UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) Exam Date 2026
Here is the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026 schedule — notification, exam and result timeline — with the official source to confirm each date. Dates change every cycle, so always verify on the official website before you plan around them.
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.
Official UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) links
UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam date — FAQs
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.
While you wait for the dates — keep practising.
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