UPSC CDS-I Recruitment 2026 – 451 Officer Vacancies | Central Govt Jobs
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released an official notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 to select candidates for admission as officer cadets in the Indian Armed Forces. A total of 451 vacancies have been announced for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy.
The UPSC CDS-I 2026 online application process began on 10 December 2025, and candidates can submit their applications until 30 December 2025.
All details regarding the UPSC CDS-I 2026 Recruitment are also available on the official notification link, as provided below.
| Name of the Post (Course) | No. of Posts (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun – 162nd Course | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala – Executive Branch | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad – 221 F(P) Course | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC (Men) Course | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course | 18 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
Eligibility:
Candidates must have a degree from a recognized university or be in the final year of their degree; specific educational qualifications vary by academy (e.g., Engineering for Naval Academy, Physics & Math at 10+2 level for Air Force Academy).
Age Limit (as on 1st January 2027):
- Indian Military Academy (IMA): 19 to 24 years
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): 19 to 22 years
- Air Force Academy (AFA): 20 to 24 years
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Men: 19 to 25 years
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Women: 19 to 25 years
Application Fee:
- General / OBC / Others: Rs. 200/-
- Fee Exemption: Female, SC, and ST candidates are exempted from payment.
- Payment Mode: Payable online via Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or Internet Banking.
Important Dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Apply Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Online Apply & Fee Payment Last Date | 30 December 2025 (up to 06:00 PM) |
| Date of Written Examination | 12 April 2026 |
How to apply:
Candidates need to read the details from the links below before applying:
| Check Official Notification | Click Here |
| Apply Online Link | https://upsconline.nic.in |
| UPSC Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
FAQs – UPSC CDS-I 2026 Notification
- What is the name of the post?
Ans: The recruitment is for officer cadet positions through the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy. - Who can apply?
Ans: Indian citizens who are graduates or final-year students and meet the specific age, educational, and physical standards for the respective defence academies can apply. - What is the total number of posts?
Ans: The UPSC has announced a total of 451 tentative vacancies for the CDS-I 2026 examination across various academies. - How to apply for the posts?
Ans: Eligible candidates must apply online only through the official UPSC portal at https://upsconline.nic.in before the deadline. - When is the last date to apply online?
Ans: The last date to submit the online application for UPSC CDS-I 2026 is 30th December 2025, up to 6:00 PM.
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