UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026: The Union Public Service Commission has issued a new vacancy notification for CDS I for the year 2026.
The total number of posts under UPSC CDS I recruitment 2026 is 451. The vacancies are for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy.
Read this article to know the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, salary, and stepwise online application process.
Fresh graduates or eligible aspiring candidates can apply from December 10, 2025. The last date to apply is December 30, 2025.
A direct application form link is given below in this article.
UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 Notification overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
| Conducting authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification number | 04/2026.CDS-I |
| UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 (total posts) | 451 posts |
| Academies covered | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA (Men and Women) |
| Exam level | National level, offline (pen and paper) |
| Frequency of exam | Twice a year (CDS I and CDS II) |
| Application mode | Online only |
| Exam mode | Offline objective-type written exam |
| Selection stages | Written exam, SSB interview, document verification, medical examination |
| Course commencement (IMA/INA/AFA) | January 2027 (as per notification schedule) |
| Course commencement (OTA) | April 2027 (as per notification schedule) |
UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 Important Dates
The notification for UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 specifies a clear schedule for application, exam, and result activities. Candidates must follow these official dates strictly because no extension generally happens for CDS applications.
Plan the preparation and application strategy around the CDS I 2026 calendar to avoid last‑minute rush. Keep buffer time for fee payment, document upload, and correction, as servers may remain busy on the last date.
| Events | Dates |
| Notification release date | 10 December 2025 |
| Start date of online application | 10 December 2025 |
| Last date to apply online | 30 December 2025 (up to 06:00 PM) |
| Last date for fee payment | 30 December 2025 |
| Application correction window | As per UPSC schedule |
| CDS I 2026 exam date | 12 April 2026 (Sunday) |
| Admit card release | About 3 weeks before exam |
| Written result (tentative) | May 2026 |
| Course commencement (IMA/INA/AFA) | January 2027 |
| Course commencement (OTA) | April 2027 |
UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 – Post Details
The UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 notification has announced 451 vacancies across all academies for the first cycle of 2026.
This intake covers permanent commission training at IMA, INA, AFA and short service commission training at OTA for men and women.
Candidates must understand the academy-wise UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 distribution before selecting their preferences in the online form.
Shortlisting depends on merit, choices, and medical fitness, so informed selection improves chances of final allocation.
| Academy / Course | Location | Total vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Dehradun | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Hyderabad | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men | Chennai | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women | Chennai | 18 |
| Grand Total |
– | 451 |
Application fee for UPSC CDS I 2026
The UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 notification defines fee categories and digital payment options. Fee exemption applies to reserved categories and all female candidates under specific conditions.
Pay the application fee only through authorised online modes or SBI challan to avoid rejection of the CDS I 2026 form. Keep the fee receipt and transaction details safe until the entire recruitment process ends.
| Category | Application fee (₹) | Fee status |
| General / OBC / EWS | 200 | Payable |
| SC / ST / Sons of JCOs / NCOs / ORs | 0 | Exempted |
| All category female candidates | 0 | Exempted |
| Payment modes | Credit card, debit card, net banking, UPI, or SBI e‑challan | Online / offline as allowed |
Age limit and marital status for UPSC CDS I 2026
The age criteria for UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 depend on academy choice and course type. UPSC uses specific date of birth ranges instead of just minimum and maximum ages.
Candidates must also satisfy marital status conditions, especially for the Air Force and certain permanent commission entries. Check age and marital rules carefully before filling choices to avoid disqualification at later stages.
Age criteria by academy (as on notification rules)
| Academy | Date of birth range |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 02 January 2003 to 01 January 2008 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 02 January 2003 to 01 January 2008 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 02 January 2003 to 01 January 2007 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men | 02 January 2002 to 01 January 2008 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women | 02 January 2002 to 01 January 2008 |
Educational qualification for UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026
The UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 eligibility rules demand different educational backgrounds for each academy. Graduation must be from a recognised university or institution, and some academies require specific subjects or degrees.
Final year students can apply if they can submit proof of qualification by the date specified in the notification. Defence aspirants should align their degree choice with the academy they target for a smoother eligibility match.
Education Criteria
| Academy | Required qualification |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) from a recognised institution |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Bachelor’s degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, or B.E. / B.Tech degree |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent |
UPSC CDS I 2026 Selection Process
The UPSC 2026 CDS I Vacancy recruitment process has multiple stages designed to check academic aptitude, officer‑like qualities, and medical fitness. Each stage is qualifying and competitive, so candidates must prepare systematically.
