📢UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026: Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the recruitment notification for UPSC CDS-I 2026 with a total of 451 vacancies across various academies and training academies. This is a golden opportunity for aspiring candidates seeking a sarkari naukri in the defence sector.

📅Important Dates

Event	Date
Online Apply Start Date	December 10, 2025
Online Apply Last Date	December 30, 2025
Last Date For Fee Payment	December 30, 2025
Exam Date	April 12, 2026
Admit Card Available	Before Exam

🏛️Academies and Vacancies

Academy	No. Of Posts
Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun	100
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	26
Air Force Academy Hyderabad	32
Officer Training Academy (OTA)	275
Officer Training Academy (OTA) Women	18

🎓Eligibility Criteria for Various Academies

Post/Academy	Eligibility
Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun	Bachelor’s degree in any subject from a recognized university. Date of birth between January 2, 2003 and January 1, 2008.
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from a recognized university. Date of birth between January 2, 2003 and January 1, 2008.
Air Force Academy Hyderabad	Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from a recognized university. Date of birth between January 2, 2003 and January 1, 2008.
Officer Training Academy (OTA)	Bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognized university. Date of birth between January 2, 2002 and January 1, 2008.
Officer Training Academy (OTA) Women	Bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognized university. Date of birth between January 2, 2002 and January 1, 2008.

💸Application Fee & Payment Mode

Category	Fee
General, OBC, EWS	₹ 200/-
SC/ST	₹ 0/- (No Fee)
All Female Candidates	₹ 0/- (No Fee)

Payment can be made online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Card, or Mobile Wallet.

🧑‍⚖️Age Limit (As per UPSC Rules)

Age Range	January 2, 2003 to January 1, 2008
Relaxation	As per UPSC norms and guidelines

✍️Mode of Selection

Written Examination
Interview
Medical Examination
Physical Examination

🔗Important Official Links

Action	Apply Online
Official Notification	Download PDF
UPSC Official Website	UPSC Website

❓FAQs on UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026

Q1: When does the online application start for UPSC CDS-I 2026?: A1: The online application process started on December 10, 2025.
Q2: What is the last date to apply for UPSC CDS-I 2026?: A2: The last date to submit the online application is December 30, 2025.
Q3: What are the eligibility criteria for CDS-I posts?: A3: Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields as per the respective academy's requirement, and age must fall within the specified range.
Q4: What is the application fee for UPSC CDS-I 2026?: A4: The application fee is ₹200 for General, OBC and EWS candidates. SC, ST and all female candidates are exempted from fees.
Q5: What is the mode of payment for the application fee?: A5: Payment can be done online via Debit/Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, and Mobile Wallets.
Q6: How is the selection process conducted?: A6: Selection includes Written Examination, Interview, Medical and Physical examination stages.

Apply timely to secure your chance for a prestigious government job in defence. For latest result updates and sarkari result notifications, keep following official and trusted sources only.

Note: Always refer to the official UPSC website for final confirmation of all details before applying as rules and criteria may update.

UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 451 Prestigious Defence Posts