UPSC Recruitment 2026 Notification | CDS I Exam | 451 Posts | Apply Link

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Notification | Freshers | CDS I Exam | 451 Posts | BE/ B.Tech/ Any Degree | Across India | Last Date to Apply: 30th December 2025

Company:  The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
UPSC Recruitment 2026 Notification: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier central recruiting agency. It is responsible for appointments to and examinations for All India services and group A & group B of Central services. While Department of Personnel and Training is the central personnel agency in India.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)  has released an official notification for the recruitment of 451 CDS 1 Posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Online through the official UPSC website. The last date to submit the application form is 30-12-2025. In this article, you’ll find the UPSC CDS 1 Posts recruitment details, including eligibility criteria, age limit, salary structure, selection process, application steps, and direct links to the official notification and Online application form.

Company Website: www.upsconline.nic.in

Name of the Examination: Combined Defense Services Examination (I)

Total Vacancies: 451 Posts

Salary: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/- PM

Experience:  Freshers

Job Location: Across India

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Recruitment 2026:

• For IMA and Officers Training Academy, Chennai: Degree of a recognised University or equivalent
• For Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution
• For Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering
• Candidates studying in final year/semester degree course can also apply
• Professional and technical qualifications recognised by Government as equivalent are also acceptable

Age Limit:

• For IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2008
• For Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2008
• For 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
• For OTA (SSC Men): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2002 and not later than 01/01/2008
• For 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

Selection Process for UPSC Recruitment 2026:

Stage (I)

• Written Examination: Objective type questions conducted by UPSC
• For IMA/INA/AFA: Three papers – English (100 marks), General Knowledge (100 marks), Elementary Mathematics (100 marks). Total: 300 marks
• For OTA: Two papers – English (100 marks), General Knowledge (100 marks). Total: 200 marks

Stage (II)

• Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview: Intelligence and Personality Test
• Two-stage SSB selection: Stage I (OIR tests and PP&DT), Stage II (Interview, GTO Tasks, Psychology Tests, Conference)
• SSB Interview marks: Equal to written examination marks (300 for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA)

Stage (III)

• Medical Examination: Special Medical Board at designated Armed Forces Medical Services Hospitals
• Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks in both written exam and SSB test
• Final selection based on combined marks (Written + SSB) subject to medical fitness
• Negative marking: 0.33 marks deduction for each wrong answer

Application  Fees :

• Payment Mode: Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or Internet Banking
• Fee once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances
• No fee exemption available for OBC candidates

How to Apply for UPSC Recruitment 2026?

• Step 1: Visit official website https://upsconline.nic.in
• Step 2: Create Account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN)
• Step 3: Fill Common Application Form (CAF) with personal details
• Step 4: Upload recent photograph and capture live photo
• Step 5: Fill Examination Specific Module with preferences for Services (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA)
• Step 6: Upload required documents (Date of Birth proof, Educational certificates, etc.)
• Step 7: Select Examination Centre from available options
• Step 8: Pay application fee online (if applicable) through Credit/Debit Card/UPI/Net Banking
• Step 9: Submit application and note down Application Number
• Step 10: Take printout of application for future reference
• Important: No corrections allowed after submission of application
• Note: Candidates already in Government Service must inform their Head of Office/Department
• Note: Candidates serving in Armed Forces must inform Commanding Officer and submit NOC at SSB

All interested and eligible candidates can apply this Combined Defence Services Examination CDS 1 through online latest by 30th December 2025

Important Dates:

UPSC CDS1 Important Links

• Apply Online: Click Here
• Official Notification PDF: Click Here
• Official Website: Click Here