UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 | Salary RS. 56,100 – 2,24,400| Latest Govt Jobs 2025
Table of Contents
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Organization Name | UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 |
| Job Category | Government Jobs |
| Employment Type | Regular |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Last Date | 30-12-2025 |
| Eligibility | All over India |
| Apply mode | Online |
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 Officially Released this Notification. Officials are inviting applications from the eligible and interested candidate. For More latest jobs follow our website. In this article we will see the Educational Qualification, Age Limit, Salary, Selection Process, How to Apply…etc
To apply for government jobs in India, candidates need to visit the official website of the respective organization link which is provided below and apply for the vacancies as per the instructions given in the job notification. Additionally, candidates can also check the employment news or government job portals for the latest central government job vacancies.
Post Name and vacancies :
- Indian Military Academy (IMA) – 100 Posts
- Indian Naval Academy (INA) – 26 Posts
- Air Force Academy (AFA) – 32 Posts
- Officers Training Academy (OTA – Men) – 275 Posts
- Officers Training Academy (OTA – Women) – 18 Posts
Educational Qualification
- IMA & OTA: Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University.
- Indian Naval Academy: Engineering Degree from a recognized institution.
- Air Force Academy: Degree with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level OR Bachelor of Engineering.
Age Limit
- IMA: Unmarried males born between 02.01.2003 – 01.01.2008
- INA: Unmarried males born between 02.01.2003 – 01.01.2008
- AFA: 20 to 24 years as of 01.01.2027
- OTA (Men): Unmarried males born between 02.01.2002 – 01.01.2008
- OTA (Women): Unmarried women, widow (issueless), divorcee (issueless), born between 02.01.2002 – 01.01.2008
Salary Details
- Lieutenant – Level 10: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500
- Captain – Level 10B: ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900
- Major – Level 11: ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200
- Lieutenant Colonel – Level 12A: ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400
- Colonel – Level 13: ₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900
- Brigadier – Level 13A: ₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600
- Major General – Level 14: ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200
- Lieutenant General (HAG Scale) – Level 15: ₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100
- HAG+ Scale – Level 16: ₹2,05,400 – ₹2,24,400
- VCOAS / Army Commander / Lieutenant General – Level 17: ₹2,25,000 (fixed)
- Chief of Army Staff (COAS) – Level 18: ₹2,50,000 (fixed)
Selection Process for UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026
- Written Examination
- Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB)
- Medical Examination
- Document Verification
Exam Centres in Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Vellore
1. Written Examination Preparation Tips
The CDS Written Exam has:
A. For IMA, INA, AFA
- English – 100 Marks
- General Knowledge – 100 Marks
- Elementary Mathematics – 100 Marks
B. For OTA
- English – 100 Marks
- General Knowledge – 100 Marks
A. English Preparation Tips (CDS)
What to Study
- Spotting Errors
- Sentence Improvement
- Synonyms/Antonyms
- Ordering of Sentences
- Reading Comprehension
- Fill in the Blanks
- Cloze Test
How to Prepare
✔ Read newspaper daily (Hindu/Indian Express)
✔ Practice 50 MCQs daily
✔ Improve grammar basics (Wren & Martin)
✔ Solve previous 10-year papers
Important Topics
- Tenses
- Articles
- Prepositions
- Voice
- Speech
- Vocabulary
B. General Knowledge (GK) Preparation
What to Study
- Indian Polity & Constitution
- History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
- Geography (Indian + World)
- Economics (Basics)
- Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Defence Knowledge
- Current Affairs (Last 1 year)
How to Prepare
✔ Daily current affairs (last 12 months)
✔ NCERT 6–12 Basics
✔ Lucent GK
✔ Monthly Defence Updates
✔ Revise frequently using short notes
C. Elementary Mathematics Preparation
Topics to Focus
- Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratio, Profit-Loss)
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
- Statistics
- Number System
How to Prepare
✔ Practice formulas daily
✔ Solve previous 15-year papers
✔ Time management is key
✔ Practice mock tests every week
CDS Important Questions – Written Exam
🔵 English
- Spot the error in the sentence.
