Shikha GoyalAssistant Manager
CDS Application Form 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) activated the CDS 1 2025 application form link online on December 11, 2024. The last date to fill out the CDS 1 Application Form 2025 is December 31, 2024 (6 PM). Also, the CDS 2 2025 application form will be released on May 28, 2025. The last date to apply for CDS 2 2025 will be June 17, 2025. The candidates who are willing to appear for the CDS 1 2025 exam must know the CDS 1 dates so that they do not miss any event related to the exam. For this, the candidates are advised to regularly visit the UPSC CDS website, upsc.gov.in. Also, check the CDS eligibility criteria before filling out the CDS application form.
CDS exam is conducted for the selection of candidates for admission to Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, and Officers Training Academy, Chennai courses. Candidates who wish to apply for CDS 1 2025 must check the eligibility criteria to ensure that they are eligible for the exam.
Direct Link to apply for CDS 1 2025 exam
CDS 1 2025 Latest News & Updates
CDS 1 2025 Notification & Application Form Released; Check Dates and Steps To Apply
Q: What are the exam dates for CDS 2025 exam?
The Union Public Service Commission released the exam calendar for the year 2025. According to the UPSC CDS calendar the CDS 1 2025 application form and the notification have been released on December 11, 2024 and continued till December 31, 2024 (6 PM). The CDS 1 exam will be conducted on April 13, 2025. On the other hand the CDS 2 exam application and notification will be released on May 28, 2025. The application remained active till June 17, 2025. However, the exam for the CDS 2 2025 will be conducted on September 14, 2025.
The candidates must be aware that these dates are released by UPSC through exam calendar. There are slight chances that the exam dates get changed due to any circumstance. However, the candidates must prepare for the CDS exams according to these exam dates.
Q: Who is eligible to take the CDS exam?
The minimum age limit for applying CDS exam is 19 years. Candidates must be graduate or appearing in the final year. B.Tech and BE candidates can apply for IMA, INA and AFA. The age limit criteria for CDS 1 exam have been given below for the candidates:
Indian Naval Academy: 19 to 24 years
Air Force Academy: 20 years to 24 years
Indian Military Academy: 19 to 24 years
Officers Training Academy (SSC Women Non Technical Course): 19 to 25 years
Officers Training Academy (SSC Course for Men): 19 to 25 years
The candidates must note that if they don't fulfill the age limit and educational qualification criteria will not be able to appear in the CDS exam.
Q: What is the application fee for the CDS exam?
Q: When will the CDS 1 application form 2025 be released?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) application form has been released on the official website for CDS 1 on December 11, 2024. Also, for the CDS 2 exam from May 28, 2025 to June 17, 2025. The candidates can apply for the exam by following the steps given below:
- Go to the official website- upsconline.nic.in
- Login into the account on the OTR platform (The registration process for OTR has given above)
- Fill out the details that have been asked for part 1 registration
- Upload the photograph, signature and photo identity proof
- Make the application fees
- Choose the exam centre for the CDS 1 exam
- Finally, submit the application form
- The confirmation message will be sent to the registered mobile number and email id
- CDS Application Form 2025: UPSC OTR
- CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
- How to Make Corrections in CDS 1 Application?
- How to register for CDS application form?
- How Can I Apply for CDS 1 2025?
- Filling Part I of CDS Application Form 2025
- How to Choose Exam Centres in CDS Application Form?
- How to Choose CDS Exam Centres 2025
- CDS Career Growth
- Other Defence Exam Application Form
- CDS Application 2025 FAQs
CDS Application Form 2025: UPSC OTR
UPSC introduced the One Time Registration (OTR) platform for the candidates to fill out the application form for any exam under UPSC. The OTR is done once in a lifetime. The OTR can be filled at any time in a year. Though the candidates are allowed to make changes in the OTR within 7 days of registration on the OTR. The candidate. To register for OTR, the candidates have to follow the steps given below:
- Go to the official website- upsconline.nic.in
- Click on the new registration tab
- Fill out the details- Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Mobile number, Email Id, etc
- Enter the captcha
- Click on Submit
- OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number and email id
- Re-login into your account and reset the password
- Again Login into the account and go for the CDS application link
Click here to apply for CDS 1 2025 exam-https://upsconline.nic.in/upsc/OTRP/
Also Read:
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2025 exam
Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
---|---|
11 Dec '24 - 31 Dec '24 | CDS 1 Application 2025 ONGOING |
13 Apr '25 | CDS 1 Exam 2025 |
28 May '25 | CDS 2 Notification 2025 |
28 May '25 - 17 Jun '25 | CDS 2 Application Form 2025 |
14 Sep '25 | CDS 2 Exam 2025 |
Dates | Past Exam Dates |
11 Dec '24 | CDS 1 Notification 2025 |
01 Sep '24 | CDS 2 Exam |
05 Jun '24 - 11 Jun '24 | CDS 2 Application Correction |
How to Make Corrections in CDS 1 Application?
