The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS-I), 2026. This recruitment offers a prestigious opportunity for candidates to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as officers.

The online application process is open until 30 December 2025 (6 PM). A total of 451 vacancies will be filled through this examination.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is expected to release the CDS 2026 notification very soon for candidates who are preparing to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Every year thousands of aspirants appear in this exam, and the competition continues to grow. If you are planning to apply for the UPSC CDS 2026 Recruitment, this post gives you complete and updated information, including eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, selection process, and how to fill the CDS online form 2026.

The CDS 2026 exam will be conducted in two major phases — Written Examination and SSB Interview. Aspirants must follow the CDS syllabus 2026 carefully because UPSC never makes big changes; however, accuracy and conceptual understanding are extremely important. Along with this, knowing the CDS exam pattern 2026 helps you plan your preparation in a structured way.

Before applying, candidates should check the CDS eligibility 2026, such as age limit, marital status, and educational qualifications. UPSC strictly verifies documents during SSB, so make sure you fulfill all criteria. Once the notification is released, the CDS 2026 online form will be available on the official UPSC portal.

The CDS 2026 vacancy details will also be mentioned in the notification. Candidates are advised to stay updated with important announcements to avoid missing deadlines. Below are detailed FAQs for better understanding.

Union Public Service Commission UPSC CDS (I) 2026 Recruitment 451 Vacancies – Apply Online
IMPORTANT DATES					APPLICATION FEE / DETAILS
Notification Release: 10-12-2025 Last Date to Apply: 30-12-2025 Exam Date: 12-04-2026 Official Website: Click Here					Application Fee: ₹200/- SC/ST/Female: Nil Payment Mode: Online Only
CDS 2026 – Vacancy Details Course Name Total Vacancies Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun 100 Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala 26 Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad 32 OTA, Chennai – Men 275 OTA, Chennai – Women 18 Total 451
Eligibility Criteria 1. Nationality Indian Citizen Nepal Citizen Persons of Indian Origin migrated from specified countries 2. Age Limit & Marital Status Course Age Limit IMA 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008 INA 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008 AFA 20–24 years OTA Men 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 OTA Women Unmarried / Widow / Divorcee 3. Educational Qualification Academy Qualification IMA / OTA Graduation Degree INA Engineering Degree AFA Graduation + Physics/Maths (12th) OR B.Tech
CDS Exam Pattern 2026 For IMA, INA & AFA Subject Duration Marks English 2 Hours 100 General Knowledge 2 Hours 100 Elementary Mathematics 2 Hours 100 Total — 300 For OTA Subject Duration Marks English 2 Hours 100 General Knowledge 2 Hours 100 Total — 200
SSB Interview Process Stage 1: OIR Test, PP&DT Stage 2: Interview, GTO Tasks, Psychology Tests, Conference
Stipend & Salary Training Stipend: ₹56,100/- per month MSP: ₹15,500/- per month Dress Allowance: ₹20,000/- Annually Other allowances as per rules
Important Links
Official Website					Click Here
Apply Online					Click Here
Telegram Channel					Click Here
YouTube Channel					Click Here
Official Notification					Click Here

Top 10 Preparation Tips for CDS 2026 (Easy & Effective)

Preparing for the UPSC CDS 2026 exam requires consistency, planning, and the right strategy. Here are the most effective CDS exam preparation tips you should follow:

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1. Understand the CDS Exam Pattern Clearly

Before starting your preparation, learn the CDS exam pattern 2026 for your academy.
This helps you prioritize subjects and manage time properly.

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2. Follow the Official CDS Syllabus 2026

Always prepare strictly according to the official CDS syllabus 2026.
UPSC never asks outside-the-syllabus questions, so covering every topic matters.

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3. Read Newspapers Daily for GK & Current Affairs

Focus on:

• India & World news
• Defense-related updates
• Economy & Polity
• Science & Tech

This helps score well in the General Knowledge section.

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4. Practice Previous Year Papers

Solving previous UPSC CDS papers helps you understand question trends, difficulty level, and time management.

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5. Strengthen Your English Skills

Focus on:

• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Reading comprehension
• Cloze test
  Good English preparation boosts your overall score significantly.

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6. Build Strong Basics in Mathematics

For IMA/INA/AFA candidates, maths is very scoring.
Revise topics like algebra, arithmetic, trigonometry, and geometry regularly.

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7. Take Mock Tests Every Week

Mock tests help you analyse your performance, improve speed and accuracy, and identify weak areas.

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8. Make Short Notes for Revision

Prepare small notes for formulas, GK facts, and vocabulary.
These notes save time during the last revision days.

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9. Stay Physically Fit for SSB Interview

CDS is not just a written exam.
The SSB process requires stamina, confidence, and a fit body.
Start jogging, push-ups, and basic fitness routines.

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10. Stay Consistent & Positive

CDS selection needs discipline.
Even small daily efforts make a big difference.
Maintain a study routine and stay confident.