CDS 1 2027 Notification: Exam Date, Eligibility, Age Limit, Syllabus, and Complete Roadmap
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination twice a year to recruit Officers into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
If you aim to don the uniform as a Commissioned Officer in 2027, the CDS 1 2027 Notification is your primary gateway. To help you stay ahead of the competition, this guide breaks down every critical fact, timeline, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and preparation strategy.
Key Highlights of CDS 1 2027 Examination
| Event | Date / Window | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release | 2 December 2026 | Confirmed |
| Online Application Starts | 2 December 2026 | Confirmed |
| Last Date to Apply | 22 December 2026 | Confirmed |
| Admit Card (Expected) | Last week of March / First week of April 2027 | Expected |
| Written Examination | 11 April 2027 (Sunday) | Confirmed |
| Written Result (Expected) | May–June 2027 | Expected |
| SSB Interviews | June–September 2027 onwards | Expected |
| Final Merit List | Late 2027 | Expected |
Note: All calendar dates are subject to change by UPSC if circumstances require. Always verify the detailed notification on the official website upsc.gov.in once released.
What Exactly Is the CDS 1 2027 Examination?
The Combined Defence Services Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice a year. CDS 1 2027 is the first cycle for the year and will recruit candidates for permanent and short-service commission entries into:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun – Permanent Commission in the Indian Army
- Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala – Permanent Commission in the Indian Navy
- Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad – Permanent Commission in the Indian Air Force (Flying Branch)
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – Short Service Commission (Men & Women)
Successful candidates undergo rigorous training at these academies before being commissioned as officers.
Expected Vacancies for CDS 1 2027
Exact vacancies will be announced only in the official CDS 1 2027 Notification. Based on recent trends (CDS 1 and CDS 2 2026 notified around 451 vacancies), the expected distribution is approximately:
- IMA: ~100
- INA: ~26–32
- AFA: ~32
- OTA (Men): ~275
- OTA (Women): ~18
Total expected vacancies: around 450. Vacancies are tentative and can be revised by the Service Headquarters.
CDS 1 2027 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit & Qualifications
Eligibility is academy-specific. The detailed notification will confirm exact date-of-birth ranges. The following is based on the consistent pattern followed by UPSC.
Nationality
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India (eligibility certificate required in certain cases).
Age Limit (Expected for CDS 1 2027)
| Academy | Age Limit | Expected Date of Birth Range (both inclusive) | Gender & Marital Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | 19–24 years | 2 January 2004 to 1 January 2009 | Unmarried Male only |
| INA | 19–24 years | 2 January 2004 to 1 January 2009 | Unmarried Male only |
| AFA | 20–24 years | 2 January 2004 to 1 January 2008 | Unmarried Male (CPL holders up to 26) |
| OTA (Men) | 19–25 years | 2 January 2003 to 1 January 2009 | Unmarried Male |
| OTA (Women) | 19–25 years | 2 January 2003 to 1 January 2009 | Unmarried women / issueless widows or divorcees who have not remarried |
Educational Qualification
- IMA & OTA: Degree from a recognised university or equivalent (any discipline). Final-year students can also apply, subject to producing proof of passing before the course starts.
- INA: Degree in Engineering from a recognised university/institution.
- AFA: Degree from a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering.
Physical & Medical Standards
Candidates must meet the prescribed height, weight, vision, and medical standards of the respective service. Detailed standards will be in the official notification. AFA candidates additionally face the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).
CDS 1 2027 Exam Pattern
The written examination is offline (pen-and-paper, OMR-based) and objective in nature.
For IMA, INA & AFA (Total 300 marks)
| Subject | Duration | Marks | Questions (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 2 hours | 100 | 120 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 | 120 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 | 100 |
For OTA (Total 200 marks)
| Subject | Duration | Marks | Questions (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 2 hours | 100 | 120 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 | 120 |
- Negative marking: 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question for every wrong answer.
- English paper is in English only; GK and Mathematics are bilingual (Hindi & English).
- SSB Interview carries equal marks (300 for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 for OTA).
Detailed CDS 1 2027 Selection Process
The CDS selection process consists of four distinct, rigorous stages:
Stage 1: UPSC Written Examination: Tests your knowledge in English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA/INA/AFA).
Stage 2: SSB Interview: A comprehensive 5-day assessment testing Officer Like Qualities (OLQs), psychological aptitude, group task dynamics, and personal interviews.
Stage 3: Medical Examination: Detailed physical and medical checkup conducted by Special Medical Boards at Military Hospitals.
Stage 4: Final Merit List: Calculated based on written examination marks and SSB interview marks combined.
