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CDS 1 Application Form 2026 - How to Apply Online, Link

CDS 1 Application Form 2026 - How to Apply Online, Link

Edited By Meghana Mohana Krishnan | Updated on Jul 28, 2025 04:43 PM IST | #CDS
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CDS  Exam Date : 14 Sep' 2025 - 14 Sep' 2025

Union Public Service Commission will release the CDS 1 application form 2026 on December 10, 2025 on the official website, upsc.gov.in. Candidates can submit the UPSC CDS 2026 application form until December 30, 2025. Applicants need to pay the UPSC CDS 1 2026 registration fee to successfully submit their form. The candidates who are applying for the CDS exam are advised to check the eligibility criteria before applying.

This Story also Contains
  1. CDS 1 Application Form Dates 2026
  2. Who can apply for CDS 2026?
  3. What is the last date for CDS Form 2026?
  4. CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
  5. CDS Exam Centres 2026
  6. CDS 1 Admit Card 2026
CDS 1 Application Form 2026 - How to Apply Online, Link
CDS 1 Application Form 2026 - How to Apply Online, Link

The CDS 1 eligibility criteria will be available in the notification to check. Applicants who submit their online form will be able to download the UPSC CDS admit card 2026 7 days before the commencement of the exam. To know more about the CDS 1 registration 2026, read the article given below.

CDS 1 Application Form Dates 2026

Candidates can check the important dates to keep track of all the events related to the CDS exam 2026. For more details, check the CDS 2026 exam dates in the table below.

CDS 1 2026 Registration Dates

CDS 2026 Events

CDS exam date 2026

CDS 2026 Notification

December 10, 2025

CDS 2026 application form

December 10, 2025

CDS form last date

December 30, 2025

CDS application form correction facility

To be announced

CDS 1 2026 exam date

April 12, 2026

CDS 2 Exam Dates 2026

CDS 2026 Events

CDS 2 2026 Exam dates

CDS 2 Notification 2026

May 20, 2026

CDS 2026 Application Form date

May 20, 2026

Last date for CDS Application Form 2

June 9, 2026

CDS 2 application correction facility

To be announced

CDS application withdrawal dates

To be announced

CDS 2 Exam date 2026

September 13, 2026

Who can apply for CDS 2026?

Only those who meet the CDS exam eligibility criteria can attempt the exam. Therefore, candidates are advised to be familiar with the eligibility criteria before filling the CDS 2026 application form. The exact eligibility criteria for defence positions vary from course to course, but the common criteria is that the candidate must be an Indian national, must be within the prescribed age and must possess a bachelor's degree.

What is the last date for CDS Form 2026?

The last date for applying to the CDS 1 exam is December 30, 2025. Candidates are required to carefully submit the application form. Those who submit the CDS application form early have a greater change of getting the exam centre of their choice.

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CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026

The Union Public Service Commission prescribes the CDS 2026 eligibility criteria, including academic qualifications and marks that candidates must score to be eligible to apply for the CDS exam 2026. Also, the eligibility comprises the nationality, age limit and the physical parameters that the candidates must meet.

CDS Eligibility Criteria

Particulars

Details

Nationality

Indian citizen

CDS age limit

Between 20 to 24 years

Educational Qualification

Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university


Quick Links: How to crack different Government Exams

Documents Required to Fill the CDS Application Form 2026

Applicants must keep the following documents ready before filling out the CDS application form.

  • Photo ID proof - Aadhar Card/Voter Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving License (Any One of these).

  • Scanned photograph, scanned signature, and ID card.

  • Enrollment and degree certificates.

  • Debit/Credit Card/Internet banking details for online application fee payment to validate the CDS apply online form 2026 etc.

Quick Links

Steps to Fill the UPSC CDS Application Form 2026

Candidates can check the steps to fill the CDS online form mentioned below.

How to Fill UPSC CDS Application Form

  • Open the UPSC official website - upsconline.nic.in/ upsc.gov.in.

  • Candidates have to first login on the website before applying.

  • Online One-Time Registration (OTR)- They have to complete it by providing some basic details such as personal and contact details.

  • Login by using valid login credentials such as email ID and OTP/ password or mobile number and OTP/ password or OTR ID and OTP/ password.

  • Candidates have to fill out the UPSC CDS 1 2026 application form in two parts which include filling in other details, CDS exam 2026 fees payment, uploading of scanned documents, signature, photo identity card document and selection of preferred exam centre.

  • Check all the details furnished in the UPSC CDS application form 2026 thoroughly and edit the details if needed.

  • Once submitted, applicants will not be able to make changes in their UPSC CDS application form.

  • After submission, a registration number will be generated. Candidates have to download it as a pdf file and take a printout for future reference.

Specification of photograph and signature to be uploaded

Document

Specification

Signature

20 KB to 300 KB

Photograph

20 KB to 300 KB

Specification about payment of CDS form fees

Payment Method

Payment Gateways

Offline

Bank Challan

Online

Credit/Visa/RuPay/Master/Debit Card and net banking

Also read: How to crack different Government Exams

Note: In case of any difficulty while filling the CDS application form, candidates can get in touch with the UPSC’s Facilitation Counter near gate C of its campus in person or over the phone at 011-23385271/ 011-23381125/ 011-23098543.

