UPSC CDS 2027-28: Notification Date, Exam Date, Eligibility, Vacancy & Application

UPSC CDS 2027-28 is the Combined Defence Services examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for admission to officer-training courses of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, subject to the course-wise eligibility conditions. The UPSC Annual Calendar 2027 lists two CDS examinations during the year. Candidates should use the official notification for the final vacancies, age limits, course details and instructions because these can vary by examination and academy.

UPSC CDS 2027-28 – Quick Facts

UPSC CDS 2027-28 Notification Date

According to the UPSC Annual Calendar 2027, the first Combined Defence Services examination of 2027 is scheduled for notification on 2 December 2026. The last date for applications is 22 December 2026, and the written examination is scheduled for 11 April 2027.

The second CDS examination is scheduled for notification on 12 May 2027. The application deadline is 1 June 2027, while the examination is scheduled for 19 September 2027. UPSC notes that calendar dates can be altered if circumstances require, so candidates should verify the live notification before applying.

UPSC CDS 2027-28 Vacancy

The CDS 2027-28 vacancy should not be treated as confirmed until UPSC publishes the relevant examination notification. Vacancies are generally distributed among the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy, with course-specific conditions. The exact number can change and is therefore best reported from the official notification rather than an expected vacancy figure.

CareerSphere will update the vacancy table when UPSC releases the official notification. Candidates should check the number of vacancies, reservation details and course commencement information in the notification applicable to their examination cycle.

CDS 2027-28 Eligibility

Eligibility differs according to the academy and course. In general, candidates need the prescribed educational qualification and must satisfy the age, marital-status and nationality requirements stated by UPSC. Candidates should carefully read the course-specific conditions because a qualification accepted for one academy may not be sufficient for another.

Educational Qualification

• Indian Military Academy: A recognised university degree or equivalent is generally required.
• Indian Naval Academy: A degree in Engineering from a recognised university or institution is generally required.
• Air Force Academy: A recognised degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering/Technology qualification, subject to the notification.
• Officers’ Training Academy: A recognised university degree or equivalent is generally required.

Final qualification rules, including accepted equivalents and conditions for candidates appearing in the qualifying examination, must be checked against the applicable UPSC CDS notification.

Age Limit

The CDS age requirement is academy- and course-specific. UPSC normally specifies different date-of-birth windows for the IMA, INA, Air Force Academy and OTA. Therefore, candidates should not rely on a single generic age statement. The official notification should be treated as the controlling document for CDS 2027-28 age eligibility.

CDS 2027-28 Exam Pattern

The written examination pattern depends on the academy. For IMA, INA and Air Force Academy candidates, the written examination normally includes English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. For OTA candidates, the written examination normally includes English and General Knowledge.

The written papers are objective-type examinations. UPSC applies negative marking for incorrect answers as prescribed in the examination notice. Candidates should check the latest notification for the exact marks, duration and instructions.

CDS 2027-28 Selection Process

The selection process broadly consists of the written examination followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) process for candidates who qualify and are shortlisted. The SSB assessment evaluates candidates through the prescribed intelligence, personality and group-assessment stages. Candidates recommended through the selection process must also satisfy the applicable medical standards.

1. Submit the online application.
2. Appear for the UPSC written examination.
3. Qualify the written stage according to the applicable cut-off and course conditions.
4. Attend the SSB interview/personality assessment when called.
5. Complete medical examination and other required formalities.
6. Receive final allocation/admission subject to merit, vacancies and eligibility.

UPSC CDS 2027-28 Application Form

Applications are submitted online through the UPSC application system. Candidates should create or use the required account, complete the personal and educational details carefully, select the appropriate examination and academy preferences where applicable, upload the required documents and submit the form before the deadline.

Before final submission, candidates should verify their name, date of birth, educational details, category information, photograph and other entered information. Keep a copy of the submitted application and payment confirmation, if applicable, for future reference.

CDS 2027-28 Application Fee

The application fee and exemptions are prescribed in the official notification. Fee requirements can differ according to category and gender. Candidates should check the applicable CDS 2027-28 notification before making payment rather than relying on older examination figures.

How to Apply for UPSC CDS 2027-28

1. Visit the official UPSC website.
2. Open the examination application section and select the relevant CDS 2027-28 examination.
3. Complete registration and provide the required personal and educational information.
4. Upload the photograph, signature and other documents in the prescribed format.
5. Pay the applicable fee, if required.
6. Review every entry before final submission.
7. Submit the application and save the confirmation for your records.

Documents to Keep Ready

• Recent passport-size photograph as specified by UPSC
• Scanned signature and required identity details
• Educational qualification information
• Date-of-birth proof and identity details, where required
• Category or other certificates, if applicable
• Valid email address and mobile number

CDS 2027-28 Preparation Strategy

A practical preparation plan should begin with the official syllabus and previous question papers. English preparation can focus on grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and usage. General Knowledge requires regular revision of history, geography, polity, economy, science and current affairs. Elementary Mathematics should be prepared through repeated practice of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration and related topics included in the syllabus.

Timed practice is important because the written papers are objective and competitive. Candidates should analyse previous papers, maintain an error notebook and take full-length mock tests after completing topic-wise preparation. For the SSB stage, candidates should also become familiar with the selection process, communication exercises, group activities and interview expectations.

CDS 2027-28 Salary and Career

Successful candidates are inducted into officer-training courses subject to the applicable service rules. Pay, allowances, training terms and career progression depend on the service and rank. Candidates should refer to the latest official defence pay rules and UPSC notification rather than using outdated salary figures from older recruitment cycles.

Important Dates for UPSC CDS 2027-28

Official Links

• UPSC Official Website
• UPSC Examination Calendar
• UPSC Apply Online

FAQs on UPSC CDS 2027-28

When will the CDS I 2027 notification be released?

The UPSC Annual Calendar 2027 schedules the CDS I 2027 notification for 2 December 2026.

When is the CDS I 2027 exam?

The CDS I 2027 written examination is scheduled for 11 April 2027.

When will CDS II 2027 applications start?

The annual calendar schedules the CDS II 2027 notification for 12 May 2027, with the last date for applications on 1 June 2027.

What is the CDS II 2027 exam date?

The CDS II 2027 examination is scheduled for 19 September 2027.

Has the CDS 2027-28 vacancy been announced?

The exact course-wise vacancy should be taken from the respective UPSC notification. Do not rely on unofficial expected vacancy figures.

Can women apply for CDS?

Women candidates are eligible for the courses specified by UPSC, including the applicable Officers’ Training Academy entry, subject to the conditions in the relevant notification.

Final Note

UPSC CDS 2027-28 offers two examination cycles in the UPSC Annual Calendar. Candidates planning for defence officer entry should track both cycles, verify the course-specific eligibility requirements and use the official notification as the final source for vacancies, age limits, fee and application instructions.

For more recruitment updates, also explore UPSC Jobs, Defence Jobs, Central Government Jobs, Latest Government Jobs and CareerSphere.in.