CDS 2026 Exam: Important Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & Preparation Tips
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Preparing for the CDS 2026 Exam can feel exciting, a bit nerve-wracking, and honestly—pretty confusing when you first start. But don’t worry, because this full guide breaks everything down in a super friendly way so you understand the exam inside-out. Students who dream of joining the Army, Navy, Air Force or OTA always look forward to the CDS exam, and since UPSC CDS exam 2026 will be conducted twice, it’s even more important to stay ahead of the timeline.
The CDS exam gives you a chance to serve the nation as an officer, and the process is structured yet competitive. So, let’s go step by step and dig into every important detail—the CDS 2026 notification date, the eligibility rules, the syllabus, the exam pattern, and a lot more.
CDS 2026 Notification – Important Dates
Because of the competition, keeping track of dates is a big deal. Missing the CDS 2026 application form deadline basically means you wait another 6 months. Here are the key timelines:
- Notification release: 10 December 2025
- Application begins: 10 December 2025
- Last date to apply: 30 December 2025
- CDS 2026 Exam Date: (as per UPSC calendar, expected early 2026)
- Admit card release: Around 3 weeks before exam
- Result announcement: Usually 1–2 months after exam
The CDS 2026 notification date will include everything—eligibility, selection process, exam pattern, vacancies, and other formal details. Always double-check things on the official UPSC portal.
CDS 2026 Exam Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility rules are strict, sometimes confusing, and definitely worth reading twice. Every academy—IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA—has slightly different requirements. Here’s the most important breakdown.
Nationality Requirements
To apply for the UPSC CDS exam 2026, you must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee (arrived before 1 Jan 1962), or
- A person of Indian origin migrated from specific countries
Not too complicated, but still worth confirming if you fall into special categories.
Age Limit for CDS 2026 (Academy-wise)
Age restrictions are super important because even a few days of difference can lead to automatic rejection.
- CDS IMA eligibility 2026: 19–24 years
- CDS INA eligibility 2026: 19–24 years
- CDS AFA eligibility 2026: 19–24 years
- CDS OTA eligibility 2026: 19–25 years
Always calculate your age based on the official cut-off dates in the notification.
Educational Qualification
This part is pretty straightforward:
- IMA & OTA: Graduation in any stream
- INA: Engineering degree
- AFA: Graduation with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or BE/BTech
If you’re unsure, check the exact wording once the CDS 2026 notification date arrives.
Marital Status
- For IMA, INA, AFA unmarried male candidates only
- For OTA both unmarried men and unmarried women can apply
The OTA category is slightly more flexible, which is why many students choose it.
Physical & Medical Fitness
Although written exams feel like the main part, the truth is—fitness standards are equally important. Even the fittest students sometimes get temporary rejections due to minor issues. Height, eyesight, body posture, tattoos, and medical history all play a role.
CDS 2026 Exam Pattern
Understanding the CDS exam pattern 2026 earlier helps avoid surprises later. The exam pattern is predictable but demands accuracy and speed.
For IMA, INA & AFA:
Subject | Marks | Duration |
English | 100 | 2 hours |
General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
Simple structure, but questions can get tricky.
For OTA:
Subject | Marks | Duration |
English | 100 | 2 hours |
General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
The CDS OTA eligibility 2026 offers a non-math pathway, which is why a lot of students prefer it.
CDS 2026 Syllabus (Subject-Wise)
The CDS 2026 syllabus is lengthy but manageable if broken down systematically.
English Syllabus
- Grammar usage
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension passages
- Spotting errors
- Sentence improvement
General Knowledge Syllabus
This is probably the toughest section for many students because it’s so wide.
Expect questions from:
- Indian Polity
- History & Geography
- Economy
- Defence topics
- Science & Technology
- Current Affairs
- International Relations
A mix of static and dynamic topics always appears.
Elementary Mathematics Syllabus
AFA and IMA aspirants should take this seriously.
Chapters include:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
Maths often feels lengthy but doable with consistent practice.
CDS 2026 Selection Process
The selection journey doesn’t wrap up with only the written test. Actually, that’s just phase one. After clearing the written part of the CDS 2026 Exam, candidates move to the SSB Interview. Many say this stage evaluates your real personality—not your marks.
The CDS 2026 SSB interview process is divided into two distinct stages:
Stage 1: Screening Test
This stage feels fast-paced because it includes:
- OIR Test (Officer Intelligence Rating)
- PPDT (Picture Perception & Discussion Test)
Candidates who clear this step are retained for the next days. Others are sent back the same day, which can be quite disappointing but also motivating.
