The Union Public Service Commission has opened the application window for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS‑I) 2026, giving defence aspirants a fresh opportunity to join the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers. The online registration process began on December 10, 2025, and candidates have time till December 30, 2025 to submit their forms.
The CDS-I exam is conducted annually and is considered one of the most competitive gateways to officer-level entry into the Army, Navy and Air Force. This year, UPSC has announced 451 vacancies across various academies.
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UPSC CDS-I 2026: Important dates at a glance
- Application start date: December 10, 2025
- Last date to apply: December 30, 2025
- Fee payment deadline: December 30, 2025
- Form correction window: As per UPSC schedule
- Written examination: April 12, 2026
- Admit card: To be released before the exam
- Result: After completion of the exam process
Application fee
- General/OBC candidates: ₹200
- SC, ST and female candidates: No fee
The fee can be paid online using debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI and other available digital modes.
Age limit for CDS-I 2026
Candidates must be born between January 2, 2003, and January 1, 2008. Age relaxations, where applicable, will be provided strictly as per UPSC norms mentioned in the official notification.
Vacancy details: Academy-wise breakup
A total of 451 posts have been notified this cycle:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA): 100 posts
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): 26 posts
- Air Force Academy (AFA): 32 posts
- Officers Training Academy (OTA – Men): 275 posts
- Officers Training Academy (OTA – Women): 18 posts
Educational qualification required
Eligibility varies depending on the academy:
- IMA: Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university
- INA: Engineering degree or graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level
- Air Force Academy: Engineering degree in the relevant stream
- OTA (Men & Women): Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university
Selection process
The CDS-I recruitment process involves multiple stages:
- Written examination conducted by UPSC
- SSB interview
- Skill and aptitude assessment (as applicable)
- Document verification
- Medical examination
Only candidates who clear each stage successfully will be considered for final merit-based selection.
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How to apply
Interested candidates must apply online through the official UPSC portal. Applicants are advised to carefully read the detailed notification, especially sections related to age criteria, educational qualifications and medical standards, before completing the form.
With just a few days left before the deadline, aspirants aiming for a career in uniform should complete their applications without delay and begin focused preparation for the April 2026 examination.
