CDS 1 2026 Exam Date Out: Preparation Tips, Pattern & Strategy

• UPSC schedules CDS 1 2026 examination on April 12, 2026, to recruit defence officers.
• A total of 451 vacancies were announced across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA academies.
• Written exam has three papers; CDS 2 2026 applications open May 20.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has now made an official announcement about the date of the Combined Defence Services Examination for CDS 1 2026 Examination, which will see candidates vying for a position as commissioned officers in the Indian Defence Forces.

 The date for the examination is set for April 12, 2026, which will be carried out offline at various centres across the country.

Candidates who had registered for the test during the previous time frame available, running until December 30, 2025, with December 10 as the earliest date, will be appearing for the critical entrance exam.

There have been a total of 451 notifications issued for this session, which provide opportunities for recruitment to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy.

Also read: UPSC CSE 2026 Notification Live: 2025 Interviews Ongoing

The written exam for the CDS exam will consist of three papers, and it is advised that  student familiarise themselves with the pattern of this exam to increase their performance. Apart from being well-versed in their subjects, it is advisable that they practice model question papers and perform mock tests.

Candidates applying for the ACC exam and trying to get the most out of their preparation time have been advised to develop a study plan and prioritise important topics for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.

The written test in the exam carries a total of 300 marks, and SSB interviews get extra marks. The admit card for the ACC exam released a few days before the exam.

Also, the broader calendar of UPSC shows that the application window for CDS 2 2026 will open on May 20, 2026, and the exam is scheduled for September 13, 2026, so defence aspirants will get another chance this year.