UPSC CDS Notification 2026: Download CDS 1 Notification Here
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
The UPSC will release the CDS 1 notification on December 10, 2025. The CDS 1 2026 registration process will start along with the release of the notification. The last date to apply for UPSC CDS 1 is December 30, 2025. Further, for CDS 2 notification will be out on May 20 and the last date for application form is June 9, 2026. The UPSC CDS 1 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026 and the CDS 2 will be conducted on September 13, 2026. Candidates are advised to visit the upsc.gov.in for the latest information related to the UPSC CDS exam. However, the latest information related to the CDS notification will be shared in the article.
- CDS Notification 2026
- CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
- How to apply Online for CDS Exam?
- CDS Application Fees 2026
- CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
- CDS Selection Process 2026
- CDS Admit Card 2026
- CDS Syllabus 2026
- CDS Result 2026
- CDS Notification FAQs 2026
CDS Notification 2026
Notification: 10 Dec ' 25
CDS notification will be released to select candidates who wish to join the courses of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy (AFA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Officers Training Academy Courses (Men and Women). The CDS selection process comprises two stages-written exams and an SSB interview. Candidates qualifying for the written exam are called for an SSB interview. The final selection for the CDS 2026 exam will be done based on the written exam and SSB interview. After undergoing training at the respective defence academies, candidates join the post of lieutenant. Candidates can check below the CDS notification for 2026.
Commonly asked questions
The Commission released the CDS 1 and 2 2026 notification, application process and exam dates on the official website at upsc.gov.in. The CDS 1 2026 notification will be released on December 10, 2025. The CDS 1 2026 application dates are December 12 to December 30, 2025. The CDS 1 2026 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 CDS 2 2026 exam will be conducted on September 13, 2026.
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2025 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 10 Dec ' 25 | CDS 1 Notification 2026 |
| 10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25 | CDS 1 Application Process 2026 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 09 Oct ' 25 | CDS 2 2025 Result |
| 14 Sep ' 25 | CDS 2 Exam 2025 |
| 04 Sep ' 25 | CDS 2 2025 admit card |
How to apply Online for CDS Exam?
Candidates can check here methods:
- Candidates have to register themselves on the OTR (One Time Registration) page.
- Fill out all the details asked on the registration page
- Upload the document (if needed)
- The login ID will be generated by the UPSC for the candidates and will be sent to the registered mobile and email id
- Go to the latest exam tab and click on the CDS 2 exam link
- Fill out the application by giving the details that have been asked in the form
Commonly asked questions
The commission will release the CDS 1 2026 application form on December 10, 2025 on the official website. The last date to apply will be December 30, 2025. Candidates will be able to fill out their application form by visiting the official website or via a direct link that will be provided here once it is released.
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.
CDS Application Fees 2026
- The application fees can be paid both online and offline
- The application fees are INR 200 for General and OBC male candidates
- SC and ST candidates were exempted from fee payment
Also Read: CDS OTA Syllabus
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates should check the eligibility criteria before filling out the online application form. Only those aspirants are considered for recruitment who fulfils the eligibility criteria. The candidates can check below in detail.
CDS Selection Process 2026
The candidates have to qualify in different tests to be enrolled in the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. The different levels of the CDS selection process have been given below for the candidates:
- Written Exam
- SSB Interview/Personality Test
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
CDS Admit Card 2026
CDS admit card will be released three weeks before the exam. Candidates need to download the admit card from the official website. The admit card can be downloaded till the day of the exam by logging with either the registration number or roll number. The hard copy of the CDS admit card is not sent to candidates by post.
CDS Syllabus 2026
The syllabus highlights the topics that candidates need to prepare for the exam. The topics given in CDS syllabus are of Class 10, 12, and Graduation levels. Candidates can check below CDS syllabus.
| Subjects |
Details |
|---|---|
| English |
The question paper in English is designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English language |
| General Knowledge |
The paper test a candidate’s knowledge regarding Current Affairs. The paper includes questions on the History of India and Geography |
| Elementary Mathematics |
This paper comprises questions from Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics |
Commonly asked questions
The syllabus of Mathematics consists of Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.
General Knowledge section test awareness of current events and general knowledge of the candidates. Important topics include history of India, Geography, Current Affairs, Indian Polity, Economy, Science and Technology, Defence news, etc.
CDS Result 2026
Commonly asked questions
The CDS examination 2026 includes papers English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The result will be prepared in PDF format and contains the names and roll numbers of all successful candidates.
CDS Notification FAQs 2026
Commonly asked questions
The Union Public Service Commission will release the CDS 1 examination 2026 vacancies on the official website. It will be released around for various defence services.
The Commission released the CDS 1 and 2 exam date 2026 on the official website in a calendar. The CDS 1 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026 and the CDS 2 exam will be conducted on September 13, 2026. The candidates must be aware that these dates are released by UPSC through the exam calendar. However, the candidates can prepare for the CDS exams according to the exam date.
The candidates who will qualify for the CDS 2 result in 2026 will proceed to the SSB interview. The CDS 2 result 2026 will be released on the official website. Basically, the result PDF, cut-off marks, and the final merit-list will guide candidates on their next steps, mainly for the SSB interview round.
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
Here are the list of some of the books which can help candidates in their preparation.
- 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 weeks 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 weeks ago
It is recommended to the candidates to reach the CDS exam centre at least one hour prior to the reporting time. The CDS exam centre allotment is done on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks ago
The steps 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 a month 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 a month ago
The CDS exam is conducted in an offline mode that is in a pen-paper mode. The exam consists of objective type questions and need to mark their answers in an OMR sheet.
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, the CDS 2 application last date to apply was extended to June 20 from June 17, 2025. A one-time extension was provided by the commission. The application correction window was opened from July 7 to July 9, 2025.
S
Contributor-Level 6
UGC NET 2025 Dec Application 7 Oct '25 - 7 Nov '25
What are the best books for the English subject for CDS preparation?