The detailed CDS 1 Notification 2026 PDF for Combined Defence Service Examination (I), 2026 (Including SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course) has been released by UPSC on 10th December 2025. The notification PDF contains all important details such as vacancy, eligibility criteria, application procedure, selection process, etc. Candidates interested in applying for the CDS 1 exam are advised to thoroughly review the advertisement PDF to ensure their eligibility and to know other details regarding the exam.
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The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) CDS 1 Notification 2026 Apply Online for 451 Vacancies
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Overview
| CDS 1 2026 Exam - Summary | |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Service Examination (1) 2026 |
| CDS 1 Vacancy | 451 |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Registration Dates | 10th to 30th December 2025 |
| Selection Process | Written Test- Interview- Medical Examination |
| Language of Written Exam | Bilingual |
| Mode of Examination | Offline |
| Type of Questions | Multiple-choice questions |
| Eligibility | Unmarried Males & Females |
| CDS Exam Duration | 2 hours (each paper) |
| Marking Scheme | 1/3 for each incorrect answer |
| Job Location | All Over India |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
CDS Exam 2026- Important Dates
- Notification Release Date : 10/12/2025
- Online Application Start Date : 10/12/2025
- Last Date for Online Application : 30/12/2025 (up to 06:00 PM)
- Examination Date : 12/04/2026
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Vacancy details
| CDS 1 2026 Vacancy | |
| Name of the academy | Number of Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun 160th (DE) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala Course | 26 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad Training Course | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) SSC Men 125th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy, Chennai SSC Women 125th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The candidates must meet the UPSC CDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria as set by the Union Public Service Commission for defence recruitment. Check detailed eligibility (nationality, education, age, marital status, sex) from below.
CDS Nationality
A candidate should hold The Citizenship of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who had been migrated to India before January 01, 1962, with the intention of Permanent Settle, or An individual of Indian Origin who migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire & Vietnam for permanent settle purpose in India.CDS Education Qualification
For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy - The candidate should have a graduation degree (any subject) from a recognized University or equivalent.For Indian Naval Academy- The candidate should have completed their Graduation in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution.
For Air Force Academy- The candidate should hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.
CDS Age Limit (as on 01/01/2027)
The age limit for the candidates who will be applying for CDS 1 Exam will be as follows;(i) For IMA- Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2003 and not later than 1st January 2008 only are eligible
(ii) For Indian Naval Academy- Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2003 and not later than 1st January 2008 only are eligible.
(iii) For Air Force Academy- 20 to 24 years, i.e., born not earlier than 2nd January 2003 and not later than 1st January 2007.
CDS Marital Status & Sex
• For the Indian Military Academy, and Indian Naval Academy, only Unmarried males are eligible to apply for the CDS 1 Exam• For the Indian Air Force Academy, both married and unmarried males can apply, however, marriage during the training is not permitted
• For Officer Training Academy, unmarried males & females can apply for the CDS 1 Exam.
CDS Physical Standards
Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to the Combined Defence Services Examination (1), 2026 The minimum acceptable height for male cadidates is 157 cm.For the Navy candidates height is 157 cm, for the Air Force is 162.5 and for female candidates is 152 cm.
Gorkhas and candidates belonging to the Hills of the North Eastern region of India, Garhwal and Kumaon, required a minimum height is 152 cm.
Tribals from the Ladhakh Region and Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands' and Extra talented sports candidates minimum required rights is 155 Cm
Body Mass Index (BMI) should be below 25.
The ratio of the waist and hip should be below 0.9 for males and 0.8 for females.
Waist Circumference should be less than 90 cm for males and 80 cm for females.
