The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Defence Service Examination (CDS-I) 2026 (Advt No: 04/2026). This prestigious examination is the gateway to becoming a Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
A total of 451 highly-coveted vacancies have been announced across the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). The online application window is open from December 10, 2025, and closes on December 30, 2025. Candidates must complete the mandatory UPSC One Time Registration (OTR) process before applying for the written exam scheduled for April 12, 2026.
📅 UPSC CDS-I 2026: Key Dates, Fee Structure, and Crucial Deadlines
UPSC maintains a rigorous schedule, making adherence to deadlines paramount. Aspirants should note the application window is tight, providing only 20 days to apply for the CDS-I 2026 examination.
Official Recruitment Timeline Snapshot (Advt No: 04/2026)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply & Fee Payment | 30 December 2025 |
| Form Modify / Edit Window | As per Schedule (Post-application) |
| CDS-I Written Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
💰 Application Fee and Fee Exemption Details
The examination fee is minimal, and the complete exemption for certain categories ensures that financial status is not a barrier to joining the Armed Forces.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs. 200/- |
| SC, ST & All Category Female Candidates | Rs. 0/- (Exempted) |
Fee payment must be made strictly through online modes (Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking / UPI). There is no provision for fee refund under any circumstances, including failure to appear for the examination.
📊 CDS-I 2026: Academy-Wise Vacancy Details and Specific Qualifications
The 451 vacancies are distributed across four esteemed training institutions, each with specific educational and marital status requirements, which candidates must verify against the official notification.
Academy-Wise Vacancy Distribution (Total 451 Posts)
| Academy Name | Course Details | No. of Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 162nd (DE) Course | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Pre-Flying Training | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) – Men | 119th SSC (NT) (Men) | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) – Women | 33rd SSC Women (NT) | 18 |
| TOTAL VACANCIES | 451 | |
Mandatory Educational & Age Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the following qualification requirements. Final year students are also eligible, provided they furnish proof of passing the degree examination by the specified date:
- IMA & OTA: Graduation Degree in any stream from a recognized University.
- INA: Engineering Degree (Bachelor of Engineering) OR Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 (Intermediate) level.
- Air Force Academy: Engineering Degree in relevant trade OR Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried males can apply for IMA, INA, and AFA. Both married and unmarried candidates can apply for OTA, but married candidates below 25 years will be considered unmarried during the course.
Age Limit: Extremely Strict Criteria
The age limit is non-negotiable. Candidates must have been born strictly between 02 January 2003 and 01 January 2008 (inclusive). There is **no age relaxation** for SC/ST/OBC categories for the upper age limit as per CDS rules.
Candidates are strongly advised to use the Age Calculate Tool – Click Here to verify their eligibility date.
📝 Deep Dive: UPSC CDS-I 2026 Written Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The selection process depends heavily on the Written Examination. Understanding the pattern, especially the difference between the OTA and Non-OTA papers, is key to focused preparation.
Written Examination Structure: IMA, INA, AFA (300 Marks Total)
Candidates applying for IMA, INA, or AFA must appear in all three papers. The total marks obtained in these papers determine their shortlisting for the SSB Interview.
| Subject | Duration | Max. Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English (Objective) | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge (Objective) | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics (Objective) | 2 Hours | 100 |
Written Examination Structure: OTA (Men & Women) (200 Marks Total)
Candidates applying only for OTA need only appear in the first two papers, as the Elementary Mathematics paper is not required for the OTA selection.
| Subject | Duration | Max. Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English (Objective) | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge (Objective) | 2 Hours | 100 |
⚠️ Negative Marking: There is a 1/3rd (0.33) negative marking for every incorrect answer marked in the objective papers. This emphasizes accuracy and cautious answering.
Preparation Strategy: Mastering the Subjects
A strategic approach is necessary to tackle the CDS syllabus effectively and manage the negative marking:
- Elementary Mathematics: Focus on NCERT books from Class 9th and 10th. Practice time management rigorously, as the paper is lengthy.
