CDS Exam Date 2026: UPSC CDS 1 Notification & Application Dates
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
CDS Exam Date 2026: The Commission released the CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2025. The CDS 1 application dates are December 10 to December 30, 2025. The notification is released in the formof PDF at upsconline.nic.in. The CDS 1 apply online link is active. The CDS 1 exam will be held on April 12, 2026. On the other hand, CDS 2 2026 notification will be announced on May 20, 2026 and the last date to apply will be June 9, 2026. The UPSC CDS 2 exam will be conducted on September 13, 2026. Candidates can check here all the important dates related to the CDS exam.
Latest News & Updates:
CDS 1 Notification 2026 OUT at upsc.gov.in; Check Dates and Steps to Apply
- CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026
- CDS Exam Timing 2026
- Important Events Related to CDS Exam 2026
- CDS Exam Pattern
- CDS Exam Dates 2026 FAQs
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 |
| 09 Oct ' 25 | CDS 2 2025 Result |
| 14 Sep ' 25 | CDS 2 Exam 2025 |
CDS Exam Timing 2026
According to CDS shift timing, candidates need to enter the examination hall at least 30 minutes before the scheduled commencement of the examination. Entry to the examination venue closes 10 minutes prior to the scheduled commencement of the exam in each session. CDS 2026 exam timing for English, GK and Elementary Mathematics is given below as per the previous exam.
| Paper | Exam Timings |
|---|---|
| English (Subject Code 11) | 9.00 am to 11.00 am |
| GK (Subject Code 12) | 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm |
| Elementary Mathematics (Subject Code 13) | 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm |
Commonly asked questions
The duration of each subject paper in the CDS 2026 exam is mentioned below.
1. For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy: English, General Knowledge and Mathematics all have two hours duration.
2. For Officers' Training Academy (OTA)-English and GK for both separately 2 hours duration
In CDS, written exam comprises three papers namely English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics aiming for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA). There are two papers for candidates aiming for the Officers Training academy (OTA).
For IMA, INA, AFA: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics
For OTA: English and General Knowledge
Important Events Related to CDS Exam 2026
The important events of the CDS exam are explained below:
Application Form
The application form for CDS has been released online. It comprises two parts. In the first part, candidates need to register, choose their preferred branches, verify the details and generate their registration ID. In the second part, they need to pay the application fees, select the exam centres, and upload scanned images of photographs & signatures.
Date of an Exam
All registered candidates are required to appear for the CDS exam. The exam comprises two stages, written and SSB Interview. The written exam for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy comprises three sections, English, General knowledge, and Elementary Maths. The written exam for Officers’ Training Academy comprises two sections, English and General Knowledge.
Answer Key Date
The answer key is released by UPSC after the completion of the recruitment exam. The CDS answer key is released on the official website for different codes of test booklets.
Result Date
The result is released in two stages: written exam and final selection. The commission first announces the CDS result for the written exam, followed by the declaration of the final result. The result displays the roll numbers of shortlisted candidates in PDF format. Along with the release of the CDS result, the CDS cut-off is also released for the candidates. The candidates who will cross the category-wise cut-off will be considered qualified for the CDS exam.
CDS Current Affairs Guide: Download Here
Commonly asked questions
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 Union Public Service Commission released the CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2025. The CDS 1 application form 2026 is available from December 10 to December 30, 2025. The direct link is also available on this page.
CDS Exam Pattern
Candidates who are going to appear for the exam must know the exam pattern. Check below for detail:
| CDS Exam Pattern |
|
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam |
Offline |
| Number of Questions |
300 MCQ |
| Number of questions in OTA |
200 MCQ |
| Maximum Marks |
300 and 200 (OTA) |
| Duration of Exam |
2 hours (120 minutes) for each paper |
| Medium |
Hindi or English |
| Negative marking |
1/3rd mark deducted for each incorrect response |
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.
The CDS exam is conducted twice a year for admission to IMA, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. Basically, it works as a tool for students to prepare for an upcoming exam. Candidate will get an idea of the actual examination. Mock tests make candidates realise their mistakes that must be taken care of before going to the exam.
CDS Exam Dates 2026 FAQs
Candidates can check below the CDS 2026 dates.
Commonly asked questions
CDS full form is the Combined Defence Services Examination. While some people also refer CDS full form as Chief of Defence Staff, this rank is given to the head of the Indian Armed Forces. It is a national-level exam which is conducted twice a year in April and September.
The Commission released the CDS 1 notification at upsconline.nic.in. It was released on December 10, 2025. The CDS 1 2026 application dates are December 12 to December 30, 2025. The UPSC CDS 1 exam will be held on April 12, 2026. On the other hand, CDS 2 notification will be announced on May 20, 2026 and the last date to apply will be June 9. The CDS 2 2026 exam will be conducted on September 13, 2026.
The UPSC will release the CDS 2026 admit card at upsc.gov.in. The CDS 1 exam is scheduled to be conducted on April 12, 2026 and CDS 2 on September 13.
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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
Answered 2 months ago
Yes. In the CDS exam there is a negative marking. One-third mark will be deducted for an incorrect answer. No mark will be deducted for unanswered questions.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
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.
J
Contributor-Level 6
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What after final selection in CDS?