UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026: Exam Date, Admit Card, Result & Answer Key
Everything for the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026 exam cycle in one place — the official schedule, how to download your admit card, how to check your result and scorecard, and how to use the answer key and raise objections. Every step links to the official source; dates change each cycle, so always confirm there before you plan.
UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026 schedule
| Notification | CDS I notification is published in November and the exam is held in April of the following calendar year. CDS II notification is published in May and the exam is held in September of the same calendar year. Two cycles every year, with notifications and exams alternating roughly six months apart. |
| Exam | CDS I written exam: April · CDS I SSB: July-September · CDS I final merit and commissioning: roughly June of the year AFTER the written. CDS II written exam: September · CDS II SSB: January-March · CDS II final merit and commissioning: roughly January of the year AFTER the SSB. Total cycle length is approximately 14-18 months from notification to commissioning. |
| Result | Written results: 2-4 months after the exam. SSB recommendations are issued on Day 5 of the Board itself. Medical Board: 2-4 weeks after SSB recommendation. Final merit list (combining written + SSB): published per academy after medical clearance and is the basis for joining instructions. |
UPSC may revise the notification calendar, age bands, eligibility text or paper structure cycle-to-cycle. Always consult the latest CDS I or CDS II notification PDF on upsc.gov.in and the application portal on upsconline.gov.in before applying — the notification overrides every secondary source, including this page.
How to track the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) dates
- Open the official website. Go to the official UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) conducting-body website (linked below) — exam dates are published there first, never on a coaching site.
- Check the Latest News / Notice Board. Look under the "Latest News", "What's New" or "Notice Board" section for the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) notification and exam-date notice.
- Note the key dates. Note the application window, exam date, admit-card and result dates. Set a reminder a few days before each.
- Re-check before acting. Dates are often revised. Re-confirm on the official site (or the live updates below) before you travel, apply or plan.
How to download the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) admit card
- Open the official website. Go to the official UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) website (linked below) and find the "Admit Card" or "Call Letter" download link for the current cycle.
- Log in with your credentials. Enter your registration number / roll number and password or date of birth as prompted.
- Download and check the admit card. Download the PDF and verify your name, photo, exam date, reporting time and centre. Report any discrepancy to the conducting body immediately.
- Carry a printout + valid ID. Take a clear colour printout and the photo ID specified in the admit card to the exam centre.
How to check the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) result
- Open the official website. Go to the official UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) website (linked below) and find the "Result" or "Scorecard" link for the current cycle.
- Open the result link / PDF. Results are released either as a searchable scorecard login or as a merit-list PDF. Open the relevant link.
- Find your roll number / log in. Search the PDF for your roll number, or log in with your registration number and password to view your marks.
- Download your scorecard. Save and print your scorecard — you will need it for the next stage, document verification or joining.
How to check the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) answer key & raise objections
- Open the official website. Go to the official UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) website (linked below) and open the "Answer Key" / "Response Sheet" link for the current cycle.
- Log in and download your response sheet. Log in with your credentials to download the provisional answer key and your recorded responses.
- Calculate your expected score. Match your responses against the key and apply the exam's marking scheme (including negative marking) for an expected score.
- Raise objections within the window. If a key looks wrong, submit an objection with supporting proof within the official window (usually a few days, often with a per-question fee that is refunded if upheld).
Official UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) links
UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026 — frequently asked questions
When is the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026 exam?
CDS I written exam: April · CDS I SSB: July-September · CDS I final merit and commissioning: roughly June of the year AFTER the written. CDS II written exam: September · CDS II SSB: January-March · CDS II final merit and commissioning: roughly January of the year AFTER the SSB. Total cycle length is approximately 14-18 months from notification to commissioning. Always confirm the exact UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam date on the official website — the schedule above and the live updates below link straight to it.
When will the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026 notification be released?
CDS I notification is published in November and the exam is held in April of the following calendar year. CDS II notification is published in May and the exam is held in September of the same calendar year. Two cycles every year, with notifications and exams alternating roughly six months apart. The official notification PDF is published on the conducting body's website first.
When will the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026 admit card be released?
The UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) admit card is typically released about 1–2 weeks before the exam. CDS I written exam: April · CDS I SSB: July-September · CDS I final merit and commissioning: roughly June of the year AFTER the written. CDS II written exam: September · CDS II SSB: January-March · CDS II final merit and commissioning: roughly January of the year AFTER the SSB. Total cycle length is approximately 14-18 months from notification to commissioning. Confirm on the official website and watch the live updates below.
How do I download the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) admit card?
Log in to the official UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) website with your registration number and password/date of birth, then download the admit-card PDF. The full steps are listed above.
When will the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026 result be declared?
Written results: 2-4 months after the exam. SSB recommendations are issued on Day 5 of the Board itself. Medical Board: 2-4 weeks after SSB recommendation. Final merit list (combining written + SSB): published per academy after medical clearance and is the basis for joining instructions. Confirm on the official website and follow the live updates below.
How do I check my UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) result?
Open the official UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) website, go to the result/scorecard link, and either search the merit-list PDF for your roll number or log in with your credentials. Steps are above.
How do I raise an objection on the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) answer key?
Log in to the official UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) website during the objection window, select the disputed question, submit your justification with proof, and pay the per-question fee (refunded if your objection is upheld).
Where do I download the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) official answer key?
The provisional UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) answer key and response sheet are released on the official website after the exam. Download links and steps are above; watch the live updates below for the release.
While you wait for the dates — keep practising.
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