The UPSC CDS 1 2026 exam is finally here, and thousands of defence aspirants across the country are ready to sit for one of India’s most prestigious written tests. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, the Combined Defence Services Examination is the gateway to commissions in the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy. With the exam scheduled for 12 April 2026, knowing the exact UPSC CDS 2026 shift timings is crucial for every registered candidate.
Three separate papers are spread across the day, each carrying its own reporting time and exam window. This article covers everything you need to know, including the paper-wise shift timings, exam structure, overview of the CDS 1 2026 exam, and other important details to help you walk into the examination hall fully prepared.
UPSC CDS 2026 Shift Timings
The UPSC CDS 1 2026 exam will be conducted on 12 April 2026, a Sunday, in three shifts across the day. Each paper lasts two hours and is held in offline, pen-and-paper mode. The schedule is based on Indian Standard Time and candidates must report to the exam centre well before the gate closing time.
All three shifts cover distinct subjects: English in the morning, General Knowledge in the afternoon, and Elementary Mathematics in the evening. Candidates applying for the Officers’ Training Academy will only appear for the first two shifts, as OTA does not include the mathematics paper. Those applying for IMA, INA, or AFA must sit for all three shifts.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Name | Combined Defense Service Examination (CDS 1) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 (Sunday) |
| Shift 1- English | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Subject Code: 11) |
| Shift 2- General Knowledge | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM (Subject Code: 12) |
| Shift 3- Elementary Mathematics | 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Subject Code:13) |
| Duration Per Paper | 2 Hours |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
CDS 1 2026 Paper-wise Shift Schedule
Understanding the paper-by-paper breakdown helps candidates plan their day effectively. There are clear gaps between each shift, giving candidates time to recharge and refocus before the next paper.
Note: Shift 3 (Mathematics) is only for IMA, INA, and AFA candidates. OTA candidates appear for Shift 1 and Shift 2 only
| Shift | Subject |
| Shift 1 | English (Subject Code: 11) |
| Shift 2 | General Knowledge (Subject Code: 12) |
| Shift 3 | Elementary Mathematics (Subject Code: 13) |
UPSC CDS 1 2026 Important Dates
Candidates should keep track of all key dates related to the CDS 1 2026 examination cycle to avoid missing any deadline.
| Event | Date |
| CDS 1 Notification Release | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 December 2025 |
| CDS 1 Admit Card Release | Late March 2026 (Released) |
| CDS 1 Exam Date | 12 April 2026 (Sunday) |
| Result Declaration | Expected April/May 2026 |
| CDS 2 Notification | 20 May 2026 |
| CDS 2 Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
UPSC CDS 2026 Exam Pattern
The CDS 1 2026 written exam follows an objective-type format with MCQs. The exam pattern varies slightly depending on the academy a candidate has applied for. For IMA, INA, and AFA, candidates appear for three papers covering English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. OTA candidates only appear for English and General Knowledge.
Each paper carries 100 marks, making the total written exam score 300 marks for IMA, INA, and AFA, and 200 marks for OTA. There is negative marking of one-third of a mark for every incorrect answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty. Candidates must use a black ballpoint pen to mark answers on the OMR sheet.
| Subject | Questions |
| English | 120 |
| General Knowledge | 120 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 |
CDS 1 2026 Vacancy Details
A total of 451 vacancies have been announced for CDS 1 2026 across four defence academies. Candidates can apply for IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA based on their eligibility. The final seat count per academy is mentioned in the official notification PDF available on upsc.gov.in.
Male candidates can apply for all four academies. Female candidates can only apply for OTA through the SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course, which is clubbed with the CDS 1 2026 notification.
Exam Day Reporting Time and Instructions
Candidates must reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each shift. Entry gates close sharply at the designated time, and no one is permitted to enter after the gate closes. It is strongly advised to reach the venue at least one hour in advance to complete security checks and settle in without any rush.
Candidates must carry a printed copy of their CDS 1 2026 admit card along with a valid photo ID proof such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, or Voter ID. Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and all electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall. Between the three shifts, candidates can use the break time to rest, eat, or briefly revise but must not carry any notes or study material into the hall.
Documents to Carry on Exam Day
- Every candidate must bring the following on 12 April 2026:
- Printed copy of UPSC CDS 1 2026 admit card
- Valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, or Passport)
- Passport-size photographs if mentioned on the admit card
- Black ballpoint pen for marking the OMR sheet
UPSC CDS 2026 Selection Process
The CDS 1 2026 selection follows a multi-stage process starting with the written exam. Candidates who clear the written exam are shortlisted for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview, which tests personality, leadership qualities, and officer-like traits. This is followed by a thorough medical examination.
The SSB interview carries 300 marks for IMA, INA, and AFA, and 200 marks for OTA. The final merit list is prepared based on combined marks in the written exam and SSB interview. Only candidates who pass all stages are offered admission to the respective academies, with courses beginning in January 2027 for IMA, INA, and AFA, and April 2027 for OTA.
FAQs on UPSC CDS 2026 Shift Timings
Q1. What is the UPSC CDS 1 2026 exam date?
The UPSC CDS 1 2026 exam will be held on 12 April 2026, which is a Sunday.
Q2. What are the three shift timings for CDS 1 2026?
Shift 1 for English is from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Shift 2 for General Knowledge is from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and Shift 3 for Elementary Mathematics is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Q3. Do OTA candidates need to appear for all three shifts?
No. OTA candidates only appear for Shift 1 (English) and Shift 2 (General Knowledge). The Mathematics paper in Shift 3 is not required for OTA.
Q4. How many vacancies are there in CDS 1 2026?
UPSC has announced a total of 451 vacancies for CDS 1 2026 across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
Q5. Is there negative marking in the CDS exam?
Yes. One-third of a mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
Q6. When will the UPSC CDS 1 2026 result be declared?
The CDS 1 2026 result is expected to be released on the UPSC website in April or May 2026 after the exam is completed.
Important Links
| Important Links | Link |
| UPSC CDS 1 2026 Admit Card Download Link | Visit Here |
| Official UPSC Website | Visit Here |
| Our Homepage | Visit Here |
