Aspiring defence officers appearing in the UPSC CDS I 2026 written examination must download their admit cards immediately. Released on 02 April 2026, the admit card gives candidates just 10 days to prepare their travel logistics before the examination on 12 April 2026. The CDS examination is conducted by UPSC twice a year and serves as the entry point for commissioned officer positions in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Here is your complete guide.
UPSC CDS I Admit Card 2026 – Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Combined Defence Services Examination I (CDS-I) 2026 |
| Academies Covered | IMA Dehradun, INA, AFA Hyderabad, OTA Chennai (Male & Female) |
| Total Vacancies | 451 Posts |
| Application Period | 10 – 30 December 2025 |
| Admit Card Released | 02 April 2026 |
| Written Examination Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Answer Key | To be Announced |
| Written Result | To be Announced |
| SSB Interview | After Written Result |
| Application Fee | ₹200/- (General/OBC/EWS) | Free (SC/ST/Female) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CDS I 2026 – Complete Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 30 December 2025 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 30 December 2025 |
| Admit Card Released | 02 April 2026 |
| Written Examination | 12 April 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | To be Announced |
| Written Result | To be Announced |
| SSB Interview | After Written Result |
| Medical Examination | After SSB Recommendation |
| Final Merit List & Appointment | To be Announced |
UPSC CDS I 2026 – Application Fee (For Reference)
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS Candidates | ₹200/- |
| SC / ST Candidates | Free (No Fee) |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Free (No Fee) |
UPSC CDS I 2026 – Academy-Wise Vacancy Details (Total: 451 Posts)
| Academy / Training Institution | Location | Vacancies | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | 100 Posts | Indian Army (Permanent Commission) |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Ezhimala, Kerala | 26 Posts | Indian Navy (Permanent Commission) |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Hyderabad, Telangana | 32 Posts | Indian Air Force (Permanent Commission) |
| Officer Training Academy (OTA) – Male | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 275 Posts | Indian Army (Short Service Commission) |
| Officer Training Academy (OTA) – Women | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 18 Posts | Indian Army Women SSC (Short Service Commission) |
| Total | 451 Posts |
IMA/INA/AFA vs OTA — Key Difference: Posts at IMA, INA, and AFA lead to Permanent Commission (PC) — a full career military service. Posts at OTA lead to Short Service Commission (SSC) — typically 10–14 years of service with an option to convert to Permanent Commission. Candidates must select their preference at the time of application and SSB interview. Women can only apply for OTA (Women SSC) — not for IMA, INA, or AFA through CDS.
UPSC CDS I 2026 – Eligibility at a Glance
| Academy | Educational Eligibility | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| IMA Dehradun | Degree from a recognized university (any stream) | Male only |
| INA (Naval Academy) | B.Sc. (Physics & Maths) or B.E./B.Tech | Male only |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | Degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level, OR B.E./B.Tech | Male only |
| OTA Chennai (Male) | Degree from a recognized university (any stream) | Male only |
| OTA Chennai (Women SSC) | Degree from a recognized university (any stream) | Female only |
Women Candidates — OTA Only: Female candidates can appear for CDS and are eligible only for the OTA (Women SSC) category — 18 posts this cycle. IMA, INA, and AFA are exclusively for male candidates through CDS. Female candidates can, however, apply to NDA/NA separately for Naval Academy entry.
How to Download UPSC CDS I Admit Card 2026 – Step-by-Step
- Visit the official UPSC portal: upsc.gov.in (direct link in Important Links below).
- Navigate to the Admit Card section on the homepage.
- Click on “CDS-I Admit Card 2026” or “Combined Defence Services Examination I Hall Ticket”.
- Enter your Registration Number and Password or Date of Birth.
- Your admit card will appear. Verify: name, roll number, exam date (12 April 2026), centre address, reporting time, and photograph.
- Click Download, save the PDF, and take a clear printout. Keep two copies.
