The Combined Defence Services (CDS 1 2026) exam, conducted by UPSC, is one of the most sought-after exams for graduates who aspire to serve the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers. It opens the gates to the IMA (Indian Military Academy), INA (Indian Naval Academy), AFA (Air Force Academy), and OTA (Officers Training Academy). Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for this exam — but only a disciplined few make it to the final merit list. If you are aiming for CDS 1 2026, you have 6 months to prepare strategically and turn your dream into reality.
CDS 1 2026 – Important Dates (Expected)
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Notification Release: December 2025 (last week)
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Application Form Dates: December 2025 – January 2026
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Exam Date: April 2026 (tentatively second Sunday)
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Result Declaration: June 2026
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SSB Interviews: July – October 2026
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Final Merit List: December 2026
(These dates are based on UPSC’s official calendar and previous year patterns.)
CDS Exam Overview
The CDS exam consists of two stages:
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview (Service Selection Board)
The written pattern varies slightly depending on the academy you apply for.
| Academy | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA / INA / AFA | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics | 300 (100 each) | 2 hours each |
| OTA | English, General Knowledge | 200 (100 each) | 2 hours each |
Each paper has negative marking (1/3 mark deduction per wrong answer).
CDS 1 2026 Syllabus Breakdown
English (100 Marks)
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Grammar, Synonyms/Antonyms, Vocabulary Usage
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Sentence Correction, Fill in the Blanks
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Reading Comprehension
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Spotting Errors
Tip: Read editorials from newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express daily for improvement.
General Knowledge (100 Marks)
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Current Affairs: Defence exercises, awards, government schemes, and international events
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History: Indian National Movement, Freedom Struggle, Important Dynasties
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Geography: India and World – physical, economic, and climatic aspects
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Polity: Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Parliament, and Governance
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Science: Everyday science, physics, chemistry, biology basics
Mathematics (100 Marks) (for IMA, INA, AFA only)
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Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry (2D & 3D)
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Trigonometry, Statistics, Probability
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Mensuration, Time-Speed-Distance, Percentages, Ratios
CDS 1 2026 : 6 Month Target Plan
Preparing for CDS requires consistency, discipline, and revision.
Here’s a month-by-month target plan that works.
Phase 1 (Oct–Nov 2025): Build Foundation
Goal: Strengthen your basics and start subject-wise clarity.
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Revise Class 10–12 Maths (Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry).
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Start English grammar & vocabulary practice (daily).
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Read a quality newspaper daily for GK + Current Affairs.
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Create short notes for History, Polity & Geography.
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Start reading monthly magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan or Lucent Current Affairs.
Tip: Spend at least 6–7 hours daily; focus on understanding concepts before attempting questions.
Phase 2 (Dec 2025–Jan 2026): Practice & Application
Goal: Convert knowledge into exam-level accuracy.
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Begin solving previous year CDS papers (at least 1 paper per week).
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Attempt chapter-wise mock tests for English, Maths, and GK.
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Focus on improving speed and time management.
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Revise Science and Polity from NCERT 6–10th level books.
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Read monthly current affairs (especially defence updates).
Tip: Make a weekly revision plan — every Sunday revise what you studied that week.
Phase 3 (Feb–Mar 2026): Intensive Practice & Revision
Goal: Simulate exam conditions & master accuracy.
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Take 3 full mock tests per week and analyze mistakes.
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Revise every formula and grammar rule.
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Solve OMR-based tests to improve real exam timing.
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Focus on weak areas while polishing strong topics.
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Read short current affairs notes daily before sleeping.
CDS 1 2026 Result Timeline
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Written Result: June 2026
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SSB Interviews: July – October 2026
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Final Merit List: December 2026
Why Choose Doon Defence Dreamers (Dehradun)
At Doon Defence Dreamers, we believe that smart strategy and consistent mentorship can transform ordinary students into officers.
Our Strengths:
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Proven Track Record: 650+ selections in CDS 2025 (Written + SSB)
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Expert Faculty: Experienced mentors and ex-defence officers
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Weekly Mock Tests & Doubt Sessions
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Comprehensive Coverage of Written + SSB Preparation
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Residential Campus with Military-Style Discipline
That’s why we are recognized as the Best CDS Coaching Institute in Dehradun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can apply for CDS 1 2026?
→ Graduates (or final year students) between 19–25 years of age.
→ For AFA/INA, Physics & Maths in Class 12 are compulsory.
Q: Can I prepare for CDS 1 2026 in 6 months?
→ Absolutely. With daily study, mock tests, and consistency, 6 months is enough.
Q: What’s the CDS 1 2026 cut-off?
→ Varies per academy; usually around 120–130 marks (IMA) and 95–100 marks (OTA) out of 300/200 respectively.
Q: Which books are best for CDS preparation?
→ Pathfinder (Arihant), NCERT (6–12), Lucent GK, and previous year question papers.
