UPSC CDS I Online Form 2026 notifications Online by Sarkari

UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION 

COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATION (I), 2026 

Short Details of Notification 

SarkariJob.Com 

Important Dates

• Application Begin : 10/12/2025
• Last Date for Apply Online: 30/12/2025 upto 23:59 PM
• Last Date Pay Exam Fee : 30/12/2025
• Correction Date : To be announced
• Written Exam Date : 12/04/2026
• Admit Card Available : To be announced
• Result Announced : To be announced

Application Fee

• General / OBC / EWS : ₹200/-
• EWS : ₹200/-
• SC / ST / Female : No Fee
• Pay the Exam Fee Through Online Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking Only.

Age Limit & Selection Process

• Age Limit: Minimum 19 years and Maximum 24-25 years (as on 01/07/2026, varies by academy: IMA/INA/AFA 19-24 Yrs, OTA 19-25 Yrs)
• Selection Process: Written Examination (300 Marks for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 Marks for OTA) + SSB Interview (900 Marks for IMA/AFA/OTA Men, 120 Marks for INA/OTA Women) + Medical Examination

Vacancy Details– Total 451

• Unmarried Males
• Any Graduate Degree from Recognized University
• Born not earlier than 02/07/2002 & not later than 01/07/2006

• Unmarried Males
• B.E./B.Tech Degree or B.Sc (Physics & Maths)
• Born not earlier than 02/07/2003 & not later than 01/01/2007

• Unmarried Males
• Graduation with Physics & Maths at 10+2 / B.E./B.Tech
• Born not earlier than 02/07/2003 & not later than 01/07/2006

• Unmarried Males
• Any Graduate Degree
• Born not earlier than 02/07/2001 & not later than 01/07/2006

• Unmarried Women (married allowed if no kids)
• Any Graduate Degree
• Born not earlier than 02/07/2001 & not later than 01/07/2006

Physical Eligibility Standards

Male Candidates

Female Candidates

Physical Efficiency Test Standards

Salary & Pay Scale Details

• Lieutenant (After Training): Level 10 – ₹56,100 – 1,77,500/- (7th Pay Commission)
• Additional Benefits: DA (Currently 53%), HRA (27-30% in X/Y/Z cities), Medical, Travel Allowance, Pension, Group Insurance
• Job Security: Defence Forces Employee Benefits with Promotion Opportunities
• Career Growth: Promotions to Captain, Major, Lt Col, Col, Brig, etc. based on service & exams

Exam Pattern & Competition Analysis

• Exam Type: Objective Type Written Exam
• Total Questions: 340 Questions for 300 Marks (IMA/INA/AFA), 240 for 200 Marks (OTA)
• Duration: 2 Hours Per Paper
• Negative Marking: 1/3 Marks deducted for wrong answer
• Competition Ratio: Approximately 1:1000 (High competition)
• Preparation Time: 6-12 months recommended for comprehensive preparation

Examination Centers

• All India: Agartala, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Bengaluru, Bareilly, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Delhi, Dharwad, Dispur, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Jammu, Jorhat, Kochi, Kohima, Lucknow, Madurai, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji, Patna, Port Blair, Prayagraj, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Sambalpur, Shillong, Shimla, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati, Udaipur, Varanasi, Vishakhapatnam
• Center Allocation: As per choice filled in application, subject to availability
• Candidates must reach center 2 hours before exam with Admit Card & Photo ID

Interested Candidates Can Read the Full Notification Before Apply Online. 

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