NDA & CDS 2026: When Is the Exam, What Are the Vacancies, Fees, Eligibility and Salary?

The Union Public Service Commission has begun accepting applications for NDA/NA (I) 2026 and CDS (I) 2026 on upsconline.nic.in. The registration window will remain open until December 30.

For this cycle, the UPSC has announced 394 vacancies for NDA 2026 and 451 vacancies for CDS 2026. The NDA exam will fill seats for the 157th course of the Army, Navy and Air Force wings and the 119th Indian Naval Academy Course, scheduled to commence on January 1. The written exams for NDA 2026 and CDS 2026 will be held on April 12.

CDS 2026 Vacancies

Eligibility & Application Fee

Unmarried male and female candidates born between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2010, are eligible to apply, provided they meet the required educational and physical standards.

For CDS 2026, the application fee is ₹200 for all candidates except women, SC and ST applicants. For NDA 2026, the fee is ₹100.

What is UPSC CDS Eligibility?

UPSC CDS eligibility includes:

• Nationality: Indian citizens or candidates falling under the specific origins permitted by UPSC.

• Educational Qualification:

• IMA/OTA: Graduation in any discipline

• INA: Degree in Engineering

• AFA: Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at Class 12 level or B.E./B.Tech

• Age Limits: Typically 19–24/25 years, depending on the academy

• Physical/Medical Fitness: Strict standards across height, vision, and overall medical fitness, with differences for male and female candidates and specific criteria for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.
  
  

UPSC CDS Officer Salary

CDS officers begin their training with a stipend of ₹56,100 per month. After commissioning as a Lieutenant (Level 10), the pay ranges from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500, along with:

• Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500

• Dearness Allowance (DA)

• Grade Pay and other allowances

Pay increases with promotions to Captain, Major, Lt. Colonel and higher ranks.

How to Apply

1. Visit upsconline.nic.in or upsc.gov.in

2. Open the One Time Registration link

3. Enter personal details, including name, birth date, gender, category and parents’ details

4. Log in using ID, OTP and verification code

5. Complete and verify the application form

6. Submit the form and make the payment

7. Download the application form with fee status for reference
   
   

E-Admit cards will be released on the last working day of the week preceding the exam.

Selection Process

CDS 2026 includes written papers in English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, each carrying 100 marks and allotted 2 hours.

NDA 2026 comprises a 300-mark Mathematics paper and a 600-mark General Ability Test, followed by an SSB interview for 900 marks.

Both exams will have negative marking. Candidates must reach their centres at least 30 minutes early, as late entry will not be allowed.

1. Indian Military Academy (IMA) – Army (208 Posts)

• Rank after commissioning: Lieutenant

• Basic Pay (Level 10): ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500

• Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500

• Dearness Allowance (DA): As applicable

• Other Allowances: Field Area Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Transport Allowance, High Altitude Allowance (role-based)
  
  

Approx. In-hand (starting): ₹75,000 – ₹1,05,000 per month

2. Indian Naval Academy (INA) – Navy Executive Branch (42 Posts)

• Rank: Sub-Lieutenant

• Basic Pay (Level 10): ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500

• MSP: ₹15,500

• DA + Naval allowances (Sea Duty Allowance, Uniform Allowance, etc.)
  
  

Approx. In-hand: ₹80,000 – ₹1,10,000 per month
(Sea duty allowance makes Navy salaries slightly higher than Army in some postings.)

3. Air Force Academy (AFA) – Flying Branch (92 Posts)

• Rank: Flying Officer

• Basic Pay (Level 10): ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500

• MSP: ₹15,500

• Flying Allowance: ₹25,000 per month

• Other allowances: Uniform, Transport, DA

Approx. In-hand: ₹95,000 – ₹1,30,000 per month
(Highest starting salary among all CDS branches due to Flying Allowance.)

4. AFA – Ground Duties (Technical) – 18 Posts

• Rank: Flying Officer

• Basic Pay (Level 10): ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500

• MSP: ₹15,500

• Technical Allowance: ₹3,000 – ₹4,500 per month

• Other allowances: DA, Transport, Uniform Allowance

Approx. In-hand: ₹80,000 – ₹1,05,000 per month

5. AFA – Ground Duties (Non-Technical) – 10 Posts

• Rank: Flying Officer

• Basic Pay (Level 10): ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500

• MSP: ₹15,500

• Other allowances: DA, Training Allowance, Uniform, Transport Allowance
  
  

Approx. In-hand: ₹78,000 – ₹1,00,000 per month

6. Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet)

(Entry through INA Cadet Scheme)

• Stipend during training: ₹56,100 per month

• After commissioning as Sub-Lieutenant:

• Basic Pay: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500

• MSP: ₹15,500

• Sea Duty & other allowances

Approx. In-hand: ₹80,000 – ₹1,10,000 per month

Summary of Highest to Lowest Starting Salaries

1. AFA – Flying Branch (₹95,000 – ₹1,30,000)

2. INA – Executive Branch & Naval Cadet Entry (₹80,000 – ₹1,10,000)

3. IMA – Army (₹75,000 – ₹1,05,000)

4. AFA Ground Duties (Technical) (₹80,000 – ₹1,05,000)

5. AFA Ground Duties (Non-Technical) (₹78,000 – ₹1,00,000)