UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I) 2026 – Complete & Detailed Guide
Notification, Eligibility, Vacancies, Exam Pattern, SSB Process, Salary, Career Growth & Apply Online
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2026 notification under Examination Notice No. 4/2026, dated 10 December 2025. This national-level competitive examination is conducted to recruit young, dynamic graduates as Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
The CDS exam is one of the most prestigious defence examinations in India, offering you are a respected career, leadership opportunities, excellent salary, and the pride of serving the nation.
What is the CDS Examination?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted twice a year by UPSC:
- CDS (I) – held in April
- CDS (II) – held in September
Through CDS (I) 2026, You are selected for officer-level training at the following academies:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
- Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
- Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – Men & Women
After successful training, You are commissioned as Lieutenants / Sub-Lieutenants / Flying Officers.
Important Dates – CDS (I) 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 December 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| CDS (I) 2026 Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Admit Card | March 2026 |
| SSB Interviews | Mid–2026 onwards |
CDS (I) 2026 Vacancies – Course Wise
UPSC has announced approximately 451 vacancies (subject to change).
| Academy | Vacancies | Training Start |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 | Jan 2027 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 | Jan 2027 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 | Jan 2027 |
| OTA Chennai (Men) | 275 | Apr 2027 |
| OTA Chennai (Women) | 18 | Apr 2027 |
| Total | 451 | — |
Note: Vacancies are indicative and may be increased or reduced by Service HQ.
Nationality Criteria
You must be:
- A Citizen of India, OR
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, OR
- A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, East African countries, etc. (with eligibility certificate)
Age Limit, Gender & Marital Status
Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Gender: Male
- Marital Status: Unmarried
- DOB: 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008
Indian Naval Academy (INA)
- Gender: Male
- Marital Status: Unmarried
- DOB: 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008
Air Force Academy (AFA)
- Gender: Male
- Age: 20–24 years (as on 01 Jan 2027)
- DOB: 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2007
- CPL holders: Age relaxable up to 26 years
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Men)
- Gender: Male
- Marital Status: Unmarried
- DOB: 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008
OTA (Women)
- Unmarried women
- Issueless widows / divorcees (not remarried)
- DOB: 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008
Marriage during training is strictly prohibited.
Educational Qualification
| Academy | Qualification |
|---|---|
| IMA / OTA | Graduation in any discipline |
| INA | Engineering Degree |
| AFA | Degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2 OR B.E./B.Tech |
Final-year students can apply, but must submit proof before training begins.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / Women | No Fee |
Payment Modes:
- Debit / Credit Card
- UPI
- Net Banking
How to Apply Online – Step by Step
You can visit: https://upsconline.nic.in
You can create Account & Universal Registration Number (URN)
You can complete Common Application Form (CAF)
You can select CDS (I) 2026
You can choose academy preferences
You can upload:
- Photograph (live capture)
- Signature
- Photo ID
Pay fee (if applicable)
Final submit & download confirmation
CDS Written Examination Pattern
IMA / INA / AFA
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | — | 300 |
OTA (Men & Women)
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | — | 200 |
Negative Marking: ⅓ marks deducted for wrong answers.
CDS Syllabus – Explained
English
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Error spotting
- Sentence improvement
- Reading comprehension
General Knowledge
- Current Affairs
- History (Ancient–Modern)
- Geography
- Indian Polity
- Economics
- General Science
- Defence-related news
Mathematics (10th level)
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
CDS Selection Process
Stage 1: Written Exam (UPSC)
Stage 2: SSB Interview (5 Days)
- Stage I: OIR + PPDT (Screening)
- Stage II: Psychology, GTO Tasks, Interview, Conference
Stage 3: Medical Examination
Final merit = Written + SSB marks, subject to medical fitness.
Training & Commissioning
| Academy | Training Duration | Commission |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 18 months | Permanent |
| INA | 18 months | Permanent |
| AFA | 74 weeks | Permanent |
| OTA | 49 weeks | Short Service |
Salary After Commission (7th CPC)
| Rank | Pay Level | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | ₹56,100 |
| Captain | Level 10B | ₹61,300 |
| Major | Level 11 | ₹69,400 |
Additional Benefits:
- Military Service Pay (₹15,500)
- HRA / Field Allowance
- Free medical
- Canteen facilities
- Pension / Gratuity
- Adventure training & foreign courses
Official Notification & Apply Link Table
| Item | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| UPSC Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Last Date | 30 Dec 2025 |
Final Words
The UPSC CDS (I) 2026 examination is not just a job opportunity—it is a life-changing career that offers leadership, respect, adventure, and the honor of serving the nation.
If you are disciplined, motivated, and ready to face challenges, CDS is one of the best career paths in India.
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