CDS Application Form 2026 Released: Registration Ongoing, Apply Online for UPSC CDS 1
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
CDS Application Form 2026: The UPSC CDS 1 application process is ongoing. The last date to apply is December 30 (6 PM). It was released online on December 10. Will the last date to apply be extended? The Commission has not announced the extension of the last date. Those candidates who have not yet applied can apply until 6 PM on December 30. The CDS 1 notification was also published on December 10.
To submit the online form, candidates need to pay the application fee. It is also important to check the eligibility before applying for the CDS exam.The CDS 1 exam will be held on April 12, 2026. The UPSC CDS 2 application dates are May 20 to June 9, 2026. Candidates can check below in detail about the CDS application form 2026, its process, etc.
Latest News & Updates:
CDS 1 Application Form 2026 Deadline Tomorrow; Apply Soon at upsconline.nic.in
CDS 1 Notification 2026 OUT at upsc.gov.in; Check Dates and Steps to Apply
- CDS Application Form 2026: UPSC OTR
- CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026
- How to apply for CDS 2026 online?
- Filling Part I of CDS Application Form 2026
- How to Choose Exam Centres in CDS Application Form?
- CSS Application Correction Window
- CDS Career Growth
- Other Defence Exam Application Form
- CDS Application 2026 FAQs
CDS Application Form 2026: UPSC OTR
Registration: 10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25
UPSC introduced the One Time Registration (OTR) platform for the candidates to fill out the application form for any exam under UPSC. The OTR is done once in a lifetime. The OTR can be filled at any time in a year. Though the candidates are allowed to make changes in the OTR within 7 days of registration on the OTR. To register for OTR, the candidates have to follow the methods as mentioned below:
- Go to the official website- upsconline.nic.in
- Click on the new registration tab
- Fill out the details- Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Mobile number, Email Id, etc
- Enter the captcha
- Click on Submit
- OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number and email id
- Re-login into your account and reset the password
- Again Login into the account and go for the CDS application link
Click here to apply for CDS 1 2026 exam
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
The Commission released the CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2025 at upsconline.nic.in. The online application link is available from Dec 10 to Dec 30, 2025. Candidates can download notification via direct link provided below.
The Commission released the CDS 1 2026 application form on December 10, 2025 at upsconline.nic.in. The last date to fill the registration form is December 30. A direct link to apply is also provided on this page.
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2025 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25 | CDS 1 Application Process 2026 ONGOING |
| 12 Apr ' 26 | CDS 1 Exam 2026 |
| 20 May ' 26 | CDS 2 Notification 2026 |
| 20 May ' 26 - 09 Jun ' 26 | CDS 2 Application Process 2026 |
| 13 Sep ' 26 | CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 10 Dec ' 25 | CDS 1 Notification 2026 |
| 14 Sep ' 25 | CDS 2 Exam 2025 |
| 04 Sep ' 25 | CDS 2 2025 admit card |
How to apply for CDS 2026 online?
Registration: 10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25
The CDS online application portal of the UPSC for registration and filling up of the application form online has four modules, three of which that is account creation, universal registration and common application form are common to all examination applications and can be filled by the aspirant where as the fourth module is examination specific and can be filled during the time period allowed in the exam notification. Candidates can check method to apply online for the CDS 1 exam:
- Go to the upsconline.nic.in
- Log in to your registered account or register for the OTR (the steps to register for UPSC OTR have been given below in the article)
- Click on the CDS exam link
- Fill out the details asked
- Upload the photograph, signature, and Photo Identity card
- Make the application fee for the exam
- Choose the exam centre
- Finally, submit the application form
- A confirmation message will be sent to the candidate's registered mobile number and email id
Also Read: CDS OTA Syllabus
CDS Revised Application Process
Candidates can check below the revised registration process that primarily comprises the following:
- Create Account and Login
- Universal Registration
- Common Application Form
- Applying for various examinations
Stages of CDS Application Form
Commonly asked questions
Candidates can provide their preference in the application form for the CDS exam by choosing the IMA, INA, AFA, OTA.
The OTR stands for One Time Registration. The UPSC introduced this system to simplify the application process for several UPSC examinations, including CDS. Candidates will be able to register their basic details and documents once. This information can be reused by the candidates for future UPSC exam applications, which saves time and effort.
Filling Part I of CDS Application Form 2026
Candidates need to first register themselves on the One Time Registration (OTR) and after that they will be eligible to fill out the CDS 1 2026 application form online. Candidates are advised to submit their application form before the last date or deadline to avoid the last-minute rush. Here we have explained the methods to apply for the CDS exam. See below detailed process to submit application form:
Registration Form:
Candidates can check below the method for OTR.
- Visit at upsc.gov.in
- On the homepage, click Examination, then Active Examinations and then CDS 1 2026
- Click on the One Time Registration (OTR)
- Candidates need to register here by clicking the New Registration button
- Candidate will be redirected to a new page, enter details correctly.
- After registration, candidate need to login to verify the already registered OTR application.
