UPSC CDS 1 Exam Recruitment 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released notification for the recruitment of 451 Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 CDS-1 posts. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s central recruiting agency, responsible for conducting some of the most prestigious and competitive exams in the country. It ensures merit-based selection for top civil services and various central government positions. Starting date of application is from 10th December 2025 and last date to apply is 30th December 2025. Interested candidates can go through the official website and notification for detailed information.
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I) |
| Total Vacancy | 451 |
| Starting Date of Application | 10 December 2025 |
| Ending Date of Application | 30 December 2025 |
| Age Limit | 19-24 Years |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Degree of a recognised University or equivalent. |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | Degree of a recognised University or equivalent. |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution. |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Degree of a recognised University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR Bachelor of Engineering. |
| Note | Candidates studying in final year/semester of a degree course can also apply. Professional and technical qualifications recognised by the Government as equivalent are acceptable. |
| For IMA, INA & AFA – English | 100 marks | 2 Hours | Subject Code: 11 |
| For IMA, INA & AFA – General Knowledge | 100 marks | 2 Hours | Subject Code: 12 |
| For IMA, INA & AFA – Elementary Mathematics | 100 marks | 2 Hours | Subject Code: 13 |
| For OTA – English | 100 marks | 2 Hours | Subject Code: 11 |
| For OTA – General Knowledge | 100 marks | 2 Hours | Subject Code: 12 |
| Academy / Course | Total Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun – 162nd (DE) Course (including 13 for NCC 'C' Certificate Army Wing holders) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala – Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro (including 06 for NCC 'C' Certificate Naval Wing holders and 01 for Hydro) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad – (Pre-Flying) Training Course 221 F(P) (including 03 for NCC 'C' Certificate Air Wing holders) | 32 |
| Officers' Training Academy, Chennai – 125th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course | 275 |
| Officers' Training Academy, Chennai – 125th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
| Stage 1 – Written Examination | Objective-type test conducted by UPSC. For IMA/INA/AFA: Three papers – English (100), General Knowledge (100), Elementary Mathematics (100), total 300 marks. For OTA: Two papers – English (100), General Knowledge (100), total 200 marks. |
| Stage 2 – SSB Interview | Two-stage SSB process consisting of Stage I (OIR tests and PP&DT) and Stage II (Interview, GTO tasks, Psychology tests, and Conference). Interview marks are equal to written exam marks—300 for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 for OTA. |
| Stage 3 – Medical Examination | Candidates must undergo a detailed medical examination conducted by a Special Medical Board at designated Armed Forces Medical Services hospitals. |
| Qualifying Criteria | Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks separately in the written exam and SSB interview to be considered for the final merit list. |
| Final Selection | Final merit is prepared based on combined marks of Written Exam + SSB Interview, subject to medical fitness. |
| Negative Marking | 0.33 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in the written examination. |
| General / OBC Male Candidates | ₹200 |
| Female Candidates / SC / ST Candidates | Exempted |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
