In how many days will the CDS 2026 admit card be released?

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.

What should a candidate do if he or she faces an issue in downloading the CDS admit card?

Candidate should check the internet connection. It should be stable. Latest version of browsers can be used like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Clean the catche and try to download the admit card. If still problem occurs, contact the UPSC for support.

How many papers are there in the CDS 2026 exam?

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

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

When was the CDS 1 2026 notification and application form released?

The Union Public Service Commission released the CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2025. The CDS 1 application form 2026 was available from December 10 to December 30, 2025.

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.

In how many days will the CDS 2026 admit card be released?

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.

Is CDS Question Paper 2026 released officially?

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.

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.

What are the CDS 2026 exam dates?

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.

Is CDS 2 2025 exam dates released?

Yes, the authority released the CDS 2 exam dates, notification at upsc.gov.in. The CDS 2 exam was conducted on September 14, 2025. Also, the CDS 2 notification was released on May 28. The last date to apply was June 17.

How many papers are there in the CDS 2026 exam?

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

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

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.

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.

Is the CDS exam online or offline?

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.

Why is it important to give CDS mock tests?

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 Date 2026: UPSC CDS 1 Admit Card, City Slip, Notification Dates

551 Students Q&A

Exam On - 12 Apr '26

Updated on Jan 15, 2026 15:34 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

CDS Exam Date 2026: The UPSC will conduct the CDS 1 exam on April 12, 2026. The authority released the notification PDF for the CDS 1 exam on December 10, 2025. Along with the notification, the application link was activated. The CDS 1 application form dates were December 10 to December 30, 2025. The notification PDF consists of the information related to the exam including the exam date, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, etc.

On the other hand, the UPSC CDS 2 notification will be released on May 20 and the application dates are May 20 to June 9, 2026. The UPSC CDS 2 exam will be held on September 13, 2026. Scroll down to know more about the CDS important dates 2026.

Latest News & Updates:

CDS 1 2026 Exam Date Out: Check how to prepare and more

Table of contents

CDS Admit Card 2026
CDS Exam Timing 2026
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026
CDS Exam Pattern
Important Events Related to CDS Exam 2026
CDS Exam Dates 2026 FAQs

CDS Admit Card 2026

CDS Exam Timing 2026

CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026

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

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
12 Apr ' 26	CDS 1 Exam 2026
Apr ' 26	CDS 1 2026 Result TENTATIVE
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