UPSC CDS I 2026: Exam Dates, Vacancies, Syllabus,Prep Method and much more

The Combined Defence Services examination is a national-level exam conducted by the government-authorized body, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), for recruiting eligible candidates for services like the Indian Military Academy, the Officers Training Academy, the Indian Naval Academy, and the Indian Air Force Academy. The selection process involves a written test followed by an interview. UPSC recently released the notification for CDS Exam 2026 on December 10, 2025. The CDS 2026 Exam application form has also opened and can be filled out from the official website of UPSC. A total of 451 vacancies have been released. The CDS 1 2026 Exam application form will remain open till the 30th of December, 2025.

All important details that you want to know about CDS I exams, be it exam dates, vacancies, syllabus, or preparation strategies, are provided in the following blog: 

Important Information

Exam Pattern:

o IMA, INA, AFA: 3 papers (English, General Knowledge, Mathematics)

o OTA: 2 papers (English, General Knowledge)

o Each paper: 100 marks.

Applying for CDS I Exam 2026:

1. Visit the Official UPSC Portal:

o Go to the official UPSC website at https://upsconline.nic.in.

o Look for the link for CDS Exam 2025 under "Active Examinations."

2. Complete One-Time Registration (OTR):

o New users: Create an account by registering with personal details (name, email, contact number).

o Upload Required Documents: Provide your recent photograph, signature, and identity proof as per the guidelines.

3. Fill the CDS Application Form:

o Log in with your OTR credentials.

o Select CDS 2025 and fill out the form with personal, academic, and exam preferences.

o Choose your preferred exam center from the list available.

4. Upload Scanned Documents:

o Upload scanned copies of your passport-size photo, signature, and identity proof in the required format (JPEG/PDF).

5. Pay the Application Fee:

o General/OBC candidates: ₹200.

o SC/ST and Female candidates: Exempt from fees.

o Pay via credit/debit card, net banking, or SBI challan.

6. Submit the Application:

o Review all the information filled in on the form.

o After verification, click on Submit to finalize the application.

o A unique application number will be generated—save it for future reference.

7. Download the Confirmation Page:

o After submission, download the confirmation page for your records. You may need it for admit card download and future queries.

APPLICATION FEES

The following table shows the application fees for various social categories:

o Online payment can be made through credit card/debit card or net banking.

o Offline payment can be made through SBI Challan.

Eligibility Criteria and Other Conditions:

Recruitment Criteria for CDS I Exam 2026

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam serves as the gateway to the Indian Armed Forces. Candidates have to meet specific criteria related to age, nationality, and selection stages to qualify. Following are the specific exam criteria that will help candidates in checking their eligibility for the CDS I exam: 

a) Age Limit— The age criteria vary depending on the academy the candidate is applying for:

1. Indian Military Academy (IMA):

o Age: 19–24 years

o Candidates must not be born earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2006.

Gender: Male candidates only.

2. Indian Naval Academy (INA):

o Age: 19–24 years

o Same birth date range as IMA.

o Gender: Male candidates only.

3. Air Force Academy (AFA):

o Age: 20–24 years.

o Candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) can have a relaxation of up to 26 years.

o Gender: Male candidates only.

4. Officers Training Academy (OTA):

o Men: Age 19–25 years.

o Women: Age 19–25 years.

o Both unmarried men and women are eligible for OTA.

b) Nationality

Eligibility extends to the following individuals:

1. Indian Citizens: Native Indians are eligible.

2. Nepal/Bhutan Nationals: Individuals from these countries are eligible provided they have a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.

3. Tibetan Refugees:

o Those who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement are eligible.

4. Migrants: Individuals of Indian origin from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, and East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are eligible, provided they hold an eligibility certificate issued by the Indian government.

c) Educational Qualifications:

 i) INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY (IMA)

• Candidates should be engineering graduates from a recognized university/institute.

• They should have passed their examination or should be in the final year of their graduate program, provided they complete the course before joining the academy.

ii) Indian Naval Academy (INA)

• Candidates must possess Engineering degrees from a recognized university

• The candidate should have completed their B. Tech/B.E. or should be in the final year of their engineering degree

• Only male candidates are eligible for this post

iii) Air Force Academy (AFA)

o Graduates (or equivalent) with a B. Tech/B.E. degree from a recognized university.

o Alternatively, candidates holding a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are also eligible.

o Gender: Male candidates only, though women can apply for certain roles in the Air Force via other channels.

o Note: CPL holders are also eligible for an age relaxation of up to 26 years.

iv) Officers Training Academy (OTA)

o Graduates (or equivalent) from any recognized university.

o Candidates should have passed their degree examination or be in their final year (as long as they complete their degree before joining the academy).

o Gender: Both male and female candidates are eligible.

d) Stages of Selection

The CDS selection process is divided into three key stages:

1. Written Examination:

o The first stage consists of a written test with objective-type questions.

o Candidates are tested on English, general knowledge, and mathematics (mathematics is excluded for OTA).

o Negative marking is applicable for incorrect answers.

2. SSB Interview:

o Conducted in two stages over 5 days.

Stage I: Includes the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT). Only candidates clearing this stage proceed to Stage II.

Stage II: Comprehensive evaluation of personality, leadership, and communication skills through:

• Personal Interview

• Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks

• Psychological Tests

• Conference

3. Medical Examination and Document Verification:

o Candidates who clear the SSB interview are subjected to rigorous medical tests to assess physical and mental fitness.

o Document verification involves validating educational qualifications, age, and identity proofs as per UPSC guidelines.

Important points: 

• Failing to meet any of these criteria may lead to disqualification at any stage.

•  Candidates must remain unmarried during the selection and training process for IMA, INA, and AFA. However, OTA allows married candidates above 25 years.

