UPSC CDS Notification 2026: Download CDS 1 Notification Here
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
CDS Notification 2026: 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 2026 the notification will be out on May 20 and the last date for CDS 2 application form is June 9, 2026. The UPSC CDS 1 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026 and the CDS 2 exam will be conducted on September 13, 2026. The candidates are advised to visit the UPSC official website 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
- CDS Application Form 2026
- How to apply Online for CDS Exam?
- CDS Application Fees 2026
- CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
- CDS Educational Qualification
- CDS Selection Process 2026
- CDS Admit Card 2026
- CDS Exam Pattern 2026
- CDS Syllabus 2026
- CDS Result 2026
- CDS Cut off 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 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will released the CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2025. The CDS 1 application form 2026 will be available from December 10 to December 30, 2025. The direct link will also be available here once it is released.
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 |
CDS Application Form 2026
Registration: 10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25
The CDS 1 2026 application form will be released on December 10, 2025 and the last date to apply will be December 30, 2025. The CDS 1 application form can be filled in two parts. Part I comprises the candidate’s registration, choosing the preferred branches, verifying details, and generation of registration ID. Part II comprises paying the application fees, selection of exam centre, and uploading scanned images of photograph and signature. The application fees are INR 200 which can be paid both online and offline. The online application withdrawal facility is made available after the completion of the registration process.
Commonly asked questions
The CDS 1 2026 application process will start on December 10, 2025. The last date to fill out the CDS 1 application form 2026 will be December 30, 2025 as per the official calendar. Candidates need to visit the official website to fill out the form, or a direct link will also be provided here once it is released.
Candidates can check below the steps to make corrections in the CDS 1 application form 2026:
- Visit the official website
- Click on the link available for CDS 1 form correction
- Log in to the registered account using login credentials
- Make corrections to the CDS 1 application correction
- Save and print a copy of the modified CDS 1 application form
- Log out from the registered profile
How to apply Online for CDS Exam?
The candidates need to follow the given steps to apply for the CDS exam:
- 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
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.
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.
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
The eligibility criteria of CDS provide details regarding nationality, age, and educational qualification. Candidates should check the eligibility criteria before filling out the application form. Only those candidates are considered for CDS recruitment who fulfils the eligibility criteria. The candidates can check out the latest eligibility criteria below in the article.
CDS Educational Qualification
The education qualification for the CDS exam has been given below for the aspiring candidates:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA): The candidates must have a graduation degree from any discipline from any recognised university.
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): Candidates must have an engineering degree from a recognised university
- Air Force Academy (AFA): The candidates must have an engineering degree from a recognised university with physics and maths in 10+2
Also Read: CDS eligibility criteria
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.
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 Exam Pattern 2026
CDS Syllabus 2026
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.
The CDS OTA Result releases on the official website. Candidates can check below the steps:
- Visit the official website
- Click on the CDS OTA result link
- Click on the result PDF link
- The CDS OTA result will appear on the screen
- Download the CDS OTA result PDF and save it for later use
CDS Cut off 2026
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 23 hours 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 23 hours 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 Yesterday
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 Yesterday
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 Yesterday
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 Yesterday
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 2 weeks 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 weeks 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 a month ago
Apart from the salary, CDS officers receive several allowances, including DA, high altitude allowance, uniform allowance, transport allowance, medical aid, accommodation, children's education allowance, etc. It depends upon the amount of salary, and it varies depending on the designation and academy
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Candidates can check below the CDS 2 2025 age limit:
- IMA: Candidates for IMA should be unmarried and must have been born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2007.
- INA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2007, can apply for INA
N
Contributor-Level 6
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What are the best books for the English subject for CDS preparation?