 has officially released the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) (I),){kind=link}
New Delhi, December 11, 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) (I), 2026. This announcement marks the commencement of the recruitment cycle to fill 451 posts across prestigious institutions like the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
Aspirants looking to begin a career as commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces can find the detailed notification and submit their applications on the official UPSC website, upsc.gov.in. The window for online registration opened on December 10, 2025, and candidates are strongly advised to apply promptly, as the deadline is fast approaching.
Key Dates for CDS (I) 2026
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | December 10, 2025 |
| Online Application Start | December 10, 2025 |
| Application Last Date | December 30, 2025 (until 6:00 PM) |
| Written Examination | April 12, 2026 |
Total Vacancies and Academy Breakdown
A total of 451 vacancies have been announced for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. The distribution highlights the significant opportunities available in the short-service stream for both men and women.
| Academy | Course Commencement | Approximate Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | January 2027 | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | January 2027 | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | January 2027 | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) Men | April 2027 | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) Women | April 2027 | 18 |
| Grand Total | 451 |
Eligibility Criteria: Education and Age
Eligibility requirements vary slightly based on the academy chosen, emphasizing the need for candidates to check the official notification thoroughly.
Educational Qualification:
- IMA and OTA (Men & Women): A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
- INA: A Degree in Engineering.
- AFA: A Bachelor’s Degree (with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering/Technology degree.
Age and Marital Status (Approximate dates for reference):
- IMA, INA, AFA: Candidates are generally required to be unmarried males, typically aged between 19 and 24 years. For IMA and INA, candidates must be born not earlier than January 2, 2003, and not later than January 1, 2008.
- OTA (Men & Women): The age limit is slightly extended, up to 25 years. Candidates for OTA must also be unmarried (though certain categories like issueless widows/divorcees are eligible for OTA Women).
Application Fee and How to Apply
The application process is entirely online and requires candidates to complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process on the UPSC portal before filling out the main form.
Application Fee Structure:
- General/OBC/EWS Candidates: ₹200/-
- SC/ST and Female Candidates (All Categories): Exempted (Nil)
The fee can be paid online using a debit card, credit card, net banking, or through an offline payment method like a cash deposit at an SBI branch.
Direct Link to Apply:
Candidates can find the official notification and the active link to apply on the UPSC website: https://upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
Selection Process
The journey to joining the armed forces involves two main stages:
- Written Examination: Conducted on April 12, 2026, across various centers nationwide.
- SSB Interview: Candidates who clear the written test will be called for the five-day Service Selection Board (SSB) interview/personality test, followed by document verification and a comprehensive medical examination.
Aspirants are encouraged to utilize the remaining period before the application deadline (December 30) to carefully review the syllabus and eligibility requirements for their preferred academy and submit their forms without delay.