UPSC CDS Exam 2026 Application Form: 451 Vacancies

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) invites online applications from eligible candidates for the Combined Defence Services Examination, 2026 including SSC Women (Non-technical) Course.

Name of Post and Number of Vacancies: 451 Vacancies

Indian Military Academy, Dehradun - 160th (DE) Course commencing in January 2026 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders]: 160 Vacancies
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course commencing in January 2026 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders]: 26 Vacancies
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January, 2026 i.e. No. 219 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry]: 32 Vacancies
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 123rd SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in April 2026: 275 Vacancies
Officers Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 37th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April 2026: 18 Vacancies

Important Dates:
Commencement of Online Application: 10-12-2025
Last Date of Online Application: 30-12-2025

Date of Examination: 12-04-2026
English: 09:00 AM to 11:00 PM
General Knowledge: 12:30 PM to 02:30 PM
Elementary Mathematics: 04:00 PM to 06:00 PM

Eligibility Criteria:

For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai: Candidates must possess a Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.

For Indian Naval Academy: Candidates must possess a Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/ Institution

For Air Force Academy: Candidates must possess a Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.

Age Limit:

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: Candidates must have attained the minimum age of 20 years and must not have crossed the maximum age of 24 years as on 01-01-2027. Candidates must born not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2007. However, relaxation in the upper age limit is applicable as per government directives.

Scheme of Examination: The Competitive examination comprises:
Written examination:
For Admission to Indian Military Academy: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics examination
For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy: English, and General Knowledge examination

Interview for intelligence and personality test.

Application Fee: Rs. 200
Female, SC/ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates are exempted from paying the examination fee.
The candidate recommended paying the examination fee online.

Application Mode: Online 

How to Apply: Candidates are suggested to apply online through the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at https://upsc.gov.in/

For complete details on this recruitment, please go through the official recruitment page of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at https://upsc.gov.in/Notif-CDSE-I-2026