UPSC CDS 1 Notification 2026 (Out) - Check Steps to Download CDS 1 Notification PDF
Ongoing Event
CDS Application Date:10 Dec' 25 - 30 Dec' 25
The Union Public Service Commission released the UPSC CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2025 on the official website upsconline.nic.in/upsc.gov.in. UPSC CDS 1 notification 2026 has prescribed the information about the CDS exam, like exam eligibility criteria, syllabus, and exam pattern, in the official UPSC CDS notification 2026. The Union Public Services Commission conducts the CDS exam twice a year. The UPSC CDS 1 notification can be downloaded in PDF format.
This Story also Contains
- CDS Notification 2026 - Exam dates
- CDS Application Form 2026
- CDS 1 Eligibility Criteria 2026
- CDS Selection Process 2026
- CDS 1 Exam Pattern 2026
- CDS 1 Syllabus 2026
Candidates are encouraged to go through the CDS 2026 notification thoroughly and acquaint themselves with all the details regarding the exam. Twice a year, the CDS exam is held with the purpose of shortlisting eligible candidates for various courses under the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy. Below, we go through all the details presented in the CDS for candidates’ reference.
CDS Notification 2026 - Exam dates
From the following table, candidates can check all the important CDS exam dates 2026. Candidates are advised to keep track of all the dates so that they don’t miss any events.
CDS 1 Exam Dates 2026
CDS 1 Events | CDS 1 2026 Date |
CDS 1 notification | December 10, 2025 |
CDS 2026 application form | December 10, 2025 |
Last CDS 1 2026 Registration date | December 30, 2025 |
Application form correction window | To be announced |
Admit card release date | To be announced |
CDS 1 exam date 2026 | April 12, 2026 |
CDS result date | To be announced |
CDS official question papers release date | To be announced |
CDS 2 Exam Dates 2026
CDS 2 Events | CDS 2 2026 Date |
UPSC CDS 2 notification | May 20, 2026 |
CDS 2 application form starts | May 20, 2026 |
Last date to register for CDS | June 9, 2026 |
Admit card release date | To be announced |
CDS for written exam | September 13, 2026 |
Release of official question paper | To be announced |
CDS 2 result date | To be announced |
CDS official question papers release date | To be announced |
CDS Application Form 2026
UPSC has activated the CDS 1 2026 application form online link on December 10, 2025. The last day to fill out the CDS 1 application form 2025 is December 30, 2025. While filling out the application form, candidates have to fill in their details and academic information, select the CDS 2026 exam centre and pay the application fee. Candidates who successfully submit their application form will get their CDS 2026 admit card.
Also read: Basic Information about category-wise career exams
CDS 1 Eligibility Criteria 2026
The Union Public Service Commission specified the CDS 2026 eligibility criteria in the official notification. The CDS exam eligibility consists of the CDS exam age limit, nationality, academic qualification, and physical standards required to fill in the application form. The detailed CDS exam eligibility is mentioned in the notification.
Also read:
CDS Selection Process 2026
The Union Public Service Commission mentions the details regarding the CDS selection process 2026 in the official notification. As per the selection process, there are two stages in the exam – the written exam and the SSB interview. Candidates who clear the written exam are called to appear in the SSB interview round, which is a 5-day affair. The written exam tests a candidate's aptitude and reasoning abilities, while SSB tests psychological aptitude and mental condition. Candidates will have to clear both these stages to be commissioned officers in the Indian defence forces.
Also read:
CDS 1 Exam Pattern 2026
The CDS 1 notification 2026 consists of the exam pattern prescribed by UPSC. The CDS 1 2026 exam pattern consists of the stages of the exam, time duration, marking scheme, subjects which need to be studied, etc. Candidates must refer to the CDS exam pattern while preparing for the exam, as the CDS question paper 2026 will be based entirely on it. From the following tables, Candidates can check the CDS exam pattern.
CDS 2026 Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA
Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
English | 2 hours | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
Exam Pattern of CDS 2026 for OTA
Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
English | 2 hours | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
Also read:
CDS 1 Syllabus 2026
Apart from the exam pattern, the notification also consists of the CDS syllabus. UPSC has prescribed the official CDS 2026 exam syllabus which consists of the subjects, topics and sub-topics which candidates need to study in order to clear the exam. Candidates must streamline the CDS exam syllabus with the exam pattern to form their preparation strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When will the CDS 1 notification release?
A:
The CDS 2025 notification was released on December 10, 2025.
Q: How can I apply for CDS 1 exam 2026?
A:
Candidates can apply for the CDS 1 2026 exam by visiting the official website and following the steps mentioned there.
Q: How many stages are there in the CDS exam?
A:
There are two stages in the CDS exam - written test and SSB interview.
Q: Is there any negative marking in the CDS exam?
A:
Yes, there is a negative marking of ⅓ mark in the CDS 1 written test.
Q: Who is eligible for the CDS exam?
A:
Candidates who meet the CDS eligibility criteria are eligible to apply for the CDS 1 exam 2026.
Q: When can I apply for CDS 2 2026?
A:
Candidates can apply for the CDS 2 exam 2026 from May 20, 2026 onwards.
Q: Are females eligible for CDS?
A:
Yes, females are eligible for CDS but only for OTA (Officers Training Academy).
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Questions related to CDS
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Have a question related to CDS ?
Choosing the best CDS coaching in Lucknow really depends on what kind of learning environment you’re looking for. Some students prefer centres with strict discipline and regular mock tests, while others focus more on experienced faculty or smaller batch sizes. From what I’ve observed and heard from fellow aspirants, Shield Defence Academy is one of the institutes worth considering—they maintain consistent classes, focus on basics, and their test series is fairly well-structured.
Hello aspirant,
No, after tenth grade, you are not eligible to take the CDS exam. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in order to sit for the CDS exam. It is intended for people who are in their last year of graduation or who have finished their college education. You must finish your 12th grade before you can graduate if you recently passed the 10th. You can then apply for the CDS exam to become an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.
Thank you
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
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