UPSC CDS Exam (I) Overview
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) (I) has officially released official notification for the recruitment of 451 Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) etc. vacancies. Online applications start from 10th December 2025 and eligible candidates can apply Online through the official UPSC website. The last date to submit the application form is 30th December 2025.
| Company | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) CDS |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA) etc. |
| Total Posts | 451 |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100 - ₹2,50,000 Per Month (As Per Pay Level) |
| Age Limit | 20-24 years (As per Courses) |
| Qualification | Degree of a recognised University or equivalent |
| Gender | Both Male & Female are eligible |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Start Date of Apply | 10/12/2025 |
| Last Date of Apply | 30/12/2025 |
| Application Fee | General/OBC/EWS (Male): ₹200/- SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/Female Candidates: No Fee Payment Mode: Online (BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, RuPay) |
| Website | https://upsconline.nic.in/ |
UPSC CDS Exam (I) Vacancy Details
Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 will be conducted by
the Union Public Service Commission on 12th April, 2026 for admission to the under mentioned
courses :
| Course | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun –162nd (DE) Course commencing in January 2027 [IMA] | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course commencing in January 2027 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [INA] | 26 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January 2027 i.e. 221 F(P) Course [AFA] | 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 |
| Grand Total | 451 |
UPSC CDS Exam (I) Eligibility Criteria
Candidates should have Indian nationality Candidates interested in participating in the UPSC CDS Recruitment Exam (I)2026. They should have relevant documents serving as proof of the age limit and educational qualification.
| Nationality | Indian |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 20-24 years as per courses |
| Qualification | Degree of a recognised University or equivalent |
| Gender | Both Male & Female are eligible |
| Domicile | Tribals from Ladhakh Region, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshdweep and Minicoy Islands, Gorkhas, Nepali, Assamese, Garhwali, Kumaoni and Uttarakhand , Bhutan, Sikkim &North East Region |
| Physical Standards (Male/Female) | Height: 1.78 M -1.95 M (varies by category), Weight: 54 Kg - 91 Kg (varies by category) |
UPSC CDS Exam (I) Age Limits, Sex and Marital Status
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| For IMA | Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 2003 and not later than 1st January, 2008 only are eligible |
| For INA | Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 2003 and not later than 1st January, 2008 only are eligible |
| For AFA | 20 to 24 years as on 1st January, 2027 i.e. born not earlier than 2nd January 2003 and not later than 1st January 2007 reckoning. |
| For Officers' Training Academy (Men) | Unmarried male candidate born not earlier than 2nd January 2002 and not later than 1st January 2008 only are eligible |
| For Officers' Training Academy (Women) | Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible. They should have been born not earlier than 2nd January 2002 and not later than 1st January 2008 |
UPSC CDS Exam (I) Selection Process
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Physical Standard Test (PST)
- Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
UPSC CDS Exam (I) Important Dates
| Official Notification Date | 10/12/2025 |
|---|---|
| Online Form Apply Start Date | 10/12/2025 |
| Online Form Apply End Date | 30/12/2025 (up to 6:00 PM) |
| Last Date of Online Fee Payment | 30/12/2025 (up to 6:00 PM) |
| Examination Date | 12/04/2026 |
| Written Result Declaration (Tentative) | To be notified |
| SSB Interview (IMA/INA/AFA) | To be notified |
| SSB Interview (OTA) | To be notified |
UPSC CDS Exam (I) How to Apply
- Step 1: Go to official website https://upsconline.nic.in
- Step 2: Create Account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN)
- Step 3: Fill the Application Form carefully
- Step 4: Upload Photo, Signature & Certificates
- Step 5: Select Examination Centre from available options
- Step 5: Pay Application Fee (if applicable)
- Step 6: Submit the Application Form
- Step 7: Take Printout of Application
UPSC CDS Exam (I) Important Links
| Official Website Link | Click Here → |
|---|---|
| Online Form Apply Link | Apply Here → |
| Official Notification PDF (English) | Download PDF → |
| Official Notification PDF (Hindi) | Download PDF → |