UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 451 Combined Defence Services (CDS) Posts | Free Job Alert @ upsc.gov.in

UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026: Union Public Service Commission has released the job notification regarding filling of Combined Defence Services (CDS) Job Vacancies. The Governmrent organization invites Online application from eligible candidates have required qualifications. These 451 Combined Defence Services (CDS) Posts are Across India. The eligible candidates can apply for the post through Online from 10.12.2025 to 30.12.2025.

UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026 - Highlights

• Organization Name : Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Post Name : Combined Defence Services (CDS)
• Job Type : Central Govt
• Recruitment Type : Direct
• Advt No : 4/2026 CDS-I
• Vacancies : 451
• Job Location : Across India
• Salary : Rs.56,100 - Rs.2,50,000 (Per Month)
• Mode of Application : Online
• Application Start : 10.12.2025
• Last Date : 30.12.2025

Job Details Descriptions

Important Dates : UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026

• Starting Date to Apply : 10 December 2025
• Last Date for Apply Online : 30 December 2025
• Examination Date : 12 April 2026
• Written Result Declaration : May 2026 (Tentative)
• Course Commencement (IMA/INA/AFA) January 2027
• Course Commencement (OTA) : April 2027

Vacancy Details : UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun : 100
• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala : 26
• Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad : 32
• Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai : (Men) 275
• Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women) : 18

Total : 451 Posts

Salary Details : UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026

Pay scale of Army Officers and equivalent ranks in Air Force and Navy

• Lieutenant (Level 10) : Rs.56,100 - Rs.1,77,500
• Captain (Level 10 B) : Rs.61,300 - Rs.1,93,900
• Major (Level 11) : Rs.69,400 - Rs.2,07,200
• Lieutenant Colonel (Level 12A) : Rs.1,21,200 - Rs.2,12,400
• Colonel (Level 13) : Rs.1,30,600 - Rs.2,15,900
• Brigadier (Level 13A) : Rs.1,39,600 - Rs.2,17,600
• Major General (Level 14) : Rs.1,44,200 - Rs.2,18,200
• Lieutenant General HAG Scale (Level 15) : Rs.1, 82, 200 - Rs.2,24,100
• HAG+Scale (Level 16) : Rs.2,05,400 - 2,24,400
• VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) (Level 17) : Rs.2,25,000/-(fixed)
• COAS (Level 18) : Rs.2,50,000/-(fixed)

MSP to the officer is as follows

• Military Service Pay(MSP) to the officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier : Rs.15,500 p.m. fixed

Fixed Stipend for cadet Training

• Stipend to Officer Cadetsduring the entire duration of training in Service academies i.e. during training period at IMA and OTA : Rs.56,100/-p.m.* (Starting pay in Level 10)

On successful commissioning, the pay in the Pay matrix of the Officer commissioned shall be fixed in first Cell of Level 10 and the period of training shall not be treated as commissioned service and arrears on account of admissible allowances, as applicable, for the training period shall be paid to cadets.

Age Limit : UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026

• For IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2008
• For Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2008
• For Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 years (born not earlier than 02/01/2003 and not later than 01/01/2007). Upper age limit relaxable upto 26 years for candidates holding valid Commercial Pilot Licence
• For Officers' Training Academy (SSC Men): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02/01/2002 and not later than 01/01/2008
• For Officers' Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course): Unmarried women, issueless widows/divorcees born not earlier than 02/01/2002 and not later than 01/01/2008
• Date of birth accepted only from Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate
• No subsequent change in date of birth allowed

Qualification : UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026

1. For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai

• Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.

2. For Indian Naval Academy

• Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution

3. For Air Force Academy

• Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of Graduation/provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB.

Candidates studying in final year/semester degree course can also apply

Professional and technical qualifications recognised by Government as equivalent are also acceptable

Application Fee : UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026

• UR/OBC/EWS : Rs. 200/-
• SC/ST/Female : Nil

Pay the Examination Fee through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking.

Selection Process : UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026

Written Examination:

• IMA, INA, AFA: English: 100 Marks, General Knowledge: 100 Marks, Elementary Mathematics: 100 Marks
• OTA: English: 100 Marks, General Knowledge: 100 Marks

SSB Interview:

• Intelligence and personality tests conducted by Services Selection Board (SSB).

Merit List:

• Based on combined scores of the written exam and SSB interview.

Centres of Examination (Kerala) : UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026

• Kochi
• Kozhikode (Calicut)
• Thiruvananthapuram

How to Apply : UPSC CDS Recruitment 2026

If you are interested and found yourself eligible for Combined Defence Services Examination,. click on the apply online link given below. Then, find the appropriate option and fill up the form. You can apply Online from 10 Dec 2025 to 30 Dec 2025.

Follow the steps given below to Apply Online

• Open the official website www.upsc.gov.in
• Find the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Job Notification in the “Recruitment / Career / Advertising Menu” and click on it.
• Download the official notification from the link provided at the end.
• Read the Full Notification. carefully and check your eligibility criteria.
• Visit the Online Official Online Application / Registration link below.
• Fill in the required details correctly without any mistakes.
• Upload all required documents in the format and size mentioned in the notification.
• After verifying that the registered details are correct, then submit.
• Next, if Union Public Service Commission requires an application fee, make the payment as per the notification mode. Otherwise, go to the next step.
• Take a printout of it and keep it safe

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Interested Candidates Can Read the Full Notification Before Apply