UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS)-I 457 Vacancy
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS)-I 2025. This is an excellent opportunity for aspirants looking to join prestigious defence academies like the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Read on for detailed information about eligibility, application process, and important dates.
☑ Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | 11th December 2024 |
| Online Application Starts | 11th December 2024 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31st December 2024 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Correction Window | 1st January to 7th January 2025 |
| Exam Date | 13th April 2025 |
☑ Vacancy Details
| Course Name | Academy | Approx. Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Dehradun | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Ezhimala | 32 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Hyderabad | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) SSC Men | Chennai | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) SSC Women | Chennai | 18 |
| Total | 457 |
☑ Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
| Nationality | Indian Citizen, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Indian origin from select countries intending permanent settlement. |
| Age (IMA) | Unmarried males born 2nd Jan 2002 to 1st Jan 2007. |
| Age (INA) | Unmarried males born 2nd Jan 2002 to 1st Jan 2007. |
| Age (AFA) | 20-24 years as on 1st Jan 2026. Relaxed to 26 years for valid CPL holders. |
| Age (OTA Men) | Unmarried males born 2nd Jan 2001 to 1st Jan 2007. |
| Age (OTA Women) | Unmarried/issueless widows/divorcees born 2nd Jan 2001 to 1st Jan 2007. |
| Education (IMA/OTA) | Degree from a recognized university. |
| Education (INA) | Degree in Engineering from a recognized institution. |
| Education (AFA) | Degree with Physics & Math at 10+2 or Bachelor of Engineering. |
☑ Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| General/OBC | Rs. 200/- |
| Female/SC/ST | Exempted |
Payment can be made online (Debit/Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking) or offline (SBI Branch deposit).
☑ Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
| Written Exam | 300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA; 200 marks for OTA. |
| SSB Interview | Intelligence and Personality Test. |
| Medical Exam | Physical and medical fitness evaluation. |
☑ Exam Pattern
| For IMA, INA, and AFA | Duration | Marks |
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
| For OTA | Duration | Marks |
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
☑ Syllabus
| Subject | Topics |
| English | Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, and usage. |
| General Knowledge | Current events, Indian history, geography, polity, economy, science, and general awareness. |
| Mathematics | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, and statistics (of matriculation level). |
☑ Medical Examination Details
Candidates must meet the following physical and medical standards:
- Height & Weight: Minimum height for men is 157.5 cm (varies for Air Force). For women, it is 152 cm.
- Vision: Minimum visual standard for Army is 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, correctable to 6/6.
- Hearing: Normal hearing required. No ear infections or perforations.
- General Health: Candidates must be free from any disease or disability that may interfere with military duties. Good mental health is mandatory.
- Other Conditions:
- No significant orthopedic or spinal deformities.
- Dental health: At least 14 dental points.
- No chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma.
For detailed guidelines, refer to the medical standards specified in the official notification.
☑ How to Apply
- Visit upsconline.nic.in.
- Register and complete the application process.
- Upload required documents (photo, signature, ID proof).
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the application and save a copy for reference.
☑ Exam Centers
The exam will be conducted across the following cities:
| State/UT | Exam Centers |
| Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati |
| Assam | Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar |
| Bihar | Patna, Gaya |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur, Bilaspur |
| Delhi | Delhi |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Rajkot |
| Haryana | Gurugram |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla, Dharamshala |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu, Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi, Jamshedpur |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar, Cuttack |
| Punjab | Amritsar, Ludhiana |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai |
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Warangal |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Kanpur |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun |
| West Bengal | Kolkata, Siliguri |
Candidates are advised to apply early to secure their preferred exam center. Allocation is based on a first-apply-first-serve basis, and centers may be frozen once capacity is reached.
☑ Important Instructions
- Carry valid photo ID (as uploaded) to the exam center.
- Use black ballpoint pen for OMR sheet marking.
- Electronic devices and mobile phones are prohibited.
- Ensure you follow the dress code and reach the venue well before the reporting time.
☑ Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus: Focus on English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics (if applicable).
- Practice Previous Papers: Analyze question trends and improve speed.
- Stay Updated: Read newspapers and follow current affairs for the General Knowledge section.
- Physical Fitness: Begin light training to meet medical and physical requirements.
- Time Management: Allocate dedicated time for each subject during preparation.
☑ Quick Links
| Resource | Link |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| UPSC Website | Visit |