Adv. No: 4/2026
Department - Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
UPSC CDS 1 Exam Notification 2026 – Apply Online for 451 Posts
UPSC has released an official notification for 451 Combined Defence Services (CDS 1) posts for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA courses. Candidates with a graduate degree in the relevant discipline can apply online from 10-12-2025 to 30-12-2025. Age limits vary between 19–24 years depending on the course, with relaxation as per rules. Selection includes a written examination, Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, and medical examination. Pay scales start at Rs. 56,100 per month (Level 10), with additional allowances like Military Service Pay, Dearness Allowance, Transport Allowance, and free ration in kind. Final admission is subject to qualifying all stages and medical fitness. The examination promotes career opportunities in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Detailed application steps, syllabus, and important dates are available on the official UPSC website.
UPSC has released an official notification for 451 Combined... Defence Services (CDS 1) posts for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA courses. Candidates with a graduate degree in the relevant discipline can apply online from 10-12-2025 to 30-12-2025. Age limits vary between 19–24 years depending on the course, with relaxation as per rules. Selection includes a written examination, Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, and medical examination. Pay scales start at Rs. 56,100 per month (Level 10), with additional allowances like Military Service Pay, Dearness Allowance, Transport Allowance, and free ration in kind. Final admission is subject to qualifying all stages and medical fitness. The examination promotes career opportunities in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Detailed application steps, syllabus, and important dates are available on the official UPSC website.
Rahul Sihan
11 Dec, 2025 08:11 PM
UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 451 Posts
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued an official notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS 1) 2026, comprising a total of 451 posts across multiple academies including the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy. Candidates with a recognised graduate degree may apply online within the stipulated dates. The notification provides detailed information regarding eligibility criteria, age limits, training pay, selection procedure, application steps, and other essential instructions for aspiring candidates.
Important Dates and Fees
The following section presents key dates for online registration, application submission, examination schedule, and tentative course commencement. Fee details and exemptions are also included to guide candidates in completing their application successfully and within the specified timeline.
| Event | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 10 December 2025 | |
| Online Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 | |
| Last Date for Online Application | 30 December 2025 (up to 06:00 PM) | |
| Examination Date | 12 April 2026 | |
| Written Result Declaration | May 2026 (Tentative) | |
| Course Commencement (IMA/INA/AFA) | January 2027 | |
| Course Commencement (OTA) | April 2027 | |
| Application Fee | General/OBC Male: ₹ 200 | Female, SC/ST candidates: No Fee |
| Payment Mode | Credit/Debit Card, UPI, Internet Banking | |
Detailed Information
The UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2026 encompasses vacancies in different defence academies with specific eligibility criteria for each course. The selection process involves a written examination, Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, and medical fitness evaluation. Candidates must possess the required educational qualifications and meet prescribed age limits. Training pay, allowances, and subsequent military pay scales are clearly defined. Applicants are advised to follow online registration instructions, upload valid documents, and complete the application within the given schedule while complying with all general instructions.
| Category | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 451 posts across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA | |
| Educational Qualification | Degree from a recognised university is required. IMA and OTA: Any graduate degree. Indian Naval Academy: Engineering degree. Air Force Academy: Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering. Candidates in final year/semester may also apply. Government-recognised equivalent qualifications are accepted. | |
| Nationality | Indian citizen or subject of Nepal, or person of Indian origin from specified countries intending permanent settlement in India. | |
| Age Limit (as on 01 January 2027) | IMA & Naval Academy: 19–24 years. Air Force Academy: 20–24 years; relaxable to 26 for valid CPL holders. OTA (SSC Men & Women): 19–24 years. Date of birth must be as per Matriculation/Secondary certificate. No subsequent changes allowed. | |
| Pay & Allowances | During training: ₹ 56,100 per month (Level 10). After commissioning: Lieutenant – ₹ 56,100–1,77,500, Captain – ₹ 61,300–1,93,900, Major – ₹ 69,400–2,07,200, Lieutenant Colonel – ₹ 1,21,200–2,12,400, Colonel – ₹ 1,30,600–2,15,900. Additional allowances include MSP ₹ 15,500, Dearness Allowance, Dress Allowance ₹ 20,000 per year, Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance ₹ 2,250 per month, and free ration in kind. | |
| Vacancy Distribution |
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| Selection Process | Stage 1: Written Examination (Objective type, English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics). Stage 2: SSB Interview (Intelligence and Personality Tests including OIR, PP&DT, GTO, Psychology). Stage 3: Medical Examination by Armed Forces Medical Services. Candidates must achieve minimum qualifying marks in both written and SSB tests. Negative marking: 0.33 marks per wrong answer. Final selection based on combined score. | |
| How to Apply | Candidates must register on https://upsconline.nic.in and generate URN. Complete the Common Application Form, upload photograph and required documents, select examination centre, pay application fee online if applicable, and submit the application. Printout should be retained. No corrections allowed post-submission. Government and Armed Forces employees must notify their respective authorities. | |
| Important Instructions | Only online applications accepted. Live photo capture and valid ID mandatory. Candidates must reach examination centres 30 minutes early. Mobile phones and electronic devices prohibited. Black ball pen to be used in OMR sheets. Question Paper Representation available for 7 days. UPSC helpdesk assistance available via phone or email. | |
Important Links
| UPSC Recruitment 2025 – Important Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Apply Online | Candidates interested in the UPSC Recruitment 2025 can submit their applications through the official UPSC online portal to complete the registration process efficiently. | Click here |
| Official Notification PDF | The official notification provides complete details on eligibility criteria, important dates, selection procedure, and instructions for the UPSC Recruitment 2025. | Click here |
| Official Website | The official UPSC website offers updated information on recruitment notifications, examination schedules, and other essential resources for applicants. | Click here |
| The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has provided verified links for its 2025 recruitment. Candidates can apply online, download the official notification for eligibility and procedures, and access the official website for authoritative updates. | ||
UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026 – FAQs
The UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026 notification has been released for 451 posts. Candidates can find essential details regarding eligibility, application process, selection, and other key aspects through these FAQs, providing clear guidance on the examination and recruitment process.
Q1. What is the eligibility criteria for UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026?
For the UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026, candidates must hold a degree from a recognised university. IMA and OTA courses accept any degree, INA requires engineering, and AFA requires a degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering. Final-year students can also apply. Candidates must be citizens of India or meet specified nationality conditions.
Q2. What is the age limit for UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026?
The UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026 has age limits varying by course. IMA and INA candidates: 19–24 years, AFA candidates: 20–24 years (up to 26 for CPL holders), OTA Men: 21–25 years, OTA Women: 21–25 years. Dates of birth are accepted from matriculation certificates only, and no subsequent changes are allowed.
Q3. How can candidates apply for UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026?
Candidates must apply online for UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026 at UPSConline.nic.in. Steps include generating a URN, filling the Common Application Form, uploading photograph and documents, selecting course and examination centre, paying fees (if applicable), and submitting the application before 30-12-2025.
Q4. What is the selection process for UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026?
The selection for UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026 includes a written examination, SSB interview, and medical examination. IMA/INA/AFA candidates have three written papers (English, GK, Mathematics), OTA candidates have two. SSB assesses intelligence, personality, and physical ability. Final selection combines written and SSB marks, subject to medical fitness.
Q5. What is the salary and allowances for UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026 recruits?
Selected candidates of UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026 receive a stipend of Rs. 56,100/month during training. After commissioning, pay scales range from Rs. 56,100 to 2,15,900 depending on rank. Additional allowances include Military Service Pay, Dearness Allowance, Dress, Transport, Children Education, and free ration in kind.
