UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 – Notification Out
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 under Examination Notice No. 04/2026.CDS-I, dated 10 December 2025.
The selected candidates will undergo training for courses commencing in January 2027 / April 2027, paving the way for a career as commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
This exam opens the gateway for admission into India’s most prestigious defence academies:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
- Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
- Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men & Women)
The courses will commence in January 2027 / April 2027.
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Table of Contents
Important Dates UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026
- Notification Release: 10 December 2025
- Application Start: 10 December 2025
- Application Deadline: 30 December 2025 (till 6 PM)
- Exam Date: 12 April 2026
- Written Result: May 2026 (expected)
Application Fee UPSC CDS I Recruitment -2026
- General / OBC: ₹200
- SC / ST: No fee
- Female Candidates: No fee
Vacancies & Eligibility UPSC CDS I Recruitment -2026
| Course | Vacancies | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 | Graduation in any discipline |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 | Engineering degree |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 | Graduation with Physics & Maths at 12th OR B.E./B.Tech |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men) | 275 | Graduation in any discipline |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women) | 18 | Graduation in any discipline |
UPSC CDS I Recruitment- 2026 Age Limit
- IMA / INA: 19–24 years (Born between 2 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2008)
- AFA: 20–24 years (Born between 2 Jan 2002 – 1 Jan 2008)
- OTA (Men & Women): 19–25 years (Born between 2 Jan 2001 – 1 Jan 2006)
Selection Process- UPSC CDS I Recruitment -2026
- Written Examination conducted by UPSC
- SSB Interview by Armed Forces Selection Boards
- Document Verification & Medical Examination
- Final Merit List based on marks in written exam + SSB interview
How to Apply for UPSC CDS I Recruitment- 2026
- Apply online at upsconline.nic.in
- Complete the Universal Registration Number (URN) first
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) carefully
- Upload photo, signature, and ID proof
- Pay the fee (if applicable)
- Note: No corrections are allowed after submission, so double-check all details before finalizing
Important Links UPSC CDS I Recruitment -2026
- Apply Online – CLICK HERE
- Official Notification – DOWNLOAD PDF