UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS I & CDS II) – Conducted Twice Every Year
UPSC CDS 2026 Exam – Complete Guide
Detailed information about the Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2026 examination including eligibility criteria, age limit, syllabus, exam pattern, vacancy, selection process, salary and preparation strategy.
37 Days Remaining for CDS 2026 Examination
What is the CDS Examination?
CDS stands for Combined Defence Services. The examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
Graduates who qualify the written examination, followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview and medical examination, are appointed as commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces. The CDS exam is held twice every year as CDS (I) and CDS (II).
Official UPSC CDS Dates – 2025 & 2026
| Event | CDS II 2025 | CDS I 2026 | CDS II 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 May 2025 (Official UPSC) | 10 Dec 2025 – CDS I 2026 | 20 May 2026 – Expected |
| Application Status | Application Closed | Application Closed | Apply When Active |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 Jun 2025 | 30 Dec 2025 | 09 Jun 2026 |
| Exam Date | 14 Sep 2025 | 12 Apr 2026 | 13 Sep 2026 |