UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 (Advt 04/2026)
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification (Exam Notice No. 4/2026 CDS-I) for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill 451 vacancies in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Eligible unmarried graduates can apply online.
(I) Important Dates
- 📢 Notification Released 10-12-2025
- 🚀 Application Starts 10-12-2025
- ⏳ Last Date to Apply 30-12-2025 (06:00 PM)
- 🗓️ Exam Date (CDS-I) 12-04-2026 (Sunday)
(II) Application Fee
- 👨💼 General / OBC / EWS ₹ 200/-
- 🎗️ SC / ST Candidates ₹ 0/- (Nil)
- 👩 Female (All Categories) ₹ 0/- (Nil)
Note: Payment Mode is Online (Debit/Credit Card/UPI/Net Banking) or Cash via SBI Challan.
(III) Age Limit & Marital Status
Candidates must be unmarried. Age limits as per course commencing in 2027:
- 💂 IMA (Indian Military Academy) Born: 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008
- 🚢 INA (Indian Naval Academy) Born: 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008
- ✈️ AFA (Air Force Academy) 20-24 Yrs (Born: 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2007)
- 🎖️ OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) Born: 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008
(IV) Vacancy Details (Total: 451 Posts)
| Academy / Course | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 |
| OTA Chennai (Men) – SSC Course | 275 |
| OTA Chennai (Women) – SSC Course | 18 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 451 |
*Vacancies include reserved posts for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders.
(V) Educational Qualification
- For IMA & OTA: Degree of a recognized University or equivalent (Any Graduate).
- For INA (Navy): Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution.
- For AFA (Air Force): Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR Bachelor of Engineering.
*Candidates studying in the final year/semester can also apply.
(VI) Selection Procedure
- Step 1: Written Examination (OMR Based).
- Step 2: SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test).
- Step 3: Document Verification.
- Step 4: Medical Examination.
(VII) Pay Scale & Salary
- 💰 Pay Level: Level-10 (For Lieutenant)
- 📉 Stipend during training: ₹ 56,100/- per month
- (Plus MSP ₹ 15,500/- and other Allowances after commissioning)
(VIII) Important Links
(IX) Exam Syllabus & Pattern
⚔️ For IMA, INA, AFA (300 Marks)
- English: 100 Marks (2 Hrs)
- General Knowledge: 100 Marks (2 Hrs)
- Elementary Maths: 100 Marks (2 Hrs)
🎖️ For OTA (Officers Training Academy)
- English: 100 Marks (2 Hrs)
- General Knowledge: 100 Marks (2 Hrs)
- (No Mathematics Paper for OTA)
- Total: 200 Marks
Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks deducted for wrong answers.
(X) Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can final year students apply for CDS 1 2026?
Ans: Yes, final year/semester students can apply provided they submit proof of passing at the time of commencement of the course.
Q2: Is Mathematics compulsory for OTA?
Ans: No, for OTA (Men & Women), there is no Elementary Mathematics paper. Only English and GK papers are conducted.
Q3: Can women apply for IMA or AFA?
Ans: No, in this notification women are eligible only for Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) at OTA Chennai.
Q4: What is the application fee for female candidates?
Ans: Female candidates of all categories are exempted from paying the application fee (Nil).