UPSC CDS 1 Examination Notification 2026 – Online Applications for 451 Positions, The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducting recruitment in 2025 for 451 positions in the CDS 1 examination. Individuals possessing any undergraduate degree may submit applications online. The online application commences on December 10, 2025, and concludes on December 30, 2025. The candidate must submit their application online using the UPSC website, upsc.gov.in.
This article provides details on the UPSC CDS 1 Posts recruitment, including eligibility requirements, age restrictions, remuneration, selection procedure, application process, and direct links to the official notification and online application form.
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Recruitment Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
| No of Posts | 451 |
| Salary | Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/- per month (Level 10) |
| Qualification | Degree from recognized University (varies by course) |
| Age Limit | 19 to 24 years (varies by course) |
| Start Date for Apply | 10/12/2025 |
| Last Date for Apply | 30/12/2025 |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
| Course Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun – 162nd (DE) Course (including 13 for NCC ‘C’ Certificate Army Wing holders) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala – Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro (including 06 for NCC ‘C’ Certificate Naval Wing holders and 01 for Hydro) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad – (Pre-Flying) Training Course 221 F(P) (including 03 for NCC ‘C’ Certificate Air Wing holders) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai – 125th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai – 125th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Credentials
- IMA & OTA (Chennai): Degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
- Indian Naval Academy: Engineering degree from a recognized university/institution.
- Air Force Academy: Degree from a recognized university (with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.
- Candidates in final year/semester may also apply.
- Professional/technical qualifications deemed equivalent by the government are accepted.
Citizenship
- Citizen of India, OR
- Subject of Nepal, OR
- Person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, or Vietnam for permanent residence in India.
Compensation
- While in Training: Rs. 56,100/- per month (Level 10)
- Lieutenant: Rs. 56,100 – 177,500/- (Level 10)
- Captain: Rs. 61,300 – 193,900/- (Level 10B)
- Major: Rs. 69,400 – 207,200/- (Level 11)
- Lieutenant Colonel: Rs. 121,200 – 212,400/- (Level 12A)
- Colonel: Rs. 130,600 – 215,900/- (Level 13)
- Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs. 15,500/- per month
- Additional Allowances: Dearness Allowance, Dress Allowance, Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance, Free Ration in Kind
Age Limit (as of 01-01-2027)
- IMA & INA: Unmarried males born between 02/01/2003 and 01/01/2008.
- Air Force Academy: 20-24 years (born between 02/01/2003 and 01/01/2007). Upper age 26 for valid CPL holders.
- OTA (SSC Men): Unmarried males born between 02/01/2002 and 01/01/2008.
- OTA (SSC Women): Unmarried women, widows/divorcees without issue, born between 02/01/2002 and 01/01/2008.
- Date of birth accepted only from Matriculation/Secondary certificate. No changes allowed later.
Application Fee
- General/OBC Male: Rs. 200
- Female Applicants: No Charge
- SC/ST Candidates: No Fee
- Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Card (Visa/Master/Rupay), UPI, Internet Banking
- Fees are non-refundable. No OBC fee waiver.
Important Dates
- Notification Release: October 12, 2025
- Online Applications Start: 10/12/2025
- Online Applications End: 30/12/2025 (06:00 PM)
- Examination Date: December 4, 2026
- Written Results: May 2026 (Provisional)
- Course Initiation (IMA/INA/AFA): January 2027
- Course Initiation (OTA): April 2027
Selection Procedure
- Stage 1 – Written Exam: Objective-type by UPSC
- IMA/INA/AFA: English (100), General Knowledge (100), Elementary Mathematics (100) – Total 300
- OTA: English (100), General Knowledge (100) – Total 200
- Stage 2 – SSB Interview: Intelligence, Personality Assessment (Phase I: OIR & PP&DT, Phase II: Interview, GTO, Psychological Eval, Conference)
- SSB scores equal to written exam scores (300 for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA)
- Stage 3 – Medical Exam: Special Medical Board
- Final selection: Cumulative score (Written + SSB) & medical fitness
- Negative marking: 0.33 points per wrong answer
General Instructions
- Apply only via https://upsconline.nic.in
- Universal Registration Number (URN) required
- Live Photo Capture mandatory
- One valid photo ID required
- No withdrawal after submission
- e-Admit Card issued online only
- Arrive 30 min early for exam; face authentication mandatory
- Mobile phones/electronics prohibited; use black ballpoint pen
- QPRep available 7 days post-exam
- Helpdesk: 011-24041001 / upscsoap@nic.in (10:00-17:30 working days)
Application Procedure
- Visit https://upsconline.nic.in
- Create account & generate URN
- Complete Common Application Form (CAF)
- Upload photo & capture live photo
- Fill Examination Specific Module (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA)
- Upload documents (DOB, certificates, etc.)
- Select Examination Centre
- Pay application fee (if applicable)
- Submit application & record application number
- Print application for reference
Note: No amendments allowed post-submission. Government employees must notify their head of office. Armed Forces candidates must provide No Objection Certificate at SSB.
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