Union Public Service Commission has issued the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) I 2026. This exam will select candidates for courses at the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy. The courses will begin in January 2027 or April 2027. More than 450 posts are available through this examination.
The application window is open from 10 December 2025 to 30 December 2025 till 6 PM. Candidates must confirm their eligibility regarding age, education and marital status before applying. The written exam will be held on 12 April 2026, followed by SSB interviews for shortlisted candidates.
Overview of UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | CDS I 2026 |
| Notification No. | 04/2026.CDS-I |
| Courses | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Course Start | January 2027 / April 2027 |
All the main information related to CDS I 2026 is given below. Candidates should check the details carefully before filling the form.
Important Dates
| Notification Release | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Start | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 30 December 2025 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Written Result | May 2026 (expected) |
Vacancy Details of UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026
| Course | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men) | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women) | 18 |
Eligibility Criteria of UPSC CDS I Vacancies
| Course | Educational Qualification | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | Graduation in any discipline | 19–24 years (Born 2 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2008) |
| INA | Engineering Degree | 19–24 years (Born 2 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2008) |
| AFA | Graduation with Physics and Maths at 12th or B.E./B.Tech | 20–24 years (Born 2 Jan 2002 – 1 Jan 2008) |
| OTA (Men) | Graduation in any discipline | 19–25 years (Born 2 Jan 2001 – 1 Jan 2006) |
| OTA (Women) | Graduation in any discipline | 19–25 years (Born 2 Jan 2001 – 1 Jan 2006) |
Application Fee
| General / OBC | Rs 200 |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| Female Candidates | Nil |
Selection Process
The CDS I 2026 selection process includes:
- Written Examination conducted by UPSC
- SSB Interview
- Document Verification and Medical Examination
- Final Merit List based on written test and SSB scores
How to Apply
- Apply online through the portal upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF).
- Upload the required documents including photo, signature and ID proof.
- Pay the application fee if applicable.
- Submit the form after checking all details, as no correction is allowed later.
UPSC CDS I Official Notification & Apply Link
Apply Online: UPSC Online Portal
Official Notification: DOWNLOAD NOTIFICATION
Official Website: upsc.gov.in