Performance in the written exam and SSB interview together determines the final merit list. Only medically fit candidates with high merit scores receive joining letters for respective academies.
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Written examination (objective type, offline)
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SSB interview / personality test
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Document verification
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Medical examination
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Final merit list based on written and SSB marks
UPSC CDS I 2026 exam pattern – IMA, INA, AFA
For IMA, INA and AFA, UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026selection uses a three‑paper written test. Each paper checks core officer aptitude areas like English, general awareness, and basic mathematics.
All papers carry equal weightage with negative marking for wrong answers. Time management and accuracy play a crucial role in scoring above the CDS cut‑off.
Written exam structure for IMA, INA, AFA:
| Subject | Maximum marks | Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 300 | 6 hours |
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Question type: Objective multiple‑choice questions
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Negative marking: One‑third mark deducted for each wrong answer
UPSC CDS I 2026 exam pattern – OTA (Men & Women)
For OTA entries under UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026, the written exam includes only two papers. Mathematics is not part of the OTA written test.
The pattern suits candidates with strong language and general awareness skills. However, the overall competition remains high because seats at OTA also attract many graduates.
Written exam structure for OTA:
| Subject | Maximum marks | Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 200 | 4 hours |
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Question type: Objective multiple‑choice questions
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Negative marking: One‑third mark deducted for each wrong answer
SSB interview and marks weightage
The SSB interview stage plays a decisive role in UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 final selection. It evaluates personality, leadership, communication, and officer‑like qualities through multiple tasks and interactions.
Marks allotted to SSB differ slightly between permanent commission academies and OTA. Candidates must perform consistently across psychology tests, GTO tasks, and personal interviews.
SSB marks by academy
| Academy | Maximum SSB marks |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 300 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 300 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 300 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | 200 |
UPSC CDS I 2026 Salary and Allowances
The UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 notification describes the pay structure applicable to officers after successful training. Cadets who clear all stages and join academies receive stipend during training and full pay after commissioning.
After training, officers fall under Level 10 of Defence Pay Matrix with additional allowances. The overall package includes basic pay, military service pay (as applicable), and various field‑related benefits.
Pay scale after commissioning
| Component | Amount / details |
| Basic pay (Level 10) | ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month (approximate pay band) |
| Allowances | As per central government and defence rules (field, kit, technical, etc.) |
| Other benefits | Free ration, medical facilities, canteen, leave, pension and other admissible perks |
How to apply online for UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026
The UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 application form is available only in online mode at authorised UPSC portals. Candidates must complete both parts of the registration within the notified dates.
Keep scanned documents, photo, signature, and ID proof ready in the correct format before starting the form. Use a stable internet connection to avoid interruptions while submitting details or making payment.
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Visit the official UPSC online application portal.
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Open the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 application link.
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Complete Part I registration with basic personal, contact, and qualification details.
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Choose preferred academies and exam centre carefully.
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Upload a recent photograph, signature, and identity document in the prescribed format.
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Pay the application fee online or generate e‑challan as applicable.
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Submit the final application and download the confirmation page.
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Take a printout of the submitted CDS I 2026 form for future reference.
UPSC CDS I 2026 Recruitment Syllabus Highlights
The UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026 syllabus covers basic to moderate difficulty topics from school‑level mathematics, English grammar, and current affairs. Understanding the subject‑wise syllabus helps align preparation with actual exam demand.
Focus on conceptual clarity instead of rote memorisation, especially for mathematics and general knowledge. Regular practice of previous year papers improves speed and accuracy.
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English: Vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, sentence improvement, usage, and error spotting
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General Knowledge: Current events, Indian polity, economy, geography, history, science, and defence awareness
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Elementary Mathematics: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, and statistics based on school syllabus
UPSC CDS I 2026 Vacancy Important Links
| Description | Link |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Notification | Download Official UPSC CDS I 2026 Notification |
| UPSC official website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
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FAQs – UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026
What is the total UPSC CDS I Vacancy 2026?
The CDS I 2026 notification announces 451 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.
What is the last date for UPSC CDS I 2026 application?
The last date to submit the online CDS I 2026 form is 30 December 2025 up to 06:00 PM.
What is the exam date for UPSC CDS I 2026?
The UPSC CDS I 2026 written examination will be held on 12 April 2026 (Sunday).
What is the application fee for CDS I 2026?
General, OBC and EWS candidates pay ₹200, while SC, ST and all female candidates pay no fee.
Which academies are covered under CDS I 2026?
CDS I 2026 covers IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, AFA Hyderabad and OTA Chennai (Men and Women).