- Choose the correct synonym for “Reluctant.”
- Rearrange the sentences in correct order.
- Fill in the blank with appropriate preposition.
🔵 GK
- Who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
- What is the Article for Fundamental Rights?
- Name the longest river in India.
- Recent defence exercises of India?
- Who wrote the book Discovery of India?
🔵 Mathematics
- Solve: (x² – 4x + 3) = 0
- Find the area of a triangle with base 8 cm, height 6 cm.
- Convert 45° into radians.
- If CP = 500, SP = 600, find profit %.
2. Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB Interview)
SSB Tests Include:
A. Stage – 1: Screening
- OIR Test (Officer Intelligence Rating)
- PPDT (Picture Perception & Discussion Test)
B. Stage – 2: SSB Interview
- Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, Self-Description)
- GTO Tasks (Group Tasks, Command Tasks, Group Planning Exercise)
- Personal Interview
- Conference
How to Prepare for SSB
1. OIR Test
✔ Practice verbal & non-verbal reasoning
✔ Analogies, Series, Coding-Decoding
✔ Try to solve quickly & accurately
2. PPDT
✔ Observe picture carefully
✔ Write a positive & realistic story
✔ Clear narration in 40–50 seconds
✔ Participate actively in group discussion
3. Psychological Tests
TAT (12 Stories)
→ Write optimistic stories
→ Show leadership & teamwork
WAT (60 Words)
→ Write positive sentences
SRT (60 Situations)
→ Give quick, practical solutions
SD (Self Description)
→ Honest, clear points about your strengths
4. GTO Tasks
- Group Discussion
- Group Planning Exercise
- Progressive/Final Group Tasks
- Lecturette
- Individual Obstacles
- Command Task
✔ Speak clearly
✔ Take initiative
✔ Team cooperation is important
✔ Physical fitness matters
5. Personal Interview Tips
- Be confident
- Answer honestly
- Know your academic background
- Understand defence news
- Don’t lie or exaggerate
Most Important SSB Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want to join the Armed Forces?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell me about your family background.
- Three current national issues.
- Your hobbies and achievements.
- Why should we select you?
- What did you learn from failures in life?
- Tell me about your daily routine.
3. CDS Medical Examination Preparation
⭐ Common Medical Requirements
✔ BMI within normal range
✔ No color blindness
✔ Good hearing
✔ Good eyesight (with/without glasses depending on service)
✔ No flat foot
✔ No knock knee
✔ Healthy heart and lungs
✔ No major surgery history unless healed
How to Prepare
- Maintain fitness (running, cardio, strength training)
- Maintain healthy diet
- Avoid smoking & alcohol
- Sleep 7 hours
- Get dental check-ups (no cavities)
- Avoid sudden weight loss
🩺 Common Reasons for Medical Rejection
- Overweight/Underweight
- High BP
- Flat foot
- Knock knees
- Colour blindness
- Eye problems (Myopia/Hypermetropia beyond limits)
4. Document Verification
You must carry:
✔ CDS Admit Card
✔ 10th & 12th Mark Sheets
✔ Degree Certificate
✔ Caste Certificate (if applicable)
✔ Identity Proof
✔ Passport-size photos
✔ All SSB forms filled correctly
✔ Medical fitness certificat
Common Questions During DV
- Verify your name, age, DOB
- Clarify your graduation details
- Validity of reserved category certificate
- Character certificate if asked
Application Fees for UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026
- Female / SC / ST: No Fee
- Others: ₹100
How to Apply for UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026?
1. Apply Online Mode Only
2. Download Official Notification
3. Read the Notification Details Carefully
4. Click on the Application Link given below
5. Fill Application Form all and attached Required attested copies
6. Submit it before the last date
UPSC CDS I Recruitment 2026 – Official Apply Link
Important Dates
Start Date : 10-12-2025
last Date : 30-12-2025
Follow us on Social Media:
Join Our Telegram Group Click here
Join Our Instagram Page Click here
For More Latest Tamilnadu Govt Job Updates Click here
For More Latest Govt Job Updates Click here
