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UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 Apply for 451 Vacancies |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) invites applications to fill 451 vacancies of Combined Defence Services Examination (I) through UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 Notification from 10 December 2025 to 30 December 2025. The candidates who want to get this opportunity can apply through online mode.
Before applying, the candidate should read the information given here and the UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 official notification issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) .
UPSC CDS-1 Notification 2026
UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 :- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has recently released the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I) . Its official notification has been issued in December 2025 and information about the posts has been given in it.
Interested and eligible candidates can apply online for UPSC CDS-1 Vacancy 2026. Candidates can apply from the official website of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) . All the information related to the UPSC CDS-1 Job Notification 2026 is given on this page. For more details read official notification or visit official website.
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Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 Online Form
WWW.ONLINEFORMS.IN
UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 Overview |
| Department/ Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification No. | 4/2026 CDS- I |
| Post Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I) |
| Vacancy | 451 |
| Salary/ Pay Level | Given Below |
| Application Mode | Online Form |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CDS Recruitment Important Date |
The important dates related to UPSC CDS-1 recruitment have been provided in the table below.
| Recruitment Process | Schedule |
| Application Start | 10 December 2025 |
| Registration Last Date | 30 December 2025 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Result Date | May 2026 |
| Download Admit Card | Before Exam |
| Course Commencing | January 2027 |
| For Upcoming Updates | Join on Telegram |
Application Fees |
After ensuring the correctness of the details in the UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 application form, candidates are required to pay the Assistant application fee through the payment gateway on the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) website integrated with the online application. Online fee payment through Net Banking or debit / credit card will be available upto 30 December 2025 at 23.59 hrs.
| Category Name | Application Fees |
| General, OBC, EWS | 200/- |
| SC, ST, Female | 0/- |
The UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 fee payment can be made by using Debit card, Credit card and Net Banking etc by providing information as per the instructions on the your computer screen.
UPSC CDS-1 Age Limit 2026 |
Date of Birth filled by the candidate in the UPSC CDS-1 online application form and the same recorded in the Matriculation or equivalent/ Birth certificate will be accepted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for determining the age and no subsequent request for change will be considered or granted. The age limit for UPSC CDS Recruitment is;
- For IMA & INA: Born Between 2nd January 2003 and not later than 1st January 2008.
- For Air Force Academy: Minimum Age : 20 Years, Maximum Age: 24 Years
- Age Limit as on: 01 January 2027
- Calculate Your Age: Use Age Calculator
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UPSC NDA & NA-(II) Vacancy 2025 |
|
| Course Name | Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy( IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | 275 |
| OTA Women | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
UPSC CDS-1 Eligibility Criteria 2026 |
Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Pass or Appearing Bachelor Degree in Any Stream at Any Recognized University in India.
Officers Training Academy (OTA)
- Pass or Appearing Bachelor Degree in Any Stream at Any Recognized University in India.
Air Force Academy (AFA)
- Candidates must have Bachelor Degree in any stream from recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR Bachelor of Engineering from recognised University/ Institution in India.
Indian Naval Academy (INA)
- Must have Degree in Engineering from recognised University/Institution in India.
Read the official notification eligibility details.
UPSC CDS-1 Selection Process 2026 |
- Written Exam
- Personality Test/SSB Interview
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
- Final Selection
Stage 1 – Written Examination
The first stage is the CDS Written Examination conducted by UPSC in offline mode.
The exam consists of objective type questions with negative marking.
Written Exam Structure
For IMA INA and Air Force Academy
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 300 |
For Officers Training Academy (OTA)
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 200 |
Important points
- All questions are objective type
- Negative marking applies
- One third marks are deducted for each wrong answer
- Maths and GK papers are bilingual
- UPSC decides the written cutoff
Only candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks are shortlisted for SSB Interview
Stage 2 – Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview
Candidates who clear the written exam are called for SSB Interview by respective service headquarters.
The SSB selection is conducted in two stages.
Stage 2A – SSB Stage I (Screening)
This stage is conducted on the first day of reporting.
It includes
- Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR)
- Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT)
Candidates who fail Stage I are sent back the same day. Only qualified candidates appear for Stage II
Stage 2B – SSB Stage II (Main Assessment)
Stage II is conducted over 4 to 5 days.
It includes
- Psychology Tests
- Group Testing Officer Tasks
- Personal Interview
- Conference Round
Assessment is done by
- Interviewing Officer
- Group Testing Officer
- Psychologist
There is no separate weightage for any test. Final recommendation is based on overall performance and officer like qualities
Special Test for Air Force Candidates – CPSS
Candidates who opt for Air Force Academy must qualify the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).
Key rules
- CPSS is conducted only once in a lifetime
- Candidates failing CPSS are not eligible for Flying Branch
- Such candidates may be considered for other preferred services if eligible
Medical Examination
Candidates recommended by SSB undergo a detailed medical examination.
Medical fitness is mandatory
- Conducted as per defence medical standards
- Temporary unfit candidates may be given review chance
- Final merit depends on medical fitness also
Final Merit List
The final merit list is prepared based on
- Written Exam Marks
- SSB Interview Marks
Total marks considered
- IMA INA AFA – 600 marks
- OTA – 400 marks
Final selection depends on
- Rank in merit list
- Medical fitness
- Service preference
- Number of vacancies available
Training and Joining
Selected candidates are issued joining instructions online.
Training commencement
- IMA INA AFA – January 2027
- OTA Chennai – April 2027
Candidates must report on time otherwise candidature may be cancelled.
Important Points for Aspirants
- Clearing written exam does not guarantee final selection
- SSB performance plays a major role
- Medical fitness is compulsory
- Final authority rests with UPSC and Service HQ
This is the complete and accurate CDS I 2026 Selection Process explained clearly for blog readers and defence aspirants.
How to Apply for UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 |
UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 On-line Registration and Submission process will be terminated by 30 December 2025 at 23.59 hrs. Candidature of such applicants who fail to complete online submission of UPSC CDS-1 application form by stipulated date and time will not be considered and no correspondence in this regard will be entertained.
- Applicants must fulfil all essential eligibility criteria (educational qualification, age limit, etc.) by last date of submission of UPSC CDS-1 application form in respect to that post for which they are applying.
- UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 Candidate Can Apply Between 10 December 2025 to 30 December 2025.
- Candidate Read the Notification Before Apply the Application Form in UPSC CDS-1 Online Form 2026.
- Check all Required Documents for UPSC CDS Recruitment – Eligibility, ID Proof, Address Details, Basic Details.
- Ready Scan Document Related to UPSC CDS Recruitment – Photo, Sign, ID Proof, Etc.
- Before Submit the Application Form Must Check and Preview all Columns Carefully.
- If Candidate Required to Paying the Registration Fee Must Submit. If You have Not the Required Application Fees Your Form is Not Completed.
- Take A Print Out of Final Submitted Form.
For any Clarification / Assistance, Candidates may Contact:-
- Helpline: 011-24041001
- Email ID – upscsoap@nic.in
- Telegram Channel: Join Now
Note: Misbehaviour in call or email can lead to legal action against you.
UPSC CDS-1 Official Notice & Link |
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