The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Combined Defence Services (CDS) I Admit Card 2026 for candidates who applied for the CDS I Examination. Aspirants who registered for the recruitment can now download their hall ticket from the official UPSC portal.
The UPSC CDS I 2026 exam will be conducted on 12 April 2026 at multiple exam centres across India. Candidates must carry the printed admit card along with a valid photo ID to the examination center. Without the admit card, entry to the exam hall will not be permitted.
This recruitment aims to fill 451 officer posts in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 451 Posts
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination twice every year to recruit candidates for officer-level training in the Indian Armed Forces.
Through the UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026, selected candidates will join prestigious defence academies and begin training for leadership roles in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Candidates who have successfully submitted their applications between 10 December 2025 and 30 December 2025 should download their admit card before the exam and verify all details carefully.
Important: Candidates are advised to download the admit card as soon as possible and keep multiple printouts for exam day.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 December 2025 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 02 April 2026 (Released) |
UPSC usually releases the admit card a few days before the exam, allowing candidates enough time to check their exam centre and schedule.
Application Fee
The application fee for UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 is as follows:
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹200
- SC / ST / Female Candidates: ₹0 (No Fee)
- Payment Method: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Offline SBI Challan.
Candidates must ensure successful payment of the application fee; otherwise, their application will not be accepted.
Post Details & Eligibility
| Post Name | Total Vacancy | Age Limit | Minimum Education Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 | 19–24 Years | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 | 19–24 Years | Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 | 20–24 Years | Bachelor’s Degree with Physics & Mathematics or Engineering |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) – Men | 225 | 19–25 Years | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) – Women | 68 | 19–25 Years | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline |
Total Vacancies: 451 Posts.
Category Wise Vacancy
UPSC generally releases vacancies academy-wise rather than strictly category-wise. However, reservation policies are applied according to government rules.
| Category | Vacancy |
|---|---|
| UR | As per UPSC rules |
| EWS | As per UPSC rules |
| OBC | As per UPSC rules |
| SC | As per UPSC rules |
| ST | As per UPSC rules |
Candidates should refer to the official notification for the complete reservation details.
UPSC CDS I Exam Pattern 2026
The CDS written examination is conducted in offline mode and consists of objective-type questions.
For IMA, INA & AFA
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
For OTA (Men & Women)
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
- Total marks for IMA / INA / AFA: 300
- Total marks for OTA: 200
- Negative marking is applicable for incorrect answers.
Candidates who clear the written exam will be called for the SSB Interview, followed by medical examination.
Details Mentioned on UPSC CDS Admit Card
The CDS Admit Card contains important exam details including:
- Candidate Name
- Roll Number
- Registration ID
- Exam Date & Time
- Exam Centre Address
- Photograph & Signature
- Exam Instructions
Candidates should carefully verify all information on the admit card and report discrepancies immediately.
How to Download UPSC CDS I Admit Card 2026
Follow the steps below to download the admit card:
- Visit the official UPSC website.
- Click on the Admit Card section.
- Select CDS Examination I 2026 Admit Card.
- Enter your Registration ID or Roll Number and Date of Birth.
- Submit the details.
- Download and print the admit card.
Always carry:
- Printed Admit Card
- Valid Photo ID Proof
- Two passport-size photographs
Important Links
| Download Admit Card | Click Here |
| Check Admit Card Notice | Click Here |
| Check Exam Date Notice | Click Here |
| Apply Online Link | Click Here |
| Check Official Notification | Click Here |
| UPSC Official Website | Click Here |
UPSC CDS I Admit Card 2026 – FAQs
1. When was the UPSC CDS I Admit Card 2026 released?
The admit card was released on 02 April 2026 on the official UPSC website.
2. What is the exam date for UPSC CDS I 2026?
The CDS I 2026 exam will be held on 12 April 2026 across India.
3. How many vacancies are available in CDS I Recruitment 2026?
A total of 451 vacancies are available in IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA academies.
4. How can I download the CDS I Admit Card?
You can download it from the UPSC official website using your Registration ID or Roll Number and Date of Birth.
5. Is the CDS exam conducted online?
No. The CDS exam is conducted in offline mode (pen-and-paper) across different exam centres.
6. What happens after the CDS written exam?
Candidates who qualify the written exam will be called for the SSB Interview, followed by medical examination and final merit list.