UPSC CDS 2 2025: A Great Opportunity for Officer Ranks
Posted on: June 16, 2025
Civil India Job Aspirants – Here’s a Golden Chance!
Every year in India, young people, thousands of them, think about putting on the uniform. For many, civil service jobs in India means serving the country, gaining respect, and building a safe future. And again this year, UPSC has announced another significant opportunity.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the CDS II Notification 2025. There are 453 officer vacancies in IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. Thus, if you are a graduate and want to join the armed forces, this is your opportunity!
What is UPSC CDS?
UPSC is an abbreviation that means Union Public Service Commission. It is the central agency to conduct the recruitment of Group A and B officers for the Indian government. CDS means Combined Defence Services. CDS is a national-level exam that is conducted twice a year – CDS I and CDS II.
Through CDS, you can become a permanent commissioned officer in:
- Indian Naval Academy (INA)
- Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)
- Air Force Academy (AFA)
These are many of the most prestigious Civil India jobs in the Defence line.
UPSC CDS II Vacancy 2025 – Overview
This is a brief overview of the CDS 2 notification 2025:
| Feature | Details |
| Name of Exam | Combined Defence Services (CDS) II 2025 |
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Total Vacancies | 453 |
| Notification Release Date | June 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | Expected in July 2025 |
| Exam Date | Expected in September 2025 |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
CDS II 2025 Post-Wise Vacancy Details
| Name of Academy | Number of Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 150 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 100 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 70 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Men) | 75 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Women) | 58 |
| Total | 453 |
Eligibility Requirements
Know whether you are an eligible applicant or not.
Nationality
You must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A Tibetan refugee (migrated before Jan 1, 1962)
- A native of Nepal/Bhutan, or
Age Limit
| Academy | Age Limit |
| IMA | 19–24 years |
| INA | 19–24 years |
| AFA | 20–24 years |
| OTA (Men & Women) | 19–25 years |
Note: Age will be calculated as on 1st July 2025.
Academic Qualification
| Academy | Required Qualification |
| IMA | Graduate (any stream) |
| INA | B.E./B.Tech (Engineering) |
| AFA | B.E./B.Tech with Physics & Maths (10+2) |
| OTA | Graduate (any stream) |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| General/OBC | ₹200 |
| SC/ST/Female | Nil (No fee) |
CDS II 2025 – Exam Pattern
For IMA, INA & AFA:
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 hrs |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hrs |
| Elementary Maths | 100 | 2 hrs |
For OTA (Men & Women):
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 hrs |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hrs |
The exams are all multiple-choice-based, in English and Hindi.
Syllabus Overview of CDS II 2025
English
- Synonyms/Antonyms
- Comprehension
- Grammar Correction
General Knowledge
- Indian History & Polity
- Geography
- Science
- Current Affairs
Maths
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
CDS II 2025 – Recruitment Stages
- Written Test
- Medical Check
- SSB Interview (5-day personality & aptitude test)
- Final Merit List
Only the successful in the written examination will be invited to the SSB interview.
Necessary Documents for the UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment.
One can apply with these documents ready:
- Passport-size photo
- Signature scan
- Govt-issued ID proof
- Academic certificates
- Caste/Category certificate (if applicable)
Salary & Benefits for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment
| Post-Training Rank | Monthly Salary |
| Lieutenant | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Captain | ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900 |
| Major | ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200 |
Other Benefits of Joining Through CDS II 2025
In addition to a good income, defence officers receive many long-term benefits. These benefits make it one of the most rewarding job options in Civil India:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Provides additional pay monthly, compensating for the rising inflation, which is revised from time to time as per the government’s index.
- Military Service Pay (MSP): Provides additional pay to defence officers to recognise their service time and the unique nature of their duties.
- Free Accommodation: Provides substantial, fully-furnished houses or living quarters in securely guarded military zones or cantonments, often with beautiful surroundings.
- Canteen Facilities (CSD): Provides discounted prices on groceries, electronics, clothes, and liquor at the defence-run canteen, which are only available to Army personnel.
- Travelling Concessions: Provides free of cost or at a concession free train or flight travel for you and your family if availing the facility during official leave or holiday travel.
- Medical Facilities: Allows the payment of self and family in military hospitals like Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Command Hospitals, and ECHS centres, which provide good treatment.
- Education & Child Support Priorities: Gives the Child a prior admission and fee concessions for admission in the Children’s Army School, Military School, and Sainik School.
- Pension, Gratuity after retirement: An excellent facility for the officer that, after retirement, he shall be entitled lifetime pension and also a one-time gratuity pension, enabling financial independence.
- Preference post retirement: Gives preference to ex-officers in various civil government jobs, Public Sector Units (PSUs), and civilian security jobs.
- Respect & Social Status: A uniformed officer commands high respect in society and lives with dignity and pride.
CDS II 2025 – Important Dates
| Event | Date (Expected) |
| Notification Release | June 2025 |
| Application Start | June 2025 |
| Application Deadline | July 2025 |
| Exam Date | September 2025 |
| Admit Card | August 2025 |
Final Words : UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment
The CDS II Vacancy 2025 is certainly one of the premier Civil Services job opportunities for proactive and nationalistic young college graduates. With 453 prestigious defence officer vacancies at IMA, INA, AFA and OTA, this recruitment process represents one of the best gateway opportunities for young men and women to serve their country in a disciplined, honorable, and leadership capacity as officers of the Indian Armed Forces.
So, do not delay or falter. You must start making preparations at once, and you must have all the application papers ready as early as possible–this may be your one time in a lifetime chance of putting on the uniform, of serving our country and be held in great regard by everyone.
Do your best, be concentrated and be confident.
This year can be the one that your dream career in Defence takes a uniformed step, so take the step bravely, decisively, and decisively.