The candidates can correct the CDS 1 application form by logging in to their registered UPSC OTR profile. The steps to make corrections in the UPSC CDS application form are given below.
How to Make Corrections in the CDS 1 Application Form?
The steps to make corrections in the CDS 1 application form have been given below for the candidates:
- Go to the official website
- Click on the link available for CDS 1 form correction
- Log in to the registered account using login credentials
- Make corrections to the CDS1 application correction
- Save and print a copy of the modified CDS 1 application form
- Log out from the registered profile
Also Read: UPSC CAPF 2024
How to Make Corrections in UPSC OTR Profile?
The candidates need to follow the steps given below to register themselves on the OTR platform:
- Go to the official website: upsconline.nic.in
- Click on the registration link
- Click on the new registration tab
- Fill out the details asked- Name, Mother's Name, Father's Name, Mobile Number, Email Id, etc
- Password will be sent to the registered email id and mobile number.
- Re-login to the account and reset the password
- After the re-login go to the account and click on the CDS 2 application form link to apply for the exam
Also Read: SSC JE Exam Analysis 2024
How to register for CDS application form?
The steps to fill out the application form are given below:
- Go to the official website for application- upsconline.nic.in
- Log in to your registered account or register for the OTR (the steps to register for UPSC OTR have been given below in the article)
- Click on the CDS exam link
- Fill out the details asked
- Upload the photograph, signature, and Photo Identity card
- Make the application fee for the CDS exam
- Choose the CDS exam centre
- Finally, submit the application form
- A confirmation message will be sent to the candidate's registered mobile number and email id
Also Read: CDS OTA Syllabus
Watch the video to apply for CDS 2 Application Form 2024
How Can I Apply for CDS 1 2025?
CDS application form can be filled in two stages: Part I & II. In Part I of registration, candidates must fill in the basic information. In Part 2, candidates must pay the application fees, select the exam centre, upload the photograph, signature, photo identity card document, and declaration. The steps to fill both parts of the application form are explained below:
Filling Part I of CDS Application Form 2025
The detailed process to fill out the application form has been given below for the candidates. The candidates have to follow the steps to know the application process in brief:
Page One: Here the system inter-alia asks for Candidates to fill in personal information including, name, date of birth, father's name, mother's name, address, community the candidate belongs to, whether fee remission is claimed, whether he/she belongs to a minority, marital status
Page Two: Here system asks for claiming age relaxation and CDS exam centre. Candidates need to choose their preferred CDS exam centres while filling out the application form. Candidates are provided with the option of choosing one exam centre. The exam centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis. Please note that the only option available to the candidate is default no, so the candidates who have NCC C certificate holders (Naval Wing) need not worry and they can proceed further by only choosing the examination centre from which they wish to appear and proceed further for the next page where they can choose-Whether having/likely to have NCC 'C' Certificate Sr. Division: option and select navy and they will be automatically provided with two years age relaxation in upper age limit. The candidate is to select a centre from the drop-down menu.
Page Three: On this page Information about preferences for IMA, NA, AFA, and OTA are to be given. The preferences are to be given using numbers 0/1/2/3/4. Candidates will have to enter at least one preference. Since female candidates are eligible for OTA only, they should indicate OTA as the only preference. Candidates who desire to join Air Force Academy must indicate AFA as their first choice. On this page, candidates are also required to indicate whether they have or are likely to have an NCC C certificate (Sr. Division) and whether they are serving in the armed forces.
Page Fourth: Here the system displays all the information provided by the candidate in the application form for verification. An update button is also provided therein at the bottom of the CDS online application details to move back and make any corrections in the information filled in. The candidates are advised to check the filled-in details and satisfy themselves that all information is correctly filled up. No change in information filled in by the candidates will be allowed at any subsequent stage of the examination process.
Declaration Box
At the bottom of the page, there is a declaration for the candidates. They should go through the contents of the declaration carefully. Candidates have the option to either agree or disagree with the contents of a declaration by clicking on 'I Agree' or 'I Do Not Agree'. Accepting to agree only will submit the candidate's online application, and the Part-I data submitted will be saved and a registration Id generated for the candidate.
Page Five: Here the system displays the registration ID along with the essential identification information about the candidate such as name, father's name, mother's name, DOB, address, exam centre, etc opted by the candidate. They are also intimated that Part-I is complete with the registration of the online application procedure. The candidates may however note that CDS will be treated as incomplete and rejected unless accompanied with Part-II Registration.
Part-I of the CDS application procedure is completed. Candidates have to complete the Part-II registration for the successful online application submission.
