Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Announces Combined Defence Services (CDS-I) Exam 2026 Dates
Published: January 7, 2026, 6:18 PM
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the examination date for the Combined Defence Services (CDS-I) Exam 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill 451 vacancies. The application period for the UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 was from December 10, 2025, to December 30, 2025. The written examination is scheduled to take place on April 12, 2026. Candidates who submitted their applications can access their UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026 details via the provided links.
UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026: Key Dates
- Application Start Date: December 10, 2025
- Application End Date: December 30, 2025
- Last Date for Fee Payment: December 30, 2025
- Form Modification/Editing: As per Schedule
- Exam Date: April 12, 2026
- Admit Card Availability: Prior to the Examination
- Result Declaration: Post Examination
Application Fee
- General & OBC Candidates: ₹ 200/-
- SC, ST, and Female Candidates: ₹ 0/-
Candidates are required to pay their examination fee through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or other available payment modes.
UPSC CDS I Notification 2026: Age Criteria
Aspirants must have been born between January 2, 2003, and January 1, 2008. Age relaxation will be applied as per the UPSC CDS I Recruitment Rules.
- For age-related calculations, you can use the Age Calculator.
UPSC CDS I 2026: Vacancy Breakdown
Total Posts: 451
| Post Name | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | 275 |
| OTA Women | 18 |
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026: Educational Qualifications
| Post Name | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Graduation Degree in any stream from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Graduation Degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Air Force | Engineering Degree in a relevant trade from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized University/Institution. |
UPSC CDS I Online Form 2026: Selection Process
The selection process for UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 typically includes:
- Written Examination
- Interview
- Skill Test
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
How to Download UPSC CDS I Exam Date 2026
Candidates can download their UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026 by following these steps:
- Navigate to the “Important Links” section provided below.
- Click on the relevant link to access the exam date details.
- You will be directed to a login page where you need to enter your:
- Registration Number
- Date of Birth (DOB)
- Captcha Code
- Click on the “Login” button.
Alternatively, candidates can also download their UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026 from the official UPSC website.
Important Links
- Download Exam Date Notice (Note: Replace with the actual link if available)
- Apply Online (Note: Replace with the actual link if available)
- Download Notification (Note: Replace with the actual link if available)
- For One Time Registration
- Sarkari Exam Mobile App
- Join WhatsApp Channel
- Join Telegram Channel
- Official Website
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Has the UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026 been released?
A. Yes, the UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026 has been officially released.
Q. When was the UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026 officially announced?
A. The UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026 was issued on January 7, 2026, by the UPSC.
Q. When will the UPSC CDS-I Exam be held?
A. The UPSC CDS-I examination is scheduled to be conducted on April 12, 2026.
Q. Where can I check the UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026?
A. You can check the UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026 on the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in.
Q. What should I search on the website to find the UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026?
A. Look for “Exam Date – UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026” in the notifications list on the official UPSC website.
Q. Will UPSC CDS-I Admit Card also be available on the same website?
A. Yes, UPSC CDS-I Admit Cards will be available on the official UPSC website before the exam.
Q. What is the UPSC Official Website?
A. The official website of UPSC is https://upsc.gov.in/.