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Last Date to Apply Online: 30 December 2025
UPSC CDS I 2026 Notification, 451 Posts, Apply Online Last Date 30th December
UPSC has released the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 notification (Examination Notice No. 4/2026 CDS-I) for 451 vacancies across Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). This national-level defence recruitment exam offers permanent and short service commission opportunities for graduates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces. Eligible candidates can apply online at UPSC’s portal until 30 December 2025 (6:00 PM).
Job Overview – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Exam | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
| Examination Notice No. | 4/2026 CDS-I |
| Total Vacancies | 451 posts (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA Men & Women) |
| Conducting Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Course Commencement | January 2027 (IMA, INA, AFA) and April 2027 (OTA) |
| Job Type | Pre-commission training leading to Commissioned Officer posts in Army, Navy and Air Force |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in/ |
| Application Mode | Online only via UPSC Online portal |
Important Dates – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Event | Date / Schedule |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Start of Online Application | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 30 December 2025 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | Same as last date of application, as per UPSC instructions |
| Date of CDS I 2026 Examination | 12 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | On the last working day of the week preceding the exam date |
Vacancy Details – UPSC CDS I 2026
| S. No. | Course / Academy | Course Details | Approx. Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 162nd (DE) Course commencing January 2027 (includes 13 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders) | 100 |
| 2 | Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | Executive Branch (General Service/ Hydro) Course commencing January 2027 (includes 6 NCC ‘C’ Naval Wing and 1 Hydro vacancy) | 26 |
| 3 | Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | Pre-Flying Training Course (221 F(P) Course) commencing January 2027 (includes 3 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Air Wing holders) | 32 |
| 4 | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC (Men) (NT) | 125th SSC (Men) (Non-Technical) Course commencing April 2027 | 275 |
| 5 | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC Women (NT) | 125th SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course commencing April 2027 | 18 |
| Total | — | 451 |
Age Limit – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Course / Academy | Age Limit & Marital Status | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IMA, Dehradun | Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2003 and not later than 1st January 2008 | Exact DOB range as per notification; male divorcee/widower not treated as unmarried for IMA. |
| INA, Ezhimala | Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2003 and not later than 1st January 2008 | Same age band as IMA; engineering degree required. |
| AFA, Hyderabad | 20–24 years as on 1st January 2027 (born between 2nd January 2003 and 1st January 2007). Upper age limit relaxed to 26 years for valid CPL holders. | Candidates below 25 years must be unmarried; restrictions on marriage during training apply. |
| OTA, SSC Men (NT) | Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2002 and not later than 1st January 2008 | SSC entry for short service commission in the Army. |
| OTA, SSC Women (NT) | Unmarried women, issueless widows and issueless divorcees (not remarried), born not earlier than 2nd January 2002 and not later than 1st January 2008 | Male divorcee/widower not eligible for any CDS courses. |
Salary Structure – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Rank / Stage | Pay Level / Stipend | Pay Scale / Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Cadet during Training (IMA / OTA / INA / AFA) | Stipend (Level 10) | Rs. 56,100 per month as fixed stipend during training; treated as starting pay in Level 10 on commissioning (training period not counted as commissioned service). |
| Lieutenant (or equivalent) | Level 10 | Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 plus Military Service Pay (MSP) Rs. 15,500 per month and applicable allowances. |
| Higher Ranks (Captain to COAS) | Level 10B to Level 18 | Progressive pay scales as per 7th CPC, with additional risk, hardship, transport, dress and other allowances, and pensionary benefits as per rules. |
Eligibility Criteria – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal, or certain categories of persons of Indian origin as specified in the notification with eligibility certificate from Government of India. |
| Educational Qualification – IMA & OTA | Degree from a recognised University or equivalent. |
| Educational Qualification – INA | Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution. |
| Educational Qualification – AFA | Degree from a recognised University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, or Bachelor of Engineering. |
| Final-Year Candidates | Final-year/semester students may apply but must submit proof of passing degree exam by specified dates before commencement of course. |
| Physical Standards | Candidates must be physically fit as per guidelines in Appendix-III of the notification, including height, weight, vision and medical fitness standards. |
| Gender & Marital Status | Varies by academy; IMA/INA/AFA/OTA (Men) primarily for unmarried males; OTA (Women) for unmarried women, issueless widows and divorcees, with strict restrictions on marriage during training. |
Category-Wise Breakdown (GEN, OBC, SC/ST, EWS) – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Category | Reservation / Relaxation | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | Open competition | Candidates not claiming reservation are considered under UR; all must satisfy eligibility and physical standards. |
| OBC | No fee exemption | OBC candidates must pay full fee; reservation benefits in CDS allocation are governed by service-specific policies, not typical civil posts. |
| SC / ST | Fee exemption | SC/ST candidates are exempt from application fee but must fulfil all eligibility conditions; vacancies are not reported by UPSC in category-wise civil format. |
| EWS | Fee structure as per UPSC rules | EWS candidates pay fee as general males unless exempted; quota within services is implemented as per Government policy. |
| NCC Special Entry | Reserved Vacancies within IMA/INA/AFA | Specific reserved seats for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders exist in IMA, INA and AFA as detailed in the notification. |
Application Fee – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Category | Fee | Payment Mode & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | Rs. 200/- | Fee payable by Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card, UPI or net banking of any bank; no other mode accepted. |
| SC / ST Candidates | Nil | Exempt from payment of fee. |