CDS 1 2027 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The CDS exam pattern differs based on whether you are opting for Permanent Commission (IMA, INA, AFA) or Short Service Commission (OTA).
Exam Structure
| Academy Applied | Papers Included | Duration | Total Marks |
| IMA, INA, AFA | English + General Knowledge + Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours per paper | 300 Marks (100 Marks each) |
| OTA (Men & Women) | English + General Knowledge | 2 Hours per paper | 200 Marks (100 Marks each) |
Important Rules & Negative Marking
Question Type: Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
Negative Marking: One-third (0.33 marks) is deducted for every incorrect response.
Sectional Cutoff: Candidates must secure a minimum qualifying mark (usually 20%) in each individual paper to pass overall.
Subject-Wise CDS 1 2027 Syllabus Breakdown
1. English Paper (100 Marks)
Assesses understanding of English language structure, grammar, and vocabulary.
Reading Comprehension
Spotting Errors & Sentence Correction
Synonyms & Antonyms
Ordering of Words & Sentences (Jumbled Sentences)
Idioms & Phrases
Fill in the Blanks & Cloze Test
2. General Knowledge Paper (100 Marks)
Covers static knowledge alongside current events:
Indian Polity & Governance: Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Parliament, Judiciary.
Indian History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian Freedom Struggle.
Geography: Physical Geography, Indian Geography, Maps, and Climate.
General Science: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (up to 10th standard level).
Economics: Basic Macroeconomics, Indian Economy, Budget, and Schemes.
Current Affairs & Defence Specific: National & International events, Defence exercises, Weapons, and Military updates.
3. Elementary Mathematics Paper (100 Marks - For IMA/INA/AFA only)
Arithmetic: Number System, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest.
Algebra: Basic Operations, Remainder Theorem, HCF & LCM, Quadratic Equations.
Trigonometry: Trigonometric Ratios, Identities, Heights & Distances.
Geometry: Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles, Theorems, and Proofs.
Mensuration: Area, Perimeter, Surface Area, Volume of 2D and 3D figures.
Statistics: Frequency Tables, Histograms, Bar Charts, Measures of Central Tendency.
How to Apply Online for CDS 1 2027: Step-by-Step Guide
OTR Registration: Visit upsconline.nic.in and complete your One Time Registration (OTR) if you haven’t done so already.
Fill Part-I Application: Log in with your OTR credentials, select “CDS 1 2027 Exam”, and fill in personal, academic, and contact details.
Academy Preference: Carefully rank your preference for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA based on your eligibility.
Pay Application Fee: Pay ₹200 via online banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. (Female, SC, and ST candidates are completely exempt from fee payment).
Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and valid Photo Identity Card (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, PAN).
Select Exam Center & Submit: Choose your preferred exam center and print the final confirmation receipt.
Master Strategy to Crack CDS 1 2027 Written Exam
Analyze Previous Year Questions (PYQs): Solve at least 10 years of CDS PYQs to understand topic weightage, repeating patterns, and difficulty levels.
Build Sectional Accuracy: Aim for high accuracy in the English paper, as it is the most scoring section.
Focus on High-Yield GK Topics: Master Indian Polity, Modern History, and General Science first before diving into vast subjects like Economics.
Master Speed in Mathematics: For IMA/INA/AFA aspirants, time management in Maths is crucial. Practice shortcut methods and daily speed tests.
Regular Mock Tests: Take full-length OMR-based mock tests in exam-like environments to conquer negative marking.
Prepare with Indian Defence Institute – Best NDA & Defence Coaching
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Recognised as the Best NDA Coaching in Dehradun, Indian Defence Institute offers specialised coaching programs for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and SSB interviews. Located in the heart of Dehradun—the hub of defence education—the institute provides:
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Comprehensive Study Material: Updated syllabus coverage, hand-crafted notes, and daily practice papers.
Dedicated SSB Mentorship: In-house GTO ground, screening tests, psychological testing, and mock interviews.
Rigorous Test Series: Weekly topic-wise tests and full-length OMR mocks aligned with UPSC patterns.
Whether you are aiming for NDA after 12th or targeting CDS 1 2027 after graduation, joining Indian Defence Institute—the Best NDA Coaching—gives you the competitive edge needed to secure your merit seat in the Armed Forces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the CDS 1 2027 Notification be released?
As per the official UPSC Calendar 2027, on 2 December 2026.
What is the CDS 1 2027 exam date?
11 April 2027 (Sunday).
Can final-year students apply for CDS 1 2027?
Yes, provided they produce proof of having passed the degree examination before the commencement of the course.
Is there any limit on the number of attempts?
No fixed limit; candidates can appear as long as they remain within the age criteria.
Are women eligible for all academies?
Women candidates are eligible only for OTA (Short Service Commission).
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