Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the admit card for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination-I 2026 on 02 April 2026.
Candidates who have successfully registered for the examination can now download their admit cards from the official UPSC website. The examination is scheduled to be
held on 12 April 2026. All candidates are required to download their admit cards before the examination date as it is mandatory to carry the admit card
to the examination center.
CDS-I 2026 Vacancy Details
| Service/Post | Total Vacancies | Notification Date | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | To be announced | Released | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Naval Academy | To be announced | Released | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Air Force Academy | To be announced | Released | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Officers Training Academy | To be announced | Released | Graduate |
Important Dates for UPSC CDS-I 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Admit Card Release Date | 02 April 2026 |
| Examination Date (Written Test) | 12 April 2026 |
| Examination Duration | As per schedule |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS-I 2026
For Indian Military Academy & Air Force Academy:
- Indian citizen or eligible person as per constitutional provisions
- Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university
- Age limit: 19-25 years (as on the date of commission)
- Unmarried
- Physically fit as per service standards
- Medically examined and found fit
- Indian citizen or eligible person as per constitutional provisions
- Bachelor’s degree in Science with Physics and Mathematics as subjects
- Age limit: 19-23 years (as on the date of commission)
- Unmarried
- Good moral character and physical fitness
- Medical examination clearance mandatory
- Indian citizen or eligible person as per constitutional provisions
- Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university
- Age limit: 21-27 years (as on the date of commission)
- Married or unmarried (both eligible)
- Physically fit for commission
- Medical examination clearance required
- Visit the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in
- Look for the “CDS Admit Card 2026” link on the homepage
- Click on the admit card download link
- Enter your registration number and date of birth
- Click the “Submit” button
- Your admit card will be displayed on the screen
- Download the PDF file and take a printout for the examination
For Naval Academy:
For Officers Training Academy:
How to Download UPSC CDS-I Admit Card 2026
Step-by-Step Process:
Official Website
For more details and to apply, visit the official website.