Details on the UPSC CDS I Admit Card 2026
- Candidate’s Full Name and Father’s Name
- Roll Number and Registration Number
- Examination Date (12 April 2026) and Session/Shift Timing
- Examination Centre Name and Complete Address
- Reporting Time
- Candidate’s Photograph and Signature
- Important Exam Day Instructions
What to Carry to the UPSC CDS Exam Centre
- Printed Admit Card — colour or black-and-white as instructed
- Original Photo ID — Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence (original only)
- Black or Blue Ballpoint Pen — CDS is an objective-type exam, but carry a pen for rough work if permitted
Prohibited at UPSC CDS Exam: Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth earphones, calculators, books, notes, and all electronic devices are strictly banned. UPSC exam venues enforce thorough checking — leave all gadgets behind.
UPSC CDS Selection Process – What Comes After the Written Exam?
- Written Examination (12 April 2026): For IMA/INA/AFA — three papers (English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics), each 100 marks. For OTA — two papers (English and General Knowledge), each 100 marks. Negative marking applies.
- Written Result: UPSC declares results and shortlists candidates for SSB.
- SSB Interview: 5-day assessment at Services Selection Boards across India — tests intelligence, personality, leadership, and officer-like qualities. Both a screening and main assessment are conducted.
- Medical Examination: Comprehensive medical fitness assessment for SSB-recommended candidates.
- Final Merit List: Based on combined written + SSB performance. Academy allocation based on rank and preference.
- Training at Respective Academy: IMA (18 months), INA (varies), AFA (Stage I & II flying/ground training), OTA (11 months).
UPSC CDS I Admit Card 2026 – Important Links
| Action | Link |
|---|---|
| Download UPSC CDS I Admit Card 2026 | Click Here – upsc.gov.in |
| Download Official CDS-I Notification | Available on Official Portal |
| Official UPSC Website | upsc.gov.in |
Must Read: IAS Mains & Final Result 2026 – Check Here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – UPSC CDS I Admit Card 2026
Q1. When was the UPSC CDS I Admit Card 2026 released?UPSC officially released the Combined Defence Services Examination I (CDS-I) Admit Card 2026 on02 April 2026. Registered candidates can download their hall tickets by logging into upsc.gov.in with their Registration Number and Password or Date of Birth.
Q2. When is the UPSC CDS I 2026 written examination?The CDS-I written examination is scheduled for12 April 2026— a single-day examination. The admit card was released on 02 April 2026, giving candidates 10 days to download, plan travel, and prepare for exam day.
Q3. How many posts are there in UPSC CDS I 2026?Total451 posts: IMA Dehradun — 100, INA — 26, AFA Hyderabad — 32, OTA Chennai (Male) — 275, OTA Chennai (Women SSC) — 18. IMA/INA/AFA lead to Permanent Commission; OTA leads to Short Service Commission.
Q4. Can female candidates appear for UPSC CDS I 2026?Yes — female candidates are eligible for theOTA (Women SSC)category only, with18 poststhis cycle. IMA, INA, and AFA are exclusively for male candidates through CDS. Female candidates write the same written exam but are assessed separately for OTA Women SSC posts.
Q5. What is the CDS written exam paper pattern for IMA/OTA?ForIMA, INA, and AFA: Three papers — English (100 marks), General Knowledge (100 marks), and Elementary Mathematics (100 marks). ForOTA: Two papers — English (100 marks) and General Knowledge (100 marks). All papers are objective-type with negative marking — 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer.
Q6. What is the SSB Interview in CDS selection?The SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview is a rigorous 5-day assessment conducted at designated SSB centres across India. It evaluates a candidate’s Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) through psychological tests, group tasks (GTO), and a personal interview with a Selection Board panel. Only candidates recommended by the SSB proceed to the Medical Examination stage.
Q7. What was the application fee for UPSC CDS I 2026?The application fee was₹200/-for General, OBC, and EWS candidates.SC/ST candidates and all female candidateswere completely exempt from the fee. The application window was 10–30 December 2025. The process is now closed — this is for reference only.