Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 |
1: Important Date
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Apply Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Online Apply Last Date | 30 December 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 30 December 2025 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Before Exam |
2: Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200/- |
| SC / ST | ₹0/- (No Fee) |
| All Female Candidates | ₹0/- (Exempted) |
Candidates can pay the application fee online only using secure and convenient payment methods such as Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, or Cash Card/Mobile Wallet.
3: Eligibility Criteria
3(a) Age Limit & Marital Status:
| Course | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Unmarried male candidates born between 2 January 2003 and 1 January 2008 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Unmarried male candidates born between 2 January 2003 and 1 January 2008 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Age 20–24 years as on 1 January 2027 (Born between 2 January 2003 and 1 January 2007) For CPL holders: Upper age limit 26 years (Born between 2 January 2001 and 1 January 2007) Note: Candidates below 25 years must be unmarried. Marriage is not permitted during training. Married candidates above 25 years may apply but will not be provided married accommodation during training. |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men (SSC Non-Technical) | Unmarried male candidates born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2008 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women (SSC Non-Technical) | Unmarried women, issueless widows, and issueless divorcees who have not remarried; born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2008 |
- Calculate your age using the Online Age Calculator.
🔎 Important Notes:
Male divorcee/widower candidates are not considered unmarried and are therefore not eligible for IMA/INA/AFA/OTA.
Only the date of birth recorded in Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate is accepted.
No request for correction/change in date of birth will be allowed later.
3(b) Educational Qualification:
| Course | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised University |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA — Men & Women) | A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised University |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Degree from a recognised University with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level, OR a Bachelor of Engineering |
Final Year Students Eligibility
Candidates in the final year/semester of their degree may apply.
They must submit proof of passing the degree examination:
IMA/INA: On or before 1 January 2027
AFA: On or before 13 November 2026
OTA: On or before 1 April 2027
Failure to submit proof on time will result in cancellation of candidature.
Candidates must also submit a bonafide certificate during SSB if they are in the final year.
4: UPSC CDS Vacancy 2026
Total Posts: 451
UPSC will conduct the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 on 12 April 2026 for admission to various defence academies. The detailed vacancy distribution for different courses is as follows:
| S. No. | Name of the Course | Approx. Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| 2 | Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 32 |
| 3 | Air Force Academy (AFA) | 26 |
| 4 | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | 275 |
| 5 | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) (Women) | 18 |
🔹 Total Vacancies: 451
5: Mode of Selection
- Written Exam
- Interview
- Medical Examination
- Physical Examination
6: UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 – Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The UPSC CDS-I Examination 2026 consists of a written examination followed by an SSB interview for intelligence and personality assessment.
All papers consist of objective-type questions only.
General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are set bilingually in Hindi and English.
Questions involving metric system of weights and measures may be included wherever required.
Candidates must write all papers in their own handwriting; scribes are not permitted.
UPSC holds full discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all subjects.
Candidates are strictly prohibited from using calculators or any electronic device inside the exam hall.
The exam pattern varies for different academies as detailed below:
6(a). Written Exam Pattern for IMA, INA & AFA
| Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 Hours | 100 |
📌 Total Marks (Written Test): 300
6(b). Written Exam Pattern for OTA (Officers’ Training Academy)
| Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
📌 Total Marks (Written Test): 200
6(c). Detailed Syllabus
The CDS syllabus is divided into three main subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, along with the SSB Intelligence & Personality Test| Subject | Syllabus Details |
|---|---|
| English (Code No. 11) | This paper tests candidates’ understanding of English, vocabulary usage, grammar accuracy, comprehension ability, and workmanlike use of words. |
| General Knowledge (Code No. 12) | Covers current events, everyday observations, basic scientific aspects, Indian History, and Geography. Questions are designed for educated candidates without requiring specialized study. |
| Elementary Mathematics (Code No. 13) | Units Covered: Arithmetic, Elementary Number Theory, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics. |
| Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB) | Conducted in Two Stages: Stage I: OIR Test & PP&DT for screening. Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference—assessing Officer-Like Qualities holistically. |
7: How to Apply for UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026?
