UPSC CDS 2026 - Notification (December 10), Application, Vacancies, Eligibility, Syllabus

UPSC CDS 2026 - Notification (December 10), Application, Vacancies, Eligibility, Syllabus

Meghana Mohana KrishnanUpdated on 30 Sep 2025, 02:40 PM IST

The Union Public Service Commission will release the UPSC CDS 2026 notification on December 10, 2025. Candidates will also be able to fill the UPSC CDS 1 application form 2026 on the same date. The UPSC CDS application form will be released at upsc.gov.in. The last date to submit the UPSC CDS application form is December 30, 2025.
Latest – The UPSC has conducted the CDS 2 2025 exam on September 14, 2025. The commission has released the UPSC CDS 2 admit card 2025 on September 4, 2025, on the official website.

LiveUPSC CDS 2 Result 2025 LIVE: CDS II results soon at upsc.gov.in; direct link, updatesOct 4, 2025 | 10:29 AM IST

The CDS 2 maths syllabus 2025 includes topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics. The CDS 2 maths paper was moderate to difficult according to student reviews.

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This Story also Contains

  1. UPSC CDS 2026 - Overview
  2. UPSC CDS 2026 Exam Dates
  3. UPSC CDS 2026 Application Form
  4. UPSC CDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria
  5. UPSC CDS 2026 Exam Pattern
  6. UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2026
  7. UPSC CDS 2026 Syllabus
  8. UPSC CDS 2026 Exam Centres
  9. UPSC CDS 2026 Selection Process
  10. UPSC CDS Admit Card 2026
  11. How to prepare for UPSC CDS 2026
  12. UPSC CDS 2026 Question Paper
  13. UPSC CDS 2026 Answer Key
  14. UPSC CDS 2026 Result
  15. UPSC CDS 2026 Cut Off
  16. UPSC CDS 2026 Salary
UPSC CDS 2026 - Notification (December 10), Application, Vacancies, Eligibility, Syllabus
UPSC CDS 2026

The UPSC CDS exam is conducted to recruit potential candidates for the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force. The UPSC CDS 2026 exam is conducted twice a year. Candidates will train for about a year before they get placed. Check the below table to know more about the UPSC CDS recruitment -

UPSC CDS 2026 - Overview

Full name of the exam

UPSC Combined Defence Services exam

Short Name

UPSC CDS

Conducting Authority

Union Public Service Commission

Website

upsc.gov.in/ joinindianarmy.nic.in

Exam mode

Offline

Application Mode

Online

Application fee

Rs 200

Number of vacancies

TBA

Exam Level

National

Stages of the exam

  • Written exam.

  • SSB Interview

UPSC CDS 2026 Exam Dates

The UPSC CDS exam date 2026 has been announced by the commission in the Annual Calendar. Some CDS dates like the admit card date and the result date will be announced later on. Check the table below to know the latest CDS 2026 exam dates -

UPSC CDS Exam Dates 2026

Event

CDS 1 Dates

CDS 2 Dates

UPSC CDS notification date 2026

December 10, 2025

May 20, 2026

CDS Application date

December 10, 2025

May 20, 2026

CDS application form last date 2026

December 30, 2025

June 9, 2026

CDS application correction window

To be announced

To be announced

UPSC CDS admit card date

To be announced

To be announced

CDS Exam Date 2026

April 12, 2026

September 13, 2026

CDS 2026 result date

To be announced

To be announced

CDS Final result date

To be announced

To be announced

UPSC CDS 2026 Application Form

The commission will release the CDS 1 application form 2026 on December 10, 2025. Candidates will be able to submit the CDS 2026 application form until December 30, 2026. Before the CDS application date, candidates are required to keep all the essential documents and details ready.

If they have made any mistake in entering the details, candidates will be allotted a few days where they can make modifications in the UPSC CDS application form. The detailed steps to fill the CDS 1 2026 application form will be available in the official notification. Candidates can follow them to apply for the CDS exam.

UPSC CDS 2026 application fees according to category

Category

Fees

General/OBC

Rs 200

SC/ST/PWD/Female Candidates

Exempted

UPSC CDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must ensure they meet the CDS eligibility criteria before they apply for the examination. The detailed CDS eligibility criteria 2026 will be given in the official notification. If a candidate is found not to meet the CDS 2026 eligibility, they will be disqualified. Check the eligibility criteria in the table below -

UPSC CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026

Factors

UPSC CDS eligibility criteria

CDS age limit

20-24 years

Education

For IMA and the India Naval Academy - Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.

