The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) twice every year to recruit eligible candidates for the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). For the year 2025, the CDS II exam is scheduled to be held on 14 September 2025 at various examination centers across India.

Candidates who successfully registered for the examination can now download their UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2025 through the official UPSC portal once it is released. The admit card is an essential document that not only serves as entry permission to the examination hall but also contains important details such as exam timing, venue, and instructions.

Application Dates:

Application Fee :

Age Limit (As on Exam Notification)

• Minimum Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Age: 24 Years
• Note: Age relaxation is applicable as per rules.

UPSC CDS II 2025 Eligibility Criteria

UPSC CDS II 2025 Vacancy Details

Steps to Download UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2025

Candidates should carefully follow the steps below to download their admit card once it is made available on the official UPSC website:

1. Visit the official UPSC website – Only use the authorized government site for safe access.

2. Navigate to the Admit Card section under the “Examinations” tab.

3. Click on the link for CDS II 2025 Admit Card.

4. Log in with your credentials – Registration ID, roll number, or date of birth may be required.

5. Download and save the admit card once it appears on the screen.

6. Print a copy for carrying to the exam hall, as digital copies are not accepted.

Details Mentioned on the CDS II Admit Card

The admit card carries essential details that every candidate must verify after downloading. In case of errors, candidates should immediately contact UPSC officials. Details include:

• Candidate’s Name and Photograph

• Roll Number and Registration ID

• Examination Date and Session

• Reporting Time and Duration of Exam

• Examination Centre Address

• Important Instructions for Candidates

Documents to Carry with the Admit Card

On the day of the examination, candidates need to carry certain items along with the admit card:

• Hard Copy of the Admit Card (printed clearly).

• Valid Photo ID Proof such as Aadhaar card, passport, PAN card, voter ID, or driving license.

• Passport-size Photograph (preferably the same as uploaded in the application form).

• Black Ballpoint Pen (if required for marking the OMR sheet).

Items like electronic gadgets, calculators, notes, or mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside the exam center.

UPSC CDS II Exam Date 2025

The CDS II 2025 examination is scheduled for 14 September 2025. Candidates must ensure they reach their respective exam centers well in advance to avoid any last-minute issues. Latecomers are generally not allowed to enter the exam hall once the gate closes.

Preparation Tips for CDS II 2025

With the exam date approaching, here are some tips to maximize preparation:

• Revise the complete syllabus – Focus on English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA, INA, AFA). OTA candidates need to prepare only English and General Knowledge.

• Practice Previous Year Papers – Helps in understanding question trends and time management.

• Stay Updated with Current Affairs – Especially defense-related news, government policies, and international events.

• Mock Tests – Attempting timed mock tests improves speed and accuracy.

• Health & Sleep – Stay healthy and take adequate rest before the exam to perform well.