How many vacancies are announced in CDS 2026?

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.

How many vacancies were released for the CDS 2 exam in 2025?

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.

What is the duration of each subject paper in CDS 2026 exam?

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

What after final selection in CDS?

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.

How are candidates assessed in CDS SSB Interview?

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.

How do I download the UPSC CDS 2026 recommended marks?

Candidates can download the UPSC CDS 2026 recommended marks by the following manner: Visit at upsc.gov.in. Click on the CDS 2026 recommended marks link. Click on the PDF link. The marks PDF will appear on the screen. Download and save it for later use.

Is there a negative marking in the CDS exam?

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.

In which mode the CDS exam is conducted?

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.

CDS Vacancy 2026 (OUT): Check CDS 1 Vacancies for Different Posts

CDS 2 Exam Date 2026

13 Sep '26

Updated on Mar 2, 2026 07:29 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

Overview

CDS Vacancies 2026: The Commission released the CDS vacancies along with the notification on December 10. A total of 451 vacancies were announced for the CDS 1 exam. CDS exam is conducted by the UPSC for the recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The selection process of CDS 2026 consists of the written exam, SSB Interview and Medical test. The last date to apply for the CDS 1 was December 30. The UPSC CDS 1 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026.

Table of contents

CDS 2026 Vacancy
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026
Previous Years' CDS Vacancies
CDS Vacancy 2026: Important Points
CDS Selection Process 2026
CDS 2026 Vacancies FAQs

CDS 2026 Vacancy

The candidates can check the CDS 1 vacancies 2026 as the notification was released.

Check CDS 1 vacancy 2026 breakdown in the table below. It was released for both male and female candidates:

Institution	Approximate Number of Vacancies
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun –161st (DE) Course commencing in January 2027 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders]	100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course commencing in January, 2027 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders and 01 for Hydro]	26
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January, 2027 i.e. 221 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry]	32
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 125th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in April, 2027.	275
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 125th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in,April, 2027.	18
Total	451

The UPSC conducts the CDS exam. Candidates should make a proper preparation strategy to crack the CDS exam. It is mentioned to the candidates to go through the CDS exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. Solve the previous year question papers to know about the topics asked in the exam. Practice mock test, improve the speed and accuracy. The total marks allotted to the exam for INA, AFA and IMA is 600 and for OTA is 400. It is also important for the candidates to have conceptual clarity of the subjects and to solve the questions.

CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
13 Sep ' 26	CDS 2 Exam Date 2026

Dates	Past Exam Dates
20 May ' 26	CDS 2 Notification 2026
20 May ' 26 - 09 Jun ' 26	CDS 2 Application Process 2026
12 Apr ' 26	CDS 1 Exam 2026
View More Past Events (15)

Previous Years' CDS Vacancies

Candidates can check below the vacancies of previous years.

CDS 2 Vacancies 2025

Check CDS 2 vacancy 2025 breakdown in the table below. It was released for both male and female candidates:

CDS 2 Vacancy 2025
Academy	No. of approximate Vacancies
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun –161st (DE) Course commencing in July 2026 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders]	100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course commencing in July, 2026 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders and 02 for Hydro]	26
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in July, 2026 i.e. 220 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry]	32
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 124th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in October, 2026..	276
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 124th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in, October, 2026.	19
Total	453

CDS 1 Vacancies 2025

The candidates can check the approximate CDS 1 vacancy 2025 breakdown in the table below. The vacancy was released for both male and female candidates:

CDS 1 Vacancy 2025
Academy	No. of approximate Vacancies
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun - 160th (DE) Course commencing in January 2026 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders]	100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course commencing in January, 2026 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders]	32
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January, 2026 i.e. No. 219 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry]	32
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 123rd SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in April, 2026.	275
Officers Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 37th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April, 2026.	18
Total	457

CDS 2 2021 Vacancies

Courses	Number of vacancies
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun 153rd (DE) Course commencing in July 2022 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders]	100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimal Course commencing in July 2022 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 03 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing through NCC Special Entry) holders	22
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying)Training Course commencing in July 2022 i.e. No. 212 F (P) Course (including 03 vacancies are reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Spl. Entry)	32
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras)-116th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in October 2022	169
Officers Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 30th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in October 2022	16

CDS 1 2021 Vacancies

Courses	Number of vacancies
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun	100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala	26
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad	32
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai	170
Officers Training Academy, Chennai	17
Total	345

CDS 2 Vacancy 2020

Name of the academy	Vacancies
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun	100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala	26
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad	32
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) SSC Men	169
Officers Training Academy, Chennai SSC Women	17
Total	344

CDS 1 Vacancy 2020

Name of the academy	Vacancies
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun	100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala	45
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad	32
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) SSC Men	225
Officers Training Academy, Chennai SSC Women	15
Total	418

Related Links:

CDS Salary

CDS Vacancy 2026: Important Points

Candidates can check below a few important points related to CDS 2026 vacancy:

Candidates are required to indicate in the respective column of the CDS application form the services they wish to apply
Male candidates can give as many preferences for services
Women candidates are only eligible for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA)
Male candidates competing for Short Service Commission (Army) should indicate OTA as the only choice
Male candidates applying for the Short Service Commission Course at OTA as well as the Permanent Commission course at IMA, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy, should indicate OTA as their last preference
Candidates who wish to join the Air Force Academy must indicate AFA as their first choice
No change of choice once entered by candidates in the application form of CDS will be allowed

Other Defence Exam Vacancies

NDA Vacancies

AFCAT Vacancies

CDS Selection Process 2026

The CDS selection process for the recruitment of AFA, IMA, INA and Officers Training Academy posts exam will be conducted based on the several stages namely written exam, SSB interview and medical examination.

CDS 2026 Vacancies FAQs

Refer CDS Vacancies 2026 FAQs Here

Q: When will the CDS 1 2026 exam be conducted?

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.

Q: What is the Full Form of CDS?

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.