The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is a renowned exam for recruiting candidates into the Indian Armed Forces. The UPSC CDS I Examination 2025 is scheduled for April 13, 2025, offering 457 vacancies across various defense services. This comprehensive guide covers the online application process, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and preparation tips to help aspiring candidates achieve their goals.
Overview of UPSC CDS I Examination 2025
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), offering candidates a pathway to prestigious institutions like the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
For the CDS I 2025 examination, the official notification was released on December 11, 2024, and the online application process is available until December 31, 2024. This is an excellent opportunity for aspiring candidates to secure a position in the Indian Armed Forces.
Key Details at a Glance
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I) 2025 |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 457 |
| Application Start Date | December 11, 2024 |
| Last Date to Apply | December 31, 2024 |
| Exam Date | April 13, 2025 |
| Result Declared | Notified Soon |
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern
The UPSC CDS I Examination consists of three papers for candidates applying to IMA, INA, and AFA:
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
UPSC CDS For candidates applying to OTA
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
UPSC CDS Application Fee
Here’s the detailed breakdown of the application fee for the UPSC CDS I Examination 2025:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / Female | ₹0 (Exempted) |
Payment Methods:
Candidates can pay the examination fee through the following modes:
Challan: At designated bank branches.
Net Banking: Using your online banking credentials.
Debit Card or Credit Card: Any valid card.
| Centres of Examination | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Agartala | Ghaziabad | Navi Mumbai | Agra |
| Gorakhpur | Panaji (Goa) | Ajmer | Gurgaon |
| Patna | Ahmedabad | Gwalior | Port Blair |
| Aizawl | Hyderabad | Prayagraj (Allahabad) | Aligarh |
| Imphal | Puducherry | Almora (Uttarakhand) | Indore |
| Pune | Anantpur (Andhra Pradesh) | Itanagar | Raipur |
| Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad, Maharashtra) | Jabalpur | Rajkot | Bengaluru |
| Jaipur | Ranchi | Bareilly | Jammu |
| Sambalpur | Bhopal | Jodhpur | Shillong |
| Shimla | Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) | Jorhat | Chandigarh |
| Kargil | Siligudi | Chennai | Kochi |
| Srinagar | Coimbatore | Kohima | Srinagar (Uttarakhand) |
| Dehradun | Kolkata | Kozhikode (Calicut) | Thane |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Delhi | Leh | Tiruchirappalli |
| Tirupati | Udaipur | Varanasi | Vellore |
| Vijayawada | Visakhapatnam | Hanumakonda (Warangal Urban) | Faridabad |
| Gangtok | Gaya | Gautam Buddh Nagar | Nagpur |
| Madurai | Mandi | Lucknow | Ludhiana |
| Dharmashala | Dharwad | Dispur | Mumbai |
| Mysore | Chhatarpur | Gangtok | Thane |
UPSC CDS Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Subjects of Nepal/Bhutan are eligible.
- Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India are eligible.
Age Limit
| Service | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 18 to 24 years old |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 18 to 22 years old |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 20 to 24 years old |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | 18 to 25 years old |
UPSC CDS Educational Qualification and Marital Status
Educational Qualification
| Service | Educational Requirement |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Degree from a recognized university or equivalent. |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Degree from a recognized university or equivalent. |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Engineering degree in relevant fields. |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | Degree from a recognized university. |
Marital Status
Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the examination.
UPSC CDS I Examination 2025: Key Details
Important Links
Apply Online for 457 Posts
Download UPSC CDS Notification 2024 PDF
The salary for candidates selected through the UPSC CDS Examination varies depending on the service they are recruited into. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate pay scales:
Salary for CDS Examination 2025 Recruits
Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA):
Rank: Lieutenant
Pay Scale: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10) as per the 7th Pay Commission.
Other Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), Kit Maintenance Allowance, and other benefits.
Indian Naval Academy (INA):
Rank: Sub Lieutenant
Pay Scale: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10) as per the 7th Pay Commission.
Other Allowances: DA, allowances for traveling, and other benefits.
Air Force Academy (AFA):
Rank: Flying Officer
Pay Scale: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10) as per the 7th Pay Commission.
Other Allowances: DA, flying allowances, and other benefits.
Other Benefits:
Medical Allowances: Comprehensive medical facilities.
Housing: Government accommodation or House Rent Allowance (HRA).
Leave Entitlements: Annual leave, casual leave, and other types of leave.
Pension: After completing the required years of service, candidates are entitled to a pension.
Conclusion
The UPSC CDS I Examination 2025 offers a remarkable opportunity for candidates aspiring to serve in the Indian Armed Forces. With 457 vacancies available, this prestigious examination is open to both male and female candidates, allowing them to secure positions in esteemed defense academies across India.
FAQs
What is the UPSC CDS I Examination 2025?
The UPSC CDS I Examination 2025, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), recruits candidates for various defense services, including:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Indian Naval Academy (INA)
- Air Force Academy (AFA)
- Officers Training Academy (OTA)
The examination process involves a written test followed by an SSB interview.
When was the notification for CDS I 2025 released?
The notification was released on December 11, 2024, providing crucial details such as:
- Eligibility criteria
- Application dates
- Exam pattern
When will the admit card be released?
The admit card will be available approximately two weeks before the exam date on the official UPSC website.
Candidates need their Registration ID/Roll Number and Date of Birth to download the admit card.
