CDS 2026: Notification (Today), Exam Date, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus
UPSC conducts the CDS exam twice a year for graduates aiming to become officers in the Indian Armed Forces. For 2026, the CDS 1 exam is scheduled for April 12, while the CDS 2 notification will be released on May 20. Interested candidates can apply online at upsc.gov.in before the June 9 deadline for the second session on September 13.
What is the CDS Exam?
CDS is one of the most sought-after defence exams in India for the recruitment of officers in the Indian Armed Forces. The full form of CDS is Combined Defence Services. It is held two times a year.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is set to hold the CDS 1 2026 examination on April 12, 2026, at various centers nationwide. Only those who completed their applications during the registration window (December 10–30, 2025) are eligible to participate.
Key Highlights & Schedule
The recruitment drive for CDS 1 aims to fill a total of 451 vacancies across the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
| Event | CDS 1 (2026) | CDS 2 (2026) |
| Notification Date | Dec 10, 2025 | May 20, 2026 |
| Application Period | Dec 10 – Dec 30, 2025 | May 20 – June 9, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Early April 2026 | Early Sept 2026 |
| Exam Date | April 12, 2026 | Sept 13, 2026 |
| Academy | State/City |
| Indian Military Academy | Dehradun |
| Indian Naval Academy | Ezhimala |
| Air Force Academy | Hyderabad |
| Officers' Training Academy (SSC Men) | Chennai |
| Officers' Training Academy (SSC Women) | Chennai |
CDS 2026 Exam Latest Updates
The CDS 1 2026 Admit Cards are expected to be released imminently. Since the exam is only 10 days away, the download link should appear on the UPSC official website at any moment.
CDS 2026 Exam Highlights
Candidates selected through the CDS exam join as commissioned officers. They undergo training in the respective defence academies. The table below provides some important exam highlights for the CDS 2026 exam.
| CDS Exam Particulars | Details |
| Name of the exam | Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam level | National |
| Frequency of the exam | Two times in a year |
| Type of exam | |
| Subjects in the exam | Maths, English and General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Mode of exam | Offline, i.e. pen and paper mode |
| Eligibility | Graduate in any discipline |
| Exam purpose | Admission of candidates for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers Training |
| Exam website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CDS 2026 Exam Date
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination twice a year. Here are the dates for the 2026 recruitment cycle:
CDS 1 2026
The first session is just around the corner. If you have already applied, ensure your preparation is in its final stages.
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Exam Date:April 12, 2026
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Total Vacancies: 451
CDS 2 2026
The official schedule for the second session has also been released as part of the UPSC Annual Calendar.
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Notification Release: May 20, 2026
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Application Window: May 20, 2026 – June 9, 2026
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Exam Date:September 13, 2026
CDS 2026 Notification PDF
The UPSC released the official CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2025, with the application window closing on December 30. This comprehensive PDF document outlines all essential details, including eligibility and the selection process, for the upcoming exam on April 12, 2026. The registration for CDS 2 is scheduled to run from May 20 to June 9, 2026, leading up to the second examination on September 13, 2026.
| CDS 2026 Notification PDF Download Link |
CDS 2026 Vacancy
The UPSC officially announced 451 vacancies for the CDS 1 2026 exam on December 10, following which the application window closed on December 30. This national-level entrance exam, designed to recruit Commissioned Officers for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, is scheduled for April 12, 2026. To secure a position, candidates must successfully navigate a three-stage selection process: a written examination, the SSB Interview, and a final medical evaluation.
The table below provides the distribution of CDS 1 2026 vacancies, available for both male and female aspirants.
| Institution | Approximate Number of Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun –162nd (DE) Course commencing in January 2027 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders] | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course commencing in January, 2027 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders and 01 for Hydro] | 26 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January, 2027 i.e. 221 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry] | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 125th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in April, 2027. | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 125th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April, 2027. | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
CDS 2026 Application Form
(i) Candidates are required to apply online ONLY on the official website of UPSC. Candidates should have details of one Photo ID Card viz. Aadhaar Card/Voter Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Any other Photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government.
(ii) Upload a scanned copy of the Photo ID whose details have been provided in the online application by him/her. This Photo ID Card will be used for all future referencing and the candidate is advised to carry this Photo ID Card while appearing for Examination/Personality Test/SSB.
(iii) Upload Photograph & Signature (Image should be in .jpg format of minimum 20 KB and maximum 300 KB)
(iv) Select the examination centre, Pay Exam Fees and accept the Declaration, and Submit. Download a copy of the application form for future use.
