UPSC CDS 1 Admit Card 2026 Download: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) invites online applications for recruitment to the post of Combined Defence Service (CDS) Examination I 2026 for 451 vacancies. The Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission on 12th April 2026. All eligible and interested male and female candidates can apply online at UPSC official website upsconline.nic.in from 10th December 2025 to till the application last date 30th December 2025 for CDS 1 Examination 2026.
For IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 2003 and not later than 1st January, 2008 only are eligible.
For Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 2003 and not later than 1st January, 2008 only are eligible.
For Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 years as on 1st January, 2027 i.e. born not earlier than 2nd January 2003 and not later than 1st January 2007. (Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 yrs. i.e. born not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2007 only are eligible.
For Officers’ Training Academy: (SSC Course for men) unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2002 and not later than 1st January 2008 only are eligible.
For Officers’ Training Academy: (SSC Women Non-Technical Course) Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible. They should have been born not earlier than 2nd January 2002 and not later than 1st January 2008.
UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
Post Name
No. of Post
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
26
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad
32
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (SSC Men)
275
Officers Training Academy, Chennai (SSC Women)
18
Total Post
451
UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2026 Eligibility
For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai – Degree of a recognized University or equivalent.
For Indian Naval Academy – Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution
For Air Force Academy – Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.
Graduates with first choice as Army / Navy / Air Force are to submit proof of Graduation / provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB.
The Competitive examination comprises (a) a Written examination and (b) an Interview for intelligence and personality test of such candidates as may be called foran interview at one of the Services Selection Centres.
The subjects of the written examination, the time allowed, and the maximum marks allotted to each subject will be as follows:
For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy:
The question paper will be designed to test the candidates’ understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (Code No. 02)
General Knowledge including knowledge of currentevents and ofsuch matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject.
The paper will also include questions on History of India and Geography of a nature which candidate should be able to answer without special study.
ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS (Code No. 03)
ARITHMETIC
Number System:
Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers. Fundamental operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions. Unitary method, time and distance, time and work, percentages, applications to simple and compound interest, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, variation.
Elementary Number Theory:
Division algorithm. Prime and composite numbers. Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 11. Multiples and factors. Factorisation Theorem. H.C.F. and L.C.M. Euclidean algorithm. Logarithms to base 10, laws of logarithms, use of logarithmic tables.
ALGEBRA
Basic Operations, simple factors, Remainder Theorem, H.C.F., L.C.M., Theory of polynomials, solutions of quadratic equations, relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered). Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns-analytical andgraphical solutions. Simultaneous linear inequations in two variables and their solutions.
Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions. Set language and set notation, Rational expressions and conditional identities, Laws of indices.
TRIGONOMETRY
Sine ×, cosine ×, Tangent × when 0° < × < 90° Values of sin ×, cos × and tan ×, for × = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°
Simple trigonometric identities.
Use of trigonometric tables.
Simple cases of heights and distances.
GEOMETRY
Lines and angles, Plane and plane figures, Theorems on (i) Properties of angles at a point, (ii) Parallel lines, (iii) Sides and angles of a triangle, (iv) Congruency of triangles, (v) Similar triangles, (vi) Concurrence ofmedians and altitudes, (vii) Properties of angles, sides and diagonals of a parallelogram, rectangle and square, (viii) Circles and its properties including tangents and normals, (ix) Loci.
MENSURATION
Areas of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles and circle, Areas of figures which can be split up into these figures (Field Book), Surface area and volume of cuboids, lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders, surface area and volume of spheres.
STATISTICS
Collection and tabulation of statistical data, Graphical representation frequency polygons, histograms, bar charts, pie charts etc. Measures of central tendency.
INTELLIGENCE AND PERSONALITY TEST
The SSB procedure consists of two stage Selection process – stage I and stage II. Only those candidates who clear the stage I are permitted to appear for stage II. The details are: –
Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception* Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will beshortlisted based on combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT.
(b) Stage II Comprises of Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over 4 days. The details of these tests are given on the website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2026 Important FAQs
How many vacancies will be there in UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2026?
There are 451 Posts for UPSC CDS.
When will UPSC release the Official Notification 2026 for CDS 1?
UPSC CDS 1 Issue Notification on 10/12/2025.
What is the Apply Online Date for UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2026?
Candidates can Apply from 10/12/2025.
What is the Application Fee for UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2026?
