CDS 2026 Calendar: Form Dates, Exam Dates, and SSB Details
If you are preparing for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam in 2026, the first thing you will require is awareness of the timeline. The reason why most people fail is not because of a lack of acumen; most people lack planning. And planning begins with understanding the date of the availability of the forms, the date of the examination, and the typical date of the SSB.
In this article, we will explain the CDS 2026 Calendar in simple and easy-to-understand terms, as follows:
- CDS 1 2026 complete schedule
- CDS 2 2026 complete schedule
- Expected form dates
- Written exam dates
- Result timeline
- SSB interview dates
- Preparation strategy aligned with the calendar
Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or a repeater, this guide will help you stay one step ahead.
What is the CDS Exam?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted by UPSC twice every year to select officers for:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Indian Naval Academy (INA)
- Air Force Academy (AFA)
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Men & Women)
Each year, UPSC conducts:
- CDS 1 (generally in April )
- CDS 2 (generally in September)
Now, let’s understand the CDS 2026 calendar in detail.
CDS 2026 – Overview at a Glance
|
Exam |
Notification Month |
Exam Month |
Course Commencement |
|
CDS 1 2026 |
December 2025 |
April 2026 |
Jan 2027 |
|
CDS 2 2026 |
May 2026 |
September 2026 |
July 2027 |
CDS 1 2026 Calendar – Complete Details
CDS 1 2026 Notification & Application Form
- Notification Date: 10 December 2025
- Online Application Start: Same day as notification
- Last Date to Apply: 30 December 2026
- Application Mode: Online only via UPSC website
This is where most aspirants make mistakes, waiting till the last day. Fill the form early and focus peacefully on preparation.
CDS 1 2026 Exam Date
Written Exam Date: 12 April 2026
The written exam is conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode across multiple centres in India.
For IMA, INA & AFA:
- English: 100 marks
- General Knowledge: 100 marks
- Elementary Mathematics: 100 marks
For OTA:
- English: 100 marks
- General Knowledge: 100 marks
Duration: 2 hours per paper
Negative marking applies
CDS 1 2026 Result Timeline
- Written Result: Last Week of April 2026
- SSB Call Letters: 1–2 weeks after the result
Once you clear the written exam, the real test begins with the SSB Interview.
CDS 1 2026 SSB Interview Dates
- SSB Period: May 2026 to August 2026
- Duration: 5 days
Selection Includes:
- Psychological Tests
- GTO Tasks
- Personal Interview
- Conference
Candidates recommended by the SSB then undergo a medical examination.
CDS 2 2026 Calendar – Complete Details
Now let’s talk about the second opportunity of the year, CDS 2 2026.
CDS 2 2026 Notification & Application Form
- Notification Date: 20 May 2026
- Online Form Start: 20 May 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 09 June 2026
- Application Mode: Online
CDS 2 is extremely important for final-year students and repeaters who missed CDS 1.
CDS 2 2026 Exam Date
- Written Exam Date: 13 September 2026
This gives aspirants more preparation time, which is why competition is usually tougher in CDS 2.
CDS 2 2026 Result Timeline
- Written Result: Last Week of September 2026
- SSB Call Letters: Shortly after the result declaration
CDS 2 2026 SSB Interview Dates
- SSB Period: November 2026 to February 2027
- Medical Examination: After SSB recommendation
- Final Merit List: Based on written + SSB + medical fitness
CDS 2026 SSB Interview – What to Expect?
SSB is not an exam; it’s a process to judge officer-like qualities (OLQs).
The 5-day SSB process includes:
- Day 1: Screening (OIR + PPDT)
- Day 2: Psychology Tests
- Day 3 & 4: GTO Tasks + Interview
- Day 5: Conference
How to Plan CDS 2026 Preparation Using This Calendar?
For CDS 1 2026 Aspirants:
- Start preparation by June–July 2025
- Finish syllabus by December 2025
- Revise + mock tests in January–February 2026
- Begin basic SSB prep side-by-side
For CDS 2 2026 Aspirants:
- Start preparation by January–February 2026
- Strong focus on concepts till June
- Full-length mocks from July onwards
- Written exam in September
- SSB prep after the written result
Common Mistakes Aspirants Make (Avoid These)
- Waiting for the notification to start preparation
- Ignoring SSB until the written result
- Over-focusing on one subject
- Not solving previous year papers
- Underestimating GK & current affairs
Remember, CDS is not about studying more; it’s about studying smart.
Why Knowing the CDS Calendar is a Game-Changer
When you know the exact flow of the exam year, you:
- Avoid last-minute panic
- Manage college/job alongside preparation
- Balance written + SSB preparation
- Stay mentally prepared
Successful candidates don’t just prepare hard; they prepare on time.
Final Words
The CDS 2026 Calendar is your roadmap to joining the Indian Armed Forces as an officer. Whether it’s CDS 1 or CDS 2, the opportunity is massive but only for those who plan early and stay consistent.
Keep tracking official UPSC updates, stay disciplined with your preparation, and most importantly, believe in the process.
If you aim to wear the uniform, start today.
The calendar is set. The choice is yours.
Read more:
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