UPSC CDS 2026 Exam: CDS 1 Notification (OUT), Application Form, Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & Question Papers
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
The UPSC released the CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10 on the official portal at upsconline.nic.in. Along with the notification application process also begin. The last date to apply is December 30. Scroll down to know more about the CDS 2026 exam.
CDS 2026 Exam
UPSC CDS 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) published the CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10 at upsconline.nic.in. The CDS application form is available until December 30, 2025. Candidates can apply by visiting the official website or via direct link provided below. The CDS 1 2026 exam dates were released. The authority will conduct the UPSC CDS 1 exam on April 12, 2026. Those candidates who will fulfil the eligibility will be able to fill out the application form online for the CDS 1 exam.
On the other hand, the CDS 2 notification 2026 will be released on May 20, 2026. The application form for the CDS 2 exam will be available from May 20 to June 9, 2026. The CDS 2 exam will be conducted on September 13. Scroll down to know more about the CDS 2026 exam.
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.
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 Exam Highlights 2026
- CDS Important Dates 2026
- CDS Notification 2026
- CDS Application Form 2026
- CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
- CDS Vacancies 2026
- CDS Admit Card 2026
- CDS Exam Pattern 2026
- CDS Syllabus 2026
- CDS Exam Centres 2026
- CDS Exam Preparation 2026
- CDS Question Papers 2026
- CDS Answer Key 2026
- CDS Result 2026
- CDS Selection Process 2026
CDS Exam Highlights 2026
Candidates can check below more about the CDS exam.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of exam |
Combined Defence Services Examination |
| Conducted by |
|
| Exam Level |
National |
| Exam frequency |
Twice a year (April and September) |
| Exam mode |
Offline |
| Exam stages |
Written exam and SSB Interview |
| Language of question paper |
English and Hindi |
| No of questions |
Elementary Maths: 100 General English: 120 General Knowledge: 120 |
| No.of papers |
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA): Three (English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics) Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): Two (English and General Knowledge) |
| CDS Exam Pattern |
Written Exam IMA, INA and AFA: 300 OTA: 200 SSB Interview IMA, INA and AFA: 300 OTA: 200 |
| CDS 1 Notification 2026 |
10-Dec-2025 |
| CDS 1 Exam 2026 |
12-Apr-2026 |
| Exam purpose |
To select candidates as Commissioned Officers in Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force |
| Vacancies |
451 (CDS 1) |
| No of the test cities |
More than 70 |
| Official website |
upsc.gov.in, upsconline.nic.in |
| Contact number |
011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 |
CDS Important Dates 2026
CDS important dates consists of the list of events related to the exam are provided below.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| CDS1 Notification |
10-Dec-2025 |
| CDS 1 Application Form |
10-Dec-2025 to 30-Dec-2025 |
| CDS 1 Exam Dates |
12-Apr-2026 |
| CDS 2 Notification |
20-May-2026 |
| CDS 2 application form |
20-May-2026 to 09-Jun-2026 |
| CDS 2 Exam Date |
14-Sept-2026 |
CDS Notification 2026
The Commission released the CDS notification in the form of PDF at upsconline.nic.in. It consists of the details of the examination like application process, syllabus, pattern of an exam, etc. Candidates before submitting the apply online form are advised to read the notification properly.
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
13 Dec '25 - 14 Dec '25
27 Nov '25 - 18 Dec '25
20 Dec '25
20 Dec '25
13 Dec '25 - 22 Dec '25
10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
30 Nov '25 - 31 Dec '25
30 Nov '25 - 31 Dec '25
31 Dec '25
31 Jan '26 - 28 Feb '26
Download Here CDS 1 2026 Notification
CDS Application Form 2026
The application form for the CDS 1 2026 is available from December 10 to December 30, 2025. Candidates are required to keep all the essential documents ready before submitting out the application form. The details related to the apply online form is available in the notification PDF. The CDS 2 application dates are May 20 to June 9. Candidates required to create the one time registration ID before submitting the online form. After creating the OTR ID, aspirants can apply for the CDS exam. This is the one time process. The ID will be valid for applying to the examinations conducted by the UPSC. The application fee is INR 200 where as SC/ST/PWD/Female Candidates are exempted from the fees. Candidates can pay the fees through online/offline mode via Net Banking, Master Card/ Debit Card or Cash deposit in any branch of SBI Bank.
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.