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CDS I 2026 Exam Stages:

The selection process for the CDS 2025 exam involves three main stages: the Written Exam, SSB Interview, and Medical Examination.

1. Written Test

The first stage of the CDS exam is the written test. It evaluates a candidate's English grammatical and language skills, reasoning abilities, and general awareness. 

o Objective-Type Questions: The exam comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on three subjects: 

• English: Focuses on comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.

• General Knowledge: Includes topics like general science current affairs, geography,  history and politics

• Mathematics: Relevant to IMA, INA, and AFA candidates (OTA candidates are exempted from appearing in this section).

o Duration:

•  English and General Knowledge: 2 hours each.

•  Mathematics: 2 hours (for IMA, INA, and AFA candidates).

o Negative Marking: 1/3 of the marks for the question will be deducted for each incorrect answer. This makes it important to be cautious while answering.

2. SSB Interview

Candidates who pass the written test are invited for the SSB Interview (Service Selection Board), which tests various aspects of a candidate’s personality, such as leadership, decision-making, teamwork, and communication skills.

o  Stages of SSB Interview:

 Stage 1:

• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test: A psychological test assessing cognitive abilities.

• Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT): Candidates are shown an image and asked to describe it, testing their observation and analytical skills.

Stage 2: 

• Personal Interview: A one-on-one conversation to evaluate the candidate’s personality and leadership potential.

• Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks: Group discussions, outdoor tasks, and problem-solving exercises to assess the candidate’s interaction in team settings.

• Psychological Tests: Written tests that measure mental attributes like stress tolerance and problem-solving.

• Conference: A final round where assessors discuss the performance of the candidate.

3. Medical Examination

i) Physical Standards for Height and Weight

The height and weight standards vary slightly across the different services. Here is a breakdown:

o Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA):

o Height:

• Male candidates: Minimum 157.5 cm (5 feet 2 inches).

• Female candidates: Minimum 152.5 cm (5 feet).

o Weight: The weight should be proportionate to height as per the medical standards. An acceptable weight range varies with age and height.

o Indian Naval Academy (INA):

o Height:

• Male candidates: Minimum 157 cm (5 feet 2 inches).

o Weight: Candidates must meet the required weight standards for their height, with proportionality as per the medical norms.

o Air Force Academy (AFA):

o Height:

• Male candidates: Minimum 162.5 cm (5 feet 4 inches).

• Female candidates: Minimum 162.5 cm (5 feet 4 inches).

o Weight: Should be proportionate to height.

ii). Vision Standards

CDS vision standards are strict to ensure that candidates are capable of fulfilling military duties. Here’s a breakdown:

o IMA and OTA Visual Standards:

o Distant Vision:

• 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other eye.

o Near Vision:

• J1 for both eyes (reading vision).

o Color Vision: Must be normal.

o  Naval Academy (INA) Visual Standards:

o Distant Vision:

• 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other eye.

o Near Vision:

• J1 for both eyes.

o Color Vision: Must be normal (must pass the Ishihara test).

o Air Force Academy (AFA) Visual Standards:

o Distant Vision:

• 6/6 in one eye and 6/12 in the other eye.

o Near Vision:

• J1 for both eyes.

o Color Vision: Must be normal, with candidates needing to pass the Ishihara Test.

o Myopia (Nearsightedness): Not more than -3.5D (diopters).

o Hypermetropia (Farsightedness): Not more than +3.5D.

iii). Maddox Rod Test

The Maddox Rod Test is used to evaluate binocular vision (the ability of both eyes to work together) and stereoscopic vision (depth perception). The standards include:

o Both eyes should work together properly to ensure effective depth perception.

o Candidates must pass this test, meaning no significant abnormalities or misalignment in their vision.

iv). Mental Health and Overall Fitness Evaluation

o Mental Health: Candidates must not have any psychiatric disorders, neurotic tendencies, or addictions.

o General Fitness:

• Candidates must pass physical fitness tests, which include endurance and strength evaluations. This ensures that they are physically prepared for the rigors of military life.

Exam Pattern and Scheme 

• English: Objective questions on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• GK: Topics from current events, geography, history, polity, and science.

• Math: Topics from elementary mathematics (up to class 10).

CDS I 2026 Exam Syllabus:  

CDS I 2026 Exam Vacancy:

CDS I 2026  Exam Centers: 

The following table provides a list of exam centers across India where the CDS I exam 2025 will be conducted:

Best Study Materials

Disha Publications offers a range of best study materials for CDS I Exam 2026, equipped with previous year questions, mock test series and detailed topic wise explanation of the papers. These are prepared by subject experts and will help you sail through the exam with flying colours.

Read More: UPSC NDA 2026: NDA 1 Notification, Exam Dates, Vacancies & Application Details

FAQs

1. What is the application fee for the CDS I 2026 exam?
The application fee is ₹200 for General and OBC male candidates. SC/ST candidates, as well as female applicants, are exempt from paying the fee. Payments can be made online or via cash at an SBI branch.

2. What are the minimum and maximum age limits for applying?
The age criteria vary based on the academy:

• IMA and INA: 19–24 years

• AFA: 20–24 years

• OTA (Men and Women): 19–25 years

3. What are the visual standards for different academies?

• IMA and OTA: Minimum distant vision 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, correctable to 6/6 with glasses.

• INA: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, with limits on myopia and hypermetropia.

• AFA: Near vision N-5 and distant vision 6/6 in each eye without correction.

4. When will the CDS I 2026 exam be conducted?
The CDS I 2025 written exam is scheduled for April 12, 2026. Admit cards will be available three weeks before the exam.

5. What is the marking scheme for the written examination?
Each correct answer awards 1 mark, while incorrect answers incur a penalty of 1/3rd mark. Questions left unanswered do not attract any penalty.