025 | Army Wing of National Defence Academy | 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination. |
| UPSC NDA(II) 2025 | Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy | 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent. |
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Important Age Limits & Marital Status
UPSC CDS(II) 2025:
- IMA & INA: Born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2007.
- AFA: Born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2006.
- OTA: Born not earlier than July 2, 2001, and not later than July 1, 2007.
- Unmarried male candidates below 25 years of age are generally required. Female candidates are eligible for OTA.
UPSC NDA(II) 2025:
- Only unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than January 1, 2007, and not later than January 1, 2010 (both dates inclusive) are eligible.
Salary
Upon successful commissioning, officers receive an attractive salary package, including Military Service Pay (MSP) and various allowances.
| Rank | Pay Level | Pay Scale (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | 56,100 - 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10B | 61,300 - 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | 69,400 - 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | 1,21,200 - 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | 1,30,600 - 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | 1,39,600 - 2,17,600 |
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Additional Financial Benefits
- Military Service Pay (MSP): A fixed amount of ₹15,500 per month is granted to officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier.
- Stipend to Officer Cadets: During the entire duration of training in Service academies (e.g., IMA, OTA), officer cadets receive a stipend of ₹56,100 per month (starting pay in Level 10).
- In addition to the basic pay and MSP, officers are entitled to various allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), High Altitude Allowance, Field Area Allowance, Transport Allowance, etc., as per government rules.
Selection Process
The selection process for both CDS and NDA examinations is rigorous and comprises multiple stages designed to assess a candidate's intellectual, physical, and psychological suitability.
| Stage | Description | Key Assessment Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | Objective type papers conducted by UPSC. | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics (for IMA, INA, AFA/NDA Maths), General Ability Test (for NDA GAT). |
| SSB Interview (5-Day Process) | Conducted by Services Selection Board (SSB). Comprises two stages. | Stage 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test, Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT). Stage 2: Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SDT), Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Personal Interview, Conference. |
| Medical Examination | Thorough physical and medical examination by a board of medical officers. | Ensures physical and mental fitness, covering height, weight, vision, hearing, blood, urine, X-ray, ECG, and musculoskeletal health. |
| Final Merit List | Prepared based on the cumulative performance in the Written Exam and SSB Interview. | Candidates who clear all stages are recommended for admission to the respective academies. |
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Written Exam Marking Scheme
NDA Written Exam:
- Mathematics: 300 Marks
- General Ability Test (GAT): 600 Marks
- Total: 900 Marks
CDS Written Exam:
- English: 100 Marks
- General Knowledge: 100 Marks
- Elementary Mathematics: 100 Marks (for IMA, INA, AFA)
- For OTA, only English and General Knowledge papers are required.
Application Process
Follow these steps carefully to complete your online application for UPSC CDS(II) and NDA(II) 2025.
- Visit the Official UPSC Website: Navigate to the Union Public Service Commission's online application portal.
- One Time Registration (OTR): If you are a new user, complete the One Time Registration process by providing your basic details and creating an account. Existing users can log in directly.
- Select Examination: Click on the "Apply Online" link and select either "Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025" or "National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II), 2025".
- Fill Application Form (Part I): Provide personal details, educational qualifications, and preferences for the academy/wing and examination center.
- Fill Application Form (Part II):
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned images of your recent photograph and signature. Ensure they are in JPG format and within the size limit of 20 KB to 300 KB.
- Upload Photo ID Proof: Upload a scanned copy of a valid photo ID proof (e.g., Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, Driving Licence). This should be in PDF format and between 20 KB to 300 KB.
- Use PDF and Image Resizing tools
- Pay Application Fee:
- UPSC CDS(II) 2025: ₹200 for General/OBC male candidates. SC/ST and Female candidates are exempted from fee payment.
- UPSC NDA(II) 2025: ₹100 for General/OBC candidates. SC/ST, Female candidates, and Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from fee payment.
- Payment can be made online using Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, UPI Payment, or Net Banking.
- Review and Submit: Carefully review all entered information before final submission.
- Print Confirmation: After successful submission, download and print the confirmation page for your records.
Important Links
Access official resources and the application portal directly through the buttons below.
UPSC Official Website UPSC Online Application PortalLast updated: May 29, 2025