The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) (I), 2026. The exam will be conducted on 12 April 2026 for admission to IMA, INA, AFA and OTA (Men & Women) courses.
⚠️ Important: The last date to apply is 30 December. Candidates who are interested in joining the CDS should apply online only through the UPSC website before the deadline.
Candidates preparing for government jobs can also check SSC GD Constable Recruitment 2025 – Apply Till 31 December and CBSE Recruitment 2025 – Last Date 22 December
Official Notification & Apply Link is Down below.
UPSC CDS (I) 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 December 2025 (till 6:00 PM) |
| CDS (I) 2026 Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Last working day of previous week of Exam |
UPSC CDS (I) 2026 – Vacancy Details
A total of 451 vacancies have been announced.
| Academy / Course | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
👉 Vacancies are tentative and may change as per Service Headquarters requirements.
UPSC CDS (I) 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidate must be:
- Citizen of India, or
- Subject of Nepal, or
- Person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries (with eligibility certificate)
Age Limit & Marital Status (as on 1 January 2027)
| Course | Age Limit | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | Born between 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008 | Unmarried Male |
| INA | Born between 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008 | Unmarried Male |
| AFA | Born between 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2007 | Unmarried (below 25) |
| OTA (Men) | Born between 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 | Unmarried |
| OTA (Women) | Born between 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 | Unmarried / eligible widows & divorcees |
❌ Male divorcees/widowers are not eligible.
Educational Qualification
| Academy | Qualification |
|---|---|
| IMA & OTA | Graduation from recognised University |
| INA | Degree in Engineering |
| AFA | Graduation with Physics & Maths at +2 level OR Engineering degree |
👉 Final year students can apply, subject to conditions.
UPSC CDS (I) 2026 – Application Fee
- ₹200 for General / OBC / EWS candidates
- No fee for Women / SC / ST candidates
Payment Modes:
- Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI / Internet Banking
How to Apply for UPSC CDS (I) 2026
Candidates must apply online only at:
Application Process:
- Account Creation
- Universal Registration Number (URN)
- Common Application Form (CAF)
- CDS (I) 2026 Examination Specific Form
⚠️ No correction or withdrawal is allowed after final submission.
Selection Process
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview
- Stage I: OIR & PPDT
- Stage II: Psychology, GTO, Interview & Conference
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List
UPSC CDS (I) 2026 – Exam Pattern
For IMA, INA & AFA
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
Total: 300 Marks
📌 Check Full Syllabus & Exam Pattern Here
For OTA (Men & Women)
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
Total: 200 Marks
➡️ All papers are objective type
➡️ Negative marking applies (⅓ marks deducted for wrong answer)
UPSC CDS (I) 2026 – Exam Centres
The exam will be conducted across 80+ cities including:
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Chandigarh and more.
👉 Centres are allotted on first-apply-first-allot basis.
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Mobile phones, smart watches & electronic devices are strictly banned
- Use black ball pen only in OMR sheet
- Face authentication will be conducted at exam centres
- Carry valid Photo ID (Aadhaar preferred)
Important Links
- Official Notification PDF : Official Notification Pdf
- Apply Online: ONLINE APPLY
- Check The Full Syllabus : FULL SYLLABUS
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FAQs – UPSC CDS (I) 2026
Q1. What is the last date to apply for CDS (I) 2026?
👉 30 December 2025 (6:00 PM)
Q2. Can final year students apply for CDS 2026?
👉 Yes, subject to conditions mentioned in the notification.
Q3. Is there negative marking in CDS exam?
👉 Yes, ⅓ marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
Q4. How many vacancies are there in CDS (I) 2026?
👉 A total of 451 vacancies.
🔔 Final Note
Candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully before applying and ensure they meet all eligibility conditions.