The Union Public Service Commission provided the details pertaining to the CDS 2026 exam centres online in the official notification. The official CDS 2026 notification is available to download at upsconline.nic.in/upsc.gov.in. Candidates attempting the UPSC CDS exam can choose their exam centre while filling out the application form. Therefore, candidates have to select their CDS 2026 exam centre carefully before submitting the application.
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The cities where the CDS exam will take place are listed in the table below. Please note that candidates will not be able to change or make corrections to their choice of exam centre after submitting the application form.
Events | CDS 01/2026 |
CDS 1 Advertisement | December 10, 2025 |
| CDS 1 2026 application form date | December 10, 2025 |
Last CDS 1 2026 registration date | December 30, 2025 |
CDS 1 2026 exam date | April 12, 2026 |
Events | CDS 02/2026 |
CDS 2 Advertisement | May 20, 2026 |
| CDS 2026 application date | May 20, 2026 |
Last day of CDS 2 Application | June 9, 2026 |
CDS 2 2026 Exam Date | September 13, 2026 |
The CDS exam centre 2026 details are given in the official notification. The CDS exam 2026 will be held in the offline mode. The number of exam centres may vary. Candidates can refer to the table below to know the list of exam centres of UPSC CDS.
| AGARTALA | GHAZIABAD | NAVI MUMBAI |
| AGRA | GORAKHPUR | PANAJI (GOA) |
| AJMER | GURGAON | PATNA |
| AHMEDABAD | GWALIOR | SRI VIJAYA PURAM (PORT BLAIR) |
| AIZAWL | HYDERABAD | PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD) |
| ALIGARH | IMPHAL | PUDUCHERRY |
| ALMORA (UTTARAKHAND) | INDORE | PUNE |
| ANANTPUR (ANDHRA PRADESH) | ITANAGAR | RAIPUR |
| CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR [AURANGABAD (MAHARASHTRA)] | JABALPUR | RAJKOT |
| BENGALURU | JAIPUR | RANCHI |
| BAREILLY | JAMMU | SAMBALPUR |
| BHOPAL | JODHPUR | SHILLONG |
| BHUBANESWAR | JORHAT | SHIMLA |
| BILASPUR (CHHATISGARH) | KARGIL | SILIGURI |
| CHANDIGARH | KOCHI | SRINAGAR |
| CHENNAI | KOHIMA | SRINAGAR (UTTARAKHAND) |
| COIMBATORE | KOLKATA | SURAT |
| CUTTACK | KOZHIKODE (CALICUT) | THANE |
| DEHRADUN | LEH | THIRUVANANTHAPURAM |
| DELHI | LUCKNOW | TIRUCHIRAPALLI |
| DHARAMSHALA | LUDHIANA | TIRUPATI |
| DHARWAD | MADURAI | UDAIPUR |
| DISPUR | MANDI | VARANASI |
| FARIDABAD | MUMBAI | VELLORE |
| GANGTOK | MYSORE | VIJAYAVADA |
| GAYA | NAGPUR | VISHAKHAPATNAM |
| GAUTAM BUDDH NAGAR | NASHIK | HANUMAKONDA (WARANGAL URBAN) |
Candidates must bring the following documentation to the exam centre
A valid photo ID card, such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter Card, PAN Card or Passport/Driving Licence.
UPSC CDS admit card
Passport-size photographs
Candidates must take care to follow these rules during the CDS exam.
Candidates must be present at the CDS exam centre at least an hour before the exam starts.
The candidate must be carrying all the required documentation.
Candidates must use only a black ballpoint pen on the OMR sheet.
Candidates must not use any unfair means in the exam. This includes not bringing any of the prohibited items listed below.
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Candidates will be allowed to take the following items inside the exam centre of CDS 2026.
CDS 2026 admit card
Valid photo identity proof
One or two photographs
Transparent water bottle
The following are the items prohibited to carry inside the CDS 2026 exam centre.
Mobile phone
Pen Drive
Smartwatches
Pager
Bluetooth device
Stationery items, etc.
Check Here For A List of Other Government Exams
The Union Public Service Commission will release the CDS 2026 admit card soon at upsc.gov.in. Candidates will be able to download the UPSC CDS 1 2026 admit card by using the valid registration number and date of birth. They can check exam centre details on the CDS 2026 admit card.
The details specified on the UPSC CDS admit card are personal details, exam details, contact details, and the exam day instructions, photograph, signature, etc. Candidates are advised to reach the CDS exam centre in 2026 at least one hour before the starting time of the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CDS selection process 2026 consists of a written exam, SSB interview and medical examination.
Yes, as per the CDS exam pattern 2026, there is a negative marking of one-third mark for every incorrect answer.
No, once the CDS 2026 exam centre is alloted, it cannot be changed.
The CDS Full Form is Combined Defence Services exam.
There were a total of 81 exam cities this year.
The CDS age limit is between 20 and 24 years.
In order to better the CDS 2026 exam, candidates should prepare a strategy and cover the whole syllabus from CDS exam books 2026.
Candidates can download the UPSC CDS admit card 2026 by using the registration number and date of birth.
Pathfinder from Arihant Publications is the best book for CDS exam preparation 2026.
The CDS exam centre list is provided in the official notification. However, aspirants can also check the exact UPSC CDS exam centre on their admit card.
On Question asked by student community
Hi
If you are a female candidate with a DOB of May 25, 2002, you can appear for the CDS exam for 4 to 5 more attempts. Check out the CDS exam dates 2026 to learn more about how and when to appear for the examination.
Yes, you can apply for the CDS 1 2027 and CDS 2 2027 exams, but likely ONLY for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA). You will be overage for IMA, INA, and AFA.
CDS 1 2027 Eligibility
For the course commencing in January/April 2028, the approximate age cut-offs will be:
|
Academy |
Yes you're eligible . If you're born on 1 july 2003, you're eligible for UPSC CDS 2 in 2026 for IMA . For IMA the candidate must be born between 2 july 2002 and 1 july 2007
Hello,
This is a minor mistake and it will not affect your selection.
UPSC usually opens a
correction window
after the application closes.
You can edit details like the
issuing authority / degree details
during that time.
So you will be able to correct it.
If not corrected now:
It
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