The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC CDS-I Admit Card 2026 for the upcoming Combined Defence Services Examination. Candidates who registered for the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA courses can now download their hall tickets from the official portal. The written examination is scheduled to be held on April 12, 2026, across various centers in India.
Important Dates (महत्वपूर्ण तिथियां)
| Event Description | Date / Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | December 10, 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | December 10, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | December 30, 2025 |
| UPSC CDS-I Admit Card Release Date | April 02, 2026 (Out Now) |
| UPSC CDS-I Exam Date 2026 | April 12, 2026 |
| Result Declaration (Expected) | May 2026 |
UPSC CDS-I Vacancy Details 2026 (पद विवरण)
UPSC has announced a total of 451 vacancies for the CDS-I 2026 recruitment drive. Below is the distribution across different military academies:
| Academy Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men) | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women) | 18 |
| Total Posts | 451 |
Eligibility & Age Limit (पात्रता और आयु सीमा)
| Post/Academy | Educational Qualification | Age Limit (Born Between) |
|---|---|---|
| IMA & OTA | Bachelor’s Degree in any stream | IMA: Jan 02, 2003 to Jan 01, 2008 OTA: Jan 02, 2002 to Jan 01, 2008 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Degree in Engineering | Jan 02, 2003 to Jan 01, 2008 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2 OR B.E/B.Tech | Jan 02, 2003 to Jan 01, 2008 |
UPSC CDS-I Exam Pattern & Syllabus (परीक्षा पैटर्न)
The CDS exam is conducted in offline mode (Pen & Paper). There is a negative marking of 1/3rd (0.33) for every incorrect answer.
| Academy | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA, INA, AFA | English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours | |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours | |
| OTA | English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
CDS Officer Salary & Pay Scale (वेतनमान)
Selected candidates are commissioned as Lieutenants. During the training period, cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 per month.
| Rank | Pay Level | Pay Scale (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10 B | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
*Additionally, officers receive MSP (Military Service Pay) of ₹15,500 along with DA, HRA, and other allowances.
Selection Process (चयन प्रक्रिया)
The selection involves a rigorous four-stage process to evaluate the physical and mental aptitude of candidates:
- Stage 1: Written Examination – Objective type test conducted by UPSC.
- Stage 2: SSB Interview / Personality Test – A 5-day assessment including Intelligence and Personality tests.
- Stage 3: Document Verification – Checking of original educational and category certificates.
- Stage 4: Medical Examination – Comprehensive health check-up by the Armed Forces Medical Services.
How to Download UPSC CDS-I Admit Card 2026? (एडमिट कार्ड कैसे डाउनलोड करें?)
- Go to the official UPSC website: upsconline.nic.in.
- Click on the “e-Admit Cards for Various Examinations” link.
- Select Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026.
- Read the instructions carefully and click ‘Yes’ to proceed.
- Login using either your Registration ID or Roll Number.
- Enter your Date of Birth and the Captcha code.
- Click on ‘Submit’, and your admit card will appear on the screen.
- Download the PDF and take a printout for the exam day.
Important Links for UPSC CDS-I 2026 (महत्वपूर्ण लिंक्स)
| Description | Action Link |
|---|---|
| Download Hall Ticket / Admit Card | Click Here to Download |
| Download Admit Card Notice | Download PDF |
| Check Exam Date Schedule | View Timetable |
| Online Registration / Login | Login Here |
| Download Detailed Notification PDF | Download PDF |
| Visit Official Department Portal | Official UPSC Site |
| Join Our WhatsApp Channel | Join Now |
| Join Our Telegram Channel | Join Now |
Frequently Asked Questions (अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न)
Q1: UPSC CDS-I 2026 की परीक्षा कब है?
A: UPSC CDS-I 2026 की लिखित परीक्षा 12 अप्रैल 2026 को आयोजित की जाएगी।
Q2: How can I download my CDS-I 2026 Admit Card?
A: You can download it from the official UPSC website (upsconline.nic.in) using your Registration ID or Roll Number.
Q3: What is the total number of vacancies for CDS-I 2026?
A: A total of 451 vacancies have been announced across various academies including IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
Q4: Is there negative marking in the CDS exam?
A: Yes, there is a penalty of 1/3rd marks for every wrong answer.
Q5: What is the salary of a CDS Officer?
A: Newly commissioned Lieutenants start at Pay Level 10 with a basic pay of ₹56,100 plus MSP and other allowances.
Q6: Can final year students apply for CDS?
A: Yes, candidates in their final year of graduation can apply, provided they produce proof of passing by the specified date mentioned in the notification.
Q7: What documents are required at the exam center?
A: You must carry a printed copy of the E-Admit Card and an original Photo ID proof (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, etc.) matching the one mentioned in the application.
Q8: What are the minimum qualifying marks?
A: UPSC usually sets a sectional cut-off of at least 20% in each subject to qualify for the final merit list.