UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026: Notification, Eligibility, Vacancies, Salary & Selection Process

UPSC Notification 2026 :The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) I 2026  examinations. Application Start Date 10 December 2025 Interested and eligible candidates can submit their application forms through the official portal — upsconline.nic.in — on or before December 30, 2025.

This year, UPSC has announced 451 vacancies for CDS 2026 offering opportunities to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

CDS Exam Date 2026

UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Overview

UPSC CDS-I Important Links

• Apply Online: https://upsconline.nic.in/login

• Official Website: https://upsc.gov.in/

UPSC CDS-I 2026 Vacancy Details

CDS-I Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• IMA & OTA: Graduation degree from a recognized university.

• Indian Naval Academy (INA): Engineering degree from a recognized institution.

• Air Force Academy (AFA):

  • Graduation with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level, or

  • Bachelor of Engineering.

• Final-year students may also apply.

• Technical/professional qualifications recognized by the Government are acceptable.

Nationality

Applicants must be:

• A citizen of India, OR

• A subject of Nepal, OR

• A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia) or Vietnam, intending to permanently settle in India.

CDS-I Salary / Stipend

During Training

• Stipend: ₹56,100 per month (equivalent to Level 10 pay scale)

After Commissioning

Additional Benefits

• Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 per month

• Dearness Allowance

• Dress Allowance: ₹20,000 per year

• Transport Allowance

• Children Education Allowance: ₹2,250 per month

• Free ration/ subsidized mess facilities

Age Limit (as on 01-01-2027)

Indian Military Academy (IMA)

• Unmarried male candidates

• Born between 02/01/2003 and 01/01/2008

Indian Naval Academy (INA)

• Unmarried male candidates

• Born between 02/01/2003 and 01/01/2008

Air Force Academy (AFA)

• Age: 20 to 24 years

• Born between 02/01/2003 and 01/01/2007

• Upper age relaxation up to 26 years for CPL holders.

Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men

• Unmarried male candidates

• Born between 02/01/2002 and 01/01/2008

Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women

• Unmarried women, issueless widows, or issueless divorcees

• Born between 02/01/2002 and 01/01/2008

Note: Date of birth must match the Matriculation/SSC certificate. No changes allowed later.

Application Fee

Payment Modes: Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking
Fee is non-refundable.

Important Dates

Selection Process

Stage 1 – Written Examination

For IMA, INA, AFA

• English – 100 marks

• General Knowledge – 100 marks

• Elementary Mathematics – 100 marks
  Total: 300 marks

For OTA

• English – 100 marks

• General Knowledge – 100 marks
  Total: 200 marks

Negative Marking: 0.33 marks per wrong answer.

Stage 2 – SSB Interview

Two-stage process:

Stage I

• OIR Test

• Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT)

Stage II

• Interview

• GTO Tasks

• Psychology Tests

• Conference

SSB Marks:

• 300 for IMA/INA/AFA

• 200 for OTA

Stage 3 – Medical Examination

• Conducted by Armed Forces Medical Services

• Includes physical standards and medical fitness check

Final merit list = Written Score + SSB Score + Medical Fitness

How to Apply for CDS Exam 2026

1. Visit: https://upsconline.nic.in

2. Create an account → Generate URN

3. Fill Common Application Form (CAF)

4. Upload photo + Live photo capture

5. Select preferences (Army/Navy/Air Force)

6. Upload required documents

7. Select exam centre

8. Pay fee (if applicable)

9. Submit application

10. Download the application form for future use

General Instructions

• Applications accepted only through upsconline.nic.in.

• URN (Universal Registration Number) is mandatory.

• Live photo capture required during CAF.

• Aadhaar strongly recommended for ID verification.

• No withdrawal or correction allowed after submission.

• E-Admit Cards available one week before the exam (no email or post).

• Candidates must reach the exam venue at least 30 minutes early.

• Electronic gadgets strictly prohibited.

• Use black ball pen only for OMR sheets.

• QPRep portal active for 7 days after the exam for question paper representation.

• Helpdesk: 011-24041001 / [email protected]

• Government promotes gender balance—women encouraged to apply.