UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 – 451 Vacancies
📌 Organization Details
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Job Role | Combined Defence Services – I (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA) |
| Job Location | All India |
| Advertisement No | Exam Notice No. 4/2026 CDS-I |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | Visit Here |
📅 Important Dates
| Starting Date | 10.12.2025 |
|---|---|
| Last Date | 30.12.2025 (Till 6 PM) |
📢 Vacancy Details – UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026
| Post Name / Course | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun – 162nd Course | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC (Men) | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC (Women) | 18 |
📚 Educational Qualification
IMA / OTA: Any Degree from a recognized university.
INA: Degree in Engineering from recognized University/Institution.
AFA: Degree with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level OR Bachelor of Engineering.
Important Notes: Final year students can apply but must submit proof before course commencement.
The UPSC CDS I 2026 Notification has officially been released, providing a complete overview of the CDS Eligibility 2026, age limit, educational qualification, and physical standards required to join India’s prestigious defence academies. This year, the exam offers a major opportunity with the CDS Vacancy 2026 totalling 451 seats across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026-Candidates planning to apply can check the detailed CDS 2026 Syllabus, including English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for written examination, followed by the SSB Interview for final selection. The CDS 2026 Recruitment process is fully online, and aspirants can submit their forms through the official UPSC portal using the CDS Exam 2026 Apply Online link before the last date. With structured preparation and clear understanding of eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern and vacancy distribution, candidates can effectively plan their journey towards a successful defence career through the CDS 2026 examination.
💰 Salary Details
| Post Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Officers Training (All Courses) | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10) |
🔹 Age Limit
| Course | Age Range |
|---|---|
| IMA | Born 02.01.2003 to 01.01.2008 (Unmarried Males) |
| INA | Born 02.01.2003 to 01.01.2008 (Unmarried Males) |
| AFA | 20–24 years as on 01.01.2027 (Relaxation up to 26 yrs for CPL holders) |
| OTA (Men) | Born 02.01.2002 to 01.01.2008 |
| OTA (Women) | Born 02.01.2002 to 01.01.2008 |
📍 Selection Process
- Written Examination (Objective Type)
- SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test)
📍 Detailed Selection Process – UPSC CDS I 2026
The UPSC CDS selection procedure consists of two major stages:
Written Examination and the SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test).
Both stages are mandatory for final selection into IMA, INA, AFA and OTA courses.
📝 Stage 1: Written Examination (Objective Type)
The written exam is conducted in offline mode with multiple-choice objective questions.
Different academies have different paper requirements.
📌 Exam Pattern for IMA, INA & AFA
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
Total Marks: 300
📌 Exam Pattern for OTA (Men & Women)
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
Total Marks: 200
🔹 Important Notes:
- All papers are objective type (MCQs).
- GK & Mathematics papers are available in both English and Hindi.
- There is negative marking (0.33 marks) for wrong answers.
- Use of calculators is not permitted.
📚 Detailed Syllabus – UPSC CDS 2026
1️⃣ English (Code 11)
- Grammar & Vocabulary
- Spotting Errors
- Sentence Improvement
- Fill in the Blanks
- Reading Comprehension
- Para Jumbles
- Synonyms & Antonyms
2️⃣ General Knowledge (Code 12)
- Current Affairs (National & International)
- History of India
- Geography
- Indian Polity
- Economic & Social Development
- Science & Technology
- Defence-related News
- Environmental Issues
3️⃣ Elementary Mathematics (Code 13)
- Arithmetic: Number System, Time & Work, Percentages, Profit & Loss
- Algebra: Polynomials, Quadratic Equations, Linear Equations
- Trigonometry: Basic ratios, Identities, Heights & Distances
- Geometry: Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles, Parallelograms
- Mensuration: Areas & Volumes of basic shapes
- Statistics: Data Interpretation, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts
🧠 Stage 2: SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test)
The SSB is conducted in two stages over 5 days:
📍 Stage I (Screening Tests)
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
- Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT)
Note: Only candidates who clear Stage I will proceed to Stage II.
📍 Stage II (Personality Assessment)
- Psychology Tests
- Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
- Personal Interview
- Conference Round
Assessment Areas:
- Leadership Qualities
- Communication Skills
- Teamwork
- Decision-Making Ability
- Emotional Stability
- Physical & Mental Fitness
Final Merit List is prepared based on total marks in:
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview
🎓 Final Selection
Candidates must be medically fit and meet all eligibility criteria. Final admission depends on
merit rank + medical fitness + available vacancies.
💳 Application Fee – UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹200 |
| Female / SC / ST | Nil |
📝 How to Apply?
- Visit the official website: https://upsconline.nic.in
- Click on CDS I Examination 2026.
- Create URN & fill the Common Application Form.
- Upload Photo, Signature & Documents.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the form before 30.12.2025 (6 PM).
📢 Important Links – UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026
- 📃 Official Notification PDF: Click Here
- ✍️ Apply Online: Click Here
- 📲 Join our Telegram Channel: Click Here
- 🌐 Explore More Job Updates: Visit Here
