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UPSC CDS I 2026 – Combined Defence Services Examination, 451 Vacancies

Union Public Service Commission — Ministry of Defence
📋 451 Vacancies 💰 Training stipend: Rs. 56,100/month. Lieutenant (entry): Basic Pay Rs. 56,100 + MSP Rs. 15,500 (Gross approx. Rs. 90,000–1,20,000/month). Captain (~5 y 👁️ 25 views
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📅 Important Dates

Application Start Date 10 Dec 2025
Application End Date 30 Dec 2025
Exam Date 2026-04-12

📋 Vacancy & Pay Details

Total Vacancies 451
Category-wise Vacancies

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) notified 451 vacancies for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I) 2026 across four officer-entry academies of the Indian Armed Forces.

AcademyVacancies
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun100
Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala26
Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad32
Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — Male275
Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — Female18
Total451

IMA and INA are for unmarried male candidates only. AFA is for both married and unmarried males. OTA accepts both male and female candidates.
Pay Scale Training stipend: Rs. 56,100/month. Lieutenant (entry): Basic Pay Rs. 56,100 + MSP Rs. 15,500 (Gross approx. Rs. 90,000–1,20,000/month). Captain (~5 y
Location —
Department Union Public Service Commission
Ministry Ministry of Defence

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Qualification requirements vary by academy:

  • Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA): Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university. Final-year students who are yet to receive their degree may also apply provisionally.
  • Indian Naval Academy (INA): B.E. / B.Tech degree in any engineering discipline from a recognised university or institution.
  • Air Force Academy (AFA): Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, OR B.E. / B.Tech degree from a recognised institution.

Marital Status: Candidates for IMA and INA must be unmarried. AFA accepts married/unmarried males. OTA candidates (male and female) must be unmarried.
Age Limit 19 – 25 years
Age Relaxation No category-based age relaxation for CDS. IMA: 19–24 years; INA: 19–22 years; AFA: 20–24 years; OTA: 19–25 years (as on January 1, 2026). No age relaxation for OBC/SC/ST. SC/ST/Female candidates are exempted from application fee.
Nationality Indian

💳 Application Fee

General / OBC ₹200
SC / ST / PH ₹0
Payment Mode Online – Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card

🏆 Selection Process

  1. Written Examination (Offline/OMR-based): Held on April 12, 2026. Objective-type MCQ papers in English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (Mathematics paper not required for OTA).
  2. SSB Interview (Stage I — Screening): Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT). Only Stage I cleared candidates proceed to Stage II.
  3. SSB Interview (Stage II — Thorough Assessment): Psychological tests, Group Testing Officers tasks, and Personal Interview over 4 days.
  4. Medical Examination: Conducted by Armed Forces Medical Services. Standards differ by academy (Air Force has strict vision standards).
  5. Merit list: Based on Written Exam + SSB scores combined.

📝 How to Apply

  1. Go to the official UPSC online portal at upsconline.nic.in.
  2. Click on "Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC" and select CDS Examination (I) 2026.
  3. Complete Part I of the application with personal and educational details and upload photograph and signature.
  4. In Part II, specify your academy preference (IMA / INA / AFA / OTA), exam centre choice, and language medium.
  5. Pay Rs. 200 application fee via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Female and SC/ST candidates are exempted.
  6. Submit the application and note the Registration Number for all future correspondence.
  7. Download the e-Admit Card from the UPSC website about 10 days before the exam date.

📊 Exam Pattern

For IMA, INA, and AFA (3 papers, 340 marks):

SubjectMarksDuration
English1202 hours
General Knowledge1202 hours
Elementary Mathematics1002 hours
Total3406 hours

For OTA (2 papers, 200 marks):

SubjectMarksDuration
English1002 hours
General Knowledge1002 hours
Total2004 hours

Negative marking: 1/3 of marks deducted per wrong answer in all papers. All papers are objective-type (MCQ), offline (OMR sheets).

🔗 Important Links

Apply Online Apply Now →
Official Website 🌐 https://upsc.gov.in

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

For IMA and OTA: Graduation in any discipline. For INA: Engineering degree. For AFA: Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 12th level or B.E./B.Tech. Age ranges differ by academy: IMA 19-24 years, AFA 20-24 years, OTA 19-25 years (as on January 1, 2026).

There are 451 total vacancies in CDS I 2026: IMA — 100, INA — 26, AFA — 32, OTA (Male) — 275, OTA (Female) — 18. OTA has the most vacancies among all four academies.

Officers commissioned through CDS receive Basic Pay of Rs. 56,100/month at the Lieutenant level (Pay Level 10, 7th CPC) plus Military Service Pay of Rs. 15,500. With DA, HRA, and allowances, the gross salary is approximately Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,20,000 per month at entry level.

No. Candidates applying for OTA (Officers Training Academy) only need to appear in two papers: English (100 marks) and General Knowledge (100 marks). The Elementary Mathematics paper of 100 marks is only required for IMA, INA, and AFA aspirants.

The application fee for CDS I 2026 is Rs. 200 for General, OBC, and EWS category candidates. Female candidates and SC/ST candidates are fully exempted from paying any fee.

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Quick Summary
Post Name
UPSC CDS I 2026 – Combined Defence Services Examination, 451 Vacancies
Vacancies
451
Last Date
30 Dec 2025
Pay Scale
Training stipend: Rs. 56,100/month. Lieutenant (entry): Basic Pay Rs. 56,100 + MSP Rs. 15,500 (Gross approx. Rs. 90,000–1,20,000/month). Captain (~5 y
Category
Defence
Status
Upcoming
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