The journey to becoming an officer in the Indian Armed Forces is a dream nurtured by thousands of young aspirants across the country. Year after year, the Union Public Service Commission stands as the gateway for this ambition, offering a structured avenue through the Combined Defence Services Examination 1. For 2025, the UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment opens a significant recruitment cycle that not only inspires discipline but also promises a life of service, leadership, and national pride. With 451 posts available across esteemed academies like the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy, this recruitment draws candidates from diverse academic backgrounds who are driven by purpose, patriotism, and the pursuit of excellence.
This recruitment offers a total of 451 officer level posts in the defence services. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree or relevant educational background can apply online from 10 December 2025 to 30 December 2025 through the official UPSC website. The selection includes written examination and Service Selection Board interview along with medical fitness. Aspirants will find comprehensive details on eligibility, salary structure, application procedure, and key dates in the sections below.
Summary of UPSC CDS 1 Notification 2025
The UPSC CDS 1 Notification 2025 invites applications from qualified graduates for 451 vacancies across multiple defence training institutes. It serves as the official announcement detailing the registration dates, qualifications, age limits, and recruitment structure for those ready to begin a career in the Indian Armed Forces.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS 1) |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Qualification | Any Graduate / Engineering Degree (varies by academy) |
| Application Dates | 10 December 2025 to 30 December 2025 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
This structured overview provides a clear snapshot of the major elements of the UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2025, making it simple for candidates to grasp what the notification entails.
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Eligibility, Qualification, and Salary Details
To participate in UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2025, educational qualifications vary based on the defence academy chosen by the candidate. For the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA), a recognized bachelor’s degree is sufficient. Aspirants for the Indian Naval Academy (INA) must hold an engineering degree, while those applying for the Air Force Academy (AFA) need a degree complemented by Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering. Final year students are also eligible to apply provided they produce proof of passing their degree before appearing for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview.
Age criteria differ for each academy and are defined as of 1 January 2027. For IMA and INA, candidates must fall within the age group of about nineteen to twenty four years. Similarly, AFA candidates should be within the same bracket, with an age upper limit extension up to twenty six years for applicants holding Commercial Pilot Licence. For OTA courses, both men and women must be in the correct age range and unmarried at the time of application.
The salary for officers in defence services begins with a stipend during training and progresses to a robust pay scale post commissioning. During training, candidates receive a fixed stipend, and once commissioned, officers receive pay starting at Level 10 with additional allowances for transport, housing, dress, and children’s education. These compensation components make CDS posts financially dependable and rewarding for young professionals intending to serve the nation.
Selection Process and Application Steps
The selection for UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2025 is rigorous and designed to test not only academic knowledge but also suitability for a career in the armed forces. The process begins with a written examination, which is conducted nationwide and consists of objective questions.
Below is a table summarising the selection stages and their importance:
| Selection Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Written Examination | Objective type test conducted by UPSC |
| Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview | Personality and intelligence evaluation in two stages |
| Medical Examination | Fitness test conducted by Armed Forces Medical Services |
| Final Merit List | Based on combined written and SSB performance |
Written Exam Pattern
- For IMA, INA, and AFA
- English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks each
- For OTA
- English and General Knowledge, 100 marks each
Each wrong answer attracts a negative marking of 0.33 marks, so careful decision making is crucial during the exam.
Application Procedure
Candidates must apply online through the UPSC e-service portal. The online application involves the following steps:
- Visit the official UPSC portal and proceed to the online application section.
- Create or log in with your Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Fill out the Common Application Form with correct personal and academic details.
- Upload a recent passport size photograph and capture live photo if required.
- Select examination preferences including academy and exam centres.
- Upload necessary documents such as educational certificates and ID proofs.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable) using UPI, credit/debit card, or internet banking.
- Submit the application form and save/print the acknowledgement for future reference.
No offline applications are accepted and no changes are permitted after final submission, so applicants must verify all details carefully before finalizing their form.
Why This Job Matters – Karmakaro Insight
The UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2025 is more than just another government job announcement. For many youth, it represents a gateway to a career filled with honour, discipline, and leadership. Unlike regular employment roles, defence jobs cultivate resilience, situational awareness and lifelong camaraderie. These career paths are not only financially secure but also socially respected due to their role in safeguarding national interests.
Candidates who are mentally agile, physically fit, and eager to face structured challenges should view this opportunity as transformative. Beyond initial training pay and post commissioning salary, the career progression and benefits such as pension, housing and additional allowances create long term stability. Furthermore, this recruitment encourages aspirants from diverse academic backgrounds to dream beyond traditional office jobs and embrace purposeful service.
Important Links
| Description | Clickable Text |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official UPSC Website | Click Here |
FAQs – UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2025
1. What is the last date to submit the UPSC CDS 1 application?
Applications can be submitted online up to 30 December 2025.
2. Can final year degree students apply?
Yes, students in their final year can apply provided they produce proof of passing before the SSB interview.
3. What is the age limit for CDS 1 Recruitment?
Age limits vary by academy but generally fall between 19 and 24 years as on 01 January 2027, with some relaxations.
4. Is there any application fee for female or SC/ST candidates?
Female and SC/ST candidates are exempted from application fees.
5. Which website should candidates use to apply?
Applicants must use the UPSC e-service portal available through the official UPSC website.
Disclaimer
Details are as per recruitment advertisement updates available as of now. Any modification by UPSC will be updated once the official notification is released.