UPSC has released CDS 1 Exam Schedule 2026, confirming that the written examination will be conducted on April 12, 2026 (Sunday) across the country. As per the official timetable, the English paper will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, General Knowledge from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and Elementary Mathematics from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. UPSC CDS 1 Admit Card 2026 will be released soon, likely 3–4 weeks before the exam, on the official UPSC website.
| DATE | TIME | SUBJECT | SUBJECT CODE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.04.2026 (Sunday) | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM | English | 11 |
| 12:30 PM to 02:30 PM | General Knowledge | 12 | |
| 04:00 PM to 06:00 PM | Elementary Mathematics | 13 |
UPSC conducts CDS Exam twice a year at a national level for the recruitment of officers to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and the Officers Training Academy (OTA). CDS Exam evaluates a candidate through a written exam and Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview & Medical Test. On being selected, candidates have to undergo rigorous training at these academies before they are commissioned as officers by UPSC.
The table below shows important details about CDS 1 Exam 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Service (CDS) |
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Exam Level | National level |
| Exam Mode | Written in pen & paper |
| CDS 1 Exam 2026 Language | English & Hindi |
| CDS 1 Vacancies 2026 | To be announced |
| CDS Selection Process |
|
| Official website | upsc.gov.in /joinindianarmy.nic.in |
Given below is the table for CDS 1 Exam dates 2026 and other important dates:
| Events | Date |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 Notification 2026 Release Date | December 10, 2025 |
| CDS 1 Application 2026 Starts | December 10, 2025 |
| Last date to Apply for CDS 1 2026 | December 30, 2025 |
| Last Date to Pay for CDS 1 Application Fee | December 30, 2025 |
| CDS 1 Correction Window 2026 | To be announced |
| CDS 1 Written Exam 2026 Date | April 12, 2026 (Sunday) |
| CDS 1 Result 2026 Release Date | To be announced |
| CDS 1 SSB Interview 2026 Date | To be announced |
| CDS 1 Medical 2026 | To be announced |
| CDS 1 Final Result 2026 | To be announced |
Infographic 1: cds 1 &2 exam cycle


CDS 1 Exam 2026 notification has been released on the official website of UPSC on December 10, 2025. The notification includes several information like CDS 1 exam date, eligibility criteria, application procedure, exam pattern and syllabus, SSB Interview date, detailed physical and medical standards, and academy-wise vacancy distribution in the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
Download CDS 1 Notification 2026 PDF
CDS 1 2026 has an approximate of 451 vacancies. Candidates can check the table below for CDA 1 2026 vacancy details:
| Name of the Course | Approx. No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun – 162nd (DE) Course commencing in January 2027 (including 13 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate – Army Wing) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala – Course commencing in January 2027 (Executive Branch – General Service / Hydro) (including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate – Naval Wing, and 01 for Hydro) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad – (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January 2027 i.e., 221 F(P) Course (including 03 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate – Air Wing through NCC Special Entry) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras), 125th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April 2027 | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras), 125th SSC (Women) (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April 2027 | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, in consultation with the Armed Forces, has laid down certain criteria that a defence aspirant needs to meet to appear for CDS 1 Exam 2026. This criterion includes nationality, age limit & marital status, educational qualification, and physical and medical standards.
1. Nationality:
A candidate must be:
2. Age limits and Marital Status:
| Academy | Age limit (as of January 1, 2027) | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 19 to 24 yearsCandidates born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2003 and not later than 1st Jan 2008 only are eligible. | Unmarried (Male) |
| INA | 19 to 24 yearsCandidates born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2003 and not later than 1st Jan 2008 only are eligible. | Unmarried (Male) |
| AFA | 20 to 24 yearsCandidates born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2003 and not later than 1st Jan 2007 only are eligible. | Unmarried (Male) |
| OTA (SSC Course for Men) | 19 to 25 yearsCandidates born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2002 and not later than 1st Jan 2008 only are eligible. | Unmarried |
| OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical Course) | 19 to 25 yearsCandidates born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2002 and not later than 1st Jan 2008 only are eligible. | Unmarried |
| Issueless widows and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible.They should have been born not earlier than 2nd Jan 2002 and not later than 1st Jan 2008. |
3. Educational Qualification:
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| IMA | Graduation from a recognised University or equivalent |
| INA | Graduation in Engineering |
| AFA | Graduation (with Physics & math at 10+2 level) or,B. Tech |
| OTA (SSC Course for Men) | Graduation from a recognised University or equivalent |
| OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical Course) | Graduation from a recognised University or equivalent |
4. Physical & Medical Standards:
The official notification for CDS 1 Exam will provide detailed physical and medical standards that a candidate must have. The physical standards will include height, weight, vision, and other requirements. While the medical standards will cover several health parameters like cardiovascular, lungs, muscles, mental, etc.
