For every young Graduate aspiring to wear the uniform of the Indian Armed Forces, the UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is the gateway. And the time is here, the notification for UPSC CDS (I) 2026 has been officially released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
But don't know what the UPSC CDS exam is? Here you can get clarified.
Here is a quick breakdown of everything you need to know about the latest notification.
📅 Key Dates at a Glance
The most critical information for any aspirant is the timeline. Mark these dates in your calendar!
| Event | Date (CDS I 2026) |
| Notification Release | December 10, 2025 |
| Application Start Date | December 10, 2025 |
| Application End Date | December 30, 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Written Examination Date | April 12, 2026 |
| Tentative Course Commencement | January/April 2027 |
📌 Pro Tip: Apply early! UPSC allots exam centers on a 'first-apply, first-allot' basis, and once a center's capacity is full, it is frozen.
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Vacancies and Academies
A total of 451 vacancies have been announced across the four prestigious training academies:
| Academy | Course | Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | Permanent Commission (PC) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | Permanent Commission (PC) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | Permanent Commission (PC) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men) | Short Service Commission (SSC) | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women) | Short Service Commission (SSC) | 18 |
Eligibility:-
Eligibility is crucial and varies slightly depending on the Academy you choose.
1. Educational Qualification
| Academy | Minimum Educational Qualification |
| IMA & OTA | Degree from a recognised University or equivalent. (Final year students can also apply provisionally). |
| INA | Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution. |
| AFA | Degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering. |
2. Age Limit (as of Jan 1, 2027, for IMA/INA/AFA courses)
The age and marital status requirements:
- IMA & INA: Unmarried Male candidates. Born not earlier than Jan 2, 2003, and not later than Jan 1, 2008.
- AFA: Between 20 and 24 years (Relaxable up to 26 years for CPL holders).
OTA (Men & Women): Born not earlier than Jan 2, 2002, and not later than Jan 1, 2008.
- Note: Only unmarried candidates (including female candidates, issueless widows, and divorcees who haven't remarried) are eligible.
Selection Process:-
Selection for CDS is a two-stage process designed to test your knowledge, personality, and potential.
1. Written Examination (Objective Type)
The subjects you need to appear for depend on the Academy:
| Academy | Papers | Max. Marks | Duration |
| IMA, INA, AFA | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics | 300 (100 each) | 2 Hours each |
| OTA (Men & Women) | English, General Knowledge | 200 (100 each) | 2 Hours each |
Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
2. Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview
Candidates who clear the written exam proceed to the 5-day SSB process. This involves a comprehensive evaluation of your Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) across two stages:
- Stage I (Screening): Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
- Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Psychology Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SDT), and Conference.
How to Apply
- Visit the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process if you haven't already.
- Fill out the detailed application form for CDS (I) 2026.
- Upload required documents (photo/signature).
- Pay the Application Fee: ₹200 (SC/ST/Female candidates are exempted).
- Submit and print the final application form.
The CDS examination is a path to a highly respected and challenging career. Start your preparation with Dedication, focus on the detailed syllabus, and all the best for your journey towards becoming an officer!