The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I) 2026. This examination serves as a premier gateway for graduates to join the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers. For those who aspire to lead and serve the nation in the Army, Navy, or Air Force, the CDS 1 2026 recruitment cycle offers 451 vacancies across various prestigious academies.

The online application process commenced on December 10, 2025, and will remain active until December 30, 2025. Aspiring candidates are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and complete their registrations early to avoid any last-minute technical difficulties.

 

UPSC CDS 1 2026 Notification: Overview

Particulars	Details
Organization	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name	Combined Defence Services Exam (I) 2026
Total Vacancies	451 Posts
Notification Date	December 10, 2025
Apply Online Dates	December 10 – December 30, 2025
Exam Date	April 12, 2026
Official Website	upsc.gov.in

 

Important Dates to Remember

Staying on track with the UPSC timeline is essential for a smooth application journey.

• Notification Release: December 10, 2025
• Online Application Starts: December 10, 2025
• Last Date to Apply: December 30, 2025 (by 6:00 PM)
• Correction Window: January 2026 (Dates to be announced)
• Admit Card Release: 2 to 3 weeks before the exam
• Written Exam Date: April 12, 2026
• Result Declaration: Expected May/June 2026

 

Detailed Vacancy Distribution

The 451 vacancies are distributed among different training academies for the course commencing in January and April 2027:

Academy Name	Course Commencement	Total Vacancies
Indian Military Academy (IMA)	January 2027	100
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	January 2027	26
Air Force Academy (AFA)	January 2027	32
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men	April 2027	275
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women	April 2027	18
Total		451

 

Eligibility Criteria for CDS 1 2026

Candidates must ensure they satisfy the nationality, age, and educational requirements before filling out the UPSC CDS 1 application form.

1. Nationality

A candidate must be either:

• A Citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal, or
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specific countries (Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, etc.) with the intention of permanently settling in India.

2. Educational Qualification

• For IMA & OTA: A Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized university.
• For Indian Naval Academy (INA): A Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution.
• For Air Force Academy (AFA): A Degree from a recognized university (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR a Bachelor of Engineering.
• Final Year Students: Candidates in their final year/semester of graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any backlogs and can submit proof of passing by the time of course commencement.

3. Age Limit & Marital Status

Academy	Age Limit	Born Between (Both dates inclusive)	Marital Status
IMA	19–24 Years	Jan 02, 2003 to Jan 01, 2008	Unmarried Male
INA	19–24 Years	Jan 02, 2003 to Jan 01, 2008	Unmarried Male
AFA	20–24 Years	Jan 02, 2003 to Jan 01, 2007	Unmarried
OTA	19–25 Years	Jan 02, 2002 to Jan 01, 2008	Men & Women

 

Application Fee

The application fee is required to be paid at the time of the Part-II registration process.

• General / OBC / EWS (Male): ₹200/-
• SC / ST / Female Candidates: Exempted (Nil)
• Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Cards) or Offline (SBI Bank Challan).

 

UPSC CDS 1 Exam Pattern 2026

The examination pattern varies based on the academy the candidate is applying for. All papers consist of objective-type questions.

For IMA, INA, and AFA

Subject	Duration	Marks
English	2 Hours	100
General Knowledge	2 Hours	100
Elementary Mathematics	2 Hours	100
Total Marks		300

For Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)

Subject	Duration	Marks
English	2 Hours	100
General Knowledge	2 Hours	100
Total Marks		200

Note: There is a negative marking of 1/3rd (0.33 marks) for every incorrect answer.

 

Selection Process

The path to becoming an officer involves three distinct stages:

1. Written Examination: Candidates must score above the minimum qualifying marks to move to the next stage.
2. SSB Interview / Intelligence & Personality Test: A 5-day assessment process focusing on psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews.
3. Medical Examination: A comprehensive check to ensure candidates meet the physical and mental standards of the Armed Forces.
4. Final Merit List: Based on the cumulative marks of the Written Exam and SSB Interview.

 

How to Apply Online for UPSC CDS 1 2026

Follow these steps to submit your application on the official UPSC portal:

1. One-Time Registration (OTR): Visit the Official UPSC Website. If you haven’t done OTR before, register your details to get an OTR ID.
2. Login: Use your OTR ID, Mobile Number, or Email to log in to the portal.
3. Part-I Registration: Fill in your personal information, address, and educational qualifications. You will also need to select your preference for the academies (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA).
4. Part-II Registration: This involves paying the application fee (₹200 for General/OBC males).
5. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and a valid Photo ID proof (like Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID).
6. Exam Center Selection: Choose your preferred city for the written exam.
7. Submit & Print: Review your details, submit the application, and take a printout for your future reference.

 

Salary and Allowances

Upon successful commissioning as a Lieutenant, officers receive a competitive salary under the 7th Pay Commission.

• Starting Basic Pay: ₹56,100 (Level 10).
• Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 per month.
• Allowances: Candidates are also eligible for Dearness Allowance (DA), Kit Maintenance Allowance, High Altitude Allowance (where applicable), and free medical facilities.

 

Preparation Strategy for CDS 1 2026

1. Understand the Syllabus: Focus heavily on English grammar and vocabulary, as it is often the most scoring section.
2. Current Affairs: Stay updated with the last 6 months of news, especially regarding defense, international relations, and science.
3. Math Basics: For IMA/INA/AFA, practice 10th-grade level mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry).
4. Mock Tests: Solve at least 5–10 previous year question papers to understand the time management required for 120 questions per paper.