CDS 1 2026 Notification Released: Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus was officially announced by the Union Public Service Commission on 10 December 2025. The notification confirmed the schedule and key guidelines for the first Combined Defence Services Examination 2026, conducted to recruit officers for premier defence academies. The CDS examination is held twice each year and remains a major entry route for candidates seeking Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission roles in the Indian Armed Forces.
CDS 1 2026 Exam Date and Application Schedule
UPSC confirmed the complete timeline for the CDS 1 2026 cycle through the official notification. The application window and examination date were clearly defined to allow candidates sufficient preparation time. The important dates related to CDS 1 2026 are listed below.
The written examination will be conducted in offline mode at designated centres across the country.
CDS 1 2026 Vacancy Details Across Defence Academies
The notification announced a total of 451 vacancies across different defence training institutions. The vacancy distribution reflects the operational and training requirements of the armed forces for the upcoming cycle. The academy-wise vacancy breakup is provided below.
The final number of vacancies may change based on service-specific requirements.
CDS 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria
UPSC prescribed detailed eligibility conditions covering nationality, age, education, and marital status. Only candidates meeting all criteria will be considered for selection.
Nationality:Applicants must be Indian citizens. Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, and eligible Tibetan refugees may also apply under specified conditions.
Age Limit (as on 1 July 2026):
- IMA and INA: 19 to 24 years
- AFA: 20 to 24 years
- OTA (Men and Women): 19 to 25 years
Educational Qualification:
- IMA and OTA: Graduation from a recognised university
- INA: Engineering degree
- AFA: Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at Class 12 level or an Engineering degree
Final-year students were permitted to apply provisionally, subject to document submission within the prescribed timeline.
CDS 1 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus Overview
The CDS written examination follows an objective-type format with negative marking for incorrect answers. Each paper plays a critical role in shortlisting candidates for the next stage. For IMA, INA, and AFA, candidates appear for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, while OTA candidates appear for English and General Knowledge only. The syllabus broadly focuses on:
- English language skills including comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary
- General awareness covering current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, and science
- Class 10 level mathematics such as arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and statistics
Candidates qualifying the written examination will proceed to the SSB interview and medical examination, followed by the final merit list.