Candidates shall check CDS 1 Eligibility 2026 to know more about it.
The online application portal for CDS 1 2026 is going to be opened on December 10, 2025. Given below is a step-by-step application process guide that candidates need to follow:
1. Visit the official UPSC online application portal.
2. Now, click on the “Online Application for Various Examination” link and then click “CDS 1 Exam 2026”.
3. For registration, create a new user account and fill out basic details like name, date of birth, gender, nationality, category, educational qualification, and choice of academy.
4. Upload documents that include a scanned passport-size recent photograph (4.5cm × 3.5cm), scanned signature, educational certificates, and photo ID proof.
5. After that, pay the application fee through online mode (using Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment, UPI, or net banking) or offline mode (cash deposit at any SBI Branch).
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | Rs. 200 |
| Female/SC/ST | Nil |
6. Now submit the application form and take its printout.
Candidates should check CDS 1 Application Process 2026 to know more about the required documents, size, and format.
UPSC will release CDS 1 Admit Card 2026, 7-10 days before the exam takes place on its official website. To download CDS 2026 admit card, candidates are advised to through the following steps:
1. Visit the official UPSC website upsc.gov.in
2. Now, click on the “Admit Card” section
3. Then, click on the “E-Admit Card for CDS 1 Exam 2026”
4. Then, enter your login details
5. Then, download your CDS 1 Admit Card in PDF format
In CDS 1 2026 admit card, a candidate will find his/her name and photograph, roll number and registration details, exam date, time and venue, reporting time, and other important instructions.
The syllabus for CDS 1 2026 is divided into three subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Only those candidates who are applying for IMA, INA, and AFA have to study Elementary Mathematics.
1. English:
This subject will evaluate a candidate’s understanding of the English language, vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
| Topic | Subtopics / Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary | Synonyms & Antonyms, Word Formation, Sentence Completion |
| Grammar | Spotting Errors, Sentence Arrangement, Fill in the Blanks, Idioms & Phrases, Sentence Improvements |
| Reading Comprehension | Passage-based Questions, Para Jumbles |
Candidates shall check here to know about CDS OTA exam 2026
2. General knowledge:
This subject includes knowledge of current events, the history of India, and the geography of nature.
| Subject | Topics / Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | National & International Events, Sports & Awards, Books & Authors |
| History | Ancient, Medieval & Modern India, World History |
| Geography | Physical & Human Geography, Indian Geography, World Geography |
| Polity | Indian Constitution, Government Schemes, Political System |
| Economics | Basic Economic Concepts, Indian Economy, Economic Surveys |
| Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Space Technology |
3. Mathematics (only for IMA/INA/AFA):
This subject will include questions from Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Statistics.
| Mathematics Topic | Subtopics / Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Number System, LCM & HCF, Percentage & Profit-Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Time & Distance |
| Algebra | Basic Algebraic Identities, Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations |
| Geometry | Lines & Angles, Triangles & Quadrilaterals, Circles, Mensuration |
| Trigonometry | Basic Ratios, Height & Distances |
| Statistics | Mean, Median & Mode, Probability Basics |
Candidates are advised to check out the details of CDS 1 Syllabus in the notification.
CDS 1 2026 is split into two steps: a Written Exam and an SSB Interview. The written exam evaluates a candidate’s knowledge of the English language, general knowledge, and mathematics. The SSB Interview is a 5-day evaluation test that judges a candidate’s psychological tests, group discussions, outdoor tasks, and personal interview.
1. CDS 1 Exam Pattern For IMA, INA & AFA:
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
Total marks: 300
Type of questions: Objective (MCQ)
Medium: English & Hindi (except English paper)
Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer
Qualify: Minimum 20% in each subject
2. CDS 1 Exam Pattern For OTA:
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
Total Marks: 200
Type of questions: Objective (MCQ)
Medium: English & Hindi (except English paper)
Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer
Qualify: Minimum 20% in each subject
SSB Interview assesses a candidate’s intelligence, personality like leadership qualities, communication skills, and physical standards.
| Day | Activities | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Screening Test• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test• Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT) | Assess mental aptitude and communication skills• OIR: Verbal & Non-verbal reasoning• PPDT: Story writing & group discussion based on a picture |
| Day 2 | Psychological Tests• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)• Word Association Test (WAT)• Situation Reaction Test (SRT)• Self-Description Test (SDT) | Evaluate personality traits and emotional stability• TAT: Story writing from pictures• WAT: Immediate response to words• SRT: Reaction to hypothetical situations• SDT: Self-reflection on personal attributes |
| Day 3 | Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks – I• Group Discussion (GD)• Group Planning Exercise (GPE) | Assess leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities• GD: Discussion on current topics• GPE: Planning and executing a military situation |
| Day 4 | GTO Tasks – II• Individual Obstacles (IO)• Command Task (CT)• Lecturette• Final Group Task (FGT) | Test individual initiative and group coordination• IO: Overcoming physical obstacles• CT: Leading a team to solve a problem• Lecturette: Speaking on a given topic• FGT: Collaborative task completion |
| Day 5 | Personal Interview & Conference• Personal Interview with Interviewing Officer• Final Group Discussion• Announcement of Results | Final assessment and feedback• Interview: In-depth discussion of personal background• Conference: Group evaluation and result declaration |
Marks distribution for SSB Interview is:
| Academy | Marks |
|---|---|
| IMA/INA/AFA | 300 |
| OTA | 200 |
A candidate’s final selection in CDS 1 2026 Exam will depend on the combination of the written exam, SSB Interview Marks, and Medical Fitness.