The screenshot of the registration is given below:
Part-II: Fee Payment, Exam Centre Selection, Uploading Images
Candidates need to log in with the generated registration ID to fill in the details in Part II of the CDS application form. The Part-II registration comprises the following steps:
- Fee Payment
- Uploading of Photograph
- Uploading of Signature
- Uploading of Photo-Identity Proof
Fee Payment
Applicants can pay the examination fee through cash/credit card/debit card or net banking. The fee structure is given below.
Category | Application fees (In INR) |
---|---|
General and OBC male candidates | 200 |
Female/SC/ST candidates | Nil |
Image Uploading
- Candidates need to upload scanned images of their photograph, signature, and uploading photo-identity proof. The images should not exceed 300 kb and must not be less than 20 kb
- Submit the application form and take its printout
Also Read: CDS syllabus
Documents Required for Filling Out the CDS Application Form
Before filling CDS application form, candidates must keep the following documents ready:
- Photograph and Signature: Before starting filling up the CDS online form, candidates must have their photographs and signatures duly scanned in the .jpg format in such a manner that each file should not exceed 300 KB and must not be less than 20 KB in size
- Class 10 Certificate: Candidates must have their matriculation certificate ready prior to filling up the CDS application form. The details related to the candidate's name, father's name, father's name, mother's name, and date of birth are required to be filled in the application form. These particulars should match exactly with the particulars mentioned in the matriculation certificate.
- Details of Photo-Identity Proof: The Candidate should also have details of one photo ID such as an Aadhar Card/ Voter Card/ PAN Card/ Passport/ Driving License/ Any other photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government. The details of this photo ID will have to be provided by the candidate while filling up the online application form. Candidates will have to upload a scanned copy of their Photo ID whose details have been provided in the online application by him/her. This photo ID will be used for all future referencing and the candidate is advised to carry this ID while appearing for examination/Personality Test/SSB.
Specifications for Uploading Signature and Photograph
Candidates need to scan the signature, photograph, and photo-identity proof as per the specifications given below:
- The scanned photograph should be uploaded first in JPG format
- The digital size of the file should not exceed 300 kb and must not be less than 20 kb. The resolution should be 350 pixels (Width) X 350 pixels (Height) minimum, 1000 pixels (Width) X 1000 pixels (Height) maximum. The bit depth of the image should be 24 bit
- The photo identity card document should be in PDF format. The digital size of a PDF file should not exceed 300 kb and must not be less than 20 kb
Also Read:
Information Related to Fee Payment
Candidates can check below the information related to the payment of application fees:
- Candidates are required to pay the application fee online through SBI Net banking or by cash through SBI bank challan or through credit card/debit card
- To pay a fee in cash, candidates should take the printout of challan generated online after completion of registration
- Candidates need to go to the nearest SBI branch for depositing fees after 24 hours of generation of challan
- Pay by cash mode option is deactivated a day before the exam. However, applicants who have generated their pay-in-slip before it is de-activated may pay at the counter of the SBI Branch during working hours on the closing date of the application
Also More:
Q: Do I need to submit the hard copy of CDS application form?
Q: I am unable to upload photograph and signature while filling CDS application form. What to do?
Q: What to do if there is a delay in assessing the CDS application page?
How to Choose Exam Centres in CDS Application Form?
Choosing an examination centre is important in the CDS application form as the candidates should choose the nearest centre from where they live. Choosing the nearest exam centre helps the candidates avoid any problems while reaching the CDS exam centre. The steps to choose the exam centre and list of the exam centre in the CDS application form has been given below:
- Candidates have to fill out the application form for the CDS exam after the registration
- The candidates will have to fill out the application form by giving personal details like- name, address, educational qualification etc.
- After filling out the personal details candidates will be given the option to choose the exam centres
- Choose the exam centres near your home town or where you live
How to Choose CDS Exam Centres 2025
Choosing an exam centre is one of the crucial points while filling out an application form. The candidates will be able to choose from a list of 70+ cities. The name of the cities that can be chosen has been given below in the table below:
Agartala |
Ghaziabad |
Panaji (Goa) |
Agra |
Gorakhpur |
Patna |
Ajmer |
Gurgaon |
Port Blair |
Ahmedabad |
Gwalior |
Prayagraj (Allahabad) |
Aizawl |
Hyderabad |
Puducherry |
Aligarh |
Imphal |
Pune |
Almora (Uttarakhand) |
Indore |
Raipur |
Anantpur (Andhra Pradesh) |
Itanagar |
Rajkot |
Aurangabad |
Jabalpur |
Ranchi |
Bengaluru |
Jaipur |
Sambalpur |
Bareilly |
Jammu |
Shillong |
Bhopal |
Jodhpur |
Shimla |
Bilaspur |
Jorhat |
Siligudi |
Chandigarh |
Kochi |
Srinagar |
Chennai |
Kohima |
Srinagar (Uttarakhand) |
Coimbatore |
Kolkata |
Thane |
Cuttack |
Kozhikode (Calicut) |
Thiruvananthapuram |
Dehradun |
Leh |
Tiruchirapalli |
Delhi |
Lucknow |
Tirupati |
Dharwad |
Ludhiana |
Udaipur |
Dispur |
Madurai |
Varanasi |
Faridabad |
Mumbai |
Vellore |
Gangtok |
Mysore |
Vijayawada |
Gaya |
Nagpur |
Vishakhapatnam |
Gautam Buddh Nagar |
Navi Mumbai |
Warangal |
Also Read: UGC NET 2024
Q: Why CDS exam is conducted?
