The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination twice every year for admission into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
For the year 2026, the CDS 1 Notification 2026 for courses starting in January 2027 is issued on 10th December 2025. The Registration window is now open. Candidates who fulfil the required eligibility conditions can apply online through the official UPSC website.
CDS 1 Notification 2026 Out For 451 Posts
The official PDF notification for CDS 1 2026, including the SSC Women (Non-Technical) course, is published on 10th December 2025. The notification includes information about vacancies, eligibility rules, the selection process, exam pattern, and application procedures. Aspirants must carefully read the notification pdf to ensure they meet all conditions before submitting the application.
Click to Download CDS 1 Official Notification PDF
CDS 1 2026: Exam Highlights
The CDS exam is a national-level defence recruitment test conducted twice every year, usually in April and September. It selects candidates for officer-level training in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and OTA. The recruitment is based on a written exam followed by an interview and medical assessment.
| CDS 1 2026: Exam Overview | |
| Category | Details |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | CDS Examination 1, 2026 |
| Vacancy | 451 |
| Exam Level | National |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Dates | 10th-30th December 2025 |
| Selection Stages |
|
| Exam Language | English & Hindi |
| Exam Mode | Offline (MCQs) |
| Eligibility | Unmarried Males & Females |
| Duration (For each Paper) | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Work Location | All over India |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Important Dates
UPSC has already released the complete exam schedule in the UPSC Annual Calendar 2026. Aspirants should check the UPSC Calendar 2026, and prepare accordingly. Aspirants can go through the table below to know all the dates of CDS 1 Examination 2026:
| Events | CDS 1 2026 | CDS 2 2026 |
| Release Of Notification | 10 Dec 2025 | 20 May 2026 |
| Start of Application | 10 Dec 2025 | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 Dec 2025 | 9 June 2026 |
| Admit Card | April 2026 | September 2026 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 | 13 September 2026 |
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Vacancy Distribution
UPSC has announced 451 vacancies for CDS 1 2026 for the following academies:
| Posts | Vacancy |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA- Men & Women) |
|
| Total | 451 |
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfil the eligibility conditions related to nationality, educational qualification, age, gender, and marital status. The complete details of the criteria are given in the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Nationality Requirements | A candidate must be:
|
| Educational Qualification |
Air Force Academy-
|
| Age Limit |
|
| Gender & Marital Status |
|
| CDS Physical Standards | Applicants must satisfy the prescribed physical requirements:
Minimum Height
|
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Application Form
The online application process begins on 10th December 2025 and ends on 30th December 2025. Candidates must apply early to avoid last-minute issues. Applications will be accepted only through the UPSC official website.
UPSC has activated the online application link at its official website, www.upsc.gov.in , on 10th December 2025. The direct link is provided in this article below.
CDS 1 2026 Online Application Link-Click To Apply
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Application Fee
The CDS 1 Examination fee is mentioned in the table given below:
| Category | Fees |
| All candidates except SC/ST/Females | Rs. 200/- |
| SC/ST/Female candidates | Exempted |
Payment can be made via:
- Net banking
- Debit/Credit card
- Cash deposit at SBI branches
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Selection Process
The selection process for CDS 1 2026 includes multiple stages to ensure that only the most suitable candidates move forward. It begins with a written exam, followed by the SSB interview, document verification, and medical tests. Each stage evaluates academic ability, personality, health, and fitness levels.
The selection procedure consists of four stages:
1. Written Examination
- Objective-type questions covering English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA, INA, AFA).
2. SSB Interview / Personality Test
Conducted in two stages:
- Stage I: OIR Test & Picture Perception & Description
- Stage II: Psychology tests, interview, group tasks, and conference
This stage evaluates leadership qualities and officer-like traits.
3. Document Verification
- Candidates must present original certificates for verification.
4. Medical Examination
- A thorough physical and mental health assessment is conducted by Armed Forces Medical Services.
CDS 1 2026: Exam Pattern
The CDS 1 exam follows a structured pattern designed to test a candidate’s knowledge, speed, and accuracy. Each paper is conducted offline and includes multiple-choice questions. The pattern varies slightly for different academies, but all papers check core areas needed for defence training.
For IMA, INA & AFA:
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
| English | 120 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
For OTA:
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
Negative Marking: 1/3 marks deducted for every wrong answer.
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Syllabus
The CDS syllabus outlines the subjects and topics that candidates must study for the written exam. While the mathematics section is based on school-level concepts, the English and General Knowledge sections follow graduation-level standards. A clear understanding of the syllabus helps in focused and effective preparation. The subject-wise syllabus is given the table below:
| Section | Topics Included |
| English |
|
| General Knowledge |
|
| Mathematics | |
| Algebra |
|
| Arithmetic |
|
| Trigonometry |
|
| Geometry |
|
| Mensuration |
|
| Statistics |
|
CDS 1 Exam Salary 2026
Candidates selected through CDS receive a competitive salary along with allowances such as DA, transport allowance, uniform allowance, and more.
| Rank | Level | Salary Range |
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | Rs.56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10 B | Rs.61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | Rs.69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12 A | Rs.1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | Rs.1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13 A | Rs.1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | Rs.1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 | Rs.1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| HAG+Scale | Level 16 | Rs.2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| Army Cdr/VCOAS | Level 17 | Rs. 2,25,000 (fixed) |
| COAS Level 18 ₹2,50,000 (fixed) | Level 18 | Rs. 2,50,000 (fixed) |
The CDS 1 2026 exam offers a valuable opportunity for candidates aiming to join the Indian Armed Forces as officers. With the notification scheduled to be released on 10th December 2025, aspirants should begin preparing early by understanding the eligibility rules, exam pattern, syllabus, and physical standards. Staying updated with official dates and applying within the registration window will help ensure a smooth application process. With focused preparation and discipline, candidates can confidently move closer to a career in the defence services.
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