The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is scheduled to release the CDS 2 Notification 2025 on its official website upsc.gov.in on May 28, 2025. The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam II 2025 will be held on September 14, 2025, giving candidates another chance to join India’s elite defence training academies. Here is a detailed description of everything candidates should know about the CDS 2 2025 exam.
Important Dates for UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2025
- Notification Release Date: May 28, 2025
- Application form Availability: May 28, 2025
- Last date to Apply: To be announced with the official notification
- CDS 2 Exam Date: September 14, 2025
- Admit Card Released: 2-3 weeks before the exam
- Result Declared: Expected in October 2025
What is the CDS 2 Exam 2025?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is conducted by the UPSC twice every year, to recruit eligible candidates for the prestigious military academies, including:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA) – Dehradun
- Indian Naval Academy (INA) – Ezhimala
- Air Force Academy (AFA) – Hyderabad
- Officer Training Academy (OTA) – Chennai (Male & Female)
CDS 2 2025 Vacancy Details
The CDS 2 2025 Vacancy List will be officially announced in the notification PDF. Based on the CDS 1 2025 trends, we estimate that the vacancies will be approximately:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA): 100 (approx.)
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): 30-35
- Air Force Academy (AFA): 30-35
- Officers Training Academy (OTA): 290-300 (including male and female)
Note: The number of vacancies varies each year depending on the training capabilities and requirements of the respective academies.
Eligibility Criteria for CDS 2 Exam 2025
Nationality
The applicant must be one of the following:
- A citizen of India
- A citizen of Nepal or Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962 to permanently settle in India
- A person of Indian origin who has come over from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, East African countries or Vietnam to permanently settle in India
Age Limit
- IMA and INA: 19 to 24 years
- AFA: 20 to 24 years
- OTA (Male and Female): 19 to 25 years
Candidates for IMA, INA and AFA must be unmarried. Married candidates are eligible for OTA only.
Educational Qualification
- IMA & OTA: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university
- INA: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
- AFA: Bachelor’s degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a Degree in Engineering
Application Process for CDS 2 2025
The CDS 2 2025 application form will be available online on upsc.gov.in on May 28, 2025. How to Apply:
- Visit the official website of UPSC.
- Click on ‘Apply Online’ under the CDS section.
- Complete Part I registration by entering basic details.
- Complete Part II registration – upload photo, signature, pay fee.
- Pay fee: ₹200 for General/OBC, free for SC/ST/Female.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page.
CDS 2 2025 Exam Pattern
IMA, INA, AFA:
| Subject | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
For OTA (Male & Female):
| Subject | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
- Negative Marking: 1/3 marks are deducted for each wrong answer
- Type of questions: Multiple Choice (Objective)
- Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
Selection Process for CDS 2 2025
The UPSC CDS 2025 selection process is conducted in multiple stages:
1. Written Exam: Candidates will have to clear the written exam for the academy they are applying to. Only those who clear the minimum cutoff are eligible for the next stage.
2. SSB Interview: The Service Selection Board (SSB) interview evaluates the following:
- Leadership skills
- Communication and interpersonal abilities
- Psychological fitness
- Officer-like qualities
- The SSB process comprises of two stages:
- Phase I: Screening (includes OIR Test and PPDT)
- Phase II: Psychology Test, Group Test, Conference and Personal Interview
3. Document Verification: Candidates will have to submit original academic certificates, identity proof and category documents for verification during the SSB process.
4. Medical Examination: All selected candidates will have to undergo a comprehensive medical test at military hospitals. The factors evaluated include:
- Height and weight standards
- Vision and hearing
- Cardiovascular and respiratory health
- Mental health and overall physical stamina
5. Final Merit List
The final selection list is prepared based on:
- Performance in the written exam
- Marks in the SSB interview
- Medical fitness
- Availability of vacancies in the preferred academies
Preparation Strategy for CDS 2 2025
To succeed in CDS 2 2025, candidates must adopt a smart study plan:
- Understand the syllabus of each section thoroughly.
- Use standard CDS preparation books like Pathfinder, Arihant, Lucent GK.
- Practice previous year question papers and take online mock tests.
- Work on time management during practice tests.
- Improve spoken and written English skills for the interview stage.
- Focus on current affairs and defence-related news for general knowledge.
Why choose CDS as a career?
Joining through CDS gives candidates a chance to serve in the prestigious Defence Academies of India and secure:
- Stable Government Service
- Prestigious Officer Rank in the Armed Forces
- Attractive Salary and Benefits
- Opportunity for Adventure, Leadership and Nation Building
If you aspire to build a great career in the Armed Forces of India, then the CDS 2 2025 Exam is your gateway to achieving that dream. Keep a close eye on UPSC announcements, prepare with dedication and apply with confidence.
Also Read:
- UPSC CDS 02 2024 Final Result Declared @upsc.gov.in
- Join Agniveer Vayu + Navy SSR, MR + ICG Foundation Batch 2025
