UPSC CDS 2026 Notification Out: 451 Vacancies, Exam Date, Salary & Eligibility
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11-Dec-2025, 12:24 pm 43 Views
UPSC CDS 2026 Notification Out: 451 Vacancies, Exam Date, Salary & Eligibility
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. This is a prestigious opportunity for unmarried graduates to join the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy. The Commission has announced a total of 451 vacancies across various academies. Selected candidates will receive a starting stipend of ₹56,100 during training, which converts to a handsome Level 10 pay scale upon commissioning. The application window is open from 10th December 2025 to 30th December 2025. If you aspire to serve the nation as a Commissioned Officer, this exam is your gateway.
Key Highlights of UPSC CDS 1 2026 Exam
UPSC CDS 1 Vacancy Breakdown 2026
The total 451 vacancies are distributed among the four training academies as follows:
UPSC CDS 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must ensure they fulfill all eligibility conditions before applying. Admission is purely provisional subject to satisfying the prescribed conditions.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must be physically fit according to the prescribed physical standards for admission to the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. This includes height, weight, and vision standards specific to the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
CDS Salary Structure and Benefits
The financial benefits of joining the Armed Forces are excellent.
The selection procedure comprises two main stages:
Tier 1: Written Examination
The written exam is objective type. There is a penalty (Negative Marking) of 1/3rd marks for wrong answers.
Candidates who qualify in the written exam are called for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. This involves:
Follow these steps to submit your application successfully:
Application Fees
Essential Links
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. This is a prestigious opportunity for unmarried graduates to join the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy. The Commission has announced a total of 451 vacancies across various academies. Selected candidates will receive a starting stipend of ₹56,100 during training, which converts to a handsome Level 10 pay scale upon commissioning. The application window is open from 10th December 2025 to 30th December 2025. If you aspire to serve the nation as a Commissioned Officer, this exam is your gateway.
Key Highlights of UPSC CDS 1 2026 Exam
- Recruitment Board: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Exam Name: Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026
- Total Vacancies: 451 Posts
- Job Location: All India (Training at respective Academies)
- Salary/Pay Scale: Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500)
- Application Mode: Online
- Last Date to Apply: 30th December 2025
UPSC CDS 1 Vacancy Breakdown 2026
The total 451 vacancies are distributed among the four training academies as follows:
|
Academy Name |
Course Details |
Vacancies |
|
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun |
162nd (DE) Course commencing in Jan 2027 |
100 |
|
Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala |
Course commencing in Jan 2027 Executive Branch |
26 |
|
Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad |
(Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in Jan 2027 |
32 |
|
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai |
125th SSC (Men) (NT) Course (April 2027) |
275 |
|
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai |
125th SSC Women (NT) Course (April 2027) |
18 |
|
Total |
451 |
Candidates must ensure they fulfill all eligibility conditions before applying. Admission is purely provisional subject to satisfying the prescribed conditions.
Educational Qualification
- For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.
- For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution.
- For Air Force Academy (AFA): Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.
- Note: Final year students can also apply provided they submit proof of passing by the specified dates.
- IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2003 and not later than 1st Jan 2008.
- Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2003 and not later than 1st Jan 2008.
- Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 years as on 1st Jan 2027 (Born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2003 and not later than 1st Jan 2007).
- OTA (Men – SSC): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2002 and not later than 1st Jan 2008.
- OTA (Women – SSC): Unmarried women, issueless widows/divorcees born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2002 and not later than 1st Jan 2008.
Candidates must be physically fit according to the prescribed physical standards for admission to the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. This includes height, weight, and vision standards specific to the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
CDS Salary Structure and Benefits
The financial benefits of joining the Armed Forces are excellent.
- Stipend: During the training period at service academies (IMA and OTA), gentlemen cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100/- per month (Starting pay in Level 10).
- Pay on Commission: On successful commissioning, the rank of Lieutenant (or equivalent) is granted with pay in Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500).
- Allowances: Officers are entitled to various allowances such as Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500/- p.m., Dearness Allowance (DA), High Altitude Allowance, Field Area Allowance, Transport Allowance, and Uniform Allowance.
- Perks: Additional benefits include free ration, medical facilities for self and family, Group Insurance cover (₹1.25 Cr), canteen facilities, and accommodation.
The selection procedure comprises two main stages:
Tier 1: Written Examination
The written exam is objective type. There is a penalty (Negative Marking) of 1/3rd marks for wrong answers.
- For IMA, INA, AFA: Three papers – English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each paper is of 2 hours and 100 marks. (Total 300 Marks).
- For OTA: Two papers – English and General Knowledge. Each paper is of 2 hours and 100 marks. (Total 200 Marks).
Candidates who qualify in the written exam are called for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. This involves:
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
- Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. These tests assess officer-like qualities over 4 days.
- Marks: The maximum marks for the SSB interview are 300 for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 for OTA.
Follow these steps to submit your application successfully:
- Visit the official application portal: upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) if you haven’t already.
- Login and click on “Latest Notifications” to find the CDS (I) 2026 link.
- Fill in the application form in two parts (Part I and Part II).
- Upload your photograph, signature, and Photo ID card (preferably Aadhaar Card) as per specifications.
- Pay the application fee of ₹200/- (if applicable) via online mode.
- Select your preferred exam centre carefully.
- Submit the form and print the confirmation page for future reference.
|
Event |
Date |
|
Notification Released |
10th December 2025 |
|
Online Application Start Date |
10th December 2025 |
|
Last Date to Apply Online |
30th December 2025 (till 6:00 PM) |
|
Correction Window |
31st Dec 2025 – 06th Jan 2026 |
|
CDS 1 Exam Date 2026 |
12th April 2026 |
|
Category |
Fee |
|
General / OBC / EWS |
₹ 200/- |
|
Female / SC / ST |
Nil (Exempted) |
|
Payment Mode |
Online (Net Banking/Visa/Master/Rupay/UPI) |
- Official Notification PDF: Download Notification
- Apply Online: Apply Online
- Official Website: UPSC Website
UPSC CDS 2026 Notification Out: 451 Vacancies, Exam Date, Salary & Eligibility
| India >> Union Public Service Commission | |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exam Name | CDS |
| Total Vacancy : 451 Posts Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 | |
| Application starts Date | 10th December 2025 |
| Last Date | 30 Dec 2025 |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Article Category | job |
| Official website | Click Here |
 | |
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