CDS Exam 2026: Notification, Eligibility, Exam Dates, Pattern, and Syllabus

CDS Exam 2026 is a national-level defence entrance examination conducted by UPSC for candidates who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces. This exam is conducted twice a year to select eligible aspirants for prestigious institutions such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). The written test is followed by the SSB interview and medical examination, making it a highly competitive and respected exam for those dreaming of serving the nation as an officer.

CDS Exam 2026 Dates and Notification

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam twice a year—typically in April and September—for candidates seeking to join one of the four prestigious military academies. The complete schedule for the CDS Exam 2026 is released in the UPSC calendar. The following table outlines the expected CDS notification 2026, registration, and exam dates for both sessions: 

What is CDS Exam 2026 Eligibility and Qualification

CDS exam 2026 eligibility criteria covers three main aspects: Nationality, Age Limit, and Educational Qualification. Only unmarried candidates are generally eligible for most entries, except for certain categories in OTA.

Age Limit (What is the age of CDS)

The age limits are different for each academy for the CDS Exam 2026:

What is CDS Exam 2026 Qualification

CDS Exam 2026 qualification required varies depending on the chosen academy:

• For IMA and OTA: A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
• For INA: A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution.
• For AFA: A Degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.
• Final Year Students: Candidates who are in the final year/semester of their graduation are also eligible to apply for the CDS Exam 2026, provided they can submit proof of passing the degree before the commencement of the respective course.

How to Apply CDS Exam 2026 

The application process for the CDS Exam 2026 is conducted exclusively online through the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.

CDS Registration Form 2026: Steps to Apply

1. One-Time Registration (OTR): First-time applicants must complete the UPSC One-Time Registration (OTR) process by providing basic personal and contact details.
2. Part-I Registration: Log in using OTR credentials and select the CDS examination. Enter all required personal, academic, and preference details, including the choice of academy (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA) and exam centers.
3. Part-II Registration: This stage involves paying the application fee and uploading scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and a valid Photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, etc.) in the prescribed format and size.
4. Submission: Review all the entered details thoroughly. Once confirmed, submit the application form and take a printout of the final form for future reference.

CDS Exam Fees (What is the fees of CDS exam)

The application fee for the CDS Exam 2026 is nominal and varies by category:

• General/OBC Male Candidates: ₹200 (Rupees Two Hundred Only)
• Female Candidates and SC/ST Candidates (Male & Female): Exempted from fee payment (Nil)
• Payment Mode: The fee can be paid online (through Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking) or offline (via SBI Challan).

What is CDS Exam Pattern 2026

CDS Exam Pattern 2026 explains the structure of the written examination conducted by UPSC for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). The exam consists of objective-type questions, and candidates must mark their answers on an OMR sheet.

The overall selection process involves two main stages: a Written Examination and the SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test), followed by Document Verification and a Medical Examination.

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What is CDS Exam 2026 Syllabus

CDS exam 2026 syllabus is structured to assess a candidate’s overall aptitude and readiness for officer training. The standard of Elementary Mathematics is generally up to the 10th-grade level, while other subjects are at the graduate level.

1. General English Syllabus

The English paper assesses the candidate’s understanding of English, including their vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills.

• Reading Comprehension
• Spotting Errors and Sentence Improvement
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Idioms and Phrases
• Ordering of Words/Sentences (Para Jumbles)
• Fill in the Blanks/Cloze Test

2. General Knowledge Syllabus

This paper covers a wide range of topics, including current events and general studies of historical, geographical, and scientific importance.

• Current Affairs: Events of national and international importance.
• History: History of India, including the Indian National Movement.
• Polity: Indian Constitution, Governance, and Political System.
• Geography: Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World.
• Science: General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) up to the 10th-grade level.
• Defence and Security: Topics related to national security and the Indian Armed Forces.

3. Elementary Mathematics Syllabus (For IMA, INA, AFA Only)

This section tests quantitative aptitude and problem-solving skills.

• Arithmetic: Number System (Real, Rational, Integers), Square Roots, Decimal Fractions, Percentages, Time & Work, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss.
• Algebra: Basic Operations, Remainder Theorem, Quadratic Equations, Simultaneous Linear Equations.
• Trigonometry: Sine, Cosine, Tangent values, Simple Trigonometric Identities, Heights and Distances.
• Geometry: Lines and Angles, Triangles (Congruence, Similarity), Properties of Parallelogram, Rectangle, and Square.
• Mensuration: Areas of squares, Rectangles, Parallelograms, Triangles, and Circles. Surface area and volume of Cuboids, Cylinders, Cones, and Spheres.
• Statistics: Collection and Tabulation of Data, Graphical Representation (Histograms, Bar charts), Measures of Central Tendency.

NDA Exam 2026 vs. CDS Exam 2026

Both the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam and the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam are conducted by UPSC and are major gateways to becoming an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.

The key difference is the entry level:

• NDA Exam: For candidates who have completed or are appearing for their 10+2 (12th grade) and seek to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force at a younger age. The training starts right after school.
• CDS Exam 2026: For candidates who have completed or are appearing for their Graduation/Degree.

The official notification for NDA 1 2026 is also often released on the same day as the CDS 1 Notification (December 10, 2025).

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