COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATION (II), 2025
COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATION (II), 2025
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) invites online applications for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025, for admission into prestigious Defence Training Institutions including Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academies. This examination also includes recruitment for the Short Service Commission (SSC) Women (Non-Technical) Course.
1. Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun - 161st DE Course (July 2026)
Vacancies: 100 (including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate holders - Army Wing)
Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification.
Age Limit: Only unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2007 are eligible to apply.
Additional Info: Candidates appearing in the final year of their degree may apply provisionally, but proof of passing the final exam must be submitted by 1st July 2026.
2. Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala - Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro (July 2026)
Vacancies: 26 (including 6 vacancies for NCC 'C' Certificate Naval Wing holders and 2 for Hydro Cadre)
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have a Degree in Engineering from a recognized university or institution.
Age Limit: Only unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2007 are eligible.
Note: Final-year engineering students may apply but must submit proof of degree completion by 1st July 2026.
3. Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad - 220 F(P) Course (Pre-Flying) (July 2026)
Vacancies: 32 (including 3 reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate Air Wing holders through NCC Special Entry)
Educational Qualification: A Degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering (BE/B.Tech).
Age Limit: Candidates should be between 20 to 24 years as on 1st July 2026, i.e., born between 2nd July 2002 and 1st July 2006.
Candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by DGCA (India) may apply up to 26 years of age, i.e., born not earlier than 2nd July 2000.
Marital Status: Candidates below 25 years must be
unmarried. Candidates above 25 years may apply if unmarried and will not be allowed to stay with family during training.
4. Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai - 124th SSC (Men) (Non-Technical) Course (October 2026)
Vacancies: 276
Educational Qualification: A Degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
Age Limit: Only unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 2001 and not later than 1st July 2007 are eligible.
Additional Notes: Final-year students must ensure degree completion and proof submission by 1st October 2026.
5. Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai - 124th SSC
Women (Non-Technical) Course (October 2026)
Vacancies: 19
Educational Qualification: A Degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
Age Limit: Only unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried, and issueless divorcees (with valid divorce documents) who have not remarried, born not earlier than 2nd July 2001 and not later than 1st July 2007 are eligible.
Exclusion: Male divorcee/widower candidates are not eligible under this category.
Eligibility
Nationality: Indian citizen or as defined under UPSC norms.
Marital Status
As per post-specific rules (Unmarried/Male/Female/Widow/Divorcee).
Physical Standards
As per Appendix-III of the official notice.
Educational Qualifications
Final-year students can apply but must submit proof before training dates.
How to Apply
Apply online at https://upsconline.nic.in.
New users must create an account on the revamped application portal.
Aadhaar recommended as primary ID.
Upload documents as per instructions on the portal.
No withdrawal of application allowed once submitted.
Selection Process
1. Written Examination (Objective Type): For IMA, INA, AFA: English, GK, Elementary Mathematics (300 Marks total).
For OTA: English, GK (200 Marks total).
2. SSB Interview (Psychological, Group Testing, and Interview).
3. Final Merit: Based on performance in Written and SSB.
Important Dates
Notification Date: 28.05.2025
Last Date to Apply: 17.06.2025 (11:59 PM)
Exam Date: 14.09.2025
Admit Card Download: One week before the exam
Key Points for Applicants
• Negative marking for wrong answers in objective papers.
• Only black ball pen allowed in OMR sheets.
• E-Admit Card will not be sent by post/email.
• Mobile phones, smartwatches, and digital devices are banned at exam centers.
• No request for exam center change will be entertained.
• Carefully preserve all original documents for SSB verification.