The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) to recruit eligible graduates as commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces. Through UPSC CDS 1 2027, candidates can seek admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), subject to each academy’s eligibility conditions.
According to the UPSC Annual Calendar 2027, the UPSC CDS 1 2027 notification is scheduled for release on December 2, 2026. The last date to submit the application is December 22, 2026, and the examination is scheduled for April 11, 2027. These dates are tentative and may be changed by UPSC.
UPSC CDS 1 2027: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2027 |
| Conducting authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination cycle | UPSC CDS 1 2027 |
| Notification date | December 2, 2026 (scheduled) |
| Last date to apply | December 22, 2026 (scheduled) |
| Examination date | April 11, 2027 (scheduled) |
| Mode of application | Online |
| Examination mode | Offline written examination |
| Selection process | Written examination, SSB interview and medical examination |
| Training academies | IMA, INA, AFA and OTA |
| Official website | https://upsc.gov.in/ |
| Application portal | https://upsconline.nic.in/ |
The above schedule is based on the UPSC Annual Calendar 2027. The detailed UPSC CDS 1 2027 notification will provide the final dates and examination-specific instructions.
CDS I 2027 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official notification | December 2, 2026 |
| Online application begins | December 2, 2026, as scheduled |
| Last date to apply | December 22, 2026 |
| Written examination | April 11, 2027 |
| Admit card | Expected before the examination; exact date to be announced |
| Written examination result | To be announced |
| SSB interview | As notified by the respective service headquarters |
Candidates should check the UPSC website regularly for the detailed notification, application link, and any revised schedule.
I have already appeared in the CDS II exam; can I reapply?
UPSC does not restrict candidates from applying multiple times unless you do not meet the eligibility criteria or have not reached the required age.
CDS I 2027 Courses and Academies
The CDS examination provides an entry route to different officer-training academies. Educational qualifications, age limits, gender and marital-status requirements vary by academy.
| Academy | Entry |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | Permanent Commission training for eligible candidates |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | Naval officer training |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | Air Force officer training |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | Short Service Commission training for eligible men and women |
The official UPSC CDS 1 2027 notification will specify the courses, number of vacancies, and admission conditions for CDS I 2027.
CDS I 2027 Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold the required degree for the academy they select.
| Academy | Required qualification |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Degree from a recognised university or equivalent |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | Degree from a recognised university or equivalent |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Degree in Engineering, or the alternative qualification specified in the official notification |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Degree from a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering degree |
Final-year students may also be eligible if they fulfil the conditions specified by UPSC. They must submit proof of passing their degree by the prescribed deadline. Candidates should verify the exact educational requirements in the CDS I 2027 notification before applying.
CDS I 2027 Age Limit
The age limit is academy-specific. The exact date-of-birth ranges for UPSC CDS 1 2027 will be given in the detailed notification.
Based on the eligibility structure in the supplied CDS II 2026 notification, the general age ranges were:
| Academy | General age range in the reference notification |
|---|---|
| IMA | 19–24 years |
| INA | 19–24 years |
| AFA | 20–24 years, with a specified relaxation for eligible candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence |
| OTA (Men) | 19–25 years |
| OTA (Women) | 19–25 years |
What will I get after selection: IMA, INA or OTA?
It depends on the eligibility criteria and whether you meet the requirements of any of these service providers. And for AFA and INA, you need science subjects. The qualification for entering IMA and OTA is a graduation degree in any discipline. Candidates must check the new notification for the applicable age calculation date, exact birth-date range, gender, and marital-status conditions.
UPSC CDS 1 2027 notification: Nationality Requirements
Under the eligibility framework in the supplied notification, applicants may be required to belong to one of the specified nationality categories, including:
- Citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal
- Certain persons of Indian origin who have migrated from the countries listed in the notification, subject to the applicable certificate-of-eligibility rules
Candidates must read the nationality provisions in the official notification to determine whether they qualify.
CDS I 2027 Application Fee
The supplied CDS 2 2026 notification prescribed an application fee of ₹200, with exemptions for female candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
| Candidate category | Fee in the CDS II 2026 reference notification |
|---|---|
| General and other candidates not exempted | ₹ 200 |
| Female candidates | Exempted |
| SC/ST candidates | Exempted |
The fee and exemption rules for CDS I 2027 must be confirmed in its official notification. Candidates should pay only through the modes permitted on the UPSC application portal.
