UPSC CDS I Exam 2026 Notification: 451 Vacancies, Eligibility & Exam Date
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the recruitment notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. This is a premier opportunity for graduates to join the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers.
UPSC CDS 1 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | 10th December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 10th December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30th December 2025 (Till 6:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 30th December 2025 |
| Correction Window | 31st Dec 2025 to 6th Jan 2026 |
| CDS 1 Exam Date | 12th April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | April 2026 |
Vacancy Details & Education Qualification
| Post/Academy Name | Total Vacancies | Educational Eligibility |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 | Bachelor’s Degree in any stream |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 | Degree in Engineering from a recognized university |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 | Degree in Engineering OR Bachelor’s Degree with Physics & Math at 10+2 level |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA) - Men | 275 | Bachelor’s Degree in any stream |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA)—Women | 18 | Bachelor’s Degree in any stream |
| Total Posts | 451 |
Eligibility Criteria
1. Age Limit (as of 01/01/2027)
IMA & INA: 19–24 Years (Born between 02 Jan 2003 and 01 Jan 2008)
Air Force Academy: 20–24 Years (Born between 02 Jan 2003 and 01 Jan 2007)
OTA (Men & Women): 19–25 Years (Born between 02 Jan 2002 and 01 Jan 2008)
2. Application Fee
General / OBC / EWS: ₹200/-
SC / ST / Female: Nil (Exempted)
Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking/Debit/Credit Card/UPI) or Offline (E-Challan)
Selection Process
The selection is based on a three-stage rigorous process:
Written Examination: Objective-type test conducted offline.
SSB Interview: A 5-day intelligence and personality test.
Medical Examination: Final medical assessment for commissioned service.
Some Useful Important Links
| Direct Action | Resource Link |
| Apply Online (Registration) | Click Here |
JOIN CHANNELS | WHATSAPP | TELEGRAM |
| Download Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | Visit Official Site |
| Check Exam Calendar 2026 | View Calendar |
