At a Glance
- Eligibility
- Any Graduate / B.Tech
- Application Start Date
- 10 December 2025
- Application Last Date
- 30 December 2025
- Exam Date
- 12 April 2026
- Salary
- ₹56,100 (Stipend during training)
Quick Summary
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the provisional answer key for the Combined Defence Services (I) Exam 2026. Download the PDF at upsc.gov.in.
UPSC CDS 1 2026 – Overview
UPSC CDS 1 Answer Key 2026 has been officially released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. The written examination for 394 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA was successfully conducted across the country on 12 April 2026. Candidates who appeared for the exam can now download the answer key PDFs to cross-check their responses at upsc.gov.in. The minimum qualification required for the exam is a Bachelor's Degree or Engineering Degree depending on the academy. The application fee was ₹100 for General/OBC candidates, while SC/ST and female candidates were exempted.
In the previous year's CDS 1 cycle, approximately 341 vacancies were announced; the 2026 drive marks an increase with 394 total posts to bolster the armed forces' officer cadre.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Advt. No. | 04/2026 |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 394 Posts |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (Gen/OBC); ₹0 (SC/ST/Female) |
| Min. Qualification | Bachelor Degree / Engineering Degree |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Answer Key Status | Released (16 April 2026) |
| Official Portal | upsc.gov.in |
Source: Official UPSC CDS 1 2026 Notification (Advt. No. 04/2026), UPSC.
UPSC CDS 1 2026 – Important Dates & Full Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Begin | 10 December 2025 Done |
| Last Date for Apply Online | 30 December 2025 Done |
| Last Date Pay Exam Fee | 30 December 2025 Done |
| UPSC CDS 1 Admit Card Released | 02 April 2026 Done |
| UPSC CDS 1 Exam Date | 12 April 2026 Done |
| UPSC CDS 1 Answer Key Released | 16 April 2026 Released |
| UPSC CDS 1 Result 2026 | To be announced |
UPSC CDS 1 2026 – Vacancy Details (Post-wise)
The UPSC CDS 1 2026 recruitment aims to fill vacancies across four major academies. Below is the exact post-wise breakdown:
| Academy / Post Name | Total Post |
|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 100 |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | 26 |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | 32 |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) | 293 |
UPSC CDS 1 2026 – Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100/- |
| SC / ST | ₹0/- (Exempted) |
| All Female Candidates | ₹0/- (Exempted) |
Fee could be paid via Cash at E-Challan, Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking.
UPSC CDS 1 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit for UPSC CDS 1 2026
The age limits are strict and calculated as per the academy requirements. The reference date for age calculation is 01 January 2027.
| Academy | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| IMA & INA | 19 to 24 Years |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 20 to 24 Years |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | 19 to 25 Years |
Age relaxation is strictly as per UPSC and armed forces regulations. Candidates must refer to the official notification for exact date-of-birth brackets.
Educational Qualification
- IMA (Indian Military Academy): Bachelor's Degree in Any Stream from a Recognized University in India.
- INA (Indian Naval Academy): Engineering Degree from a Recognized University in India.
- AFA (Air Force Academy): Bachelor's Degree in Any Stream with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 Intermediate Level, OR an Engineering Degree.
- OTA (Officers’ Training Academy): Bachelor's Degree in Any Stream from a Recognized University in India.
UPSC CDS 1 2026 – Pay Scale & Salary
UPSC CDS 1 2026 – Selection Process
The selection process for UPSC CDS 1 2026 consists of a rigorous evaluation sequence:
- Written Examination: An objective-type test comprising English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (Maths is not required for OTA).
- SSB Interview: A 5-day Intelligence and Personality Test conducted by the Services Selection Board for candidates who clear the written exam.
- Document Verification: Authentication of all educational and identity documents.
- Medical Examination: Strict medical and physical fitness evaluation by a Board of Service Medical Officers.
- Final Merit List: Based on the combined marks of the written exam and SSB interview.
UPSC CDS 1 Answer Key 2026 – How to Download
The provisional answer key for the UPSC CDS 1 2026 examination has been released. Candidates can download the answer key to calculate their probable scores by following these steps:
- Visit Official Website: Go to the official UPSC portal at upsc.gov.in.
- Go to What's New: On the homepage, navigate to the 'Examination' tab and click on 'Answer Keys', or check the 'What’s New' ticker.
- Find the Link: Click on the link titled "Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 Provisional Answer Key".
- Select Subject: Download the PDF files for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
- Match Responses: Cross-check the official answers with your own responses to estimate your score according to the marking scheme.
Answer Key Released: 16 April 2026
UPSC CDS 1 2026 – Exam Syllabus & Paper Pattern
The written exam for IMA, INA, and AFA comprises three papers: English (100 Marks), General Knowledge (100 Marks), and Elementary Mathematics (100 Marks), each lasting 2 hours. For OTA candidates, the exam consists of only two papers: English (100 Marks) and General Knowledge (100 Marks). There is a negative marking of one-third (0.33) marks for every wrong answer. Candidates should refer to the official syllabus PDF for detailed topic-wise coverage.
UPSC CDS 1 2026 – Official Links & Notification PDF
| Resource | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Download UPSC CDS 1 Answer Key 2026 | Click Here |
| Download Official Notification PDF | Download PDF |
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