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
The examination fee for the CDS 1 2026 Exam is Rs. 200/- for all categories except SC/ST/Females (exempted from fee payment). The payment can be done through online/offline mode (Net Banking, Mastercard/Debit Card or cash deposit in any branch of SBI Bank.- All category except SC/ST/Females Rs. 200/-
- SC/ST/Females Exempted
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
The recruitment of AFA, IMA, INA & Officers Training Academy posts will be conducted based on:Stage 1: Written Exam- The UPSC will conduct the CDS written exam to shortlist candidates for the interview exam. The written exam consists of objective-type questions only. Subjects asked in the exam from of General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.
Stage 2: SSB Interview/Personality Test- Candidates who are declared successful in the written exam will be called to appear for an intelligence and personality test at the Service Selection Board based on their preferred service. This stage assesses candidates’ leadership qualities, officer-like attributes, and suitability for a career in the defense forces. The exam will be in two stages. Stage 1 includes tests such as officer intelligence rating, picture perception, and description. Stage 2 involves a psychological test, an interview, group testing tasks, and a conference.
Stage 3: Document Verification- Candidates will be called to provide original documents for verification, including educational certificates, age proof, and other relevant documents as submitted during the application process.
Stage 4: Medical Examination- Candidates who clear the interview/personality test undergo Medical examinations are carried out meticulously by the Armed Forces Medical Services. The medical examination ensures that the candidate is in good physical and mental health and free from any disease/syndrome/disability.
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Exam Pattern
The candidates have to clear the CDS Written Examination to get selected for the interview round. Check the exam pattern for each position below.• There will be Multiple-Choice Questions in each paper
• The question paper for General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be set in Hindi as well as in English.
• There will be a penalty of 1/3 marks for a wrong answer
• Duration of each exam is separate i.e. 2 hours.
| For Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy | |||
| SNo | Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English | 120 | 2 hours |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 120 | 2 hours |
| 3 | Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
| For Officers’ Training Academy | |||
| SNo | Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English | 100 | 2 hours |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
Note The maximum marks allotted to the written examination and to the interviews will be equal for each course i.e. the maximum marks allotted to the written examination and to the interviews will be 300, 300, 300 and 200 each for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy respectively.
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Salary 2026
| Rank | Level | (Pay in Rs.)Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | Rs. 56,100 -1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10 B | Rs. 61,300- 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | Rs. 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | Rs. 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | Rs. 1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | Rs. 1,39,600-2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | Rs. 1,44,200-2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 | Rs. 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
| HAG+Scale | Level 16 | Rs. 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Level 17 | Rs. 2,25,000/-(fixed) |
| COAS | Level 18 | Rs. 2,50,000/-(fixed) |
How to Apply for UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026
Step 1: Visit official website https://upsconline.nic.in
Step 2: Create Account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN)
Step 3: Fill Common Application Form (CAF) with personal details
Step 4: Upload recent photograph and capture live photo
Step 5: Fill Examination Specific Module with preferences for Services (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA)
Step 6: Upload required documents (Date of Birth proof, Educational certificates, etc.)
Step 7: Select Examination Centre from available options
Step 8: Pay application fee online (if applicable) through Credit/Debit Card/UPI/Net Banking
Step 9: Submit application and note down Application Number
Step 10: Take printout of application for future reference
Important: No corrections allowed after submission of application
Note: Candidates already in Government Service must inform their Head of Office/Department
Note: Candidates serving in Armed Forces must inform Commanding Officer and submit NOC at SSB
Step 2: Create Account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN)
Step 3: Fill Common Application Form (CAF) with personal details
Step 4: Upload recent photograph and capture live photo
Step 5: Fill Examination Specific Module with preferences for Services (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA)
Step 6: Upload required documents (Date of Birth proof, Educational certificates, etc.)
Step 7: Select Examination Centre from available options
Step 8: Pay application fee online (if applicable) through Credit/Debit Card/UPI/Net Banking
Step 9: Submit application and note down Application Number
Step 10: Take printout of application for future reference
Important: No corrections allowed after submission of application
Note: Candidates already in Government Service must inform their Head of Office/Department
Note: Candidates serving in Armed Forces must inform Commanding Officer and submit NOC at SSB
