UPSC CDS 1 Exam Date 2026 Announced for 451 Vacancies: Check Schedule & Pattern
The Union Public Service Commission has officially declared the UPSC CDS 1 Exam Date 2026 for 451 vacancies. This guide provides the complete CDS 2026 exam schedule, syllabus, pattern, application fees, and crucial dates to help aspirants streamline their preparation.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination biannually to recruit officers for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). While the online application window for the January session has concluded, the next registration cycle is set to commence in May 2026.
Candidates who successfully submitted applications for the CDS 1 January 2026 session should now focus on their written exam preparations. Review the confirmed CDS 1 Exam Date and the tentative CDS 2 schedule below.
CDS 1 Exam Date 2026 Out
The UPSC has officially released the exam calendar for 2026. The written examination for UPSC CDS 1 2026 is scheduled for 12th April 2026, while the CDS 2 written exam will take place on 13th September 2026. Registered candidates are advised to monitor the official portal regularly for hall ticket download links and further updates. Refer to the table below for the complete CDS 1 and CDS 2 schedule.
| Events | CDS 1 2026 | CDS 2 2026 |
| Release Of Notification | 10 Dec 2025 | 20 May 2026 |
| Start of Application | 10 Dec 2025 | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 Dec 2025 | 9 June 2026 |
| Admit Card | April 2026 | September 2026 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 | 13 September 2026 |
CDS 1 2026: Exam Highlights
The CDS exam is a prestigious national-level recruitment drive held twice a year. It serves as the gateway for commissioning officers into the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The rigorous selection process involves a written competitive examination followed by an extensive Services Selection Board (SSB) interview and a medical assessment.
| CDS 1 2026: Exam Overview | |
| Category | Details |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | CDS Examination 1, 2026 |
| Vacancy | 451 |
| Exam Level | National |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Stages |
|
| Exam Language | English & Hindi |
| Exam Mode | Offline (MCQs) |
| Eligibility | Unmarried Males & Females |
| Duration (For each Paper) | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Work Location | All over India |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
CDS 1 Notification 2026 PDF
The official CDS 1 2026 notification, which includes details regarding the SSC Women (Non-Technical) course, covers comprehensive information on vacancies, eligibility criteria, selection methodology, and exam structure. Aspirants must carefully review the official PDF to confirm their eligibility before proceeding with the selection process.
Click to Download CDS 1 Official Notification PDF
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Vacancy Distribution
UPSC has announced a total of 451 vacancies for the CDS 1 2026 recruitment across the various defence academies listed below:
| Posts | Vacancy |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA- Men & Women) |
|
| Total | 451 |
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the CDS examination, candidates must satisfy stringent criteria regarding nationality, age, gender, marital status, and educational qualifications. Detailed eligibility requirements are outlined in the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Nationality Requirements | A candidate must be:
|
| Educational Qualification |
Air Force Academy (AFA) Eligibility Standards:
|
| Age Limit |
|
| Gender & Marital Status |
|
| CDS Physical Standards | Applicants must satisfy the prescribed physical requirements:
Minimum Physical Height Requirements:
|
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Selection Process
The CDS 1 2026 selection process is multi-tiered, designed to evaluate candidates on academic aptitude, physical fitness, and officer-like qualities. The process includes a written test, the SSB personality interview, comprehensive document verification, and a medical examination.
The recruitment procedure consists of the following four critical stages:
1. Written Competitive Examination
- Objective-type questions covering English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA, INA, AFA).
2. SSB Interview / Personality Assessment
The SSB interview is conducted in two distinct stages:
- Stage I: OIR Test & Picture Perception & Description
- Stage II: Psychology tests, interview, group tasks, and conference
This stage rigorously evaluates leadership potential, psychological suitability, and essential officer-like qualities.
3. Document Verification
- Candidates must present original certificates for verification.
4. Medical Examination
- A thorough physical and mental health assessment is conducted by Armed Forces Medical Services.
CDS 1 2026: Exam Pattern
The CDS 1 exam follows a structured pattern to assess knowledge, analytical speed, and precision. The offline test utilizes objective-type multiple-choice questions. While the format varies slightly depending on the academy chosen, the core objective is to test readiness for high-level defence training.
Exam Pattern for IMA, INA & AFA:
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
| English | 120 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
Exam Pattern for Officers’ Training Academy (OTA):
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
Important Note: Negative marking is applicable, with 1/3 of the marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Syllabus
The CDS syllabus covers the essential topics required for the written exam. Mathematics follows school-level standards, while English and General Knowledge sections align with graduate-level proficiency. A thorough understanding of the curriculum is vital for effective preparation. Refer to the table below for the subject-wise syllabus.
| Section | Topics Included |
| English |
|
| General Knowledge |
|
| Mathematics | |
| Algebra |
|
| Arithmetic |
|
| Trigonometry |
|
| Geometry |
|
| Mensuration |
|
| Statistics |
|
CDS 1 Exam Salary 2026
Successful candidates selected through the CDS examination are entitled to a competitive salary package, supplemented by various allowances, including Dearness Allowance (DA), transport and uniform allowances, and other service benefits.
| Rank | Level | Salary Range |
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | Rs.56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10 B | Rs.61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | Rs.69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12 A | Rs.1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | Rs.1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13 A | Rs.1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | Rs.1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 | Rs.1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| HAG+Scale | Level 16 | Rs.2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| Army Cdr/VCOAS | Level 17 | Rs. 2,25,000 (fixed) |
| COAS Level 18 ₹2,50,000 (fixed) | Level 18 | Rs. 2,50,000 (fixed) |
CDS 1 Exam 2026: Application Fee
The application fee structure for the CDS 1 Examination is detailed in the following table:
| Category | Fees |
| All candidates except SC/ST/Females | Rs. 200/- |
| SC/ST/Female candidates | Exempted |
Application fees can be remitted through the following payment methods:
- Net banking
- Debit/Credit card
- Cash deposit at SBI branches
FAQs
UPSC is anticipating over 450 vacancies distributed across the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA for the 2026 recruitment cycle.
Age limit criteria vary by academy. For IMA and INA, candidates must be born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2007. For the Air Force Academy, the eligible age range is strictly 20 to 24 years.
You can download the official notification directly from the official UPSC portal at upsc.gov.in.
The selection roadmap: Written Examination, followed by the SSB Interview, and finally, a comprehensive Medical Examination.