CDS 1 2027 Exam Date, Notification and Application Form: Complete Guide
CDS 1 2027 Exam Date, notification timeline, and application window, cross-checked across multiple sources after two of them disagreed on the dates.
CDS 1 2027 Exam Date is 11 April 2027 (Sunday), the same day as NDA 1 2027, since UPSC runs both exams together. The notification and application form open on 2 December 2026, with the application window closing on 22 December 2026, both on the UPSC portal. Eligibility runs by academy, IMA and OTA accept any bachelor's degree, INA requires an engineering degree, and AFA needs a degree with Physics and Mathematics or an engineering degree, while the exact age range for 2027 is still to be confirmed in the official notification.
UPSC conducts CDS twice a year, CDS 1 and CDS 2, each with its own notification, application window, and written exam.
This guide covers everything confirmed for CDS 1 2027 so far, the notification and application timeline, eligibility by academy, exam pattern, vacancies, and how to apply, checked across multiple sources after two of the available references gave conflicting dates.
CDS 1 2027 Exam Date: Important Dates at a Glance
CDS 1 and NDA 1 2027 share the same notification window and the same exam date, since UPSC releases and conducts both together every cycle.
CDS 1 2027 Eligibility by Academy
The age range for CDS 1 2027 hasn't been officially confirmed yet. It's set as a fresh date-of-birth window in every notification, and previous cycles have varied by academy, so it's worth waiting for the official notice rather than going by an earlier year's figures.
One of the three references for this guide listed specific academy-wise age brackets for 2027 already, but two independently checked sources both stated the age limits are still pending official confirmation. Where sources disagreed like this, the more cautious, officially-pending version is the one used here, rather than presenting an unconfirmed number as settled fact.
CDS 1 2027 Exam Pattern
For IMA, INA, and AFA candidates:
For OTA candidates:
OTA candidates skip the Mathematics paper entirely, since OTA is a non-technical entry. Negative marking applies across all papers, one-third of a mark deducted for every incorrect answer.
How to Apply for CDS 1 2027
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Register or log in on the UPSC online portal using your existing OTR (One Time Registration) profile, or create one if this is your first UPSC application.
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Fill in the CDS 1 2027 application form with personal, educational, and academy-preference details once the notification goes live on 2 December 2026.
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Upload the required documents and photograph/signature per UPSC's specifications, and select your preferred exam centre.
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Pay the applicable fee online, then review every section of the form carefully before final submission.
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Use the correction window, if UPSC opens one after the deadline, to fix any limited errors.
CDS 1 2027 Vacancies
These numbers are from the CDS 2 2026 notice, shown only as a reference point. CDS 1 2027's actual academy-wise vacancies will be published in its own notification and typically differ from the previous cycle.
CDS 1 2027 Selection Process
Written Examination → SSB Interview → Document Verification → Medical Examination → Final Merit List (written + SSB scores combined)
The SSB interview runs across five days regardless of which academy you're applying for, and evaluates Officer Like Qualities through psychological tests, GTO tasks, and a personal interview.
How to Prepare While Waiting for the Notification
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Start English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics preparation now, rather than waiting for the notification, since the syllabus and question pattern stay consistent between cycles.
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Decide your academy preference early, since INA and AFA have stricter educational requirements that affect whether you're even eligible to select them.
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Keep your UPSC OTR profile and documents ready in advance, so the application step itself takes minutes once the form opens on 2 December 2026.
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Treat last cycle's age range and vacancy numbers as reference only, not confirmed figures, until the official CDS 1 2027 notification is out.
Want CDS 1 2027 Updates as They're Confirmed? Join the Defence Study community on WhatsApp, Telegram, or Instagram for CDS 1 2027 notification alerts, application reminders, and exam-day updates as they're published. Stay Informed. Stay Prepared. Stay Ready.
Bringing It Together
CDS 1 2027 Exam Date is 11 April 2027, with the notification and application form opening on 2 December 2026 and closing on 22 December 2026, the same window as NDA 1 2027. Academy-wise education requirements are settled; the exact age range, admit card date, and vacancy numbers are still to be confirmed once UPSC releases the official notification.
Starting written-exam preparation now is the one part of this timeline that doesn't need to wait on UPSC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CDS 1 2027 Exam Date? 11 April 2027 (Sunday), the same date as NDA 1 2027, since UPSC conducts both on the same day.
When does the CDS 1 2027 application form open? 2 December 2026, alongside the notification release, on the UPSC online portal. It closes on 22 December 2026.
What is the age limit for CDS 1 2027? Not officially confirmed yet. The date-of-birth range is set fresh in each notification and varies by academy, so it's best to wait for the official CDS 1 2027 notice rather than use a previous cycle's range.
What is the CDS 1 2027 exam pattern? IMA, INA, and AFA candidates sit three papers, English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks each, for a 300-mark total. OTA candidates sit only English and General Knowledge, for 200 marks.
Do CDS 1 2027 and NDA 1 2027 clash on the same date? No, they're held on the same day intentionally as part of the same UPSC notification cycle, but they're separate exams for separate entry routes, so a candidate applies to only one based on eligibility.