- Candidates need to login by using their email ID, mobile/ OTR ID and OTP/password.
- Candidates are redirected in to a new page.
- Enter the required information, create a new password and click on the submit tab.
- After reading instruction, proceed and click "Yes".
- Submit the application form by filling details including educational qualification, etc.
- Upload the scanned documents as required
- Select your preferences and continue Part 1
- Candidates need to pay the fee by using Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or by using internet banking facility of any Bank.
- Select the desired CDS exam centre from the list
- Check details and click on the submit button
- Download the copy of the CDS 1 2026 application form for future reference
Also Read: CDS syllabus
Documents Required for Filling Out the CDS Application Form
Before filling CDS application form, candidates must keep the following documents ready:
Photograph and Signature: Before starting filling up the CDS online form, candidates must have their photographs and signatures duly scanned in the .jpg format in such a manner that each file should not exceed 300 KB and must not be less than 20 KB in size
Class 10 Certificate: Candidates must have their matriculation certificate ready prior to filling up the CDS application form. The details related to the candidate's name, father's name, father's name, mother's name, and date of birth are required to be filled in the application form. These particulars should match exactly with the particulars mentioned in the matriculation certificate.
Details of Photo-Identity Proof: The Candidate should also have details of one photo ID such as an Aadhar Card/ Voter Card/ PAN Card/ Passport/ Driving License/ Any other photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government. The details of this photo ID will have to be given by the aspirant while submitting the form. Candidates will have to upload a scanned copy of their Photo ID whose details have been provided in the online application by him/her. This photo ID will be used for all future referencing and the candidate is advised to carry this ID while appearing for examination/Personality Test/SSB.
Also Read: CDS vacancies
Commonly asked questions
Candidates required a lot of details while filling out the CDS 2026 application form. Candidates can check below the list of required documents:
- Adhaar Card
- Class 10th, 12th roll number
- Academic certificates of Bachelor's and Master's degrees
- Caste Certificate
- Scanned copy of signature, photograph, and ID proof within the limit of 20 KB to 300 KB.
Yes, final-year candidates are eligible to apply for the CDS exam. But they need to produce the degree certificate when called upon, mainly during the SSB (Services Selection Board) phase.
How to Choose Exam Centres in CDS Application Form?
- Candidates have to submit the online form for the CDS exam after the registration.
- The candidates will have to fill personal details like- name, address, educational qualification etc.
- Now, candidates will be provided with an option to choose the venue.
- Choose it from near your home town or where you live.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, the UPSC will release the CDS admit card a few days before the exam. The admit card will consist of the exact address and name of the exam centre.
The CDS exam is conducted offline or pen and paper mode. Objective questions will be asked in the examination. Candidates need to mark their choices of answers in the sheet that was provided during the exam. CDS 1 2026 notification released on December 10.
CSS Application Correction Window
Candidates need to apply online at upsconline.nic.in and submit the requisite information and supporting documents towards various claims including date of birth, educational qualification, etc. If a candidate is failed to provide the documents or information along with the Online Application Form will entail cancellation of candidature for the examination.
Further, no request for addition or alteration in the preferences already indicated by a candidate in his or her application will be entertained by the Commission. Once the form is submitted and the application window is closed, candidate will not be allowed to make any corrections. It is advised to a candidate to fill up all the details carefully.
How to Make Corrections in UPSC OTR Profile?
The candidates need to follow the methods given below to register themselves on the OTR platform:
- Go to the upsconline.nic.in
- Click on the registration link
- Click on the new registration tab
- Fill out the details asked- Name, Mother's Name, Father's Name, Mobile Number, Email Id, etc
- Password will be sent to the registered email id and mobile number.
- Re-login to the account and reset the password
- After the re-login go to the account and click on the CDS application form link to apply for the exam
Commonly asked questions
Candidates can check below the methods to make corrections in the CDS 1 application form 2026:
- Visit at upsc.gov.in
- Click on the link available for CDS 1 form correction
- Log in to the registered account using login credentials
- Make corrections to the application form
- Save and print a copy of the modified copy of registration form
- Log out from the registered profile
The CDS exam requires in depth knowledge and clarity of concepts or conceptual clarity. So, regular solving of mock tests is important. It provides an additional advantage that a candidate requires to score good in the exam.
CDS Career Growth
The candidates who will join the Indian defence as commissioned officers will be promoted according to the norms and time period of the service. The candidates can check the rank-wise post list below:
- Captain - Two years of commissioned service
- Major - Six years of commissioned service
- Lieutenant Colonel - Thirteen years of commissioned service
- Colonel - Fifteen years of commissioned service
- Colonel (TS) - Twenty-six years of commissioned service
- Major General - Twenty-five years of commissioned service
- Brigadier - Twenty-three years of commissioned service
- Lieutenant General - Twenty-eight years of commissioned service
- General - No restrictions
- Lieutenant - Promotion only after completion of training
Commonly asked questions
The CDS exam is conducted in two stages, the written exam and the SSB interview. The CDS exam is an offline exam conducted in pen paper-based format. The CDS marking scheme, negative marking, total marks, exam timing, and the paper pattern for the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA are available on this page for the CDS exam.