Stage 2: Psychology + GTO + Personal Interview
Across several days, students undergo a variety of tasks:
- Psychology Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT)
- Group Discussions
- Outdoor Group Tasks (GTO Tasks)
- Personal Interview
- Conference Round
These tasks judge qualities like leadership, clarity of thought, social behaviour, courage, stamina and even emotional balance. Surprisingly, small behaviours matter big here.
Only candidates recommended by the board undergo medical tests, and if found fit, they move forward to the merit list.
CDS 2026 Vacancies (Expected)
The CDS 2026 vacancies will be officially confirmed once the notification is published. If we go by previous trends, the number often ranges anywhere between 300–350 seats combined across all academies.
Expected breakdown usually looks like:
- IMA – 100+ seats
- INA – 20–30 seats
- AFA – 30–35 seats
- OTA (Men + Women) – 150+ seats
Vacancies fluctuate based on academy requirements, so always cross-check once the official CDS 2026 notification date arrives.
CDS 2026 Exam Centres
UPSC offers around 75–80 exam centres for the UPSC CDS exam 2026, covering nearly all major cities. While filling the CDS 2026 application form, candidates must be quick because exam centres are allotted on a “first-apply-first-serve” basis.
Cities usually include:
Delhi, Jaipur, Bhopal, Lucknow, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Dehradun, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Imphal, Jammu, Nagpur, Kochi, Srinagar, and many more.
Earlier applicants get priority, so never delay form submission.
How to Apply for CDS 2026 Exam
Sometimes the most stressful part isn’t preparation but filling the form correctly. A small spelling mistake or ID mismatch can create issues later.
Here’s the simple step-by-step version of how to apply for CDS 2026:
- Visit UPSC’s official portal.
- Click on “Online Application for CDS Examination.”
- Complete Part 1 Registration – fill personal details, DOB, qualification, etc.
- Move to Part 2 Registration – upload photo, signature, and ID proof.
- Pay the exam fee (online/ offline challan).
- Choose preferred exam centre.
- Submit and download confirmation page.
Keep the confirmation page + payment receipt safe. Many students forget this and struggle during admit card issues.
Salary & Training After CDS
One cool thing about joining the defence is that even during training, you are treated as a young officer—disciplined, confident, and well-paid.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
- Training Stipend: ₹56,100 per month
- Officer Pay After Commission: Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500)
- Allowances: Flying allowance (for AFA), high altitude allowance, uniform allowance, field posting allowance, etc.
People often forget how rewarding a defence career is—not only financially but also in terms of lifestyle, respect, and adventure.
CDS Preparation Tips – Smart & Practical
Cracking the CDS 2026 Exam doesn’t require being a “genius”; consistency works better than anything else. Some aspirants study 3 hours daily and still score better than students studying 10 hours without strategy.
Here are simple but realistic CDS preparation tips:
- Understand the pattern first
Before grabbing books, know what you’re preparing for. The CDS exam pattern 2026 is predictable, so use that to your advantage.
- Read newspapers daily
A good part of the GK paper is current affairs. Make a habit of reading 20–30 minutes every morning.
- Solve previous year papers
CDS has repetitive question themes. Solving past papers builds confidence.
- Keep maths basics strong
For IMA, AFA, and INA, maths matters. Practice arithmetic, algebra, and geometry regularly to avoid exam panic.
- Practice English through reading
Vocabulary improves when you read magazines or stories, not only when memorising word lists.
- Stay physically active
It’s surprising how many students forget that SSB is physically demanding.
- Stay calm & consistent
There will be days you feel low. Everyone does. What matters is not giving up.
Final Verdict – Why CDS 2026 Is Worth It
Preparing for the CDS 2026 Exam is not simply about passing a test; it’s about shaping your future. Some students want a stable job, others want respect, and some dream about the uniform from childhood. Whatever your reason is, CDS can be life-changing.
The journey demands discipline but gives back much more—confidence, strength, honour, and a career where every day feels meaningful. Start early, plan smartly, and you’ll be ahead of most aspirants. And once the UPSC CDS exam 2026 notification drops, you’ll already be ready.
FAQs on CDS 2026 Exam
Expected on 10 December 2025.
Mostly 19–24 years (IMA, INA, AFA) and 19–25 years (OTA).
Yes, if they can submit proof of graduation before training.
Only for IMA, INA, and AFA.
No attempt limit as long as you fall within age rules.
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