UPSC CDS Exam 2026 Application Form: 451 Vacancies

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) invites online applications from eligible candidates for the Combined Defence Services Examination, 2026 including SSC Women (Non-technical) Course.

Name of Post and Number of Vacancies: 451 Vacancies

Indian Military Academy, Dehradun –163rd (DE) Course commencing in July 2027 [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC `C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders]: 100 Vacancies
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Course commencing in July, 2027 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro [including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders]: 26 Vacancies
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in July, 2027 i.e. 222 F(P) Course [including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry]: 32 Vacancies
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 126th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in October, 2027: 275 Vacancies
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 126th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in October, 2027: 18 Vacancies

Important Dates:
Commencement of Online Application: 20-05-2026
Last Date of Online Application: 09-06-2026
Date of Examination: 13-09-2026

Eligibility Criteria:

For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai: Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.

For Indian Naval Academy: Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or B.Sc. with Physics as core or elective subject from recognised University/ Institution (with Physics and Mathematics in 10+2 level).

For Air Force Academy: Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.

Age Limit:

For IMA and Indian Naval Academy: Candidates must have attained the minimum age of 19 years and must not have crossed the maximum age of 24 years. Candidates must born not earlier than 1st July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2008.

For Air Force Academy: Candidates must have attained the minimum age of 20 years and must not have crossed the maximum age of 24 years as on 01-07-2027. Candidates must born not earlier than 1st July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2007. However, relaxation in the upper age limit is applicable as per government directives.

Scheme of Examination: The Competitive examination comprises:
Written examination:
For Admission to Indian Military Academy: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics examination
For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy: English, and General Knowledge examination

Interview for intelligence and personality test.

Pay Scale: Pay Level 10

Application Fee: Rs. 200
SC/ ST/ Female candidates are exempted from paying the examination fee.
The candidate recommended paying the examination fee online.

Application Mode: Online 

How to Apply: Candidates are suggested to apply online through the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at https://upsc.gov.in/

For complete details on this recruitment, please go through the official recruitment page of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-CDS-II-2026-