UPSC Announces CDS I 2026, Applications Open for 451 Officer-Level Defence Posts

UPSC has released the CDS I 2026 notification, inviting eligible candidates to apply for 451 vacancies across India’s top defence academies, with the written examination scheduled for April 12, 2026.

New Delhi | December 13, 2025: The Union Public Service Commission has issued the official notification for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination I 2026, opening the application process for aspirants seeking a commission in the Indian Armed Forces. Candidates can now submit their applications online, with the deadline set for December 30, 2025.

Through CDS I 2026, UPSC aims to fill 451 vacancies across four premier training institutions the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy. The recruitment drive includes both Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission entries, offering opportunities to male and female candidates as per academy-specific eligibility norms.

As per the notification, the Indian Military Academy is open to unmarried male candidates aged between 19 and 24 years who hold a recognised bachelor’s degree. The Indian Naval Academy requires applicants within the same age bracket but mandates an engineering qualification. For the Air Force Academy, candidates must be aged 20 to 24 years and should possess a degree along with Physics and Mathematics at the Class 12 level, or an engineering degree. The Officers’ Training Academy allows both men and women aged 19 to 25 years with a bachelor’s degree to apply.

The CDS I 2026 written examination will be conducted in offline mode on April 12, 2026. Candidates applying for IMA, INA and AFA will be tested in English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. Those opting for OTA will appear only for English and General Knowledge papers.Candidates qualifying the written examination will be shortlisted for the Services Selection Board interview and personality assessment, followed by a comprehensive medical examination in line with prescribed defence standards. The final merit list will be prepared based on overall performance.

Applicants must complete the One-Time Registration process on the UPSC website before filling out the CDS I 2026 application form. UPSC has advised aspirants to carefully verify eligibility criteria and medical requirements, as the CDS examination continues to be among the most competitive gateways to officer ranks in India’s defence forces.

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