UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) I 2026 under Examination Notice No. 04/2026.CDS-I, dated 10 December 2025. This examination will be conducted for admission to prestigious defence academies such as Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) for the courses commencing in January 2027 / April 2027.
The online application process is open from 10 December 2025 to 30 December 2025 (6 PM). Candidates must carefully verify their eligibility in terms of age, educational qualification and marital status. The written examination will be held on 12 April 2026, followed by SSB interviews for the successful candidates.
UPSC CDS I 2026 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | CDS I 2026 |
| Notification No. | 04/2026.CDS-I |
| Courses | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Course Start | Jan 2027 / Apr 2027 |
UPSC CDS I 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Start | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 30 December 2025 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Result (Written) | May 2026 (expected) |
UPSC CDS I 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹200/- |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| Female Candidates | Nil |
UPSC CDS I 2026 Vacancies & Qualification
| Course | Vacancies | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 | Graduation in any discipline |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 | Engineering Degree |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 | Graduation with Physics & Maths at 12th OR B.E./B.Tech |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men) | 275 | Graduation in any discipline |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women) | 18 | Graduation in any discipline |
UPSC CDS I 2026 Age Limit
Courses have different age requirements:
- IMA: 19–24 years (Born between 2 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2008)
- INA: 19–24 years (Born between 2 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2008)
- AFA: 20–24 years (Born between 2 Jan 2002 – 1 Jan 2008)
- OTA (Men & Women): 19–25 years (Born between 2 Jan 2001 – 1 Jan 2006)
UPSC CDS I 2026 Selection Process
The selection process comprises:
- Written Examination by UPSC
- SSB Interview by Armed Forces Selection Boards
- Document Verification & Medical Examination
- Final Merit List based on marks in written exam + SSB interview
How to Apply for UPSC CDS I 2026
Candidates must apply online via https://upsconline.nic.in. First, complete the Universal Registration Number (URN), then fill the Common Application Form (CAF). Upload photo, signature, ID proof and pay fees if applicable. No corrections are allowed after submission, so applicants must verify all details carefully before finalizing.
UPSC CDS I 2026 Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| UPSC CDS I 2026 Apply Online | Apply Online |
| UPSC CDS I 2026 Official Notification | Notification |
| UPSC Official Website | UPSC |
