Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 451 CDS 1 Posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Online through the official UPSC website. The last date to submit the application form is 30-12-2025. In this article, you’ll find the UPSC CDS 1 Posts recruitment details, including eligibility criteria, age limit, salary structure, selection process, application steps, and direct links to the official notification and Online application form.
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Company 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
Educational Qualifications:
- For IMA and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai: Degree of a recognised University or equivalent
- For Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution
- For Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering
- Candidates studying in final year/semester degree course can also apply
- Professional and technical qualifications recognised by Government as equivalent are also acceptable
Nationality:
- Citizen of India, OR
- Subject of Nepal, OR
- Person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia) or Vietnam with intention of permanent settlement in India
Salary/Stipend
- During Training: Fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month (starting pay in Level 10)
- After Commissioning as Lieutenant: Pay Level 10: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/-
- Captain: Pay Level 10B: Rs. 61,300 – 1,93,900/-
- Major: Pay Level 11: Rs. 69,400 – 2,07,200/-
- Lieutenant Colonel: Pay Level 12A: Rs. 1,21,200 – 2,12,400/-
- Colonel: Pay Level 13: Rs. 1,30,600 – 2,15,900/-
- Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs. 15,500/- per month (fixed) from Lieutenant to Brigadier
- Additional Allowances: Dearness Allowance, Dress Allowance (Rs. 20,000/- per year), Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance (Rs. 2,250/- per month), Free Ration in kind
Age Limit (as on 01-01-2027)
- For IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2008
- For Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2008
- For Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 years (born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2007). Upper age limit relaxable upto 26 years for candidates holding valid Commercial Pilot Licence
- For OTA (SSC Men): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2002 and not later than 01/01/2008
- For OTA (SSC Women): Unmarried women, issueless widows/divorcees born not earlier than 02/01/2002 and not later than 01/01/2008
- Date of birth accepted only from Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate
- No subsequent change in date of birth allowed
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General/OBC Male Candidates | Rs. 200/- (Rupees Two Hundred Only) |
| Female Candidates | No Fee |
| SC/ST Candidates | No Fee |
- Payment Mode: Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or Internet Banking
- Fee once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances
- No fee exemption available for OBC candidates
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 10/12/2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 10/12/2025 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 30/12/2025 (up to 06:00 PM) |
| Examination Date | 12/04/2026 |
| Written Result Declaration | May 2026 (Tentative) |
| Course Commencement (IMA/INA/AFA) | January 2027 |
| Course Commencement (OTA) | April 2027 |
Selection Process
- Stage 1 – Written Examination: Objective type questions conducted by UPSC
- For IMA/INA/AFA: Three papers – English (100 marks), General Knowledge (100 marks), Elementary Mathematics (100 marks). Total: 300 marks
- For OTA: Two papers – English (100 marks), General Knowledge (100 marks). Total: 200 marks
- Stage 2 – Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview: Intelligence and Personality Test
- Two-stage SSB selection: Stage I (OIR tests and PP&DT), Stage II (Interview, GTO Tasks, Psychology Tests, Conference)
- SSB Interview marks: Equal to written examination marks (300 for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA)
- Stage 3 – Medical Examination: Special Medical Board at designated Armed Forces Medical Services Hospitals
- Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks in both written exam and SSB test
- Final selection based on combined marks (Written + SSB) subject to medical fitness
- Negative marking: 0.33 marks deduction for each wrong answer
General Information/Instructions
- Candidates must apply online only through https://upsconline.nic.in
- No other mode of application is allowed
- Universal Registration Number (URN) required for all UPSC examinations
- Live Photo Capture mandatory while filling Common Application Form (CAF)
- Aadhaar Card strongly recommended as ID document
- One Photo ID Card mandatory (Aadhaar/Voter Card/PAN/Passport/Driving License)
- Candidates cannot withdraw applications after submission
- e-Admit Card will be issued on last working day of preceding week of examination
- No Admit Card will be sent by post or email
- Candidates must reach examination venue at least 30 minutes prior to commencement
- Face Authentication mandatory at examination venue
- Mobile phones and electronic devices strictly banned
- Use Black Ball Pen only for marking answers in OMR sheet
- Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) available for 7 days after examination
- Helpdesk: 011-24041001 or email: upscsoap@nic.in (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days)
- Government strives for gender balance – Women candidates encouraged to apply
How to Apply
- Step 1: Visit official website https://upsconline.nic.in
- Step 2: Create Account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN)
- Step 3: Fill Common Application Form (CAF) with personal details
- Step 4: Upload recent photograph and capture live photo
- Step 5: Fill Examination Specific Module with preferences for Services (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA)
- Step 6: Upload required documents (Date of Birth proof, Educational certificates, etc.)
- Step 7: Select Examination Centre from available options
- Step 8: Pay application fee online (if applicable) through Credit/Debit Card/UPI/Net Banking
- Step 9: Submit application and note down Application Number
- Step 10: Take printout of application for future reference
- Important: No corrections allowed after submission of application
- Note: Candidates already in Government Service must inform their Head of Office/Department
- Note: Candidates serving in Armed Forces must inform Commanding Officer and submit NOC at SSB
UPSC CDS-I Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
1. What is the starting date to apply for UPSC CDS-I 2026?
Ans: Starting Date to apply is 10/12/2025.
2. What is the last apply date for UPSC CDS-I 2026?
Ans: Last apply date is 30/12/2025 up to 06:00 PM.
3. What is the Eligibility to apply for UPSC CDS-I 2026?
Ans: Degree from a recognized University or equivalent (varies by course – IMA/OTA require Degree, INA requires Engineering Degree, AFA requires Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level).
4. What is the Maximum Age Limit to apply for UPSC CDS-I 2026?
Ans: 24 Years for most courses (26 years for Air Force Academy with valid CPL). Age varies by course – candidates should check specific age limits for each academy.
5. How many vacancies are being recruited by UPSC CDS-I 2026?
Ans: Total 451 Vacancies (IMA: 100, INA: 26, AFA: 32, OTA Men: 275, OTA Women: 18).
6. When will the UPSC CDS-I 2026 examination be held?
Ans: The written examination will be held on 12/04/2026.
7. What is the application fee for UPSC CDS-I 2026?
Ans: Rs. 200/- for General/OBC male candidates. No fee for Female and SC/ST candidates.
8. Is there any negative marking in the UPSC CDS-I examination?
Ans: Yes, there is negative marking of 0.33 marks (one-third) for each wrong answer.
9. Can final year degree students apply for UPSC CDS-I 2026?
Ans: Yes, candidates studying in final year/semester can apply but must submit proof of passing degree by specified dates (01/01/2027 for IMA/INA, 13/11/2026 for AFA, 01/04/2027 for OTA).
10. What is the selection process for UPSC CDS-I 2026?
Ans: Three-stage selection: (1) Written Examination by UPSC, (2) SSB Interview/Personality Test, (3) Medical Examination. Final merit list based on combined marks of written exam and SSB interview.
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