The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued an official recruitment notification for filling 451 vacancies through the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2026. Eligible and interested candidates can submit their applications online.
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Name of Exam | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Educational Qualification | Professional Degree(s) |
| No. of Posts | 451 |
| Application Mode | Online (Apply Here) |
| Official Website | UPSC |
UPSC CDS I Examination 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I) 2026 for recruitment into IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. This exam provides graduates an opportunity to join the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers.
The selection process includes a written examination, SSB interview, and medical test. The examination is held in offline mode, and both male and female candidates can apply as per the official eligibility criteria.
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UPSC CDS I Examination Details
Organization: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts national-level exams for defence officer recruitment.
Name of Exam: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 selects candidates for IMA, INA, AFA, OTA.
No. of Posts: Total 451 vacancies are available across all training academies for qualified candidates.
Training Institute-wise Vacancy: Vacancies are distributed among IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA academies as per notification.
Helpline No.: Candidates can contact 011-24041001 or email upscsoap@nic.in for queries and assistance.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS I Examination
Nationality
Candidates must be unmarried and should be either:
- An Indian citizen, or
- A Nepalese citizen, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia) or Vietnam, intending to permanently settle in India.
Applicants in the second and third categories must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India, except Gorkha subjects of Nepal.
Age, Gender, and Marital Status
- Indian Military Academy (IMA): Unmarried males born between 2nd Jan 2003 and 1st Jan 2008.
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): Unmarried males born between 2nd Jan 2003 and 1st Jan 2008.
- Air Force Academy (AFA): Candidates aged 20–24 years as of 1st Jan 2027 (born 2nd Jan 2003 – 1st Jan 2007). Upper age limit of 26 years for DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders.
- Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Men): Unmarried males born between 2nd Jan 2002 and 1st Jan 2008.
- Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical): Unmarried women, issueless widows, and issueless divorcees (not remarried) born between 2nd Jan 2002 and 1st Jan 2008.
Educational Qualification
- IMA & OTA, Chennai: Degree from a recognised university or equivalent.
- Indian Naval Academy: Engineering degree from a recognised university/institution.
- Air Force Academy: Degree from a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, or Bachelor of Engineering.
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Application Fee
- General/Others: Rs. 200/-
- Female / SC / ST Candidates: No fee
- Payment Mode: Online payment via Visa, MasterCard, RuPay credit/debit cards, UPI, or internet banking from any bank.
How to Apply for UPSC Recruitment
Eligible and interested candidates can apply online for the UPSC CDS I 2026 vacancies by visiting the official UPSC recruitment portal. The application process is completely online and candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying.
To apply, scroll down to the Important Web-Links section and click on the "Online Application Form." Fill in all personal, educational, and other required details, upload necessary documents, and make the payment of the application fee as per your category. After completing all steps, submit the form and take a printout for your records.
For your convenience, the direct link to the online application form is provided in the Important Web-Links section below, making it easier to access the official portal and apply without any hassle.
Important Dates of UPSC Recruitment 2026
- Online Application Start Date: 10th December 2025
- Last Date to Submit Online Application: 30th December 2025
- Admit Card Release Date: To be announced
- Written Examination Date: 12th April 2026
Important Web-Links for UPSC CDS Examination
| Online Application Form | Click Here |
| Advertisement Details | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
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