The UPSC has published the CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2026. The CDS 1 2026 exam is scheduled to take place on April 12, 2026. As we gear up for the CDS 1 2026 exam, excitement and anticipation are building among aspiring defence officers across India. The Combined Defence Services examination, conducted by UPSC, is a gateway to prestigious military academies and a career in the armed forces.
We understand the significance of this opportunity and the impact it can have on your future, which is why we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
Join CDS Exam Online Course Today
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover all the essential aspects of CDS 1 2026. We’ll dive into the exam date and schedule, break down the eligibility criteria, and walk you through the application process.
What’s more, we’ll share effective preparation strategies to help you ace the exam. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to tackle this challenge head-on and take a big step towards your dream of serving the nation.
Notification Overview
The CDS 1 2026 exam is the second in the series of CDS examinations conducted by the UPSC during the year. This national-level examination is designed to select the most promising individuals for prestigious defense academies, including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
Key Dates for CDS 1 2026
| CDS 1 2026 EVENTS | DATES |
| CDS 1 2026 Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| CDS 1 2026 Application Last Date | 30 December 2025 |
| CDS 1 2026 Exam Date | 12 April 2026 (SUNDAY) |
| CDS 1 2026 Admit Card Download Date | 3 weeks before the exam |
| CDS 1 2026 Result Date (Expected) | June – July 2026 |
Vacancy Details
The CDS 1 2026 notification has revealed a total of 451 vacancies across various defense academies. The breakdown of these vacancies is as follows:
| Academy | Vacancies | Course Details | Commencement Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun | 100 | 162nd (DE) Course | January 2027 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala | 26 | Executive Branch | January 2027 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad | 32 | Pre-Flying Training Course | January 2027 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) SSC Men | 275 | 125th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course | April 2027 |
| Officers Training Academy, Chennai SSC Women | 18 | 125th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) | April 2027 |
Eligibility Criteria for CDS 1 2026
As we prepare for the Combined Defence Services examination, it’s crucial to understand the eligibility criteria for CDS 1 2026. These requirements ensure that candidates are well-suited for a career in the armed forces. Let’s break down the key aspects of eligibility.
Nationality
- Candidates must be citizens of India, or
- Candidates must be subjects of Nepal, or
- Candidates must be persons of Indian origin who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanent settlement.
Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (ii) and (iii), above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.
Certificate of eligibility will not, however, be necessary in the case of candidates who are Gorkha subjects of Nepal.
Age Limit
The age limit for CDS 1 2026 varies depending on the specific academy you’re applying to.
| Academy | Eligibility | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Unmarried male candidates | Not Born Earlier Than 2nd January 2003 and Not Later Than 1st January 2008 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Unmarried male candidates | Not Born Earlier Than 2nd January 2003 and Not Later Than 1st January 2008 |
| Air Force Academy | Unmarried male candidates | Not Born Earlier Than 2nd January 2003 and Not Later Than 1st January 2007 (Not Born Earlier Than 2nd January 2001 and Not Later Than 1st January 2007 if holding a Commercial Pilot Licence) |
| Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Men) | Unmarried male candidates | Not Born Earlier Than 2nd January 2002 and Not Later Than 1st January 2008 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical) | Unmarried women, issueless widows, issueless divorcees | Not Born Earlier Than 2nd January 2002 and Not Later Than 1st January 2008 |
The date of birth accepted by the Commission is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate or in a certificate recognised by an Indian University as equivalent to Matriculation or in an extract from a Register of Matriculates maintained by a University which must be certified by the proper authority of the University or in the Secondary School Examination or an equivalent examination certificates.
Educational Qualifications
Candidates vying for the CDS 1 2026 exam must possess a degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification. The specific educational requirements vary based on the defense academy they are applying for:
| Academy | Educational Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun | Degree of a recognized university or equivalent | Final year students can apply if no backlogs |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai | Degree of a recognized university or equivalent | Final year students can apply if no backlogs |
| Indian Naval Academy | Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution | Final year students can apply if no backlogs |
| Air Force Academy | Degree of a recognized university (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering | Final year students can apply if no backlogs |
Candidates who are in the final year or semester of their degree course and have not yet passed the final examination are also eligible to apply. However, they must submit proof of having passed the degree examination at the time of commencement of the course. The proof must be sent to the appropriate address based on their first preference, as follows:
For candidates whose first choice is IMA or SSC, the document must be sent to:
Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army),
Recruiting ‘A’, CDSE Entry,
West Block III, R. K. Puram,
New Delhi – 110066.