| All Female Candidates | Nil | All women candidates are exempt from fee. |
| Fee Policy | Fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be held in reserve for any other exam or selection. | |
How to Apply – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Step | Application Process |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit UPSC Online portal at https://upsconline.nic.in/. |
| Step 2 | Create or update your Universal Registration Number (URN) profile with valid Photo ID details. |
| Step 3 | Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) and then the examination-specific module for CDS I 2026, including preferences for academies and exam centres. |
| Step 4 | Upload photograph, signature and live photo as per UPSC instructions, ensuring clarity and compliance with size and format guidelines. |
| Step 5 | Pay the application fee online (if applicable) via the prescribed payment modes. |
| Step 6 | Submit the application form and note down the Application ID for future reference; no withdrawal is allowed after submission. |
| Step 7 | Download the e-Admit Card from UPSC portal before the exam and check all details carefully. |
Essential Links – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Resource | Link & Description |
|---|---|
| Detailed Notification – UPSC CDS I 2026 | Download Official UPSC CDS I 2026 Notification (Examination Notice No. 4/2026 CDS-I) |
| Online Application – UPSC CDS I 2026 | Apply Online for Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 via UPSC Online Portal |
| Official Website – UPSC | Visit UPSC Official Website for CDS Exam Notices, Corrigendum and Updates |
Documents Required – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Document | Purpose / Details |
|---|---|
| Valid Photo ID | Details of Aadhaar/Voter ID/PAN/Passport/Driving Licence or other Government Photo ID must be provided in URN profile and carried to exam/SSB. |
| Photograph & Live Photo | Recent photograph and live photo capture as per UPSC instructions during CAF filling. |
| Signature | Scanned signature in required dimensions and format. |
| Matriculation / Secondary Certificate | Proof of date of birth; mandatory for verification at SSB stage. |
| Degree / Provisional Degree & Mark Sheets | Proof of educational qualification to be produced before course commencement; final-year candidates must submit by specified dates. |
| Category Certificates | SC/ST/OBC/EWS/NCC certificates, where applicable, in prescribed formats for reserved vacancies and fee exemption. |
| NOC (for serving candidates) | Government/PSU/Armed Forces personnel must inform their employer and provide NOC at SSB if required. |
Exam Pattern – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Course | Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMA / INA / AFA | Paper I | English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| Paper III | Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| OTA (Men & Women) | Paper I | English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 | |
| All papers are objective type. GK and Mathematics papers are set bilingually in English and Hindi. There is negative marking for wrong answers, and use of calculators is not permitted. | ||||
Selection Procedure – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Stage | Process & Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Written Examination | UPSC conducts written exam with papers as per academy choice. Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks as fixed by the Commission. |
| Stage 2: SSB Interview / Personality Test | Candidates qualifying in written exam are detailed for SSB interview at Service Selection Boards for intelligence and personality testing, including two-stage selection (OIR + PP&DT and then Interview, GTO, Psychology tests). |
| Stage 3: Medical Examination | Recommended candidates undergo detailed medical examination as per Army, Navy and Air Force medical standards. |
| Stage 4: Final Merit List & Allotment | Final merit is prepared based on written and SSB marks, subject to medical fitness and availability of vacancies. Candidates are allotted academies based on preferences and merit. |
Job Location – UPSC CDS I 2026
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Training Academies | Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala), Air Force Academy (Hyderabad), Officers’ Training Academy (Chennai). |
| Posting after Commissioning | Officers may be posted anywhere in India or abroad as per the needs of the Indian Army, Navy or Air Force. |
| Service Liability | All India and field service liability; officers must be ready to serve in diverse terrains and operational conditions. |
Disclaimer: We strongly suggest applicants to verify the given information from credible sources such as the official website of the hiring organization. While we strive to provide accurate and timely updates, only the organization’s website should be treated as the final authority.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available in UPSC CDS I 2026?
A total of 451 vacancies are available across Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy courses.
2. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit the online application for UPSC CDS I 2026 is 30 December 2025 up to 6:00 PM.
3. What is the educational qualification required?
A degree from a recognised University is required for IMA and OTA; an engineering degree for INA; and a degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a B.E. degree for AFA.
4. What is the age limit for CDS I 2026?
Age limits vary by academy. For IMA and INA, candidates must generally be born between 2nd January 2003 and 1st January 2008; for AFA between 2nd January 2003 and 1st January 2007 (with relaxation for CPL holders); and for OTA between 2nd January 2002 and 1st January 2008, as per the notification.
5. Can women apply for CDS I 2026?
Yes, women candidates can apply for the Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical) course in CDS I 2026.
6. What is the selection process?
The selection process includes a written examination by UPSC followed by SSB interview, medical examination and final merit-based allocation to academies.
7. What is the exam pattern for CDS?
For IMA, INA and AFA, there are three papers—English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. For OTA, there are two papers—English and General Knowledge. All papers are objective type.
8. Is there negative marking in CDS?
Yes, there is negative marking for wrong answers in the objective-type question papers as per UPSC rules.
9. What is the application fee?
The fee is Rs. 200 for general/OBC male candidates. All female and SC/ST candidates are exempted from payment of fee.
10. Can final-year students apply?
Yes, final-year students can apply, but they must submit proof of passing the degree examination by the specified dates before joining the course.
11. What documents are required during application?
Valid Photo ID details, scanned photograph, signature, and later degree and category certificates are required as per UPSC instructions.
12. How do I apply for UPSC CDS I 2026?
Candidates must apply online at upsconline.nic.in by completing the URN profile, Common Application Form and CDS I 2026 exam-specific module, including fee payment and centre selection.