The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) (I), 2026. This is your golden opportunity to join the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA).
A total of 451 vacancies have been announced, and the application process is currently active. Read on for all the critical dates, eligibility requirements, and the step-by-step guide to complete your application before the deadline.
UPSC CDS I 2026 Exam: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 451 Posts |
| Application Start Date | 10th December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30th December 2025 (06:00 PM) |
| CDS I 2026 Exam Date | 12th April 2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online (Through UPSC OTR Portal) |
| Official Website |
Academy-wise CDS I 2026 Vacancies
The 451 vacancies are distributed across the four premier academies for the courses commencing in January/April 2027:
| Academy Name | Course | Tentative Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 162nd (DE) Course | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Hyderabad | 32 |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA) - Men | SSC Course | 275 |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA) - Women | SSC Non-Tech Course | 18 |
| TOTAL | 451 |
Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit & Educational Qualification
Meeting the specified eligibility criteria is paramount. Candidates must check the age limits and educational qualifications for their preferred academy.
1. Educational Qualifications
| Academy | Required Qualification |
| IMA & OTA | Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent. |
| INA | Bachelor of Engineering from a recognized University/Institution. |
| AFA | Degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR Bachelor of Engineering. |
Note: Final year/semester students who expect to graduate before the commencement of the course can also apply.
2. Age Limit (Born between dates)
The age limit for candidates varies for each academy. For most courses, the age generally ranges from 19 to 25 years.
- IMA & INA: Unmarried male candidates.
- AFA: Age relaxation up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence.
- OTA (Men & Women): Unmarried males/females, issueless widows, and issueless divorcees (who have not remarried) are eligible.
UPSC CDS I 2026 Selection Process
The selection process is rigorous and comprises three key stages:
- Written Examination: An objective-type test covering English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA, INA, AFA). OTA candidates are exempted from the Elementary Mathematics paper. There is a negative marking of $1/3$rd of the marks assigned to the question for every wrong answer.
- Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview: A comprehensive five-day process to assess a candidate's potential as an officer.
- Medical Examination: Final stage to ensure candidates meet the specified physical and medical standards.
How to Apply Online for CDS I 2026
The application must be submitted online via the UPSC portal.
- One Time Registration (OTR): If you haven't already, register on the UPSC OTR portal (
upsconline.nic.in) to create your profile. - Login: Log in using your OTR credentials.
- Fill Application Form: Complete the two-part application process carefully, providing personal, educational, and academy preference details.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay Fee: Pay the application fee online.
Application Fee:
- General/OBC Male Candidate: Rs. 200/- (Rupees Two Hundred Only)
- SC/ST/Female Candidates: No Fee
Submit and Print: Submit the final form and print the confirmation page for your records.
Important Links for UPSC CDS I 2026
| Apply Online | Click here |
| Last Date for Online Application | |
| Official Notification | |
| UPSC Official Website |
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