The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially published the competitive recruitment notification for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination 2026 for entry into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA Chennai). A total of 459 commissioned officer posts across defence wings are available for young graduates passionate about serving the nation with pride and honor.
This comprehensive guide details the academy-wise vacancy allocation, rigorous educational qualifications, physical standards, detailed written exam scheme, SSB interview assessment structure, and step-by-step application walkthrough.
UPSC CDS 2026: Recruitment Overview
| Recruitment Parameter | Official Details & Criteria |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Commissioned Posts | 459 Officer Vacancies |
| Participating Defence Academies | IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, AFA Hyderabad, OTA Chennai (Men & Women) |
| Pay Level upon Commissioning | Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 + Military Service Pay ₹15,500/month) |
| Selection Methodology | UPSC Written Examination ➔ 5-Day SSB Interview ➔ Medical Examination |
| Official Portal | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
Academy-Wise Vacancy Breakup
| Academy / Training Establishment | Branch / Course | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | Regular Army Course (Men) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | Executive Branch (Men) | 32 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | Flying Branch (Men & Women) | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men) | Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women) | Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) | 20 |
| Total Combined Vacancies | All Defence Wings | 459 |
Eligibility Conditions: Educational Qualification & Age Parameters
- IMA & OTA: Degree of a recognized University or equivalent qualification in any discipline.
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): Degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) from a recognized University/Institution.
- Air Force Academy (AFA): Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR Bachelor of Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech).
- Age Limit & Marital Status:
- IMA: 19 to 24 years (Unmarried male candidates).
- INA: 19 to 24 years (Unmarried male candidates).
- AFA: 20 to 24 years (Upper age relaxable up to 26 years for valid Commercial Pilot License holders).
- OTA (Men & Women): 19 to 25 years (Unmarried males, issueless widows, and unmarried females).
UPSC CDS Written Examination Scheme
The written examination format differs between permanent commission academies (IMA, INA, AFA) and short service commission (OTA):
Scheme for IMA, INA, and AFA (300 Marks Total)
| Paper / Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
Scheme for Officers Training Academy (OTA) (200 Marks Total)
OTA candidates are exempt from the Elementary Mathematics paper:
| Paper / Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
SSB Interview Process & Officer Intelligence Rating
Candidates scoring above the UPSC qualifying cutoff in the written test are invited for a 5-day assessment at the Services Selection Board (SSB):
- Stage I (Screening Test): Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
- Stage II (Comprehensive Assessment): Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, Self-Description), Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks (Progressive Group Tasks, Military Obstacle Course, Command Task), Personal Interview with the Board President, and final Board Conference.
How to Apply Online for UPSC CDS 2026
- Visit the official UPSC One Time Registration (OTR) portal at upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete your primary OTR profile with accurate identification and academic credentials.
- Navigate to Latest Notifications and select Combined Defence Services Examination 2026.
- Fill in preferences for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA academies according to your eligibility and preference order.
- Upload recent passport photograph, signature, and government photo ID proof as per required dimensions.
- Pay the examination fee of ₹200 (Female/SC/ST candidates are exempted from fee payment) and submit the final confirmation receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can final year college students apply for UPSC CDS 2026?
Yes, candidates who are in the final year or semester of their degree program can apply provisionally, provided they produce proof of passing the degree examination at the time of commencement of the course.
Q2: Is there negative marking in the CDS written examination?
Yes, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty for each wrong answer marked on the OMR sheet.
Q3: Are female candidates eligible for CDS?
Yes, female candidates are eligible for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai (Non-Technical Course) and Air Force Academy (Flying Branch) as per specified guidelines.
Q4: What is the training duration at IMA and OTA?
The training period is approximately 18 months for IMA (Regular Course) and approximately 49 weeks for OTA Chennai.
Q5: What is the minimum qualifying mark in each subject paper?
UPSC prescribes a minimum qualifying standard of 20% in each individual paper, alongside the overall aggregate cutoff score for each academy.
Ram Avtar is the Founder and Lead Career Analyst at Govt Results Alert. With over 6 years of experience analyzing Government Recruitment Notifications, SSC, Banking, and Railway examination patterns, he leads our fact-checking team to deliver authentic, timely, and verified job alerts directly from official government gazettes.