No, candidates can't apply for the CDS 2026 exam offline. The authority will activate the CDS application link on the official website. It is important for a candidate to first complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on the website of UPSC before proceeding with the CDS application form.
Other Defence Exam Application Form
The aspirants who want to become defence personnel in Indian defence can also go for different defence exams like AFCAT, NDA and CAPF. The candidates can check the defence exam application form by clicking the links below. The list of other defence exams in India has been given below for the candidates:
- NDA (National Defence Academy)
- CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)
- AFCAT ( Air Force Common Admission Test)
- IAF (Indian Air Force)
- ICG (Indian Coast Gaurd)
Links for the Application Form
| NDA Application Form | CAPF Application Form | AFCAT Application Form |
Commonly asked questions
Yes, final-year candidates are eligible to apply for the CDS exam. But they need to produce the degree certificate when called upon, mainly during the SSB (Services Selection Board) phase.
The Union Public Service Commission released the CDS 1 examination 2026 vacancies on the official website. A total of 451 vacancies has been announced. The CDS 1 notification released on December 10.
CDS Application 2026 FAQs
Commonly asked questions
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) launched a new Online Application Portal to streamline the registration process for all exams. The new portal was live at upsconline.nic.in and replaces the older One-Time Registration (OTR) module, which now will no longer be functional. As per the official notification, candidates are advised to use their Aadhaar Card as ID documents for easy, effortless and seamless verification and authentication of ID and other details.
The New Application Portal officially launched on May 28, 2025. Applications for the CDS 2 exam 2025 was accepted through the new online application portal.
Candidates can check below the CDS 1 2026 age limit:
- IMA: Candidates for IMA should be unmarried and must have been born not earlier than January 2, 2003, and not later than January 1, 2008.
- INA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 2003, and not later than January 1, 2008, can apply for INA.
- AFA: To apply for AFA, the age of candidates should be between 20 and 24 years. They must have been born not earlier than January 2, 2003, and not later than January 1, 2007. The upper age limit of candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years (i, e born not earlier than January 2, 2001, and not later than January 1, 2007).
The CDS selection process consists of two stages: a written exam and an SSB interview. All candidates who qualify for the written exam are required to register themselves online on the Indian Army Recruiting within two weeks of the announcement of the written test result. After that, candidates are allotted SSB dates and centres.The SSB procedure has two-stage selection process—stage I and stage II. Only those candidates who clear stage I are permitted to appear for stage II. Stage I comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Tests (PP&DT). Stage II Comprises of an interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the conference.
The Union Public Service Commission released the CDS 1 examination 2026 vacancies on the official website. A total of 451 vacancies has been announced. The CDS 1 notification released on December 10.
The CDS exam is conducted offline or pen and paper mode. Objective questions will be asked in the examination. Candidates need to mark their choices of answers in the sheet that was provided during the exam. CDS 1 2026 notification released on December 10.
The Commission released the CDS 1 and 2 exam date at upsc.gov.in. The CDS 1 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026 and the CDS 2 on September 13. Candidates must be aware that these dates are released by the UPSC.
The CDS exam is conducted in two stages, the written exam and the SSB interview. The CDS exam is an offline exam conducted in pen paper-based format. The CDS marking scheme, negative marking, total marks, exam timing, and the paper pattern for the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA are available on this page for the CDS exam.
The syllabus of Mathematics consists of Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.
Yes, the English section of the CDS exam is scorable if it is prepared properly. Usually the difficulty level of the exam is moderate.
Yes, the examination authority will release the CDS Question Papers 2026 officially at upsc.gov.in. The question papers will be released in the form of PDF. Candidates can download the CDS question papers 2026 from this page also for free. The question papers will help candidates to check the difficulty level of the exam, questions asked, pattern changed or not, etc.
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
After qualifying the SSB round, the selected candidates need to undergo a medical examination. A candidate is declared medically fit or unfit after the result announcement. After qualifying all the selection rounds they will go for training.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Some of the books, help candidates in their CDS preparation are given below:
- High School English Grammar & Composition Edition by Wren and Martin
- Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- English Grammar & Composition by S.C Gupta
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The authority released a total of 453 vacancies for the CDS 2 exam 2025 for admission to the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy for courses.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
It is advised to the candidates to reach the CDS exam centre one hour before the given time. They should carry hall ticket along with them otherwise they will not be able to give the exam.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, the English section of the CDS exam is scorable if it is prepared properly. Usually the difficulty level of the exam is moderate.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates can check the cut off marks for the CDS exam by visiting the official website at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC will release the cutoff according to the academy or course.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The methods to check the CDS cut off marks is provided below:
- Visit at upsc.gov.in.
- Click on the :Examination" tab.
- Go to the "Cut Off Marks" dropdown menu.
- Click on the download link and save it for future reference.
I
Contributor-Level 6
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