Name of Post: UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 | Total Posts: 451 | Application Mode: Online
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the recruitment through Combined Defence Services (CDS) – I 2026. Eligible candidates can apply online from 10 December 2025 to 30 December 2025 (up to 06:00 PM) through the official portal upsconline.nic.in.
Important Dates
- Notification Release Date: 10 December 2025
- Start Date to Apply Online: 10 December 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: 30 December 2025 (up to 06:00 PM)
- Examination Date (Written): 12 April 2026
- Written Result Declaration: May 2026 (Tentative)
- Course Commencement (IMA/INA/AFA): January 2027
- Course Commencement (OTA): April 2027
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹200/-
- SC / ST : ₹0/- (Exempt)
- Payment Mode: Online payment through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI or Pay offline through E-Challan (if applicable)
Age Limit (as on 01-07-2025)
- IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2008
- Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2008
- Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 years (born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2007).
- Upper age limit relaxable upto 26 years for candidates holding valid Commercial Pilot Licence
- OTA (SSC Men): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2002 and not later than 01/01/2008
- OTA (SSC Women): Unmarried women, issueless widows/divorcees born not earlier than 02/01/2002 and not later than 01/01/2008 Date of birth accepted only from Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate No subsequent change in date of birth allowed
Eligibility
- IMA/OTA: Degree of a recognized University or equivalent.
- INA: Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution.
- AFA: Degree of a recognized University (with specified physical/visual standards for flying branch).
- Candidates should check the official notification for service-specific educational/medical standards and physical criteria.
- Only Indian citizens (and other categories as allowed by UPSC) are eligible—refer to the notification for details.
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Salary / Stipend
- During Training: Fixed stipend approx. ₹56,100/- per month (starting pay in Level 10) — as notified.
- Post-Commissioning Pay Scales (indicative):
- Lieutenant — Pay Level 10: ₹56,100 – 1,77,500/-
- Captain — Pay Level 10B: ₹61,300 – 1,93,900/-
- Major — Pay Level 11: ₹69,400 – 2,07,200/-
- Lieutenant Colonel — Pay Level 12A: ₹1,21,200 – 2,12,400/-
- Colonel — Pay Level 13: ₹1,30,600 – 2,15,900/-
- Military Service Pay (MSP) and other allowances (DA, Transport, Dress Allowance, Children Education Allowance, ration etc.) as per rules.
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026: Vacancy Details
How to Apply for UPSC CDS I 2026
- Visit the official application portal – upsconline.nic.in
- Create an account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN) if not already registered.
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) and Examination Specific Module with correct personal and educational details.
- Upload required documents and recent photograph (follow size & format in notification); AFA requires live photo capture during application for flying branch.
- Pay the application fee online (if applicable) and submit the form.
- Note down the application number/URN and take a printout for future reference.
- Important: No corrections allowed after final submission—verify all details carefully before submitting.