UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 notification out. Get complete information on 451 vacancies, eligibility, exam pattern, age limit and apply online.
Advertising no. (Examination Notice No.) 4/2026 CDS-I
Introduction:
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2026, is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of Commissioned Officers into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This examination is held twice a year and is a pathway for graduates to secure a prestigious position in the Armed Forces.
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UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026-Overview:
organization name | UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (UPSC) |
|---|---|
post name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 (For entry into IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA) |
post type | Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force (Permanent and Short Service Commission) |
application mode | Online |
application fees | ₹200/- (Female, SC, and ST candidates are exempted) |
no of vacancies | (Approximate) 451 (IMA-100, INA-26, AFA-32, OTA Men-275, OTA Women-18). |
education qualification | IMA & OTA: Degree of a recognised University or equivalent. INA: Degree in Engineering. AFA: Degree (with Physics and Maths at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering. |
selection process | Written Examination, Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview/Personality Test, Document Verification and Medical Examination. |
age limit(as per course) | IMA Born between 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008 INA Born between 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008 AFA Born 20–24 years (relaxation for CPL holders) OTA (Men & Women)Born between 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 |
salary | Selected candidates will receive Level-10 Pay Scale:
|
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026- Important Dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 December 2025 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 30 December 2025 |
| Admit Card Release Date | Last week before exam |
| CDS I Written Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Result Declaration (Expected) | May 2026 |
| SSB Interview Dates | Aug – Dec 2026 (Course-wise) |
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026-Vacancy Details (Total: 451 Posts):
| Academy / Course | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy – Men | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy – Women | 18 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026-Exam Pattern:
The CDS I Competitive Examination consists of two stages:
1️. Written Examination
- Objective type (MCQs)
- Conducted by UPSC
2️. SSB Interview
- Intelligence & Personality Test
- Conducted at Services Selection Centres
📚 Written Exam Structure
For IMA, INA & AFA
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 300 |
For OTA (Men & Women)
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 200 |
🔍 Key Exam Highlights
- All papers are objective type (MCQs)
- GK & Maths papers are bilingual (Hindi & English)
- No calculator allowed in the exam
- Candidates must write the exam without a scribe
- UPSC decides minimum qualifying marks
- Questions are based on the metric system
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026- Important Direct Link:
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026-How To Prepare
🧠 Exam Preparation
UPSC CDS I Examination 2026 की तैयारी के लिए उम्मीदवारों को English, General Knowledge और Elementary Mathematics विषयों पर विशेष ध्यान देना चाहिए। English में grammar, vocabulary, comprehension और sentence structure की अच्छी समझ जरूरी है। General Knowledge के लिए history, geography, polity, economics, science के साथ-साथ current affairs का नियमित अध्ययन करना चाहिए। Mathematics में arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry और geometry जैसे topics की daily practice जरूरी है। उम्मीदवारों को पिछले वर्षों के प्रश्नपत्र हल करने चाहिए ताकि exam pattern और difficulty level समझ में आ सके। चूंकि CDS परीक्षा में negative marking होती है, इसलिए accuracy पर ज्यादा फोकस करना चाहिए और अनावश्यक guesswork से बचना चाहिए। Mock tests और time-bound practice से speed और confidence दोनों बेहतर होते हैं।
🩺 Medical Examination
SSB Interview में recommend होने के बाद उम्मीदवारों को Medical Examination से गुजरना होता है, जो कि सेना द्वारा निर्धारित military hospitals में कराया जाता है। इस medical test का उद्देश्य यह सुनिश्चित करना होता है कि उम्मीदवार Indian Army, Navy या Air Force में officer बनने के लिए शारीरिक और मानसिक रूप से पूरी तरह फिट हैं। Medical examination में eyesight, hearing ability, height-weight ratio, chest expansion, blood pressure, dental health और overall physical fitness की गहन जांच की जाती है। किसी भी प्रकार की स्थायी बीमारी, गंभीर चोट या medical abnormality पाए जाने पर उम्मीदवार को unfit घोषित किया जा सकता है। केवल medically fit candidates को ही final merit list में शामिल किया जाता है और training academy में admission दिया जाता है।
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026-How To Apply:
- Visit upsconline.nic.in
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR)
- Fill CDS I 2026 Application Form
- Upload photo, signature & documents
- Pay application fee
- Submit & download application form
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026-FAQs?
Q1. What is the application fee for the CDS (I) 2026 examination?
👉A: The application fee is ₹200/-, but all Female, SC, and ST candidates are completely exempted from paying the fee.
Q2. What is the total number of vacancies announced?
👉A: A total of 451 vacancies have been announced across the four academies (IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA).
Q3. What is the pay of a Cadet during the training period?
👉A: The fixed stipend given to Cadets during training in the respective academies is ₹56,100 per month (Level 10).
Q4. Is the Mathematics paper compulsory for all academies?
👉A: No. The Elementary Mathematics paper is compulsory only for candidates applying to IMA, INA, and AFA. Candidates applying only for OTA are exempted from the Mathematics paper.
Q5. What happens after a candidate qualifies the written exam?
👉A: Candidates who qualify the written exam are required to appear for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview/Personality Test.
- For more updates, stay connected with www.sarkarimission.in