CDS 1 Notification 2026 is Out: Complete Overview
The UPSC has officially released the CDS 1 Notification 2026 on 10 December 2025. These notifications mention a total of 451 vacancies among various posts for men and women that will be filled with the exam.
Those who are interested can apply online only through the UPSC portal from 10 December to 30 December 2025 (till 6:00 PM). The written test will be conducted on 12 April 2026 for this examination. For more detailed information, read the blog to the end.
CDS 1 Notification 2026 Complete Breakdown
You can check the complete breakdown of the CDS 1 Notification 2026 in this blog below:
Download the Official Combined Defence Service Exam Notification – PDF
This blog highlights only the most important points of the notification. If you want to read the notice fully, then you can download the official CDS 1 Notification 2026 PDF:
Important Dates Mentioned in the Notice
These are the key dates for the official CDS 1 Notification 2026.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 Notification Release Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Start Date (to apply) | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date (to apply) | 30 December 2025 (till 6:00 PM) |
| CDS 1 Exam 2026 Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Last working day of the week before exam |
Listed Vacancies in the Combined Defence Service Exam Notification
The CDS 1 Notification 2026 has announced academy-wise vacancies for various defense training courses:
| Name of the Academy/Course | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC (Men) | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC (Women) | 18 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
Eligibility Criteria Mentioned in the Official Notification
These are the eligibility criteria for candidates mentioned in the official CDS 1 Notification 2026.
Nationality:
- The candidate needs to be a citizen of India & can be a subject of Nepal or a Gorkha subject of Nepal.
- The candidate can be of Indian origin and have migrated from specified countries with the aim of permanent settlement in India.
- If the candidate has the eligibility certificate from the Government of India, as it is required for certain categories.
Read the official notification for more detailed sub-sections.
Age, Sex & Marital Status:
- IMA & INA: Those male & unmarried candidates who are below the age of 25 years (those who were born between 2nd Jan 2003 and 1st Jan 2008.)
- AFA: Those candidates who are aged between 20 and 24 years as of 2nd Jan 2023 to 1st January 2027.
- AFA CPL Relaxation: The upper age limit is relaxed up to 26 years for DGCA CPL holders—between 2nd Jan 2001 to 1st Jan 2007.
- OTA (Men): Those unmarried male candidates who were born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2008. [as mentioned in the CDS 1 Notification 2026]
- OTA (Women): Those unmarried women, issueless widows, or divorcees not remarried within the prescribed age range.
- Candidates below 25 years must be unmarried; marriage is not permitted during training.
Physical Standards
All the candidates must be physically fit (carefully read the standards specified in Appendix III of the CDS 1 Notification 2026.)
What will be the educational qualification?
These are the enlisted qualifications mentioned in the official CDS 1 Notification 2026:
- IMA & OTA (Chennai): You’ll need a graduation degree from a recognized institution/university or equivalent.
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): You’ll need a degree in engineering from a recognized university or institution, which is mandatory.
- Air Force Academy (AFA): You’ll need a degree from a recognized university (with physics and mathematics at the 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering).
- Final Year Candidates: Those who are appearing in the final year/semester are eligible (still subject to proof of passing).
- Proof at SSB Interview: In the SSB interview, you’ll need the provisional or graduation certificate.
- Submission Deadline (IMA/INA): You’ll need to submit proof of degree on or before 1 January 2027.
- Submission Deadline (AFA): You’ll need to submit proof of degree on or before 13 November 2026.
- Submission Deadline (OTA): You’ll need to submit proof of degree on or before 1 April 2027.
What will be the format of the CDS 1 Exam 2026?
The CDS 1 Exam 2026 will consist of a written examination followed by intelligence and personality tests that will be conducted by SSB at SSB centers.
Overall Selection Scheme:
- The written examination will be conducted by UPSC
- SSB will conduct an interview for intelligence and personality tests.
Written Examination Format (IMA, INA & AFA):
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge (Bilingual) | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics (Bilingual) | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total Marks | — | 300 |
Written Examination Format (OTA – Men & Women):
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total Marks | — | 200 |
Key Rules to keep in check – as per CDS 1 Notification 2026
- All CDS exam papers consist of objective (MCQ) questions only.
- General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are set in both English and Hindi.
- Questions use the metric system of weights and measures wherever applicable.
- Candidates must write papers in their own hands; scribes are strictly not allowed.
- Use of calculators is prohibited, and UPSC may fix subject-wise qualifying marks.
- For every wrong answer, one-third (0.33) marks are assigned for deduction.
- Marking more than one option is treated as a wrong answer, even if one option is correct.
- Questions left blank carry no negative marking.
SSB Interview Marks Allocation:
- IMA / INA / AFA: 300 Marks
- OTA: 200 Marks
CDS 1 Syllabus 2026
The CDS 1 Syllabus 2026 is strictly as prescribed in the official UPSC notification for the written exam and SSB stages.
1. English (Code 11):
Grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, and working usage of words.
2. General Knowledge (Code 12):
Current affairs, general science, the history of India, and basic geography.
3. Elementary Mathematics (Code 13):
Arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration, and statistics.
4. Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB):
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
- Stage II: An interview will be conducted with:
- Group Testing Officer tasks
- Psychology tests
- Conference.
How to Apply for This Exam?
You need to follow this application process to apply for the CDS 1 Exam 2026:
1. Online Application Mode
You can only apply through the official UPSC website https://upsconline.nic.in, as no offline or other application modes are accepted.
2. Read Instructions Carefully
Now, before applying, you need to read the general instructions and module-wise guidelines and collect documents to upload.
3. Universal Registration Number (URN)
You first need to complete URN registration & fill out the Common Application Form (CAF), and then you can submit the examination-specific module.
4. Upload Required Information
You have to submit accurate details related to date of birth, educational qualification, photo ID, and other claims; failing this can lead to cancellation of your candidature.
5. Live Photo & Photograph Upload
You must upload a clear photograph and capture a live photo during CAF submission (read and strictly follow UPSC photo guidelines).
6. One-Time URN Correction Facility
UPSC allows candidates a one-time update of the URN profile; however, these changes will apply only to future applications, not already submitted ones.
7. Government & Armed Forces Candidates
If you are serving in government service or the Armed Forces, then you must inform your department or commanding officer in writing and submit the collected NOC at the SSB stage.
What is the application fee for this recruitment test?
According to the CDS 1 Notification 2026, candidates (except female/SC/ST) must pay a prescribed fee of Rs. 200. This amount can only be paid via Visa, Mastercard, Rupay cards, UPI, or internet banking (with online transaction).
Which is the best coaching in Jaipur for the defence exam preparation?
JEC Academy, also known as JEC Jaipur, has helped more than 120 candidates to qualify for CDS exams. Also, JEC Jaipur’s top-quality Subject Matter Expert (SMEs) as faculty, comprehensive exam environment, and complete Defence exam preparation resources ensure that candidates are fully prepared for selection in the CDS 1 Exam 2026.
Join JEC Academy for the best CDS coaching in Jaipur.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have provided all the details about CDS 1 Notification 2026 and its complete breakdown. This breakdown included dates, eligibility, syllabus, format, application process, and more.
Also, if you want to appear in this exam with at least one dedicated preparation, then JEC Academy would be your best destination.
Leave a Reply