27th December 2025 by Mangala
CDS I 2026 Notification – Combined Defence Services Examination (I) 2026 | Apply Online, Eligibility, Salary, Selection Process & How to Apply
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 (CDS I 2026) for recruitment of officers into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). This prestigious examination is conducted twice a year and offers Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission opportunities for graduates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The CDS I 2026 examination is scheduled to be held on 13 April 2026, and the online application process starts on 11 December 2025 and closes on 31 December 2025.
🔹 Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
| Exam Type | National Level |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Courses Offered | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA |
| Job Type | Central Government / Defence Services |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 11 December 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 11 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 31 December 2025 (06:00 PM) |
| CDS I 2026 Examination Date | 13 April 2026 |
| Result Declaration | To be notified |
📊 Vacancy Details (Tentative)
| Academy | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | To be notified |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | To be notified |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | To be notified |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men | To be notified |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women | To be notified |
Final vacancy distribution will be notified by UPSC separately.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee as per UPSC rules.
Educational Qualification
| Academy | Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| IMA & OTA | Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university |
| INA | Degree in Engineering |
| AFA | Degree with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level OR Engineering Degree |
Candidates appearing in the final year/semester are eligible subject to passing before course commencement.
Age Limit & Marital Status
| Academy | Age Limit | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 19–24 years | Unmarried |
| INA | 19–24 years | Unmarried |
| AFA | 20–24 years | Unmarried |
| OTA (Men) | 19–25 years | Unmarried |
| OTA (Women) | 19–25 years | Unmarried |
Exact date-wise age criteria will be as per official notification.
💰 Salary Structure
| Rank | Pay Level | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level-10 | Rs. 56,100/- to Rs. 1,77,500/- |
In addition to basic pay, officers are entitled to Military Service Pay (MSP), DA, HRA (if applicable), TA, Uniform Allowance and other benefits.
🧠 Selection Process
The selection process consists of three stages:
Stage 1 – Written Examination (UPSC)
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics (IMA/INA/AFA only) | 2 Hours | 100 |
OTA candidates appear only for English and GK papers.
Stage 2 – SSB Interview
- Two-stage SSB process (Stage I Screening + Stage II Assessment)
- Includes psychological tests, group tasks and personal interview
- Total Marks: 300
Stage 3 – Medical Examination
Final merit list is prepared based on combined marks of written exam and SSB interview.
📝 How to Apply
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit UPSC official website – upsc.gov.in |
| Step 2 | Complete One Time Registration (OTR) |
| Step 3 | Login and select CDS I 2026 Examination |
| Step 4 | Fill online application form carefully |
| Step 5 | Upload photograph, signature and photo ID |
| Step 6 | Pay application fee online |
| Step 7 | Submit application and download confirmation |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs. 200/- |
| SC / ST / Female | Nil |
📌 Important Instructions
- Candidates can apply for multiple academies in a single application
- OTR is mandatory for UPSC applications
- Tattoos are permitted only as per Defence guidelines
- Candidates must be medically fit as per Armed Forces standards
- Use of unfair means will lead to disqualification
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is CDS a permanent job?
IMA, INA and AFA lead to Permanent Commission, while OTA offers Short Service Commission.
Q2. Can women apply for CDS I 2026?
Yes. Women candidates can apply for OTA.
Q3. Is there any interview after written exam?
Yes. Qualified candidates must clear the SSB Interview.
Q4. Is Maths compulsory for all candidates?
Maths is compulsory only for IMA, INA and AFA candidates.
🔗 Important Links
| Particular | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | https://upsconline.nic.in |
| Official Notification PDF | https://upsc.gov.in |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| Official WhatsApp Channel | To be updated |
| Official Telegram Channel | To be updated |