UPSC has released CDS exam date 2026. The CDS 1 2026 exam will be conducted on 12 April 2026 in offline pen and paper mode. CDS Result 2026 release in June 2026.
CDS Exam Date 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the CDS exam date 2026. This year the commission will conduct CDS 1 2026 exam on 12 April 2026 (Sunday). The CDS 1 2026 exam date and schedule will be released along with the CDS notification 2026. UPSC CDS 2026 will be conducted offline in pen and paper mode. Candidate who wants to be recruited in the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force must start their preparation as the CDS 2026 has been announced.
CDS Exam
The full form of CDS is Combined Defence Service Examination. It is a national-level defence exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The CDS exam is conducted for the recruitment of officer cadets in Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officer Training Academy (OTA). Every year, UPSC conduct the CDS exam twice a year, in April and September. CDS 2026 is very good opportunity for candidates who want to serve nation in the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force.
CDS 2026 Overview
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Service Examination (1) 2026 |
| CDS 1 Vacancy | TBA |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Selection Process | Written Test- Interview- Medical Examination |
| Language of Written Exam | Bilingual |
| Mode of Examination | Offline |
| Type of Questions | Multiple-choice questions |
| Eligibility | Unmarried Males & Females |
| CDS Exam Duration | 2 hours (each paper) |
| Marking Scheme | 1/3 for each incorrect answer |
| Job Location | All Over India |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
CDS 1 2026 Exam Date
Candidates who is preparing for the CDS exam must check the CDS exam date 2026. The CDS 2026 exam date will help you to make a study plan and strategy through which you can easily qualify CDS 1 2026. As per UPSC, CDS 1 2025 has been scheduled to be conducted on 12 April 2026 in pen paper mode. Check the CDS exam date 2026 complete schedule below.
| UPSC CDS 1 Exam Date 2026 | |
| Events | Dates |
| CDS 1 Notification 2026 Release Date | 10 December 2025 |
| CDS Application Form 2026 | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Pay Fee | To be announced |
| CDS 1 Admit Card 2026 | To be announce |
| CDS Exam Date 2026 | 12 April 2026 |
| CDS 1 Result 2026 | To be announced |
CDS 2 2026 Exam Date
| CDS 2 2026 Exam Date | |
| Events | Dates |
| CDS 2 Notification 2026 Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| CDS Application Form 2026 | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Registration End Date | 9 June 2026 (11:59 pm) |
| Last Date to Pay Fee | To be announced |
| CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 | To be announced |
| UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 | 13th September 2026 |
| CDS 2 Result 2026 | To be announced |
CDS 2026 Selection Process
The Combined Defence Service Examination selection process for AFA, IMA, INA and Officers Training Academy include written examination, SSB interview/ personality test, document verification and medical examination.
- Written examination
- SSB interview/personality test
- Document verification
- Medical examination
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CDS Exam Pattern 2026
CDS exam pattern for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy
| Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| English | 120 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
CDS exam pattern for Officers’ Training Academy
| Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
FAQs on CDS Exam Date 2026
What is CDS exam date 2026?
In 2026, CDS 1 will be conducted on 12 April 2026 in offline mode.
What is CDS 2 exam date 2026?
The CDS 2 exam will be conducted on 13 September 2026.
When did CDS
The CdS notification 2026 will be released on 10th December 2025 on the official website of UPSC.