- General Knowledge (GK): Dedicate significant time to Current Affairs (last 6-8 months), Indian History, Indian Polity (Constitution), and basic concepts of General Science. UPSC GK is analytical, not merely fact-based.
- English: Practice comprehension, sentence rearrangement, and error detection daily. Strong vocabulary and grammar foundations are essential to score well here.
🚀 The Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview: The Ultimate Test
Clearing the written exam leads to the 5-day **Service Selection Board (SSB)** Interview. This is a crucial stage where the candidate’s personality, intelligence, and potential as an officer are assessed through three methods: **Psychology, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, and Personal Interview (PI)**.
Structure of the 5-Day SSB Process
- Day 1: Screening Test (Stage I): Includes Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). Only screened-in candidates proceed to Stage II.
- Day 2: Psychology Tests: Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and Self-Description Test (SD).
- Days 3 & 4: GTO Tasks: Group Discussion (GD), Group Planning Exercise (GPE), Progressive Group Task (PGT), Half Group Task (HGT), Lecturette, Individual Obstacles, Command Task, and Final Group Task (FGT).
- Days 2, 3, or 4: Personal Interview (PI): One-on-one session with the Interviewing Officer (IO).
- Day 5: Conference: The final decision is made by the board of assessors, followed by the announcement of recommended candidates.
The SSB Interview carries 300 marks for IMA, INA, and AFA, and 200 marks for OTA. Final merit is prepared based on the total marks obtained in the Written Exam plus the SSB Interview.
🛑 Application Alert: OTR and Document Verification
1. One Time Registration (OTR): UPSC has mandated OTR for all its examinations. Candidates must complete the **OTR registration** first before attempting to fill out the CDS-I 2026 application form. Without a valid OTR ID, the application will not proceed.
2. Medical Fitness: Candidates recommended by the SSB will undergo a rigorous **Medical Examination (ME)**. Final acceptance is subject to meeting the high physical and medical standards of the respective service.
3. Document Check: Ensure all educational qualification certificates (especially the final year passing certificate, if applicable) are ready, as they will be thoroughly checked during the **Document Verification** stage after the SSB.
💻 How To Apply for UPSC CDS-I 2026: Mandatory OTR Process
The application process is entirely online. Do not wait for the final date (December 30, 2025) to avoid technical issues on the UPSC portal.
- Step 1: Complete OTR: Navigate to the UPSC portal using the **For One Time Registration** link. Provide personal, contact, and educational details to generate your unique OTR ID.
- Step 2: Start Application: Log in using your OTR ID and click on the **Apply Online** link for UPSC CDS-I 2026. The form is pre-filled with OTR details.
- Step 3: Fill Details & Preferences: Fill in the remaining details, including your preference order for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
- Step 4: Fee Payment: Pay the Rs. 200/- fee (if applicable) using the online payment gateway.
- Step 5: Upload Documents: Upload your photograph, signature, and ID proof as per the specified format.
- Step 6: Final Submission: Check the entire form, submit, and take a printout of the system-generated application confirmation.
📥 UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026: Important Quick Links
| Link Name | Status / Action |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| For One Time Registration (OTR) | Click Here |
| Download Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official UPSC Website | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| Join Telegram Channel | Click Here |
| Join Twitter_X | Click Here |
| Join Facebook Channel | Click Here |
| Age Calculator | Click Here |
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Conclusion: Your Path to Becoming an Armed Forces Officer
The UPSC CDS-I 2026 examination, with 451 vacancies, is the definitive opportunity for graduates aspiring to serve the nation as commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces. The short application window, closing on December 30, 2025, demands immediate action.
Success in CDS requires a two-pronged strategy: securing high marks in the objective Written Examination on April 12, 2026, and demonstrating **Officer Like Qualities (OLQs)** during the **5-day SSB Interview**. Remember to complete your **OTR** and verify your age and educational eligibility thoroughly.
Start your intensive study and SSB preparation today. We wish you the best of luck in achieving your dream of wearing the uniform!
We are rooting for your success in UPSC CDS-I 2026!
