The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the UPSC NDA, NA, and CDS I Exam 2025 on December 11, 2024. This notification is a crucial update for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces through the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I) 2025, as well as the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I) 2025. The detailed notification is available on the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
Key Details of the UPSC NDA, NA, and CDS I Exam 2025
The UPSC exams offer a prestigious opportunity for young individuals to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The notification provides critical information regarding eligibility, application deadlines, exam dates, and more.
- Registration Dates
- Start of Online Registration: The registration process for both the NDA & NA I Exam and the CDS I Exam began soon after the release of the notification.
- Last Date for Online Registration: Candidates must complete their registration by December 31, 2024. No applications will be accepted after this date.
- Examination Dates
- NDA & NA I Exam 2025: The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I) 2025 will take place on April 13, 2025.
- CDS I Exam 2025: The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I) 2025 is also scheduled for April 13, 2025, and will be held on the same day as the NDA and NA exam.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
The application process for both exams is online. Aspirants are required to follow a structured procedure to complete their application.
- One-Time Registration (OTR)
- Candidates need to first register on the One-Time Registration (OTR) platform available on the official UPSC website, upsconline.nic.in. This registration allows candidates to fill out applications for various UPSC exams in the future.
- Online Application
- After completing the OTR, candidates can proceed to fill out the application form for either the NDA & NA I Exam 2025 or the CDS I Exam 2025. The form requires candidates to provide personal details, educational qualifications, and other relevant information.
- Application Fees
- Candidates will be required to pay an application fee as part of the process. The fee details are available on the UPSC official website. Candidates belonging to SC/ST categories, and sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempt from paying the fee.
- Admit Cards
- Once the application is successfully submitted, candidates will receive their admit cards approximately 3 weeks before the exam date, which will be available for download from the official UPSC website.
Eligibility Criteria for NDA, NA, and CDS I Exam 2025
Candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria to appear for the exams:
- NDA & NA I Exam 2025
- Age Limit: Candidates should be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age as of January 1, 2025. Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed 12th grade with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
- CDS I Exam 2025
- Age Limit: For Indian Military Academy (IMA), candidates must be between 20 to 24 years, for Naval Academy (INA), candidates must be between 20 to 22 years, and for Air Force Academy (AFA), candidates must be between 20 to 23 years as of January 1, 2025.
- Educational Qualification:
- For IMA: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.
- For INA: Degree in Engineering.
- For AFA: Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.
- Physical Standards
- Applicants must meet specific physical standards, which include parameters related to height, weight, and overall fitness, as prescribed by the respective services.
Selection Process
Both the NDA & NA and CDS exams follow a structured selection process:
- Written Examination
- Both exams include multiple-choice questions. The NDA & NA exam is divided into Mathematics and General Ability Test, while the CDS exam includes English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics papers.
- SSB Interview
- Candidates who qualify the written examination will be called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, which assesses the candidates’ personality, intelligence, and suitability for the armed forces.
- Medical Examination
- Candidates who pass the SSB interview will undergo a thorough medical examination to assess their fitness for service.
Conclusion
The UPSC NDA, NA, and CDS I Exam 2025 presents an incredible opportunity for young aspirants who are eager to serve in the Indian Armed Forces. With the release of the notification on December 11, 2024, candidates now have the chance to apply online before the deadline on December 31, 2024. Aspirants must ensure they meet all the eligibility requirements and complete the registration process in time. This is a highly competitive examination, so thorough preparation is essential to succeed and secure a position in the prestigious Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.
