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JEE Main 2025 : Session 1
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination I 2025. Unmarried male and female candidates interested in joining the prestigious Defence Academy can apply online from 11 December 2024 to 31 December 2024. Here are the complete details, including eligibility, exam dates, and application steps.
Overview of UPSC CDS I 2025
| Details | Information |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services (CDS) I 2025 |
| Vacancies | To be announced |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Registration Dates | 11–31 December 2024 |
| Selection Process | Written Test, Interview, Medical Exam |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Type of Questions | Multiple-choice |
| Eligibility | Unmarried Males & Females |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates for UPSC CDS 2025
| Event | CDS 1 Dates | CDS 2 Dates |
| Notification Release Date | 11 December 2024 | 28 May 2025 |
| Application Form Start Date | 11 December 2024 | 28 May 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 31 December 2024 | 17 June 2025 |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | 31 December 2024 | 17 June 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | April 2025 | September 2025 |
| Exam Date | 13 April 2025 | 14 September 2025 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (INR) |
| General/OBC | ₹200 |
| SC/ST/Female | No Fee |
- Payment Mode: Online via Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking
UPSC CDS I 2025 Vacancy
For the CDS 1 Exam, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the number of vacancies for the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officer’s Training Academy and the same will also be updated below in the table.
| CDS 1 2025 Vacancy | |
| Name of the academy | Number of Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun 159th (DE) Course commencing in January 2026 |
-- |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala Course commencing in January 2026 |
-- |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad Training Course commencing in January 2026 |
-- |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) SSC Men 122nd SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in April 2026 |
-- |
| Officers Training Academy, Chennai SSC Women 36th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April 2026 |
-- |
| Total Vacancies | -- |
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS I 2025
Nationality
Candidates must be:
- Indian citizens, or
- Subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- Tibetan refugees who migrated to India before 1 January 1962 for permanent settlement, or
- Persons of Indian origin who migrated from specific countries for permanent settlement.
Educational Qualification
- IMA & Officers’ Training Academy: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Indian Naval Academy: Engineering degree from a recognized university.
- Air Force Academy: Bachelor’s degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering.
Age Limit (as of 1 July 2025)
- IMA: Unmarried males born between 2 July 2001 and 1 July 2006.
- Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried males born between 2 July 2001 and 1 July 2006.
- Air Force Academy: 20–24 years (born between 2 July 2001 and 1 July 2005).
- Officers’ Training Academy: Unmarried males and females eligible as per academy-specific guidelines.
UPSC CDS I 2025 Physical Standards
Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2025
- The minimum acceptable height for male candidates 157 cm.
- For the Navy candidates height is 157 cm, for the Air Force is 162.5 and for female candidates is 152 cm.
- Gorkhas and candidates belonging to the Hills of the North Eastern region of India, Garhwal and Kumaon, required a minimum height is 152 cm.
- Tribals from the Ladhakh Region and Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands' and Extra talented sports candidates minimum required rights is 155 Cm.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) should be below 25.
- The ratio of the waist and hip should be below 0.9 for males and 0.8 for females.
- Waist Circumference should be less than 90 cm for males and 80 cm for females.
Selection Process
The selection process consists of:
-
Written Examination
- Objective-type questions in English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics.
- Negative marking: 1/3 mark deduction for incorrect answers.
-
SSB Interview
- Includes intelligence tests, group discussions, and individual interviews.
-
Document Verification
- Verification of educational certificates, age proof, and other relevant documents.
-
Medical Examination
- A detailed medical assessment by Armed Forces Medical Services.
Exam Pattern for UPSC CDS I 2025
For IMA, INA, and Air Force Academy
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
| English | 120 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
For Officers’ Training Academy
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
Salary Structure for UPSC CDS I 2025
UPSC CDS I 2025 Salary
Candidates appointed for various service posts under the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination will be offered an attractive monthly salary as fixed by the author. Apart from the salary candidates will provided various allowances like Dearness Allowance, Kit maintenance allowance, Uniform allowance, Transport Allowance, etc. The pay scale of Army Officers and equivalent ranks in the Air Force and Navy are as follows.
| Rank | Level | (Pay in Rs.)Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | Rs. 56,100 -1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10 B | Rs. 61,300- 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | Rs. 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | Rs. 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | Rs. 1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | Rs. 1,39,600-2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | Rs. 1,44,200-2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 | Rs. 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
| HAG+Scale | Level 16 | Rs. 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Level 17 | Rs. 2,25,000/-(fixed) |
| COAS | Level 18 | Rs. 2,50,000/-(fixed) |
UPSC CDS I 2025 Exam Syllabus
The aspirants preparing for the CDS Exam must be familiar with the detailed syllabus and must prepare according to that only. The standard of Elementary Mathematics in the CDS Exam will be of Matriculation level. However, for other subjects, the difficulty level will of graduation level. A syllabus is important so that candidates do not miss out on any important topic for the upcoming UPSC CDS Exam. To ace the exam, click on the below link and get the detailed syllabus for Combined Defence Services Examination.
Click Here To Check The Syllabus
How to Apply for UPSC CDS I 2025
-
Visit the Official Website:
- Open upsc.gov.in.
-
Register:
- Use the One Time Registration (OTR) platform to create an account.
-
Fill Out the Application Form:
- Enter your personal, educational, and contact details accurately.
-
Upload Documents:
- Attach scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and relevant certificates.
-
Pay Application Fee:
- Complete payment online.
-
Submit and Print:
- Review your application and submit it. Take a printout for future reference.
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