For Air Force Academy -Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering

Nationality

  1. Applicant must be a citizen of India

  2. A subject of Bhutan or Nepal

  3. A person of Indian origin migrating from a neighbouring country with the plan to settle in India permanently.

Marital Status

Candidates below 25 years of age must be unmarried. Marriage is not permitted during training.

Physical standards

Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards.

UPSC CDS 2026 Exam Pattern

The CDS exam pattern 2026 determines the way in which the exam will be conducted. The commission mentions the CDS exam pattern in the official notification. Candidates can also check the CDS 2026 exam pattern in brief in the table below -

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2026

For Admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy -

Subject

Duration

Maximum Marks

English

2 hours

100 marks

General Knowledge

2 hours

100 marks

Elementary Mathematics

2 hours

100 marks

For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy -

Subject

Duration

Maximum Marks

English

2 hours

100 marks

General Knowledge

2 hours

100 marks

SSB Interview Pattern -

The SSB procedure consists of a two-stage Selection process. Only those candidates who clear stage I are permitted to appear for stage II.

  • Stage 1 - Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are the Picture Perception* Description Test (PP&DT).

  • Stage 2 - This stage consists of an Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over 4 days.

UPSC CDS 2026 Syllabus

The UPSC CDS syllabus will be specified in the official notification. The UPSC CDS 2026 syllabus consists of the subjects, topics, and subtopics essential to qualify the exam. The UPSC CDS 2026 syllabus covers a wide range of subjects to assess the candidate's suitability for admission into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy. A topic-wise brief on the CDS exam syllabus is given below.

  • English - Tests the candidate’s understanding of English.

  • General Knowledge - Questions on the History of India and Geography, knowledge of current events and of such is required.

  • Elementary mathematics -

  1. Arithmetic - Number System

  2. Elementary Number Theory.

  • Algebra.

  • Trigonometry.

  • Geometry.

  • Mensuration.

  • Statistics.

UPSC CDS 2026 Exam Centres

The option to select the UPSC CDS exam centre 2026 will be available while filling the application form. Candidates must carefully choose it. They must also remember that any option to change the UPSC CDS exam centre will not be granted later on. Candidates will be able to select from a total of 78 UPSC CDS 2026 exam centres while filling the form.

UPSC CDS 2026 Selection Process

The UPSC CDS selection process 2026 comprises a written exam and SSB interview. Those who clear both rounds will get selected as officers in the Army/ Navy/ Airforce. The SSB interview has 2 stages. Candidates who clear stage 1 will qualify into stage 2.

UPSC CDS Admit Card 2026

The UPSC CDS 2026 admit card will be issued by the commission 7 days before the examination. The UPSC CDS 2 admit card will be released at upsc.gov.in.Candidates have to enter their login credentials to download the UPSC CDS admit card 2026.

Steps to download the UPSC CDS admit card -

  • Go to the official UPSC website.

  • On the homepage, the link to download the admit card will be available.

  • Provide the application number and date of birth as per the information provided during registration.

  • The admit card will open.

  • Download for future reference.

How to prepare for UPSC CDS 2026

For UPSC CDS 2026 preparation, start early and follow a structured study plan covering all sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Practice with UPSC CDS sample papers and mock tests regularly.

Utilise reputable study materials and stay updated with current affairs. Engage in group discussions and seek guidance from mentors. Prioritise self-care and maintain motivation throughout your UPSC CDS preparation journey.

UPSC CDS 2026 Question Paper

The commission will release the UPSC CDS question paper 2026 of all the sets on the official website. Candidates will also be able to get the UPSC CDS 2026 question paper at the websites of some coaching centres. The CDS 1 question papers will be available right about the completion of the examination.

UPSC CDS 2026 Answer Key

The UPSC CDS answer keys are released after the release of the final results. Candidates will be able to access the UPSC CDS 2026 answer key on the official website in PDF format. Certain coaching institutes also release unofficial CDS answer key 2026 right after the completion of the examination.

