The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) I, 2026 notification for recruitment of officers into the Indian Armed Forces. The examination is conducted for entry into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 December 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| CDS 1 2026 Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Admit Card | April 2026 (Tentative) |
Vacancies
A total of 451 vacancies have been announced under CDS 1 2026 for the following academies:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Indian Naval Academy (INA)
- Air Force Academy (AFA)
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Men & Women)
Final vacancy distribution is subject to UPSC notification.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- Citizen of India
- Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan
- Tibetan refugees (as per UPSC rules)
Educational Qualification
- IMA & OTA: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university
- INA: Degree in Engineering
- AFA: Bachelor’s degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering
Age Limit
- Age limits vary according to the academy applied for
- Candidates must refer to the official notification for exact age criteria
Application Fee
- General / OBC (Male): ₹200
- Female / SC / ST: Exempted
Payment can be made through:
- Debit Card / Credit Card
- Net Banking
- UPI
How to Apply for UPSC CDS 1 2026
Candidates must apply online only through the official UPSC portal.
One Time Registration (OTR) is mandatory before filling the application form.
Official Application Link:
👉 https://upsconline.nic.in
Steps to Apply
- Visit the UPSC online application portal
- Complete One Time Registration (if not already done)
- Fill in personal and educational details
- Upload photograph and signature as per specifications
- Pay the application fee (if applicable)
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page
Selection Process
The selection process for CDS 1 2026 consists of the following stages:
- Written Examination conducted by UPSC
- SSB Interview and Personality Test
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
Candidates must qualify at each stage to receive a final recommendation.
Exam Pattern
For IMA, INA, and AFA
- English
- General Knowledge
- Elementary Mathematics
For OTA
- English
- General Knowledge
Each paper is of 2 hours duration and consists of objective-type questions.
The examination is conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode.
Syllabus Overview
- English: Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, usage
- General Knowledge: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, Defence, Current Affairs
- Mathematics: Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, Arithmetic (Class 10 level)
Official Resources
- Official Notification PDF available on the UPSC website
- Online application available only through the official portal
Quick Summary
- Exam Name: UPSC CDS 1 2026
- Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission
- Total Vacancies: 451
- Application Window: 10–30 December 2025
- Exam Date: 12 April 2026
- Application Mode: Online