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CDS 1 Application Form 2026 Out: Apply Online at upsconline.nic.in

Feb 6, 2026

CDS 1 Application Process 2026 has started on December 10, 2025, and will end on December 30, 2025 (11:59 PM) on its official website to recruit eligible candidates for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy through Combined Defence Services Examination. The process includes registration, filling the application form, uploading the necessary documents, and fee payment. Candidates who are Indian citizens, meet the age limits for their chosen academy, and hold the required educational qualifications, such as a bachelor’s degree or engineering degree, can apply for CDS 1 2026 before the last date.

Apply Online for CDS 1 2026 (Link Active)

Table of Contents

CDS 2026 Application Dates
CDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria
CDS 2026 Application Process
Documents Required for CDS 2026 Application Process
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

CDS 2026 Application Dates

CDS 2026 Application Dates have been released by the UPSC. Here is the table of important dates:

Event	CDS 1 2026
CDS 1 Notification 2026 Release Date	December 10, 2025
CDS 1 Online Application Process 2026 Starts	December 10, 2025
Last Date to Apply for CDS 1 2026	December 30, 2025
CDS 1 Admit Card 2026 Release Date	TBA
CDS 1 Exam Date 2026	April 12, 2026 (Sunday)

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026

CDS Eligibility Criteria are the preliminary guidelines determining the candidates’ qualification for CDS 2026 exam:

1. Nationality

The candidate must be a citizen of India or a subject of Bhutan/Nepal.
Refugees of Tibetan origin who came to India before January 1, 1962, can also apply, provided they have an eligibility certificate issued by the Indian government.

2. Age Limit and Marital Status

Indian Military Academy (IMA): Male candidates born between July 2, 2003, to July 1, 2008, are eligible.
Indian Naval Academy (INA): Male candidates born between July 2, 2003, to July 1, 2008, are eligible.
Air Force Academy (AFA): Male candidates aged 20 to 24 years as on 1st July 2026 i.e. born not earlier than 2nd July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2007, can apply.
Officers Training Academy (OTA): Male and female candidates aged between 19 to 25 years as on 1st July 2026 i.e. born not earlier than 2nd July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2008, are eligible. Male candidates must be unmarried, while female candidates can be unmarried or widows/divorcees without dependents.

3. Educational Qualifications

IMA and OTA: Bachelor's degree from a recognized university.
INA: Bachelor's degree in Engineering from a recognized university.
AFA: Bachelor's degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering.

4. Physical Standards

Candidates must be physically fit as per the standards prescribed by the UPSC for the Combined Defence Services Examination.

CDS 2026 Application Process

CDS 2026 Application Process is conducted online via the UPSC official website. Follow the steps below to apply for CDS 1 2026 Exam:

Step 1: Registration

1. Visit the UPSC Official Website: Go to www.upsc.gov.in and click on the "Apply Online" link.

2. Click on CDS 2026 Exam Link: You will find the link for the CDS 2026 exam under the "Online Application for Various Examinations" section.

3. Part I Registration: Enter your personal details such as name, date of birth, address, and educational qualifications.

4. Part II Registration: After completing Part I, you will receive a registration ID. Use this to complete Part II, which involves selecting your exam preferences, uploading documents, and paying the application fee.

Step 2: Filling CDS Application Form

1. Personal Information: Provide details like full name, father’s/mother’s name, date of birth, gender, nationality, and marital status.

2. Educational Qualifications: Enter your educational details as per the requirements for the academies you're applying for (IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA).

3. Exam Preferences: Choose your preferred exam centers (usually three) from the list of available locations.

4. Photo, Signature, and ID Proof: Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph, signature, and a photo ID proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving license, etc.).

5. Declaration: Read the declaration carefully, check the box, and submit your application.

Step 3: Payment of Application Fee

The application fee can be paid either online or offline.

Online Payment: Use net banking, debit card, or credit card to make the payment.
Offline Payment: Generate an e-challan and pay the fee at any SBI branch within the stipulated time.

Category	Application Fee
General/OBC	₹200
Female/SC/ST	Exempted

After successful payment, download and save the receipt for future reference.

Step 4: Application Form Correction (if necessary)

The UPSC provides a correction window for candidates to rectify any mistakes in their application form. This facility is available for a limited time after the application period closes.

Step 5: Download and Print the Application Form

After successfully submitting the form and payment, download a copy of the submitted application for your records. This will include your registration number, which will be required for future logins and correspondence.

CDS 2026 Application Withdrawal Process

UPSC provides an option to withdraw applications after submission if a candidate decides not to appear for the exam. The process involves:

1. Visiting the UPSC website.

2. Logging in using the registration ID.

3. Confirming the withdrawal via an OTP sent to the registered mobile number.

4. After confirmation, the application is considered withdrawn.

Please note that the application fee will not be refunded after withdrawal.

Documents Required for CDS 2026 Application Process

Ensure you have the following documents handy while applying for CDS 2026:

1. Recent passport-size photograph (JPG format, file size: 20-300 KB)

2. Signature scan (JPG format, file size: 20-300 KB)

3. Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, driving license, etc.)

4. Educational certificates (if applicable)

5. Category certificate (for SC/ST/OBC candidates if applicable)

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

1. Entering Incorrect Personal Details: Ensure that details such as name and date of birth match those on the matriculation certificate.

2. Uploading Incorrect Documents: Only JPG (for photos and signatures) and PDF (for ID proof) formats are accepted. Ensure files are within the required size limit.

3. Late Fee Payment: The application is incomplete without the payment of the required fee.

4. Choosing Wrong Exam Center: Exam centers cannot be changed once selected.

Candidates must verify their CDS 1 eligibility 2026 before filling CDS 1 2026 application. UPSC clearly states that a candidate’s admission is provisional until their eligibility is confirmed through original documents. Therefore, candidates must carefully enter their eligibility details to avoid any issue.

Relevant Links
CDS Study Material	CDS Exam Pattern	CDS Syllabus
CDS Mock Test Series	CDS OTA Syllabus	CDS Selection Process

CDS 2 Application Form 2026 FAQs

Ques: How can I apply for CDS 2026?

Ans: You can apply online through the official UPSC website by completing the One Time Registration (OTR) process and filling out the CDS application form.

Ques: What is the application fee for CDS 2026?

Ans: The application fee is ₹200 for General/OBC/EWS male candidates, while SC/ST/Female candidates are exempted from paying the fee.

Ques: Can I edit the CDS 2026 application form after submission?

Ans: Yes, UPSC provides an application correction window where you can make changes to your submitted application form.

Ques: What documents are required for the CDS 2026 application?

Ans: You'll need a scanned photograph, signature, identity proof (Aadhar, PAN, Voter ID), and educational certificates while filling out the CDS 2026 application form.

Ques: Who is exempt from the CDS application fee?

Ans: Female candidates and those belonging to SC/ST categories are exempt from paying the CDS application fee.

Ques: What should I do if I make a mistake in my application?

Ans: You can correct any mistakes during the application correction window provided by UPSC after the submission deadline.

Ques: Can final-year students apply for CDS 2026?

Ans: Yes, final-year students can apply, but they must submit proof of passing at the time of the SSB interview if shortlisted.

Ques: Can I withdraw my CDS application after submission?

Ans: Yes, UPSC allows candidates to withdraw their application during the specified withdrawal period, but the application fee is non-refundable.

Ques: How do I know if my application is accepted?

Ans: You will receive an email confirmation after successful submission. Additionally, admit cards will be released for eligible candidates before the exam date.

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*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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