The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 notification under Examination Notice No. 4/2026 CDS-I, dated 10 December 2025. The CDS exam is conducted to select eligible candidates for officer-level entry into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, including SSC Women (Non-Technical) courses.
CDS 1 2026 Notification and Exam Date
Important Dates for CDS 1 2026
- Notification Release Date: 10 December 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: 30 December 2025 (up to 6:00 PM)
- CDS 1 2026 Exam Date: 12 April 2026
Candidates must apply online through the official UPSC application portal.
How to Apply for CDS 1 2026
UPSC follows a four-module Online Application System:
- Account Creation
- Universal Registration
- Common Application Form
- Examination-Specific Application Form
Once registered, candidates receive a Universal Registration Number (URN), which remains the same for all UPSC examinations. After submitting the CDS-specific form, an Application Number is generated, which is unique for CDS 1 2026.
Applicants are strongly advised to use their Aadhaar Card for smooth identity verification. Detailed instructions for form filling and document upload are available on the UPSC portal.
CDS 1 2026 Courses and Vacancies
The CDS (I) 2026 examination will be conducted for admission to the following courses:
| Academy / Course | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun – 162nd Course | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala – Executive (GS)/Hydro | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad – 221 F(P) Course | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC (Men, NT) | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC Women (NT) | 18 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
Vacancies include reserved seats for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders as per UPSC norms.
CDS 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanent settlement in India
(Eligibility certificate required in certain cases.)
Age, Gender & Marital Status
Indian Military Academy (IMA):
- Unmarried male
- Born between 2 January 2003 – 1 January 2008
Indian Naval Academy (INA):
- Unmarried male
- Born between 2 January 2003 – 1 January 2008
Air Force Academy (AFA):
- Age: 20–24 years as on 1 January 2027
- Born between 2 January 2003 – 1 January 2007
- CPL holders: Upper age limit relaxable up to 26 years
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Men):
- Unmarried male
- Born between 2 January 2002 – 1 January 2008
OTA (Women – Non-Technical):
- Unmarried women
- Issueless widows/divorcees (not remarried)
- Born between 2 January 2002 – 1 January 2008
Male divorcees/widowers are not eligible for IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA courses.
Educational Qualification
- IMA & OTA: Graduation degree from a recognised university
- INA: Degree in Engineering
- AFA: Graduation with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering
Final-year students can apply, but proof of graduation must be produced during SSB or before course commencement.
CDS 1 2026 Selection Process
The CDS selection process consists of two stages:
1. Written Examination
2. SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test)
Final selection is based on combined marks of the written exam and SSB interview.
CDS 1 2026 Exam Pattern
For IMA, INA & AFA
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 300 |
For OTA (Men & Women)
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 200 |
- All questions are objective type (MCQs)
- GK and Mathematics papers are bilingual (Hindi & English)
- No calculator allowed
- Negative marking applicable
- Qualifying marks decided by UPSC
Admit Card & Important Instructions
- CDS 1 2026 e-Admit Card will be released in the last working week before the exam
- Admit cards will be available only online
- Candidates must ensure eligibility; candidature remains provisional until document verification after SSB
Download Notification