UPSC CDS 2026 Result

The UPSC CDS 1 result will be declared by the commission on the official website. The UPSC CDS result PDF 2026 will consist of the list of qualified candidates. The UPSC CDS 2026 result will be declared within a month after the exam is conducted. Candidates can refer the below steps to download their UPSC CDS results -

  • Go to the official UPSC website, upsc.gov.in.

  • On the homepage, the CDS result link will be scrolling.

  • Click on the “CDS Results” link to proceed to the results page.

  • Use ‘CTRL + F ’ to search for the roll number.

  • Download the CDS result pdf for future reference.

UPSC CDS 2026 Cut Off

Candidates will be able to check the UPSC CDS cut off 2026 on the official website. The UPSC CDS cut off will be released after the final result is declared. The UPSC CDS 2026 cut off varies with category. The UPSC CDS Cut off will be determined based on various factors like the difficulty level of the exam, the number of vacancies, and category.

UPSC CDS 2026 Salary

The detailed UPSC CDS salary structure 2026 will be mentioned in the official notification. Selected candidates will be offered good UPSC CDS salary and allowances. During cadet training, candidates will be offered a fixed CDS stipend of Rs 56,100. Upon successful completion, candidates will be given the UPSC CDS 2026 salary in the range of Rs 56,100 - Rs 1,77,500 (Level 10 pay matrix).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will the CDS 2026 notification be released?
A:

The CDS notification will be released on December 10, 2025.

Q: What is CDS salary 2026?
A:

The CDS salary will be between Rs 56,100 - Rs 1,77,500 upon selection. 

Q: Is CDS harder than NDA?
A:

The NDA exam is considered a harder exam as it has a vast syllabus. 

Q: What is the CDS 1 exam date 2026?
A:

The CDS exam date is April 12, 2026. 

Q: What is the age limit to appear in the CDS exam 2026?
A:

Those between the age 20 to 24 years can apply for CDS. 

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Questions related to CDS

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CDS ?

Hey! Since your date of birth is 07 Nov 2006 and you will complete graduation in 2029, here’s how many chances you’ll get for CDS (INA, IMA, AFA) and AFCAT:

For CDS exams, the age limit is usually 19–24 years.

For AFCAT, Flying Branch requires 20–24 years and Ground Duty goes up to 26 years.

By 2029, you will be around 22–23 years old, so you’ll be perfectly eligible at that time. Since CDS requires a graduate degree, you can only start applying after 2029 once you finish graduation. From that year onwards, you’ll have around 2–3 years window where you can appear for CDS (IMA, INA, AFA) as well as AFCAT.

Dear Candidate,

You are eligible for CDS 2026, but for IMA, INA and AFA post, you must be born between 2 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2008.

For OTA ( male and female ), all 2003 born candidates are eligible.

Hi dear candidate,

The age limit for various roles in CDS are:

1) IMA: 19 to 24 years of age, 8 to 9 attempts.

2) INA: 19 to 24 years of age, 8 to 9 attempts.

3) OTA: 19 TO 25 years of age, 10 to 11 attempts.

This is all considering your DOB as of 26 Oct, 2005 as you are 19 years old in Aug 2025.

Know more at:

CDS Exam Dates 2025 (Out) - Check UPSC CDS 2 Complete Exam Schedule

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, DV, Pay Scale

BEST OF LUCK

Yes, you will be eligible for CDS-1 2027 under OTA (SSC Women – Non-Technical Course). The age limit for OTA is 19–25 years (you must be born between 2nd Jan 2001 and 1st Jan 2007). Since your date of birth is 4 July 2002, you will be 24 years old at that time, so you fall within the required age range.

But you will not be eligible for IMA, INA or AFA, because their upper age limit is 24 years, and by 2027 you will cross that limit.


As per the CDS OTA eligibility criteria, for female candidates applying to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), the age limit is 19 to 25 years (unmarried females only).

Since your date of birth is 16th June 2005, you will turn:

21 years old in June 2026,

25 years old in June 2030.

CDS exam is conducted twice every year, so you’ll be eligible from the year you complete graduation (2026) till you turn 25 in 2030.

Your eligible attempts:

CDS 2 2026

CDS 1 2027

CDS 2 2027

CDS 1 2028

CDS 2 2028

CDS 1 2029

CDS 2 2029

CDS 1 2030 (maybe last)

So, you will have around 7 to 8 attempts to appear for CDS OTA before you cross the maximum age limit.