UPSC CDS Selection Process 2026 – The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). This article explains the complete CDS selection process in 2026 along with detailed recruitment data.
Table Of Contents
UPSC CDS 2026 Recruitment Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Form Mode | Online |
| Job Location | All India |
| Monthly Pay | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Job Basis | Permanent |
| Recruitment Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services (CDS) I 2026 |
UPSC CDS 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10/12/2025 |
| Application Start | 10/12/2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30/12/2025 (06:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | 12/04/2026 |
| Admit Card | Before Exam |
Application Fees
| Category | Fees |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200 |
| SC / ST | ₹0 |
| Sons of JCOs / ORs | ₹0 |
| All Women Candidates | ₹0 |
| Payment Mode | Online |
UPSC CDS 2026 Age Limit
| Academy | Age Requirement |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Born between 02/01/2003 – 01/01/2008 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Born between 02/01/2003 – 01/01/2008 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Born between 02/01/2003 – 01/01/2007 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | Born between 02/01/2002 – 01/01/2008 |
⭐ UPSC CDS Selection Process 2026
The CDS Selection Process consists of four main stages:
1️⃣ Stage 1: Written Examination
Conducted by UPSC for all candidates.
IMA, INA & AFA Exam Pattern
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 300 Marks | 6 Hours |
OTA Exam Pattern
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 200 Marks | 4 Hours |
Negative Marking
- 1/3rd marks deducted for wrong answers.
2️⃣ Stage 2: SSB Interview (Services Selection Board)
Candidates who qualify written exam are called for SSB Interview.
SSB is conducted for 5 days and includes:
Day 1 – Screening Test
- OIR Test
- Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT)
Day 2 – Psychological Tests
- Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
- Word Association Test (WAT)
- Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
- Self-Description Test (SDT)
Day 3 & 4 – GTO Tasks
- Group Discussion
- Group Planning Exercise
- Progressive Group Task (PGT)
- Individual Obstacles
- Command Task
- Group Obstacle Race
- Final Group Task (FGT)
Day 5 – Final Interview & Conference
SSB Marks
| Academy | Marks |
| IMA | 300 |
| INA | 300 |
| AFA | 300 |
| OTA | 200 |
3️⃣ Stage 3: Document Verification
Original certificates are verified:
- 10th & 12th certificates
- Graduation degree
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Identity proof
4️⃣ Stage 4: Medical Examination
Candidates undergo physical & medical tests:
- Vision standards
- Hearing test
- Blood & urine test
- X-ray
- Physical fitness parameters
Only medically fit candidates are considered for the final merit list.
⭐ UPSC CDS Merit List Process
The final merit list is prepared on the basis of:
✔ Written Exam Marks
✔ SSB Interview Marks
✔ Medical Fitness
For OTA:
- Total Merit Marks = 200 (Written) + 200 (SSB) = 400
For IMA, INA, AFA:
- Total Merit Marks = 300 (Written) + 300 (SSB) = 600
Qualification Requirements
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
| IMA | Bachelor’s Degree |
| INA | B.E. / B.Tech |
| AFA | 12th with Physics & Maths + Graduation / B.Tech |
| OTA Men | Graduation |
| OTA Women | Graduation |
UPSC CDS 2026 Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Total | Post Name | Total |
| IMA | 100 | OTA (Men) | 275 |
| INA | 26 | OTA (Women) | 18 |
| AFA | 32 | Grand Total | 451 |
Important Links
| Content Type | Issued On | Link |
| Fill Online Form | 10/12/2025 | Click Here |
| Full Notification | 10/12/2025 | Click Here |
| Official Website | 10/12/2025 | Click Here |
⭐ FAQs on UPSC CDS Selection Process 2026
Q1. What are the stages of CDS selection?
CDS selection includes:
- Written Exam
- SSB Interview
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
Q2. Is there negative marking in CDS exam?
Yes, 1/3rd negative marking applies to all questions. UPSC CDS Selection Process 2026
Q3. What is the qualification for CDS OTA?
Graduation in any stream from a recognized university. UPSC CDS Selection Process 2026
Q4. How many marks are required to clear CDS written exam?
Cut-off varies, but:
- IMA: 115–130
- INA: 105–120
- AFA: 130–145
- OTA: 82–95
Q5. Is CDS harder than NDA?
Yes, because CDS syllabus is graduation level and competition is higher. UPSC CDS Selection Process 2026.