Candidates shall check CDS 1 Exam Pattern 2026 to know about it.
To get selected in CDS 1 2026, a candidate will undergo three stages:
It will cover three subjects: English, general Knowledge, and Mathematics. The written exam will be conducted in offline mode.
It will cover the screening test and the main Interview.
The screening test will include the Officer Intelligence rating (OTR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT). The main interview contains a Psychology test, an Interview, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks and conference, a Personal interview with interviewing officers, Group discussions & outdoor tasks, and an Intelligence & personality assessment.
After passing the SSB Interview, a candidate needs to undergo a complete
medical test whose criteria are designed by the Armed Forces. A candidate qualifying in all these stages will be listed in the final merit list.
Candidates shall check CDS 1 Selection Process 2026 to know more about it.

UPSC will release CDS 1 answer key on its website after 2 to 3 weeks for English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics separately. Candidates are required to follow the steps below:
1. At first, visit the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in)
2. Once on the homepage, go to the “Examination” section and then click “answer keys.”
3. Select “CDS 1 2026” option.
4. Then click on the “link to download the Answer Key PDF”
5. At last, open the PDF and cross-check your answers with the official key.
6. To calculate marks, mark +1 for each correct answer and deduct 1/3 for each wrong answer
Candidates can check CDS 1 Answer Key 2026 to get more info about it.
CDS 1 2026 Final Result will be released by UPSC on its official website. The result will contain the names of candidates selected, their roll numbers, and the name of the academy they are allotted. To access to CDS 1 2026 result, follow the given steps:
1. Visit the official website of UPSC
2. Then, navigate to the “Results” section
3. After that, click on CDS 1 2026 result link
4. In the PDF, search for the roll number or type your roll number in the search box
CDS written exam is held across 77 cities nationwide. Candidates can select their preferred exam center from the available list. Center allocation operates on a first-apply, first-allot basis. If a chosen center reaches its maximum capacity, candidates will need to select from the remaining centers. To secure their preferred location, applicants are encouraged to apply early.
After CDS written exam, candidates are called to give SSBs for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA in different cities as mentioned below:
| Forces | Cities |
|---|---|
| IMA | Allahabad (Prayagraj), Bhopal, Kapurthala, Bangalore |
| INA | Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Bangalore, Bhopal |
| AFA | Dehradun, Mysore, Gandhi Nagar, Varanasi, Guwahati |
| OTA (Male & Female) | Allahabad (Prayagraj), Bhopal, Kapurthala, Bangalore |
Although CDS exam has only three subjects, it covers a vast range of topics. A candidate should go through the past 10 years' question papers of CDS exam to understand how UPSC sets the question paper.
Practicing previous year question papers of CDS exam will help a candidate in understanding important topics from where questions are asked every year, the level of difficulty in questions, and time management. A candidate needs to get good marks in CDS written exam, as it will determine the Final Merit of CDS 1 2026 Exam.
Going through the previous year's cutoff trends of CDS exam will help a candidate to understand the overall difficulty of the exam. The table given below shows the Final cutoff of CDS 1 2024 (marks of the last recommended candidate):
| Academy | Final Marks |
|---|---|
| IMA | 244 (Out of 600) |
| INA | 230 (Out of 600) |
| AFA | 250 (Out of 600) |
| OTA (Men) | 168 (Out of 400) |
| OTA (Women) | 168 (Out of 400) |
The table given below shows CDS written exam cutoff of the last 5 years (aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate):
| Academy | 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDS 1 | CDS(II) | CDS(I) | CDS 2 | |
| IMA | 120 (out of 300) | 117 (out of 300) | 132 (out of 300) | 127 (out of 300) |
| INA | 100 (out of 300) | 90 (out of 300) | 122 (out of 300) | 110 (out of 300) |
| AFA | 128 (out of 300) | 126 (out of 300) | 142 (out of 300) | 136 (out of 300) |
| OTA (Men) | 87 (out of 200) | 81(out of 200) | 101 (out of 200) | 104 (out of 200) |
| OTA (Women) | 87 (out of 200) | 81(out of 200) | 101 (out of 200) | 104 (out of 200) |
Officers recruited to different armed forces divisions through CDS Exam are entitled to receive a stipend during their training at the Academy IMA, INA, AFA & OTA and post-commissioning salary.
