Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released an official notification for recruitment to the post of Combined Defence Service (CDS) Examination I 2026 for 451 vacancies. The Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission on 12th April 2026. All eligible and interested male and female candidates can apply online at UPSC official website upsconline.nic.in from 10th December 2025 to till the application last date 30th December 2025 for CDS 1 Examination 2026.
Get an instant breakdown of eligibility, category-wise vacancy distribution, syllabus highlights, and preparation strategy tailored for this notice.
The UPSC CDS 1 2026 exam cycle is highly competitive with 451 vacancies across Army, Navy, and Air Force academies. A common mistake candidates make is failing to carry their original graduation or provisional certificates to the SSB interview; since the commission verifies your degree status during the SSB stage, ensure your final year documents are ready before the interview phase. Note that while there is an age relaxation clause, it is specific to each academy's course—always cross-reference your exact birth date with the official notification to ensure you remain within the strict age brackets.
Total Vacancies
| Course Name | 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 Indian Naval Academy | Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 2003 and not later than 1st January, 2008 only are eligible. |
| For Air Force Academy | 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. Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 yrs. i.e. born not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2007 only are eligible. |
| For Officers' Training Academy - (SSC Course for 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 - (SSC Women Non-Technical Course) | 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 2 nd January 2002 and not later than 1st January 2008. |
Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.
Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/ Institution.
Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.
Graduates with first choice as Army/ Navy/ Air Force are to submit proof of Graduation/ provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB.
Candidates who are studying in the final year/ semester Degree course and have yet to pass the final year degree examination can also apply.
| Course Name | No. of Posts |
|---|---|
| 1. Indian Military Academy, Dehradun - 162nd (DE) Course commencing in January 2027 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate (Army Wing) holders] | 100 |
| 2. Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course commencing in January 2027 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC 'C' Certificate (Naval Wing) holders and 01 for Hydro] | 26 |
| 3. Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January 2027 i.e. 221 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry] | 32 |
| 4. Officers' Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 125th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in April 2027. | 275 |
| 5. Officers' Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 125th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in, April 2027. | 18 |
| Total Post | 451 |
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