For candidates whose first choice is the Indian Navy, the document must be sent to:
Naval Headquarters “DMPR” (OI & R Section),
Room No. 204, ‘C’ Wing, Sena Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110011.
For candidates whose first choice is the Air Force, the document must be sent to:
Directorate of Personnel (Officers),
Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
New Delhi – 110001.
Phone: 23010231, Extn. 7645/7646/7610
The proof of passing the degree examination must be received by the following deadlines:
- For IMA: On or before 1st January 2027
- For Indian Naval Academy: On or before 1st January 2027
- For Air Force Academy: On or before 13th November 2026
- For Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai: On or before 1st April 2027
Failure to submit the required proof by the respective deadline will result in cancellation of candidature.
Physical Standards
Meeting the physical standards is crucial for a career in the defence services. For male candidates, the minimum acceptable height is 157.5 cm, with slight variations for different branches (157 cm for Navy and 162.5 cm for Air Force). Female candidates must have a minimum height of 152 cm. These standards ensure that candidates can handle the physical demands of military training and service.
It’s worth noting that there are some relaxations in height requirements for candidates from specific regions. For instance, candidates from the North-Eastern regions, Garhwal, and Kumaon may have a 5 cm relaxation in the minimum height requirement .
Fee
Candidates (excepting SC/ST candidates/female candidates / Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs specified in Notification are exempted from payment of fee) are required to pay a fee of Rs. 200.
For the applicants in whose case payments details have not been received from the bank, they will be treated as fictitious payment cases and their applications will be rejected in the first instance.
A list of all such applicants shall be made available on the Commission’s website within two weeks after the last day of submission of online application.
The applicants shall be required to submit the proof of their fee payment within 10 days from the date of such communication either by hand or by speed post to the Commission. On receipt of documentary proof, genuine fee payment cases will be considered and their applications will be revived, if they are otherwise eligible.
Application Process
The CDS Application Process is conducted online through the UPSC official website https://upsconline.nic.in., candidates must complete their applications within the specified deadline to avoid disqualification.
Steps to Apply:
Before applying, check the new changes that have been brought as mentioned above.
- Registration: Visit the official website, https://upsconline.nic.in with four parts – Account Creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form, and an Exam-Specific Form.
- Fill Application Form: Provide personal details, educational qualifications, and preferences for the armed forces.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and ID proof.
- Pay Application Fee: Submit the fee online using debit/credit cards or net banking.
- Submit Form: Review the details and submit the form.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The CDS 1 2026 examination will consist of three papers: English, General Knowledge (GK), and Elementary Mathematics. Each paper will have a duration of 2 hours, with the exam timings as follows:
| Academy | Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| INA | English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| AFA | English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| OTA | English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
Admit Card
The admit card for CDS 1 2026 will be released by UPSC on their official website. Candidates can download the admit card using their registration number or roll number. The admit card will contain important details such as the exam date, time, venue, and instructions for the examination. It is mandatory for candidates to carry the admit card to the exam center along with a valid photo ID proof.
Result
The result of CDS 1 2026 will be declared by UPSC on their official website. Candidates can check their results by entering their roll number or name. The result will display the candidate’s qualifying status, marks will only be published after the final result of CDS 1 2026.
Candidate Helpline for Assistance
UPSC has set up a dedicated helpline to support candidates during the application process.
- Helpline Number: 011-24041001
- Working Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Working Days: Monday to Friday (except holidays)
Candidates can call this helpline for help with:
- Filling the application form
- Fee payment issues
- Uploading documents
- Any other application-related queries
Selection Process
The selection process for CDS 1 2026 consists of two stages: the written examination and the SSB interview.
- Written Examination: Candidates who qualify the written examination are shortlisted for the SSB interview based on their performance in the exam.
- SSB Interview: The SSB interview is conducted in multiple stages, including psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews. Candidates are assessed on various parameters such as leadership qualities, communication skills, and physical fitness.
- Medical Examination: . This comprehensive check ensures you meet the strict physical and mental fitness standards required for officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
- Final Selection: Based on the combined performance in the written exam and SSB interview, the UPSC will prepare the final selection list and announce the successful candidates.
Conclusion
The CDS 1 2026 notification presents a golden opportunity for young aspirants to join the esteemed National Defence Academy and serve the nation with pride. Make sure to carefully read and understand the official notification, fulfill the eligibility criteria, and prepare diligently for the exam. With dedication and hard work, you can pave the way for a successful career in the defence forces. Good luck!