Also read: CDS 2 2027 Notification.
CDS I 2027 Selection Process
The UPSC CDS 1 2027 selection process generally consists of the following stages:
1. Written Examination
Candidates first appear for the UPSC CDS written examination. The papers they must take depend on the academy they select.
2. SSB Interview
Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, subject to the applicable rules. The process assesses intelligence, personality, leadership potential, and suitability for officer training.
3. Medical Examination
Candidates recommended by the SSB must satisfy the prescribed medical and physical fitness standards for the relevant service.
4. Final Merit List
The final merit list is prepared according to the applicable examination and service-selection rules, including performance in the written examination and SSB assessment, subject to eligibility and available vacancies. Clearing the written examination alone does not guarantee admission to an academy.
CDS I 2027 Exam Pattern
The UPSC CDS 1 2027 written examination uses objective-type question papers. The reference pattern in the supplied CDS II 2026 notification is as follows.
IMA, INA and AFA
| Subject | Maximum marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 300 | 6 hours in total |
OTA
| Subject | Maximum marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 200 | 4 hours in total |
Negative marking applies to incorrect answers in the objective-type papers. The final exam scheme and instructions for CDS I 2027 should be checked in the official notification.
UPSC CDS 1 2027 Syllabus
English
- Grammar and usage
- Vocabulary
- Sentence improvement and error detection
- Comprehension
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Sentence arrangement
General Knowledge
- Current affairs
- Indian history
- Geography
- Indian polity and Constitution
- Economy
- General science
- Environment and defence-related developments
Elementary Mathematics
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
The Mathematics paper is required for candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA. OTA candidates take English and General Knowledge papers only.
How to Apply for CDS I 2027
Once the application window opens, candidates can follow these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website at https://upsc.gov.in/.
- Open the UPSC CDS 1 2027 notification and read the eligibility conditions.
- Visit the UPSC online application portal at https://upsconline.nic.in/.
- Complete the required account, registration, and application modules.
- Enter personal details, educational qualifications, and other required information.
- Upload the photograph, signature, and documents in the prescribed format.
- Select the examination centre and academy preferences carefully.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable.
- Review all details before final submission.
- Save the application confirmation and retain the application number for future reference.
Candidates should exercise care while entering their date of birth, educational details, and academy preferences. The supplied CDS II 2026 notification states that applications cannot be withdrawn and that corrections are not permitted after submission and closure of the application window.
CDS I 2027 Admit Card
UPSC will make the e-admit card available online before the examination. Candidates should download it from the official portal and check their name, roll number, examination centre and instructions.
The admit card will not be sent by post. Candidates should bring the required photo identity document and follow the instructions printed on the admit card.
CDS I 2027 Result
The written examination result will be published by UPSC on its official website. Candidates who qualify will be considered for the SSB interview according to their eligibility and academy preferences. The final selection depends on the applicable merit-list rules, medical fitness, eligibility verification, and availability of seats.
CDS I 2027 Preparation Tips
- Read the official syllabus and examination scheme before beginning preparation.
- Practise previous-year CDS question papers.
- Improve English grammar, vocabulary and comprehension.
- Revise current affairs and static General Knowledge regularly.
- Candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA should practise Mathematics consistently.
- Take timed mock tests and analyse mistakes.
- Prepare for the SSB interview alongside written-examination preparation.
Official Websites for CDS I 2027
- UPSC official website: https://upsc.gov.in/
- UPSC application portal: https://upsconline.nic.in/
Candidates should rely on UPSC for the official notification, application form, admit card, examination instructions and result.
Final Takeaway
UPSC CDS I 2027 is an opportunity for eligible graduates to pursue officer training through the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy. As per the UPSC Annual Calendar 2027, the notification is scheduled for December 2, 2026, applications are scheduled to close on December 22, 2026, and the written examination is scheduled for April 11, 2027.
Candidates should verify the final eligibility criteria, age limits, application fee, course details and selection rules in the official CDS I 2027 notification before submitting an application.