UPSC CDS (I) 2026 Notification Out: 451 Vacancies, Eligibility, Apply Online

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the UPSC CDS (I) 2026 Notification to recruit eligible graduates for prestigious defence academies including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).

This article covers eligibility, vacancies, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, important dates, and how to apply for UPSC CDS 2026

UPSC CDS (I) 2026 Notification – Overview

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS (I) 2026

To apply for UPSC CDS 2026, candidates must meet the required age, educational qualification, nationality, and medical fitness standards as specified in the UPSC CDS official notification 2026. Below is a complete and easy‑to‑understand breakdown.

Educational Qualification for UPSC CDS

• Final‑year students may apply but must submit proof of passing by the specified deadlines.
• Candidates with professional/technical degrees recognized as equivalent are also eligible.

Nationality

A candidate must be one of the following:

• A Citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal, or
• A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India

Age Limit & Marital Status for UPSC CDS 2026

• Male divorcees/widowers are not considered unmarried for IMA/INA/AFA/OTA.
• Date of birth must match the Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate.
• No change in date of birth is allowed after submission

UPSC CDS Vacancy Details 2026

UPSC has announced 451 vacancies across various academies:

UPSC CDS (I) 2026: Important Dates

UPSC CDS (I) 2026 Selection Process

The selection process for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) I 2026 consists of multiple stages designed to assess a candidate’s academic ability, intelligence, personality, and medical fitness. Only those who qualify at each stage move forward to the next.

1. Written Examination for CDS

UPSC conducts a written exam for all candidates applying to IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.

• The exam consists of objective‑type questions.
• Negative marking applies for wrong answers.
• Candidates must score the minimum qualifying marks set by UPSC to be shortlisted for the next stage.

Courses & Papers:

• IMA/INA/AFA: English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics
• OTA: English, General Knowledge

Candidates who clear the written exam are listed by UPSC and forwarded to the respective Service Headquarters for SSB allocation.

2. SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test)

Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the SSB Interview, conducted by the Army, Navy, or Air Force Selection Boards.

The SSB is a two‑stage selection procedure:

Stage I (Screening Test)

• OIR Test (Officer Intelligence Rating)
• PP&DT (Picture Perception and Description Test)

Only candidates who qualify Stage I proceed to Stage II. Others are sent back the same day.

Stage II (5‑Day Process)

Includes:

• Psychological Tests
• Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
• Personal Interview
• Conference

Candidates must submit:

• Matriculation certificate (DOB proof)
• Degree/provisional certificate + all semester mark sheets

Failure to produce original documents leads to immediate rejection.

3. Medical Examination

Candidates recommended by the SSB undergo a comprehensive medical examination conducted by Military Medical Boards.

• Medical fitness is mandatory for final selection.
• Air Force candidates must meet additional aviation medical standards.

4. Final Merit List

The final merit list is prepared based on:

• Written Exam Marks
• SSB Interview Marks

Candidates are ranked in order of merit and allotted to academies based on:

• Merit position
• Preferences filled in the application
• Medical fitness
• Availability of vacancies

UPSC CDS (I) 2026 Exam Pattern

For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy

For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy

Important Exam Rules

• Objective‑type questions
• Negative marking for wrong answers
• Black ball‑point pen only
• No calculators allowed

How to Apply for UPSC CDS (I) 2026

Candidates must apply online only through the official UPSC application portal. The entire application process is digital and consists of multiple modules that must be completed carefully.

Step‑by‑Step Application Process

1. Visit the Official Website

Candidates must visit the UPSC Online Application Portal: https://upsconline.nic.in.

2. Create Your Account (One‑Time Registration)

UPSC uses a unified system called the Online Application Portal, which includes four modules:

1. Account Creation
2. Universal Registration Number (URN)
3. Common Application Form (CAF)
4. Exam‑Specific Module

The first three modules are common for all UPSC exams and can be completed anytime.

3. Generate Your URN (Universal Registration Number)

• After registration, the system generates a URN, which remains the same for all future UPSC exams.
• This URN must be used for all communications with the Commission.

4. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF)

In this section, candidates must:

• Provide personal details
• Upload required documents
• Upload a photograph and also complete live photo capture as per instructions
• Provide details of a valid Photo ID (Aadhaar recommended)

5. Complete the Exam‑Specific Module

This module includes:

• Choosing exam preferences (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA)
• Selecting exam centre
• Paying the application fee
• Uploading additional documents if required

Important:

• No corrections or modifications are allowed after submission.
• No withdrawal of application is permitted.

6. Pay the Application Fee

• ₹200 for General/OBC candidates
• No fee for Female/SC/ST candidates Payment modes include: Debit/Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking.

7. Submit the Application

Once all modules are completed:

• Submit the form
• Save/print the Application Number and URN for future reference