The CDS 2026 exam is one of the major defence entrance examinations in India. UPSC conducts it for admission to officer training courses in the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Officers’ Training Academy.
UPSC currently lists CDS II 2026 as an active examination.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Combined Defence Services Examination |
| Short Name | CDS |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Frequency | Twice a year |
| Mode | Offline |
| Selection Stages | Written Exam + SSB Interview + Medical Examination |
| Courses | IMA, INA, AFA and OTA |
| Eligibility | Graduation, with course-specific requirements |
| CDS II 2026 Notification | May 2026 |
| CDS II 2026 Exam Date | September 2026 |
| Application Deadline | June 2026 |
| Official Website | UPSC |
The CDS II 2026 examination is scheduled for 13 September 2026.
CDS Exam 2026 Important Dates
| Event | CDS I 2026 | CDS II 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | 10 December 2026 | 20 May 2026 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 | 13 September 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 30 December 2026 | 11 June 2026 |
| Exam Frequency | First session | Second session |
UPSC's examination notification archive confirms these 2026 CDS dates.
CDS 2026 Academies and Courses
The CDS examination offers entry to four major training academies.
| Academy | Course | Basic Academic Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | Army | Graduation |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | Navy | Engineering degree |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | Air Force | Graduation with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level or Engineering degree |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | Army | Graduation |
The exact age, marital-status and course-specific conditions should always be checked in the relevant UPSC notification.
CDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates need to meet the eligibility requirements specified by UPSC.
| Eligibility Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | As specified in the UPSC notification |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation or course-specific qualification |
| IMA | Degree from a recognised university/equivalent |
| INA | Engineering degree |
| AFA | Degree with required Physics & Mathematics background at 10+2 level or Engineering degree |
| OTA | Degree from a recognised university/equivalent |
| Physical Fitness | Candidates must meet prescribed medical standards |
| Age | Varies according to academy and notification |
Important: CDS age limits can differ between academies and each notification. Candidates should check the applicable UPSC notification before applying.CDS Exam Pattern
The CDS written exam is objective in nature. The paper structure depends on the academy selected.
| Academy | Subjects | Duration | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours each | 300 |
| INA | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours each | 300 |
| AFA | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours each | 300 |
| OTA | English, General Knowledge | 2 hours each | 200 |
UPSC's CDS examination scheme specifies 100 marks for each paper, with three papers for IMA/INA/AFA and two papers for OTA.
CDS 2026 Question Paper Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Question Type | Objective type |
| English Paper | English |
| General Knowledge | Hindi and English |
| Elementary Mathematics | Hindi and English |
| Mathematics Level | Matriculation level |
| Calculator | Not permitted |
The Mathematics paper is set at approximately matriculation level, while the other papers are designed around the level expected of a graduate.
CDS 2026 Syllabus
The CDS syllabus covers subjects that test language skills, general awareness and mathematical ability.
| Subject | Major Topics |
|---|---|
| English | Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, sentence usage |
| General Knowledge | Current affairs, history, geography, polity, science, defence and economics |
| Elementary Mathematics | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration and statistics |
For OTA, candidates appear for English and General Knowledge only.
CDS 2026 selection Process
The CDS selection process has multiple stages.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Written Examination | Candidates appear for the UPSC CDS written exam |
| 2. SSB Interview | Shortlisted candidates undergo intelligence and personality assessment |
| 3. Medical Examination | Candidates undergo prescribed medical tests |
| 4. Final Merit List | Selection depends on merit, eligibility, medical fitness and available vacancies |
| 5. Training | Selected candidates join the respective academy |
The CDS scheme includes a written examination followed by an interview for intelligence and personality assessment for candidates who qualify for the next stage.
CDS 2026 Exam Preparation
A focused preparation plan can help candidates cover the CDS syllabus efficiently.
| Preparation Area | What You Should Do |
|---|---|
| English | Practise grammar, vocabulary and comprehension daily |
| General Knowledge | Read current affairs and revise static GK |
| Mathematics | Practise basic concepts and previous-year questions |
| Previous Papers | Solve UPSC CDS papers regularly |
| Mock Tests | Take timed tests to improve speed |
| Revision | Maintain short notes for important topics |
UPSC publishes previous CDS question papers on its website, including English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers for CDS I 2026.
CDS Exam 2026: Why Previous-Year Papers Matter
Previous-year question papers help you understand the actual difficulty level and question style.
| Benefit | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Understand Pattern | Shows the type of questions UPSC asks |
| Time Management | Helps you practise under exam conditions |
| Topic Analysis | Identifies frequently tested areas |
| Accuracy | Helps reduce careless mistakes |
| Revision | Provides practical revision material |