UPSC CDS 1 Notification 2026: Apply Online for 457 Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Salary

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially published the recruitment notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 on 23 October 2026. Serving as the benchmark gateway for leadership entry into the Indian Armed Forces, the CDS examination selects candidates for permanent and short-service commissions across the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).

For the CDS-I 2026 cycle, UPSC has announced a total of 457 vacancies across the three defence services. Eligible unmarried male and female candidates must complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process and submit their online applications directly through the commission's official application portal before the closing date. This comprehensive handbook provides verified structural details, physical standards, exam frameworks, and academy-wise vacancy schedules for competitive aspirants.

UPSC CDS 1 Recruitment 2026: Overview & Highlights

The Combined Defence Services Examination stands among India's most prestigious national competitive evaluations, combining a rigorous written knowledge evaluation followed by an extensive 5-day psychological, ground task, and personal interview assessment administered by the Services Selection Board (SSB).

UPSC CDS 1 2026 Important Dates & Schedule

Candidates must align their preparation and operational documentation strictly within the formal calendar promulgated by the Union Public Service Commission. The application window is time-bound and requires prior OTR completion.

Application Fee Structure & Payment Modes

Applicants (except female candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who are statutory fee-exempt) are mandated to deposit the prescribed processing fee. Non-payment invalidates the registration immediately.

Payment Notice: Candidates opting for the "Pay by Cash" mode must generate and print the system-generated SBI Challan prior to 11 November 2026, 23:59 hours, and deposit the amount at an SBI branch during official banking hours on the prescribed business day.

Post-Wise Educational Eligibility & Age Limits

Due to the distinct operational, technical, and leadership structures across the three Armed Forces wings, UPSC imposes specific academic degrees and stringent age brackets for each training establishment. Candidates must carefully verify their eligibility before locking preference orders.

Final Year Eligibility: Candidates in the final semester/year of their graduation degree program are eligible to apply conditionally. They must submit authentic proof of passing the qualifying examination on or before the document submission cut-off date mandated by the respective military service directorates.

Academy-Wise Vacancy Distribution (457 Posts)

The 457 vacancies for the CDS-I 2026 session are distributed among the training academies based on existing establishment shortfalls and projected cadet intake capacities across the branches.

Commissioned Officer Salary Structure: 7th CPC Pay Scale Matrix

Upon completing their institutional training, cadets are formally commissioned into the Indian Army as Lieutenants, the Indian Navy as Sub-Lieutenants, or the Indian Air Force as Flying Officers. The initial pay begins at Level 10 under the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) framework.

Officers also receive comprehensive medical coverage (ECHS / Military Hospitals), subsidized canteen facilities (CSD), dedicated official housing, leave travel concessions (LTC), and Group Insurance coverage (₹1 Crore through Army Group Insurance Fund / equivalent).

Selection Process & Stage-Wise Exam Pattern

The recruitment process consists of two primary stages: the UPSC Written Examination and the Services Selection Board (SSB) evaluation. The written testing blueprint differs between technical/cadet training academies (IMA, INA, AFA) and the Officers Training Academy (OTA).