Total Vacancies
451
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UPSC
Union Public Service Commission
UPSC CDS I 2026 • Advt No: 4/2026 CDS-I
UPSC Examination Notice No. 4/2026 CDS-I notified 451 tentative vacancies for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA Men/Women courses. The written examination was held on 12 April 2026 and UPSC declared the written result on 8 May 2026, with 8,826 candidates qualifying for SSB. As of 2 November 2026, the final result is not listed in the UPSC final-results archive.
Total Vacancies
451
Age Limit
19–— Years
Application Dates
10 Dec – 30 Dec 2025
Closes 6:00 PM IST
Job Location
All India
Qualification
Bachelor degree for IMA/OTA; Engineering degree for Indian Naval Academy; degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering for Air Force Academy. Final-year degree students may apply subject to prescribed proof deadlines.
Salary / Stipend
Officer cadet / flight cadet training stipend: Rs. 56,100 per month. Commissioned officer starting pay: Level 10, Rs. 56,100-1,77,500; Military Service Pay Rs. 15,500 per month fixed from Lieutenant to Brigadier/equivalent subject to applicable service rules.
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Particular | Updated Details |
|---|---|
Recruiting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Examination | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
Examination Notice No. | 4/2026 CDS-I |
Notification Date | 10 December 2025 |
Written Examination Date | 12 April 2026 |
Total Tentative Vacancies | 451 |
Courses | IMA, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, OTA Chennai SSC (Men) and OTA Chennai SSC Women (Non-Technical) |
Written Result | Declared 8 May 2026 |
Written Qualified Candidates | 8,826 |
Current Status | Result in Progress - SSB / final selection stage |
Latest status: UPSC declared the written result on 8 May 2026 and 8,826 candidates qualified for SSB interview. As of 2 November 2026, the UPSC final-results archive does not list the final result for CDS (I) 2026, while the notification places OTA SSB activity in the October-December 2026 period. Therefore the overall record remains RESULT_IN_PROGRESS.
Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
Notification / Application Start | 10 December 2025 |
Last Date to Apply | 30 December 2025, 6:00 PM |
Application Correction after Closure | Not permitted |
Written Examination | 12 April 2026 |
Written Result | 8 May 2026 |
SSB - IMA / INA / AFA qualified candidates | Scheduled broadly during August-September 2026 as indicated in the notice |
SSB - OTA-only qualified candidates | Scheduled broadly during October-December 2026 as indicated in the notice |
Final Result | Not listed in UPSC final-results archive as of 2 November 2026 |
IMA / INA Course Commencement | January 2027 |
AFA Course Commencement | January 2027 |
OTA Men / Women Course Commencement | April 2027 |
Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
General / OBC / EWS Male | Rs. 200 |
Female Candidates | Nil / Exempt |
SC / ST | Nil / Exempt |
OBC Fee Exemption | No - full prescribed fee applies |
Payment Mode | Visa / Master / RuPay Credit-Debit Card, UPI or Internet Banking |
Academy / Course | Approx. Vacancies | Special Reservation / Note |
|---|---|---|
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun - 162nd (DE) Course | 100 | Includes 13 vacancies reserved for NCC C Certificate (Army Wing) holders |
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Executive Branch (General Service) / Hydro | 26 | Includes 6 vacancies for NCC C Certificate (Naval Wing) holders and 1 Hydro vacancy |
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - 221 F(P) Course | 32 | Includes 3 vacancies reserved for NCC C Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry |
Officers Training Academy, Chennai - 125th SSC (Men) (NT) Course | 275 | Short Service Commission |
Officers Training Academy, Chennai - 125th SSC Women (NT) Course | 18 | Short Service Commission for women |
Total | 451 | Vacancies are tentative and may change during the selection process |
Academy | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Degree of a recognized University or equivalent |
Officers Training Academy (OTA) | Degree of a recognized University or equivalent |
Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Degree in Engineering from a recognized University / Institution |
Air Force Academy (AFA) | Degree of a recognized University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR Bachelor of Engineering |
Final-Year Students | May apply subject to the notification conditions and submission of proof of passing by the prescribed academy-specific deadline |
Proof of Degree Deadline for Final-Year Candidates | Deadline |
|---|---|
IMA | On or before 1 January 2027 |
Indian Naval Academy | On or before 1 January 2027 |
Air Force Academy | On or before 13 November 2026 |
OTA Chennai | On or before 1 April 2027 |
Academy / Course | Eligibility |
|---|---|
IMA | Unmarried male; born not earlier than 2 January 2003 and not later than 1 January 2008 |
Indian Naval Academy | Unmarried male; born not earlier than 2 January 2003 and not later than 1 January 2008 |
Air Force Academy - Normal | 20-24 years as on 1 January 2027; born 2 January 2003 to 1 January 2007 |
Air Force Academy - Valid DGCA CPL | Upper age relaxable up to 26 years; born not earlier than 2 January 2001 and not later than 1 January 2007 |
OTA SSC Men | Unmarried male; born not earlier than 2 January 2002 and not later than 1 January 2008 |
OTA SSC Women | Unmarried women, issueless widows not remarried, and issueless divorcees not remarried; born 2 January 2002 to 1 January 2008 |
Marriage During Training | Not permitted; candidates must undertake not to marry until completion of training |
Top-level age fields: Because CDS has academy-specific DOB ranges and an AFA CPL relaxation, there is no single universal maximum age. The detailed DOB rules above should be treated as authoritative.