| Rank | After Years of Service | Pay Scale (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant (Level 10) | Initially after training in IMA, Dehradun | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain (Level 10B) | After 2 Years | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major (Level 11) | After 6 Years | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel (Level 12) | After 13 Years | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel (Level 13) | After 26 Years OR 15 years by Selection | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier (Level 13A) | After 23 Years | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Major General (Level 14) | After 25 Years | 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General (Level 15) | After 28 Years | 1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| General (Level 17) | By Selection | 2,25,000 (Fixed) |
| Chief of Army Staff (Level 18) | By Selection | 2,50,000 (Fixed) |
| Rank | After Years of Service | Pay Scale (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Sub Lieutenant (Level 10) | Initially after training in INA, Ezhimala, Kerala | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Lieutenant (Level 10B) | After 2 Years | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Lieutenant Commander (Level 11) | After 6 Years | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Commander (Level 12A) | After 13 Years | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Captain (Level 13) | After 26 Years OR 15 years by Selection | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Commodore (Level 13A) | After 23 Years | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Rear Admiral (Level 14) | After 25 Years | 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
| Vice Admiral (Level 15) | After 28 Years | 1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| Vice Chief of the Naval Staff / Commander-in-Chief / Equivalent (Level 17) | By Selection | 2,25,000 (Fixed) |
| Chief of Navy Staff (Level 18) | By Selection | 2,50,000 (Fixed) |
| Rank | After Years of Service | Pay Scale (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer (Level 10) | Initially, after training in AFA, Telangana | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Flying Lieutenant (Level 10B) | After 2 Years | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Squadron Leader (Level 11) | After 6 Years | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Wing Commander (Level 12A) | After 13 Years | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Group Captain (Level 13) | After 26 Years OR 15 years by Selection | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Air Commodore (Level 13A) | After 23 Years | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Air Vice Marshal (Level 14) | After 25 Years | 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
| Air Vice Marshal (Level 15) | After 28 Years | 1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| Air Chief Marshal (Level 17) | By Selection | 2,25,000 (Fixed) |
| Chief of the Air Staff (Level 18) | By Selection | 2,50,000 (Fixed) |
Ques: Can I apply for more than one Academy at the same time?
Ans: Yes, you can do this only if you have the eligibility criteria for different academies. But your final allotment to an Academy will depend on your marks in the written exam, SSB, the choice of academy you made, and the number of vacancies available in each academy.
Ques: How does CDS 1 differ from CDS 2?
Ans: CDS exam is held twice a year, both following the same pattern in the selection process. CDS 1 is held in the February to April cycle, while CDS 2 is held in the September to October cycle.
Ques: What will happen in case I fail a medical examination?
Ans: If a candidate fails in the medical examination, he/she is not allowed further in that CDS. In case the candidates improve their fitness or resolve their medical issues, then in the upcoming cycle of the CDS exam, they will become eligible to give exams.
Ques: Can I change the academy preference order after submitting my application form?
Ans: No, you can’t change your academy preference once you have submitted your application form. Candidates are advised to carefully fill in their academy preferences.
Ques: Will CDS 1 2026 eligibility be the same for all academies?
Ans: No, CDS 1 2026 eligibility differs for each academy. Age limits, educational qualifications, and marital status vary for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA based on their specific recruitment requirements.
Ques: Can married candidates apply for CDS Exam?
Ans: Yes. Candidates who are married and above the age of 25 or above are eligible to apply, but during their training period, they won't be provided with married accommodation, nor can they live with family outside their training premises.
Ques: Cadets selected through CDS 1 exam 2026 are to undergo training for how many months?
Ans: Selected CDS cadets will undergo training at different military academies, in which IMA (Army) takes 18 months, OTA takes 12 months, INA takes 10 months, and AFA takes 17 months.
Ques: In CDS exam, how is the age of an officer calculated?
Ans: In CDS exam, the age of an officer is calculated from the date of joining. Candidates are advised to read the official notification form of CDS exam and fill in their age as mentioned.
Ques: Can a candidate with a graduation in Arts/ Commerce background apply to CDS 1 exam 2026?
Ans: Yes, candidates with a graduation in Arts/ Commerce can apply for CDS 1 2026 exam, but only in IMA/OTA.
Ques: Can a candidate in his/her final year of graduation without a marksheet get called for an SSB Interview?
Ans: Yes. In case you haven’t got your final year graduation certificate, download an application form (to be signed by your University/Institution Principal) along with your SSB Interview Admit card, and submit it at your SSB Interview.
Download the PREPP App and attempt FREE CDS Mock Tests and get complete study material!
Comments