Note: On successful completion of the application process, an auto-generated email message will be sent on the registered email-ids of the candidates. Moreover, the candidates need to carry the same Photo ID proof uploaded by them on the application form to the exam centre. The eligible candidates shall be issued an e-Admit Card three weeks before the commencement of the examination.
Check:Last 5 Years CDS GK Questions
CDS Application Fee
The candidates are required to pay a fee of Rs. 200/- (Rupees two hundred only) [except female/SC/ST candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) are required to pay a fee of Rs. 200/- either by depositing the money in any Branch of SBI by cash, or by using net banking facility of State Bank of India or by using Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card.
All female candidates and candidates belonging to scheduled castes/scheduled tribes are not required to pay any fee. No fee exemption is, however, available to OBC candidates and they are required to pay the full prescribed fee.
UPSC CDS Eligibility
UPSC has prescribed the CDS eligibility criteria in the notification. The CDS 2 eligibility criteria involve the fulfilment of the following parameters.
Nationality for CDS Exam
(i) a Citizen of India, or
(ii) a subject of Nepal, or
(iii) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. Candidates will have to produce a Certificate issued by Indian authorities certifying their claim.
CDS Age Limit, Educational Qualification
Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to fill the CDS application form. The candidates who are willing to fill the CDS application form must make sure that they have fulfilled the given age limit, and educational qualification as mentioned in the table below.
| Name of the Academy | Age Limit for CDS | Educational Qualification for CDS |
| Indian Military Academy | 19 to 24 years | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university |
| Air Force Academy | 20 to 24 years (Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and | B.E/B.Tech from a recognized university OR Degree from a recognized university with Physics & Mathematics as subjects |
| Indian Naval Academy | 19 to 24 years | B.E/B.Tech from a recognized university or equivalent |
| Officers Training Academy (SSC Course for men) | 19 to 25 years | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent |
| Officers Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course) | 19 to 25 years | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized |
CDS Exam Pattern
The CDS exam pattern is based on the pattern that is set by the UPSC. The exam is held in offline mode. It is mandatory to qualify for each section of the CDS exam. Candidates who wish to join the Indian Navy, Air Force have to appear for English, Mathematics and GK. In contrast, candidates who plan on joining only the Indian Army will have only English and GK subjects. Given below is the CDS exam pattern based on which the CDS Question Paper.
| For Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy | |||
| SNo | Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English | 120 | 2 hours |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 120 | 2 hours |
| 3 | Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
| For Officers’ Training Academy | |||
| SNo | Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English | 100 | 2 hours |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
CDS Syllabus 2026
The UPSC CDS syllabus is composed of objective questions from subjects that are English, General Awareness, and Maths. The syllabus is based on the Graduate level. The candidates are advised to practice the previous year CDS question papers to be well versed with the questions asked in the examination.
CDS Cut off 2025
These marks represent the minimum scores required in the written exam and the final aggregate to be recommended for the various academies.
| Academy | Written Exam: Aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate@ | Final Exam: Marks of the last recommended candidate |
| IMA | 120 (Out of 300) | 243 (Out of 600) |
| INA | 104 (Out of 300) | 230 (Out of 600) |
| AFA | 128 (Out of 300) | 253 (Out of 600) |
| OTA (Men) | 81 (Out of 200) | 163 (Out of 400) |
| OTA (Women) | 81 (Out of 200) | 171 (Out of 400) |
CDS 2 Cut off 2021
| Course | CDS 2 2021 Written Result | CDS 2 2021 Final Result | |
| Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject | Minimum aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate | Marks of last recommended candidate | |
| IMA | 20 marks (i.e. 20%) | 138 marks (i.e. 46%) | 263 |
| INA | 20 marks (i.e. 20%) | 132 marks (i.e. 44%) | 256 |
| AFA | 20 marks (i.e. 20%) | 148 marks (i.e. 49.33%) | 270 |
| OTA (Men) | 20 marks (i.e. 20%) | 102 marks (i.e. 51%) | 183 |
| OTA (Women) | 20 marks (i.e. 20%) | 102 marks (i.e. 51%) | 184 |
CDS 2 2021 Cutoff
Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
| | Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Marks of last recommended candidate |
| IMA | 145 | 268 |
| INA | 136 | 260 |
| AFA | 158 | 281 |
| OTA (Men) | 107 | 189 |
| OTA(Women) | 107 | 191 |
CDS 2 Result 2025
The UPSC has officially published the CDS 2 2025 results on its website, providing a PDF list of the names and roll numbers of qualified candidates. Out of 453 announced vacancies, 302 aspirants successfully cleared the selection process for the Indian Armed Forces. The recruitment breakdown includes 190 selections for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), 85 for the Indian Naval Academy (INA), and 27 for the Air Force Academy (AFA), alongside those selected for the Officers Training Academy (OTA).
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