Stage | Details |
|---|---|
Stage 1 | UPSC Written Examination |
Stage 2 | Services Selection Board (SSB) Intelligence & Personality Test |
Stage 3 | Medical Examination |
Final Selection | Written + SSB merit, subject to medical fitness, eligibility, academy preference and available vacancies |
IMA / INA / AFA Paper | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
English | 2 Hours | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
Written Total | - | 300 |
SSB / Interview | - | 300 |
Overall | - | 600 |
OTA Paper | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
English | 2 Hours | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
Written Total | - | 200 |
SSB / Interview | - | 200 |
Overall | - | 400 |
Written Exam Rule | Details |
|---|---|
Question Type | Objective / Multiple Choice |
Negative Marking | One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question for each wrong answer |
Multiple Answers | Treated as wrong and same penalty applies |
Blank Question | No penalty |
Elementary Mathematics Standard | Matriculation level |
English / General Knowledge Standard | Approximately Graduate level |
Calculator | Not permitted |
OMR Pen | Black ball pen only |
SSB Stage | Details |
|---|---|
Stage I | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Tests + Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT) |
Stage II | Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and Conference over the remaining SSB process |
SSB Qualification | Candidates must separately secure the minimum qualifying standard in the written exam and SSB |
IMA / INA / AFA Final Marks | Written 300 + SSB 300 |
OTA Final Marks | Written 200 + SSB 200 |
Final Merit | Aggregate of written examination and SSB marks, subject to medical fitness and vacancies |
Tie-Breaking | Rule |
|---|---|
IMA / INA / AFA - First | Higher written total ranks higher |
OTA - First | Higher written total in English + GK ranks higher |
Second | Higher General Knowledge marks ranks higher |
Third | Older candidate ranks higher |
Still Tied | Resolved at the discretion of the Commission |
Requirement | Summary |
|---|---|
General Fitness | Candidate must be physically and mentally fit for Armed Forces training and service |
Army Minimum Height - Male | 157 cm generally; specified relaxations apply |
Army Minimum Height - Female | 152 cm generally; specified relaxations apply |
Air Force Ground Duty Minimum Height | Male 157 cm; Female 152 cm, with notified regional relaxations |
Air Force Flying Duty Minimum Height | 162 cm for Pilots / specified flying roles |
Medical Board | Detailed service-specific medical standards apply for Army, Navy and Air Force |
Tattoo Rule | Permanent tattoos are generally permitted only on specified inner forearm / reverse hand locations, with customary tribal exceptions considered case-by-case |
The notification contains extensive service-specific standards for height-weight, vision, hearing, dental fitness, cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and other medical conditions. Candidates should use the detailed Appendix-III standards for the academy/service they prefer.
Pay Item | Details |
|---|---|
Cadet Training Stipend | Rs. 56,100 per month during the prescribed training period; starting pay in Level 10 |
Lieutenant / Equivalent Starting Pay | Level 10: Rs. 56,100-1,77,500 |
Military Service Pay | Rs. 15,500 per month fixed from Lieutenant to Brigadier / equivalent, subject to applicable service rules |
Dress Allowance | Rs. 20,000 per year as stated in the service particulars appendix |
Transport Allowance - Level 10 and above | Rs. 7,200 + DA in higher TPTA cities or Rs. 3,600 + DA at other places, subject to rules |
Children Education Allowance | Rs. 2,250 per month as stated in the service particulars appendix |
Course | Commission / Training Nature |
|---|---|
IMA | Permanent Commission Army officer training |
Indian Naval Academy | Naval officer training leading to commission subject to service terms |
Air Force Academy | Air Force officer / flying training; Flight Cadet stipend Rs. 56,100 per month |
OTA SSC Men | Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) |
OTA SSC Women | Short Service Commission Women (Non-Technical) |
Step | Action |
|---|---|
1 | Create / use account on the UPSC Online Application Portal. |
2 | Complete Universal Registration Number (URN) profile and Common Application Form (CAF). |
3 | Complete the CDS-I 2026 examination-specific module, including academy/service preferences, fee and examination centre. |
4 | Upload the required photograph and capture the live photograph as prescribed. |
5 | Provide valid Photo ID details; Aadhaar is strongly recommended by UPSC. |
6 | Pay Rs. 200 if not exempt. |
7 | Submit by 30 December 2025, 6:00 PM. |
8 | No withdrawal and no post-closure correction / alteration is allowed. |
Critical Check | Updated Position |
|---|---|
Notice No. | 4/2026 CDS-I |
Vacancies | 451 tentative |
Written Exam | Held 12 April 2026 |
Written Result | Declared 8 May 2026 |
Written Qualified | 8,826 candidates |
Current Stage | SSB / final selection process |
Final Result | Not listed in UPSC final-results archive as of 2 November 2026 |
Overall Status | RESULT_IN_PROGRESS |
The notification lists 451 tentative vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA Men/Women courses.
The written examination was held on 12 April 2026.
Yes. UPSC declared the written result on 8 May 2026 and 8,826 candidates qualified for SSB interview.
IMA and OTA require a recognized Bachelor degree; INA requires an Engineering degree; AFA requires a degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering.
IMA/INA/AFA candidates take English, GK and Elementary Mathematics for 300 written marks. OTA candidates take English and GK for 200 written marks. Each paper is 2 hours.
Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. No penalty applies to a blank question.
The notification states a fixed training stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month for officer cadets / flight cadets during the prescribed training period.
As of 2 November 2026, the UPSC final-results archive does not list the final result for CDS (I) 2026, so the recruitment remains in the result / SSB stage.
Published updates and official resources in a compact newest-first list.