Candidates interested in the Bihar BTSC Hostel Manager Recruitment 2025 can apply online through the official BTSC portal. Follow these steps to complete your application successfully:
Visit the Official Website: Go to the Bihar Technical Service Commission (BTSC) official website.
Register/Login: If you are a new user, register with your basic details. Existing users can log in directly.
Fill the Application Form: Complete the application form with accurate personal, educational, and contact details.
Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and required certificates as per specifications.
Pay Application Fee: Make the payment of Rs. 200/- via Debit/Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, or Mobile Wallet.
Submit Application: Review all details carefully and submit the application form.
Print Confirmation: Take a printout of the confirmation page and payment receipt for future reference.
Important Tips:
Ensure all information is correct to avoid rejection.
Keep a copy of all uploaded documents ready in the specified format.
Apply before the last date to avoid last-minute issues.
8: UPSC CDS-I 2026 Salary Structure
The UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 offers an excellent pay structure for selected candidates joining the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The salary is based on the 7th CPC Pay Matrix and varies according to rank.
Pay Scale of Army Officers & Equivalent Ranks in Navy and Air Force
| Rank | Pay Level | Pay Scale (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10B | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General (HAG Scale) | Level 15 | 1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| HAG+ Scale | Level 16 | 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS / Army Cdr / Lieutenant General | Level 17 | 2,25,000 (Fixed) |
| COAS | Level 18 | 2,50,000 (Fixed) |
9: Some Useful Links
| Apply Online | |
| Download Notification | |
| Join Whats App Channel | Click Here |
| Join Telegram Channel | Click Here |
| Official Website | Official Website |
10: ❓UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026
Q1. What is the UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 exam conducted for?
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 is conducted to select eligible candidates for admission into IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA through the UPSC CDS Vacancy 2026 notification.
Q2. When will the UPSC CDS Online Form 2026 be available?
The UPSC CDS Online Form 2026 is available from 10 December 2025 and can be submitted until 30 December 2025.
Q3. Is the UPSC CDS Notification 2026 applicable for both male and female candidates?
Yes, the UPSC CDS Notification 2026 includes vacancies for both male and female candidates, including exclusive seats for OTA Women.
Q4. What is the age eligibility for UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must meet the age criteria as per the UPSC CDS Notification 2026, which varies for each academy (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA).
Q5. Can candidates from any state apply for UPSC CDS Vacancy 2026?
Yes, UPSC CDS Vacancy 2026 is open to eligible candidates across India, regardless of state of residence.
Q6. What documents are required while filling the UPSC CDS Online Form 2026?
Candidates must upload a recent photograph, signature, valid ID proof, and educational qualification documents during the UPSC CDS Online Form 2026 submission.
Q7. Is there any limit on the number of attempts for UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026?
No. As long as candidates meet the age, qualification, and physical standards mentioned in the UPSC CDS Notification 2026, they can apply.
Q8. How will candidates receive updates regarding the UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 exam?
All updates—including exam city, admit card, and schedule—will be available on the official UPSC website as per the UPSC CDS Notification 2026.
Q9. Is the exam pattern the same for all academies under UPSC CDS Vacancy 2026?
No. IMA, INA, and AFA have three papers, while OTA has two papers as specified in the UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 guidelines.
Q10. What is the selection process under UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026?
The selection includes a written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination as detailed in the UPSC CDS Notification 2026.
Q11. Can female candidates apply for IMA or INA under UPSC CDS Vacancy 2026?
No. Female candidates are eligible only for OTA under UPSC CDS Vacancy 2026.
Q12. Is there negative marking in the UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 exam?
Yes, objective-type papers include negative marking as per UPSC CDS Notification 2026 guidelines.
