CDS 1 2026 Notification PDF and detailed information about the Application form. How to Apply for the CDS 2026 Exam. Get all the information, including eligibility criteria, Exam date, and important links.
Welcome to India’s leading coaching institute, Target Defence Academy Lucknow, for CDS written and SSB Interview classes in Lucknow. Here, we have detailed Notifications for CDS 1 2026. Join our Test Series to prepare yourself for the upcoming CDS exams. Below, we have given the CDS 1 2026 Notification Download Link.
CDS 1 2026 Notification
CDS is a National-level entrance examination conducted by UPSC twice a year to recruit eligible candidates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy. In this article, we will discuss the CDS Notification in detail.
CDS Exam Overview
| Conducting Organization | UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) |
| Exam Name | CDS (Combined Defence Services) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Frequency | Twice a Year (April & September) |
| Exam Phases | Written Test & SSB Interview |
| Type of Questions | Objective Type |
| Language of Question Paper | Hindi and English (Except English Paper) |
| Total Marks | IMA, INA and AFA – 300 OTA – 200 |
| Time | Two hours for each section of the test |
| Official website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates For CDS 1 2026
As per the UPSC Calendar, CDS 1 2026 Exam will be conducted on 12th April 2026 on the same day as the NDA Exam. For which notification has been released on 10th December 2025, and students can fill the application form till 30th December 2025.
| UPSC CDS Exam Date 2026 | |
| Events | CDS 1 2026 |
| Notification | 10th December, 2025 |
| Application form | 10th December, 2025 |
| Last date to apply | 30th December, 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | To be notified |
| Admit Card Release Date | First week of April 2026 (Expected) |
| Written exam | 12th April 2026 |
| Result | 26th April 2026 (Expected) |
| SSB Interview Dates | To be notified |
Apply Online Link:- Click Here
Important Links
| CDS Syllabus | Check Now |
| CDS Eligibility Criteria | Check Now |
| UPSC Calendar | Download Now |
| CDS 1 2026 Notification PDF Download | Download Now |
| Previous Year Previous Paper | Download Now |
CDS Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria in CDS Exam comprises Age Limit, Educational Qualification, Gender and Marital Status. Below, we have given all the information in detail.
Age Limit for INA, AFA, IMA, and OTA
| Academy | Age Limit |
| INA | 19 years – 24 years |
| IMA | 19 years – 24 years |
| AFA | 20 years – 24 years |
| SSC Women Non-Tech Course – OTA | 19 years – 25 years |
| SSC Course – Men – OTA | 19 years – 25 years |
Educational Qualification
- For IMA and OTA: The Candidate must have a graduation degree from a recognised University or equivalent.
- For INA: The candidate must have a graduation degree in Engineering from a recognised University.
- For AFA: The Candidate must have a graduation degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.
Gender: Both male and female candidates are eligible for the CDS Exam. But female candidates can apply only for OTA, whereas male candidates can apply for IMA, OTA, and AFA.
Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible for the CDS Exam; issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees who have not remarried are eligible.
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CDS Exam Pattern
Candidates preparing for the CDS Exam should have deep knowledge of the Syllabus and Exam Pattern. The CDS Exam is conducted in three shifts and comprises three subjects: English, General Awareness, and Mathematics. Candidates applying for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) are required to take only Papers 1 and 2. Those preparing for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA) should attempt all three papers.
Below is a structured table that outlines the CDS Exam Pattern, including details about the subjects, duration, number of questions, negative marking, and maximum marks for each paper.
Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA
| Subjects / Section | Duration | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hrs | 120 | 100 | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hrs | 120 | 100 | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hrs | 100 | 100 | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
Exam Pattern for OTA
| Subjects / Section | Duration | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hrs | 120 | 100 | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hrs | 120 | 100 | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
In conclusion, Target Defence Academy is the leading coaching institute for defence exams. TDA has experienced Sainik School Teachers who give guidance for Defence Exams, Written Exam, as well as SSB Interviews. Aspirants looking for the best CDS Coaching in Lucknow can join Target Defence Academy. For more details, call: 8953532115.