CDS Exam 2026

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Undergraduate level entrance is a gateway for candidates seeking a career in the Indian Armed Forces. Below are the key highlights for the 2026 session:

• Exam Name: Combined Defence Services (CDS)
• Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) / National Testing Agency (NTA) for specific UG streams
• Frequency: Twice a year (CDS I & CDS II)
• Exam Level: National
• Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen and Paper)
• Language: English and Hindi

Candidates must stay updated with the timeline for the 2026 recruitment cycle. The tentative schedule is as follows:

• CDS I 2026 Notification: December 2025
• CDS I 2026 Exam Date: April 19, 2026
• CDS II 2026 Notification: May 2026
• CDS II 2026 Exam Date: September 6, 2026
• Admit Card Release: 3 weeks prior to the examination

CDS is a competitive examination conducted to recruit Commissioned Officers into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is one of the most prestigious exams in India for students who wish to serve the nation in a leadership capacity within the defense sector.

The full form of CDS is Combined Defence Services. The examination is designed to select eligible candidates for training at various defense academies across the country.

Over the years, the CDS exam has evolved to include a more comprehensive assessment of a candidate's general awareness, linguistic skills, and mathematical aptitude. While the core structure remains consistent, the difficulty level of the General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics sections has seen a steady increase to match global military standards.

To be eligible for the CDS 2026 exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Nationality: Must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan.
• Age Limit: 19 to 25 years (varies slightly by academy).
• Marital Status: Unmarried (for most academies).
• Educational Qualification: A graduate degree from a recognized university or appearing in the final year of graduation.

The application process for CDS 2026 is conducted entirely online. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official portal and complete the One-Time Registration (OTR).
2. Fill in the detailed application form with personal and educational details.
3. Upload scanned copies of photograph and signature.
4. Pay the application fee (exempted for females and SC/ST candidates).
5. Submit and print the confirmation page.

The subjects for the CDS written examination depend on the academy the candidate is applying for:

• English: Compulsory for all.
• General Knowledge: Compulsory for all.
• Elementary Mathematics: Required for IMA, INA, and AFA (Not required for OTA).

The syllabus covers the following areas:

• English: Reading comprehension, synonyms, antonyms, sentence improvement, and grammar.
• General Knowledge: Indian History, Geography, Current Affairs, General Science, and Economics.
• Mathematics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, and Statistics (Class 10th level).

The exam pattern for CDS 2026 is as follows:

• Mode: Offline OMR-based.
• Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Duration: 2 hours for each subject.
• Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted for every wrong answer.
• Total Marks: 300 for IMA/INA/AFA; 200 for OTA.

The admission process is divided into four distinct stages:

Candidates selected through CDS are admitted into the following prestigious training academies:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
• Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad
• Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai

The results for the CDS 2026 written exam are typically announced 45-60 days after the conduct of the exam. Results are published in a PDF format containing the roll numbers of qualified candidates on the official website.

Qualified candidates from the written exam must register themselves on the respective recruitment websites (Join Indian Army/Navy/Air Force). They will then receive a call letter for the SSB Interview, which is a 5-day selection process.

In the context of CDS, 'Counselling' refers to the SSB Interview and the subsequent merit-based allocation. Candidates are assessed for leadership qualities, psychological fitness, and physical stamina. Successful candidates are then allotted academies based on their rank and preference.

The cut-off marks vary each year based on difficulty and vacancies. Expected 2026 cut-offs (out of 300 for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 for OTA):

• IMA: 135 - 145
• INA: 125 - 135
• AFA: 145 - 155
• OTA: 95 - 105

For administrative queries regarding the CDS UG 2026 examination, students may contact the helpdesk:

• Address: National Testing Agency, Okhla, New Delhi
• Email: cds-ug@nta.ac.in
• Helpline: 011-40759000
• Official Website: nta.ac.in