UPSC CDS-I Application 2025- Important Dates, Eligibility, Age Limit, Selection Process, Exam Date, Notification PDF: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released a notification for the  Combined Defence Service Exam I 2026. The online application starts on 10 December 2025 on the UPSC official website. Interested Candidates can fill out the UPSC CDS-I online form till 30 December 2025. Candidates must read the official notification for details. The online exam will be conducted on 12 April 2026.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2025

Advt No.: 4/2026 CDS-I

Important Dates

• Application Start Date: 10 December 2025
• Last Date For Application: 30 December 2025 (6 pm)
• Fee Payment Last Date: 30 December 2025
• Exam Date: 12 April 2026
• Admit Card Date: Notify Later
• Result: Notify Later

Application Fee

• General, OBC, EWS: Rs. 200/-
• ST, SC: Rs. 00/-
• Female: Rs. 00/-
• The candidates are required to deposit the requisite examination fees online through Internet Banking, Debit, or Credit Card

UPSC CDS-I Age Limit

1. For IMA— Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 2003 and not later than 1 st January, 2008 only are eligible.
2. For Indian Naval Academy— Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 2003 and not later than 1st January, 2008 only are eligible.
3. For Air Force Academy— Age: 20 to 24 years as on 1st January, 2027, i.e. born not earlier than 2nd January 2003 and not later than 1st January 2007. Upper age limit for candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable up to 26 yrs. i.e. born not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2007 only are eligible.
4. Calculate Your Age
5. For Officers’ Training Academy—(SSC Course for men) Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2002 and not later than 1st January 2008 only are eligible.
6. For Officers’ Training Academy—(SSC Women Non-Technical Course) Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible. They should have been born not earlier than 2 nd January 2002 and not later than 1st January 2008.
7. Age Relaxation is Applicable per the UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026.

UPSC CDS-I 2026 Eligibility Criteria

(a) Nationality:

1. a citizen of India, or
2. a subject of Nepal, or
3. a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Note: Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (ii) and (iii), above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.

(b) Educational Qualifications:

1. For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai — Degree of a recognised University or equivalent
2. For Indian Naval Academy— Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution
3. For Air Force Academy—Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering

Note: Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of Graduation/provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB.

UPSC CDS-I Vacancy Details

Total Post: 451

S. No.	Name of the Course	Approximate No. of Vacancies
1	Indian Military Academy, Dehradun –162nd (DE) Course commencing in January 2027 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders]	100
2	Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala – Course commencing in January 2027, Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders and 01 for Hydro]	26
3	Air Force Academy, Hyderabad – (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in January 2027, i.e., 221 F(P) Course. [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry]	32
4	Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 125th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in April 2027.	275
5	Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 125th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in April 2027.	18

Document Required

• Class 10th and 12th mark sheets
• Degree
• Valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhar Card)
• A recent passport-size photo with a white or light-colored background
• Signature on plain white paper using a black or blue pen (not in capital letters)
• Disability certificate (if applicable)
• Caste Certificate
• Income Certificate for EWS
• Domicile Certificate

Physical Standards

Candidates must be physically fit according to the physical standards for admission to the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026, as per the guidelines given in Appendix-III.

UPSC CDS-I 2026 Selection Process

• Written Exam
• SSB

How to Apply for UPSC CDS-I 2026

1. All applicants shall register through the UPSC Official Website or the direct link given in the link section before the last date.
2. To apply for any form on the UPSC online portal, you need to create an account.
3. To create an account, you must have an active email ID and a mobile number.
4. After creating an account, you need to log in.
5. After logging in, you need to make the Universal Registration.
6. Now fill the Common Application Form (CAF)
7. To apply for a particular examination, you need to go to the ‘Examinations ‘ dropdown and click on the ‘Apply for Examination’ link after completing the CAF.
8. For More details, read the Form Filling General Instructions. Link given in the link section.

Important Links

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Download Notification	Click Here
Form Filling General Instruction	Click Here
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