UPSC CDS 1 Exam Notification 2026 - Apply Online for 451 Posts

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS-I) 2026, inviting Online applications for 451 posts across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official UPSC website. The last date to submit the application form is 30 December 2025.

This article provides complete details on CDS 1 2026 eligibility, age limit, vacancy, salary, exam pattern, application process, and important dates.

Upsc Cds 1 Exam Notification 2026 Job Highlights:

• Name of Exam:
  UPSC CDS 1 Exam Notification 2026 - Apply Online for 451 Posts
• No. of Seats:
  451
• Job Location:
  All India
• Online Application Start Date:
  10 December 2025
• Minimum age limit:
  The minimum age for this job is: 19 Years
• Maximum age limit:
  The maximum age for this job is: 24 Years
• Notification Release Link:
  UPSC CDS 1 Exam Notification 2026 Job Official Notification: Click here
• Direct Online Application Link:
  Apply now

• Eligibility Criteria:

   

  Educational Qualification

  • IMA & OTA: Degree from a recognized University.

  • Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering from a recognized institution.

  • Air Force Academy:

    • Degree with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level, OR

    • Bachelor of Engineering.

  • Final-year candidates are also eligible.

   

  Nationality

  Candidate must be:

  • Indian citizen

  • OR subject of Nepal

  • OR a Person of Indian Origin from select countries intending to settle in India

   

  Age Limit (as on 01-01-2027)

  • IMA: Unmarried males born between 02/01/2003 – 01/01/2008

  • INA: Unmarried males born between 02/01/2003 – 01/01/2008

  • AFA: 20 to 24 years (relaxable up to 26 years with valid CPL)

  • OTA (Men): Unmarried males born between 02/01/2002 – 01/01/2008

  • OTA (Women): Unmarried/issueless widows/divorcees born between 02/01/2002 – 01/01/2008

  Date of birth must match Matriculation/Secondary Education certificate.

  •  
• Application Fees:
  • 
    

    Category	Fee
    General/OBC Male	Rs. 200/-
    Female	No Fee
    SC/ST	No Fee

     

    Payment through Debit/Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking.

• Pay Scale:

  During Training

  • Stipend: Rs. 56,100/- per month (Level 10)

   

  After Commissioning

  • Lieutenant: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/-

  • Captain: Rs. 61,300 – 1,93,900/-

  • Major: Rs. 69,400 – 2,07,200/-

  • Lt. Colonel: Rs. 1,21,200 – 2,12,400/-

  • Colonel: Rs. 1,30,600 – 2,15,900/-

  Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs. 15,500/- per month
  Additional Allowances: DA, Dress Allowance, Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance, Free Ration.

   

  Important Dates

  Event	Date
  Notification Release	10 December 2025
  Application Start Date	10 December 2025
  Last Date to Apply	30 December 2025 (6 PM)
  CDS 1 Exam Date	12 April 2026
  Written Result (Tentative)	May 2026
  IMA/INA/AFA Course Start	January 2027
  OTA Course Start	April 2027

   

  Stage 1 – Written Examination

  • IMA/INA/AFA: 300 marks

    • English – 100

    • GK – 100

    • Mathematics – 100

  • OTA: 200 marks

    • English – 100

    • GK – 100

  Negative Marking: 0.33 marks per wrong answer.

   

  Stage 2 – SSB Interview

  • Intelligence Test

  • PP&DT

  • Interview & GTO Tasks

  • Psychology Tests

  Marks:

  • IMA/INA/AFA: 300

  • OTA: 200

   

  Stage 3 – Medical Examination

  Conducted by Armed Forces Medical Services.

   

  How to Apply for UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2026

   

  1. Visit the official website at https://upsconline.nic.in

  2. Create an account and generate a Universal Registration Number (URN).

  3. Fill out the Online application form with personal and educational details.

  4. Upload photograph, signature, and required documents.

  5. Select your exam centre.

  6. Pay the application fee online (if applicable).

  7. Submit the application and download/print the form.

   

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Beena

Beena is an education content writer and researcher at EducationMasters.in, where she covers the latest updates related to government jobs, admit cards, results, and general knowledge (GK) MCQs. With a strong background in competitive exam preparation and current affairs analysis, Beena simplifies complex topics into easy-to-understand articles for students and aspirants across India. Her aim is to provide accurate, reliable, and exam-oriented content that helps readers stay ahead in their preparation for UPSC, SSC, and state-level exams. When not writing, Beena enjoys reading educational journals and exploring new learning trends in the Indian education sector.

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