UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2026 Notice Released: Apply Now for 451 Officer Vacancies

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:

1. Written Examination: Conducted on April 12, 2026, across various centers nationwide.
2. 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.