COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATION (II), 2024 [INCLUDING SSC WOMEN (NON-TECHNICAL) COURSE]
The UPSC has released the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2024 [including the SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course] on May 15, 2024. This year, the notification announces 459 vacancies, including 19 vacancies in the non-technical branch for women. For complete details, please refer to the notification document on the UPSC website at http://upsc.gov.in.
Important points
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Date of Commencement of Examination: 01/09/2024
a. Vacancy
| S. No. | Name of the Course | Approximate No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Indian Military Academy, Dehradun – 159th (DE) Course commencing in July 2025 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ (Army Wing) holders] | 100 |
| 2. | Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala – Course commencing in July 2025, Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders] | 32 |
| 3. | Air Force Academy, Hyderabad – (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in July 2025 i.e. No. 218 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies are reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry] | 32 |
| 4. | Officers’ Training academy, Chennai (Madras) 122nd SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in October, 2025. | 276 |
| 5. | Officers Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 36th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in October, 2025. | 19 |
| Total | 459 |
b. Age Limits, Sex and Marital Status:
The UPSC has specified age limits, sex, and marital status criteria for candidates applying to various academies through the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2024:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA): Unmarried male candidates born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2006, are eligible.
- Air Force Academy (AFA): Male candidates aged 20 to 24 as of July 1, 2025, are eligible, with a relaxation up to 26 years for holders of a valid Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India). Candidates should be born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2005. Married candidates over 25 may apply but will not receive married accommodation during training.
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – SSC Course for Men: Unmarried males born between July 2, 2000, and July 1, 2006, are eligible.
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – SSC Women Non-Technical Course: Unmarried women, issueless widows, and issueless divorcees (holding divorce documents) born between July 2, 2000, and July 1, 2006, are eligible.
Certificates required for age verification are only those recognized as equivalent to Matriculation by an Indian University or those listed in the Matriculation/Secondary School Examination.
c. Educational Qualifications:
The educational qualifications required for candidates applying to the various academies through the UPSC’s Combined Defence Services Examination are as follows:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai: Applicants must hold a degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification.
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): Candidates need to have an engineering degree from a recognized university or institution.
- Air Force Academy (AFA): Applicants are required to possess a degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or hold a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
Additionally, graduates who have the Army, Navy, or Air Force as their first choice must submit proof of their graduation. This requirement ensures that all candidates meet the specific educational standards necessary for entry into each branch of the military through this examination.
Candidates are required to apply online at UPSC.
Notification Link : CDS(II)
