The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) holds the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam twice a year to select candidates for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). The online application process for the January session is now over, and new registration will open in May 2026.
Candidates who applied for CDS 1 (January 2026 session), must start preparing for the written exam. Check the CDS 1 Exam Date and the upcoming CDS 2 Schedule below.
CDS 1 Exam Date 2026 Out
The Union Public Service Commission has announced the CDS-I Exam Date 2026. The written exam for UPSC CDS 1 2026 will be held on 12th April 2026, whereas the CDS 2 written exam will be held on 13th September 2026. Candidates who applied for CDS 1 are advised to keep a check on the official website for the latest updates and the download link for the CDS 1 Hall Ticket 2026. Check the CDS 1 and CDS 2 Schedule below:
| 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 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 |
| 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 Notification 2026 PDF
The official PDF notification for CDS 1 2026, including the SSC Women (Non-Technical) course. 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 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: 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) |
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
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