The Commission released the CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2025 at upsconline.nic.in. The online application link is available from Dec 10 to Dec 30, 2025. Candidates can download notification via direct link provided below.
No. The commission released the notification for the CDS 1 exam 2026 on Dec 10, 2025. Candidates can apply for the designated exam centres across India as mentioned in the notification. The list of exam centers has been mentioned in the notification. Exam centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis to the candidates. Also, some centres have a limited capacity and, once filled, are no longer available for selection.
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
It is important for the candidates to fulfil the eligibility before applying for the CDS exam. The CDS 2026 eligibility criteria in detailed will be provided in the official notification. If a candidate does not meet the eligibility then he or she will be disqualified. Candidates can check below it in detail:
| Factors | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Candidate must be a citizen of India A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India |
| Age Limit | 20 to 24 years as on 1st January 2027 |
| Education | For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai: Degree of a recognised University or equivalent. For Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution For Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering |
| Marital Status | Candidates must be unmarried and below the age of 25 years. |
| Physical Standards | Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to CDS (I), 2026 |
CDS Vacancies 2026
| CDS 1 Vacancy 2026 |
|
|---|---|
| Academy |
No. of approximate Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun –162st (DE) Course |
100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course |
26 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course |
32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 125th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) |
275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 125th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) |
18 |
| Total |
451 |
CDS Admit Card 2026
The CDS call letter will be released around one week prior to the exam. Candidates will be able to download their hall tickets by logging with the required credentials. The hard copy will not be sent to the candidates by post through the authority. It is mandatory to carry the printed copy of the CDS admit card along with the one photo-identity proof to the examination centre. Without the admit card, candidate will not be allowed to sit in the exam.
CDS Exam Pattern 2026
CDS exam consists of written exam and SSB Interview. The maximum marks allotted to the written examination and to the interviews will be 300, 300, 300 and 200 each for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy respectively. CDS exam pattern is provided below:
CDS Exam Pattern for IMA, INA and AFA
| Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elemantary Mathematics | 13 | 2 Hours | 100 |
CDS Exam Pattern for OTA
| Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
SSB Interview
SSB Interview procedure consists of two stages: I and II. Only those candidates who qualify the stage I are permitted to appear in stage II. The details of both stages are given below:
- Stage I consists ofOfficer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT).
- Stage II consists of Interviews, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conferences. These tests are conducted over days.
CDS Syllabus 2026
CDS exam syllabus is decided by the examination authority. CDS syllabus is provided below.
English: Sentence Arrangement, Synonyms and Antonyms , Jumble Words, Idioms and Phrases, Ordering Sentences, Ordering Words, Fill up the blanks, Comprehension, Vocabulary, etc.
Maths: Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, etc.
General Knowledge: Current Affairs, History, Polity, Geography, Physics , Chemistry, Biology, Sociology, Defence Related Awareness, Sports and Culture and Environmental Studies.
CDS Exam Centres 2026
Candidates will be able to select the UPSC CDS Exam centres while submitting out the application form. It is crucial for the candidates to choose the centre carefully. Candidates once filled the examination centre will not be able to change it.
CDS Exam Preparation 2026
It is important for a candidate to prepare the CDS exam with the a proper strategy. Check below the preparation plan:
Know the pattern of an exam.
- Go through the syllabus
- Give Mock Tests
- Solve previous years papers
- Do frequent revision
- Work on weak areas
- Learn from mistakes
Also Read: CDS Preparation
CDS Question Papers 2026
The UPSC will release the CDS Question papers 2026 for all the sets on the official portal at upsc.gov.in. Candidates will also get the question papers and solutions from the websites of some coaching institutes. Therefore, the CDS 1 question paper will be available after the completion of an examination.
CDS Answer Key 2026
The UPSC will release the CDS answer key after the announcement of the final result. Candidates will be able to download the UPSC CDS answer key in the form of PDF from the official portal. Various coaching institutes also releases the answer key after the completion of an examination.
CDS Result 2026
The Commission will declare the UPSC CDS 1 result on the official portal. The result will be announced in the form of PDF and will consists of the list of the qualified candidates. It will be expected to be declared within the month of the conduction of an exam.
CDS Selection Process 2026
The CDS selection process consists of a written exam and SSB interview. Those who will clear both rounds will get selected as an officers in the Army or Navy or Airforce.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
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 2 months 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 2 months 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 months 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 2 months 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 months 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 months 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
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.