Is there a CDS 1 Application Form 2026 Correction Window?

Yes, UPSC will provide a chance to make corrections in the CDS 1 2026 application formfor a certain duration of time. Candidates are required to fill the UPSC CDS application form carefully and then submit.

Also Read:

CDS Exam Centres 2026

The examination will be conducted across the country at 78 CDS 2026 exam centres. The list of exam centre cities will be given in the CDS notification 2026. Aspirants have to provide the choice of their preferred city while filling the UPSC CDS application form 2026. The complete address of the CDS 2026 exam centre, exam dates and reporting time will be mentioned in the admit card.

CDS 1 Admit Card 2026

The CDS 2026 admit card will be released in online mode 7 days before the commencement of the exam. The CDS admit card will only be available for those candidates who successfully submit the CDS 1 application form 2026. Candidates will have to download the UPSC CDS admit card and carry it along with a valid and original ID proof to the CDS exam centre. The CDS admit card contains details like candidate’s name, roll number, registration, reporting time, exam centre address, exam centre guidelines and the subject of the exam mentioned in it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When is the UPSC CDS application correction window 2026?

UPSC will provide the UPSC CDS 2026 correction facility to make changes in the application form.

2. What mode of fee payment is accepted for CDS 2026?

The application fee has to be paid either via online mode (Debit/ Credit Card/ Rupay/ Visa/ MasterCard/ Maestro) or SBI Internet Banking) or offline mode (bank challan).

3. How can I apply for CDS 1 Exam 2026?

To apply for CDS 1, aspirants must visit upsconline.nic.in/ upsc.gov.in and fill it out from there.

4. What is CDS 2026 application fee?

The CDS 1 2026 application form fee is Rs 200.

5. What is the CDS 1 application form 2026 release date?

The release date of CDS 1 application form 2026 is December 10, 2025.

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Questions related to CDS

Have a question related to CDS ?

Hi dear candidate,

To be eligible for CDS 1 Exam 2026, your age should fall between 20 to 24 years old. And with your date of birth of 21 December 2002, means that you will be 23 years old as of 1st January, 2026. CDS 1 exam 2026 is expected to take place in April 2026.

Considering the above:

Yes, you will be able to give exam for CDS 1 in 2026.

ALL THE BEST !

Yes, You are eligible to apply for CDS OTA 2026(April exam) Based on your date of birth

Make sure you also:

  • Graduation degree from a recognised(Or are in the final year).
  • Or unmarried(For OTASSC non-technical entry).
  • Meet the required, medical and physical standard as per SSB/UPSE Norms .

Hello Aditya,

As a PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) student after your 12th board exam, you cannot directly appear for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam because it requires a bachelor’s degree. However, here’s a clear and concise guide on how you can prepare for and give the CDS exam after completing further studies, tailored to your background:

  1. Understand CDS Eligibility : The CDS exam, conducted by UPSC twice a year, recruits for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).

    • Educational Requirement :

      • IMA and OTA: Any bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
      • INA: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
      • AFA: Bachelor’s degree with Physics and Mathematics at 12th level or Bachelor of Engineering.

    • For PCB Students : Since you don’t have Mathematics in 12th, you’re eligible for IMA and OTA after completing a bachelor’s degree (e.g., B.Sc., B.A.). INA and AFA are not an option unless you pursue an engineering degree or have Mathematics at the graduation level.

    • Age Limit : 19–25 years (varies by academy; check upsc.gov.in for 2025 details).

  2. Steps to Prepare After 12th :

    • Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree : Enroll in a degree program (e.g., B.Sc. in Biology, Chemistry, or related fields, or even B.A.) to meet CDS eligibility. This takes 3–4 years.

    • Apply for CDS During Final Year : You can apply for CDS in the final year of your degree, provided you complete graduation before the training starts.

    • Application Process :

      • Visit upsconline.nic.in when notifications are released (typically December 2024 for CDS I 2025 and May 2025 for CDS II 2025).

      • Fill out the form, pay the fee (Rs. 200; exemptions for SC/ST/females), and select IMA/OTA as your preference.

  3. CDS Exam Structure :

    • For IMA/OTA : Written exam includes English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (Maths is optional for OTA).

    • PCB Advantage : Your Biology and Chemistry background helps with General Knowledge (science sections). English preparation is manageable with practice.

    • Challenge : If you’re weak in Mathematics, focus on OTA, where Maths is not required, or practice basic 10th-level Maths for IMA.

    • Next Steps : Clear the written exam, then pass the SSB interview and medical test.



I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, feel free to share your questions with us, and we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.

To prepare for CDS, CGL, and CAT during graduation, create a clear study schedule focusing on basics, reasoning, and aptitude. Practice daily mocks, improve time management, and stay consistent. Balance college and preparation with discipline and regular revision.

Your date of birth is 24th February 2006, and you will complete graduation in July 2028. For the CDS exam, the maximum number of attempts depends on your age limit and category, but generally, candidates have around 4 to 6 attempts before reaching the age limit.

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