Q: How many exam centres allotted to CDS exam?
Q: Can I change my CDS exam centre after submitting the CDS application form?
CDS Career Growth
The candidates who will join the Indian defence as commissioned officers will be promoted according to the norms and time period of the service. The candidates can check the rank-wise post list below:
- Captain - Two years of commissioned service
- Major - Six years of commissioned service
- Lieutenant Colonel - Thirteen years of commissioned service
- Colonel - Fifteen years of commissioned service
- Colonel (TS) - Twenty-six years of commissioned service
- Major General - Twenty-five years of commissioned service
- Brigadier - Twenty-three years of commissioned service
- Lieutenant General - Twenty-eight years of commissioned service
- General - No restrictions
- Lieutenant - Promotion only after completion of training
Also Read: UGC NET
Other Defence Exam Application Form
The aspirants who want to become defence personnel in Indian defence can also go for different defence exams like AFCAT, NDA and CAPF. The candidates can check the defence exam application form by clicking the links below. The list of other defence exams in India has been given below for the candidates:
- NDA (National Defence Academy)
- CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)
- AFCAT ( Air Force Common Admission Test)
- IAF (Indian Air Force)
- ICG (Indian Coast Gaurd)
Links for the Application Form
NDA Application Form | CAPF Application Form | AFCAT Application Form |
CDS Application 2025 FAQs
Refer CDS Application Form FAQs Here
Q: What is the selection process of CDS exam?
Q: Can girls apply for CDS exam?
Q: What is the difference between NDA and CDS exams?
News & Updates
Get prep tips, practice papers, exam details and important updates
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Answered a week ago
You would be eligible to take the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam in April 2025 if you were between the ages of 20 and 24 on January 1, 2025. You would be 24 years old in December 2024 because your birthday is December 15, 2000, hence you would be eligible to apply for the CDS exam in April 2
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The highest rank attainable through CDs is the rank of general which is a 4-stared officer position.
it is a general in the army, Admiral in the Navy and Air Chief Marshal in the Air Force.
and the lowest rank is lieutenant which is a 2 stared officer position.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
The questions will consist of objective-type questions.
the total duration for the exam is 4 hours and is for a total of 200 marks for OTA.
The question papers for General Knowledge will be set in bilingually in Hindi and English. The exam will comprise 2 subjects, English and General Knowledge, and e
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
The CDS 1 application form 2025 will be available from December 11 to 31, 2024. The CDS 1 2025 exam will be conducted on April 13, 2025. CDS 2 notification will be released in May 2025, the last date for application will be 17th June 2025 and the exam will be conducted on 14, September 2025.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The Union Public Service Commission released the CDS examination 2025 approximate number of vacancies. It is around 457 vacancies will be announced for various defence services.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates can download the UPSC CDS 1 2025 recommended marks by following the steps given below:
- Go to the official website
- Click on the CDS 1 2025 recommended marks link
- Click on the PDF link
- The CDS 1 2025 recommended marks PDF will appear on the screen
- Download the CDS 1 2025 marks and save it fo
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The CDS exam requires in depth knowledge and clarity of concepts or conceptual clarity. So, regular solving of mock tests of the CDS exam is essential. It provides an additional advantage that a candidate requires to succeed in the exam. It also helps to test the preparation level and evaluate the p
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The CDS exam is conducted twice a year for admission to IMA, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. Basically, it works as a tool for students to prepare for an upcoming exam. Candidate will get an idea of the actual examination. Mock tests make candidates realise their mistakes that must be t
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The candidates who will qualify for the CDS 2 result in 2025 will proceed to the SSB interview. The CDS 2 result 2025 will be released on the official website. Basically, the result PDF, cut-off marks, and the final merit-list will guide candidates on their next steps, mainly for the SSB interview r
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The CDS OTA Result will be released on the official website. Candidates can check below the steps:
- Visit the official website
- Click on the CDS OTA result link
- Click on the result PDF link
- The CDS OTA result will appear on the screen
- Download the CDS OTA result PDF and save it for later use
S
Contributor-Level 10
My DOB is 15/12/2000. Am I eligible for CDS April 2025?