Defence Exams
Defence exams are conducted every year to recruit interested candidates to serve in the Indian Armed Forces. A career in the Indian Armed Forces is considered as one of the most prestigious jobs as it is an opportunity to serve the country.
On this page you will find all the information related to various defence exams conducted in the country.
National Defence Academy Exam (NDA) 2025
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is one of the most sought-after exams and is considered as one of the most popular entry points for young men and women to enter the Indian Armed Forces. The NDA exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year offering candidates a chance to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
The other details regarding the NDA exam 2025 are as follows:
Categories | Details |
Eligibility Criteria | The applicant must be an Indian nationalThe eligible age to appear for the NDA exam is between 16.5 and 19.5 years of ageThe applicant must have passed their 12th standard |
Exam Pattern | Mathematics: 300 marksGeneral Ability Test: 600 marksSSB Interview: 900 marks |
Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
Physical Eligibility | The applicants must be in a good physical and mental health conditionPermanent body tattoos are only allowed on the inner face of the forearmTribes with tattoo marks on the face or body as per their customs and traditions will be allowed |
Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exams
The combined Defence Services (CDS) is another prestigious exam conducted by the UPSC for graduates who are willing to join the Indian Armed Forces, specifically into Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). The UPSC conducts the CDS exams twice a year, where the candidates have to take a written test and an interview to get selected.
The other details regarding the CDS exams 2025 are as follows:
Categories | Details |
Eligibility Criteria | The applicant must be Indian nationalThe candidates must have completed their graduation or be in their final semesterThe applicant must be between 19 and 25 years of ageAspiring women candidates can only apply for OTA examWomen who are unmarried, widows who have not remarried and divorcees are eligible for the OTA examOnly unmarried male aspirants are eligible for the CDS exam |
Exam Pattern | For IMA, INA, and AFA, the exam pattern is English, general knowledge, elementary mathematics (each 100 questions)For OTA, the exam pattern is English and general knowledge ((each 100 questions)For SSB interview, 300 marks for IMA, INA, AND AFA and 200 marks for OTA |
Exam Frequency | Twice a year (April and September) |
Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 2025
The Air Force Common Admission Test 2025 is conducted for interested candidates who are willing to pursue a career in the Indian Air Force. AFCAT is conducted to select candidates for roles in commissioned officers in flying, ground duty (technical), and ground duty (non-technical) branches.
The other details regarding the exam are as follows:
Categories | Details |
Eligibility Criteria | The candidate must be an Indian nationalThe candidate who is applying for flying branch role must be between 20 and 24 years of age as of July 2025. However, a relaxation in the upper age limit up to 26 years is allowed for candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCAAge limit for roles in ground duty (technical and non-technical) is between 20 and 26 years of age as of January 2025The candidate must have a passed their 12th standard in Physics and Chemistry with an aggregate of at least 50% |
Exam Pattern | AFCAT exam - A total of 100 questions will be asked where the candidate can score a maximum of 300 marksSSB Interview – The questions may vary based on the role the candidate has applied for |
Marital Status | The candidates should be unmarried (Male and Female) |
Physical Eligibility | The required height for Flying Brach is 162.5 cmFor on ground duty, the required height for male is 157.5 cm and for females 152 cm |
Agniveer 2025
Introduced by the NDA government, Agniveer scheme provides a new entry-level opportunity for aspirants to serve in the Indian Armed Forces. The exam, which is part of the Agnipath recruitment model, hires candidates for various roles in the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force.
The other details regarding the exam are as follows:
Categories | Details |
Eligibility Criteria | The applicant must be Indian nationalThe applicant must be between 17 and 21 years of ageThe applicant must have passed either their 10th standard or 12th standard depending on the role they are applying for |
Service Duration | Four years |
Training Duration | 10 weeks to 6 months |
Exam Pattern | Written test (questions depends upon the service and role you choose)Physical Fitness Test (running, push-ups, and other physical activities Detailed medical check-up |
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Exam 2025
The Indian Coast Guard exam is conducted to recruit candidates either as officers or Sailers. The candidates are also posted into various branches in the Indian Navy such as general duty, technical role or law among others.
The other details regarding the exam are as follows:
Categories | Details |
Eligibility Criteria | The candidate must be Indian nationalThe candidate must be between 18 and 22 years of age For applying for sailor's role, the candidate must have passed their 12th standardFor applying for officer's role, the candidate must have passed their graduation |
Exam Pattern | Written testPhysical Fitness Test (PFT)Detailed medical check-up |
Territorial Army (TA) Exam 2025
The Territorial Army exams are conducted to recruit candidates into the Indian Army as officers. The TA exam gives a unique opportunity for civilians to work for the Indian Army while maintaining their regular civilian jobs.
The other details regarding the TA exam 2025 are as follows:
Categories | Details |
Eligibility Criteria | The candidate must be an Indian nationalThe candidate must be between 18 and 42 years of ageThe candidate must have passed their graduation from any recognised university |
Exam Pattern | Written test Paper I – Reasoning and elementary mathematicsPaper II – General knowledge and EnglishSSB interview – Candidates who have cleared the exam will be called for an interview |
Defence Exam Dates 2025
The following are the exam dates for the upcoming defence exams in the year 2025
Defence Exam | Defence Exam Dates 2025 |
National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam 2025 | NDA Exam I Notification – December 2024Exam – April 2025NDA Exam IINotification – June 2025Exam – September 2025 |
Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam 2025 | CDS Exam I Notification – December 2024Exam – April 2025CDS Exam IINotification – June 2025Exam – September 2025 |
Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 2025 | AFCAT Exam I Notification – December 2024Exam – February 2025AFCAT Exam IINotification – June 2025Exam – August 2025 |
Agniveer Exam 2025 | Notification – Yet to be notifiedExam – Yet to be notified |
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Exam 2025 | Notification – Yet to be notifiedExam – Yet to be notified |
Territorial Army (TA) Exam 2025 | Notification – Yet to be notifiedExam – Yet to be notified |
FAQs on Defence Exams 2025
- 1. Is it required to study Mathematics and Physics in 12th standard to be eligible for defence exams?
Yes, most of the candidates who wish to appear for the defence exams are required to study Physics and Mathematics in their 12th grade.
- 2. What is the age limit to appear for the Agniveer exam?
The candidates willing to appear for the Agniveer exam must be between 17 and 21 years of age
- 3. Which of the defence exams are conducted twice a year?
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam and Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam are conducted twice a year, once in the month of April and the other in the month of September.
- 4. What is Territorial Army (TA) exam?
Territorial Army (TA) exam is a unique opportunity for civilians to work with the Indian arm while also maintaining their regular civilian jobs. The TA exam is conducted to recruit interested candidates into the Indian Army as officers.
- 5. When is the Agniveer exam 2025?
The Agniveer exam 2025 notification is yet be released by the central government.
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