CDS 1 2026 Notification (Out), PDF, Vacancy, Apply Link
The CDS 1 2026 Notification has been released on December 10, 2025, on upsc.gov.in. Apply online for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA eligibility before the December 30 deadline. The UPSC exam is scheduled for April 12, 2026. Eligibility requirements include a graduate degree, with age limit is 19 to 25 years.
Nigam Sharma11 Dec, 2025
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CDS 1 2026 Notification: UPSC has released the CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2025, with online applications open from December 10 to December 30, 2025 (till 6 PM). The written exam is scheduled for April 12, 2026, offering a total of 451 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA academies. Candidates can download the official notification PDF and apply directly via upsconline.nic.in. This recruitment targets unmarried graduates aiming for officer training in the Indian Armed Forces.
CDS 1 2026 Notification: Overview
CDS 1 2026 Notification has been released on December 10 on the UPSC portal. It is an official document informing candidates regarding the eligibility and selection process. CDS 1 2026 Selection Process includes a written test, SSB, document verification, and medical.
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CDS 1 2026 Notification: Overview |
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Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
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Exam Name |
Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
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Official Website |
upsc.gov.in |
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Notification Release Date |
December 10, 2025 |
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Application Start Date |
December 10, 2025 |
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Application End Date |
December 30, 2025 |
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Exam Date (Written) |
April 12, 2026 (Sunday) |
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Total Vacancies |
451 |
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Academies Covered |
IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA (SSC) |
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Exam Stages |
1. Written Examination 2. SSB Interview 3. Document Verification 4. Medical Examination |
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Application Fee |
₹200 (Male General/OBC); Fee Exempted for Female, SC, and ST candidates |
CDS Notification 2026 PDF
UPSC released the CDS 1 2026 notification PDF on December 10, 2025, available for download on upsc.gov.in. The document details 451 total vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and application process for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA courses. Candidates can access the official PDF directly from the homepage or exams section to review important dates like application closing on December 30, 2025, and exam on April 12, 2026. This PDF serves as the primary source for all recruitment information.
CDS 1 2026 Exam Date
UPSC CDS 1 2026 written exam is set for April 12, 2026 (Sunday) at various centres across India. The exam consists of three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA, INA, AFA candidates), each 2 hours long. With notification released on December 10, 2025, and applications closing on December 30, 2025, aspirants should plan their preparation accordingly. Admit cards will be available on upsc.gov.in closer to the exam date, so monitor the site regularly.
CDS 1 2026 Vacancy
UPSC CDS 1 2026 offers a total of 451 vacancies for officer training across Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA). These posts target unmarried graduates seeking commissions in the Indian Armed Forces, with applications open until December 30, 2025.
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CDS 1 2026 Vacancy |
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|---|---|
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Academy |
Vacancies |
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IMA |
200 |
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INA |
32 |
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AFA |
32 |
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OTA |
187 |
CDS 1 2026 Apply Online Link
Candidates can apply online for CDS 1 2026 through the official UPSC portal at upsconline.nic.in, where the application link activated on December 10, 2025. Start by completing One Time Registration (OTR) if not already done, then fill Part I and Part II of the form with personal, educational details, and photo/signature uploads before paying the fee. The process remains open until December 30, 2025 (6:00 PM), so submit early to avoid glitches and download the confirmation for records. No hard copy submission is required post-online application.
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All categories except SC/ST/Females: Rs. 200
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SC/ST/Females: Exempted
CDS 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates who want to appear in the Combined Defence Services exam. They should meet the educational qualification and age limit requirements provided in the CDS 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria. Candidates should read the CDS 1 2026 Notification to know the eligibility criteria details.
CDS 1 2026 Educational Qualification
Candidates should have completed their graduate degree from a recognised university to apply for the CDS 1 2026 exam. Final year candidates are eligible to apply.
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CDS 1 2026 Educational Qualification |
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Academy |
Required Educational Qualification |
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Indian Military Academy (IMA) |
Degree from a recognised University or equivalent. |
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Officers' Training Academy (OTA) |
Degree from a recognised University or equivalent. (Applies to both Men and Women) |
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Indian Naval Academy (INA) |
Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution. |
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Air Force Academy (AFA) |
Degree from a recognised University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR a Bachelor of Engineering/Technology. |
CDS 1 2026 Nationality
A candidate must be either:
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A Citizen of India.
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A Subject of Nepal or Bhutan. (Gorkhas from Nepal are exempt from producing an eligibility certificate).
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A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling.
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A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from specific countries (like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or East African countries) with the intention of permanently settling in India.
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Note: Candidates from categories 2, 3, and 4 must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
CDS 1 2026 Age Limit
CDS 1 2026 age limit, depending academy-wise for the candidates is 19 to 25 years.
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CDS 1 2026 Age Limit |
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Academy |
Age Limit |
Marital Status |
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IMA |
19 to 24 Years (Born not earlier than Jan 2, 2003, and not later than Jan 1, 2008) |
Unmarried Male |
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INA |
19 to 24 Years (Same as IMA) |
Unmarried Male |
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AFA |
20 to 24 Years (Born not earlier than Jan 2, 2003, and not later than Jan 1, 2007) |
Unmarried Male (Age < 25) |
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OTA (Men) |
19 to 25 Years (Born not earlier than Jan 2, 2002, and not later than Jan 1, 2008) |
Unmarried Male |
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OTA (Women) |
19 to 25 Years (Born not earlier than Jan 2, 2002, and not later than Jan 1, 2008) |
Unmarried Female, Issueless Widow/Divorcee (who hasn't remarried) |
CDS Physical Standards
Male and Female candidates should meet the CDS physical standards requirements as provided in the CDS 1 2025 Notification online.
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CDS Physical Standards |
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Academy |
Minimum Height (Male) |
Minimum Height (Female) |
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IMA & OTA (Men) |
157.5 cm |
N/A |
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INA (Navy) |
157 cm |
N/A |
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AFA (Air Force) |
162.5 cm |
N/A |
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OTA (Women) |
N/A |
152 cm |
CDS 1 2026 Selection Process
CDS 1 2026 Selection Process comprises multiple stages. It is to test the skills and abilities of the candidates appearing in the CDS exam.
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Written Test
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SSB Interview/Personality Test
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Document Verification
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Medical Examination
CDS 1 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Candidates begin with the exam preparation after referring to the CDS 1 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern. Candidates have to face the offline paper for 2 hours each. There are three subjects in the paper are General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics, and English. Candidates get MCQ questions in the CDS exam.
| CDS Syllabus Other Related Links | |
| AFCAT Syllabus | CDS Syllabus |
| UPSC CAPF Syllabus | NDA Syllabus |
| Agniveer Vayu Syllabus | Agniveer Navy Syllabus |
| Army MES Syllabus | Agniveer Army Syllabus |