UPSC CDS Application Form 2025, How to Apply for CDS 2?
UPSC CDS Application Form 2025: The CDS 2 2025 application form will be available from May 28, 2025, on the official UPSC website – upsc.gov.in. Candidates can submit their applications until June 17, 2025. Earlier, for CDS 1 2025, the application deadline was extended from December 31, 2024, to January 1, 2025 (6 PM) due to technical issues. The CDS 1 registration had started on December 11, 2024.
If you’re planning to appear for the CDS 1 2025 exam, it’s important to stay updated with all the key dates to avoid missing any deadlines. Regularly visit the official UPSC CDS website — upsc.gov.in — for updates and announcements.
Before filling out the CDS application form, make sure to carefully go through the CDS eligibility criteria to confirm you meet all the required conditions.
Anyone planning to apply for CDS 2 2025 must review the eligibility rules thoroughly to ensure they qualify for the respective courses.
UPSC CDS Application Form 2025
The UPSC CDS Application Form 2025 is the initial step for applicants who wish to become a part of the Indian Armed Forces via the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination. The form has to be submitted online through the official UPSC portal. The process involves registration, filling out personal and educational information, uploading documents, and payment of the application fee.
It is necessary to verify all the eligibility criteria like age, education, and nationality prior to applying. Candidates must also remember key dates and attempt to fill the form much in advance of the deadline to prevent any last-minute hassles. The application form cannot be edited after the correction window closes once submitted, so cross-checking all information prior to final submission is strongly advised.
UPSC CDS Application Form 2025 Important Dates
The CDS exam is held twice a year: CDS 1 and CDS 2. Below are the important dates:
| Event | CDS 1 (2025) | CDS 2 (2025) |
| Notification Release | December 11, 2024 | May 28, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | January 1, 2025 | June 17, 2025 |
| Correction Window | January 2 – January 8, 2025 | To be announced |
| Admit Card Release | April 3, 2025 | Expected in August 2025 |
| Exam Date | April 13, 2025 | September 2025 (expected) |
It’s best to apply early to avoid common last-minute issues like server delays or payment errors.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS Application Form 2025
Applicants should first ascertain that they have fulfilled all conditions of UPSC CDS eligibility on nationality, age, marital status, and qualifications.
The applicants must be citizens of India. Nepali and Bhutanese nationals, and Tibetan refugees who came to India prior to January 1, 1962, for the purpose of settling down here, are eligible as well.
Age and marital status differ from academy to academy. For IMA and INA, candidates should be unmarried males between 19 and 24 years of age. For AFA, the age is between 20 and 24 years. OTA (Men) accepts unmarried male candidates between 19 and 25 years of age, while OTA (Women) accepts unmarried women, widows, and divorcees (not remarried) between the same age group.
Educational qualifications also vary. For IMA and OTA, a graduate degree from a recognized university is necessary. INA candidates need to have an engineering degree. AFA candidates should either have an engineering degree or be 10+2 level Physics and Mathematics graduates. Final-year students may also apply if they can provide evidence of passing prior to the SSB interview.
How to Fill the UPSC CDS Application Form 2025
The whole application process is done online and has to be done on the official UPSC website.
- To begin, the candidates must undergo the One-Time Registration (OTR) by providing basic information such as name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID.
- Once they have registered, they can log in and submit the application form with their personal, educational, and communication information along with choosing the desired academy and exam center.
- Applicants then need to upload a passport photo, signature, and proof of valid photo ID like Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID.
- Fee payment follows: ₹200 for General and OBC candidates. SC/ST and all female candidates are exempt from fee payment.
- Payment is possible online through net banking, credit/debit cards, or offline through an SBI challan.
- Lastly, upon strictly scrutinizing every detail, candidates are supposed to submit the form and retain or print out the confirmation page as a future reference.
Documents Required for UPSC CDS Application Form 2025
While filling out the form, it’s important to keep the following documents ready to avoid any delays:
- Scanned passport-sized photograph (JPEG format)
- Scanned signature (JPEG format)
- A valid photo ID proof (PDF or JPEG)
- Educational qualification details
- Payment method information (bank or card details)
Ensure that all documents meet the specified file size and format guidelines provided in the instructions.
Application Fee Details for UPSC CDS Application Form 2025
The application fee is ₹200 for General and OBC candidates. SC/ST candidates and female applicants are exempt from paying the fee. Fees can be paid through net banking, debit/credit cards, or by depositing cash via an SBI challan. Do note that once paid, the fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Correction Window for UPSC CDS Application Form 2025
UPSC offers a correction window soon after the application period closes. In the case of CDS 1 2025, the window was open from January 2 to January 8, 2025. Candidates can correct personal details, alter their exam center, or re-upload documents if necessary during this time. Once the correction window is closed, no changes can be made, so it’s essential to check everything thoroughly before final submission.
What After UPSC CDS Application Form 2025 ?
After submitting the application, applicants undergo a multi-phase selection procedure. It begins with a written test. In the case of IMA, INA, and AFA, the written exam consists of three subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, with each carrying a weightage of 100 marks. In OTA, the written examination consists only of two papers—English and General Knowledge.
Those who pass the written test are summoned for the SSB interview, which consists of psychological tests, group discussions, and personal interviews. Last but not least, candidates who clear the SSB interview are given a detailed medical checkup. The final merit list is created on the basis of the combined performance in the written exam and interview.
UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025
Sound knowledge of the UPSC CDS syllabus is necessary for effective preparation. English paper aims to check vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and sentence construction. General Knowledge comprises topics such as history, geography, polity, economics, current affairs, and science. Mathematics (applicable only for IMA, INA, and AFA) involves arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics.
All the papers are of objective type and are of two-hour duration. The examination is offline on OMR sheets.
UPSC CDS Admit Card 2025
CDS 1 admit card was out on April 3, 2025. Candidates are required to download the same from the official website of UPSC via their date of birth and registration ID. Admit card comprises essential information such as roll number, examination center, time, and guidelines. It is mandatory to print out the admit card and take it to the exam center with a valid photograph identity.
UPSC CDS Application Form 2025 FAQs
What is the last date to submit the UPSC CDS Application Form 2025 for CDS 2?
The application window is expected to close on June 17, 2025.
Can women apply to all branches through the UPSC CDS Application Form 2025?
No, women can only apply for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
Is the application fee refundable if I don’t appear for the exam?
No, the application fee is non-refundable.
What if I make a mistake in my application?
You can fix it during the correction window after the application closes.
Is there a limit on the number of attempts for CDS?
There’s no fixed attempt limit as long as you meet the age and other eligibility rules.
