About Union Public Service Commission Recruitment 2026
Union Public Service Commission has officially announced a recruitment drive for Combined Defence Services Examination I 2021. There are 345 vacancies to be filled through this drive. The appointed candidates will be posted in All India. The official notification is available on www.upsc.gov.in.
Interested candidates can submit their applications online through the official portal. the application window opens on 28/10/2020. It is recommended to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Key highlights โ age limit: 20โ24 years; application fee varies by category. Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying. Detailed information about the selection process, exam pattern, and syllabus is available in the sections below.
Key Highlights
Vacancy Details โ Total 345 Posts
| Post Name | Vacancies | Qualification | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 | Passed / Appearing Bachelor Degree in Any Stream at Any Recognized University | โ |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 | Passed / Appearing Bachelor Degree in Engineering at Any Recognized University | โ |
| Air Force | 32 | Bachelor Degree in Any Stream with Physics, Mathematics in 10+2 Level OR Bachelor Degree in Engineering | โ |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | 170 | Passed / Appearing Bachelor Degree in Any Stream at Any Recognized University | โ |
| OTA Women | 17 | Passed / Appearing Bachelor Degree in Any Stream at Any Recognized University | โ |
๐ Category-wise Reservation
Important Dates
| Application Start | 28/10/2020 |
| Exam Date | 07/02/2021 |
| Last Date Application | 17/11/2020 |
| Last Date Fee Payment | 17/11/2020 |
| Admit Card Available | 07/01/2021 |
| Result Declared | 23/03/2021 |
| Final Result Declared | 24/12/2021 |
| Ota Final Result Declared | 21/03/2022 |
| Marks Declared | 30/03/2022 |
| Not Qualified Marks Declared | 17/05/2022 |
Application Fee
| General | 200 |
| OBC | 200 |
| SC | 0 |
| ST | 0 |
| 0 |
Age Limit & Relaxation
| Minimum Age | 20 Years |
| Maximum Age | 24 Years |
| Age Cutoff Date | 01/01/2021 |
| Relaxation (OBC) | 3 years |
| Relaxation (SC) | 5 years |
| Relaxation (ST) | 5 years |
| Relaxation (PWD) | 10 years |
* Age relaxation is applicable as per government rules for reserved categories.
Educational Qualification & Eligibility
Bachelor Degree in Any Stream / Engineering with Physics and Mathematics in 10+2 for Air Force
Selection Process
Written Exam
Interview
Document Verification
Medical Examination
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
Documents Required
* Candidates must carry original documents for verification at the time of interview / document verification.
Physical Standards & Medical Requirements
| Minimum Height | For IMA/INA/Air Force: 157.5 cm (Men), 152 cm (Women). For OTA: 157.5 cm (Men), 152 cm (Women) |
| Chest Measurement | For IMA/INA/Air Force: 81 cm (Minimum), 5 cm expansion. For OTA: 81 cm (Minimum), 5 cm expansion |
How To Apply
Visit the official website of Union Public Service Commission โ https://www.upsc.gov.in.
Read the official notification carefully and check your eligibility.
Click on the "Apply Online" / "Registration" link for Combined Defence Services Examination I 2021.
Complete the registration by providing a valid email ID and mobile number.
Fill in all required details: personal information, educational qualifications, work experience (if applicable), and address.
Upload scanned copies of your photograph (passport size), signature, and required documents as per the specifications.
Pay the application fee online through the available payment gateway (if applicable).
Review all entered details carefully before final submission.
Submit the application form and take a printout / save a PDF copy for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the important dates for Combined Defence Services Examination I 2021?
Application Start: 28/10/2020
Exam Date: 07/02/2021
What is the minimum educational qualification for Combined Defence Services Examination I 2021?
Bachelor Degree in Any Stream / Engineering with Physics and Mathematics in 10+2 for Air Force
What is the age limit for Combined Defence Services Examination I 2021?
Minimum Age: 20 years.
Maximum Age: 24 years.
Age relaxation is applicable as per government norms.
What is the application fee for Combined Defence Services Examination I 2021?
General: 200
OBC: 200
SC: 0
ST: 0
Female: 0
What is the selection process for Combined Defence Services Examination I 2021?
Written Exam
Interview
Document Verification
Medical Examination
What is the last date to apply for UPSC CDS I 2021?
The last date to apply online was 17 November 2020 till 06:00 PM.
What is the application fee for General category candidates?
The application fee for General and OBC candidates is โน200.
Are there any fee exemptions for reserved categories?
Yes, SC, ST, and Female candidates are exempted from paying the application fee.
What is the age limit for Indian Military Academy (IMA) posts?
Candidates must be between 20 to 24 years as of 01 January 2021 (born between 02 January 1997 and 01 January 2001).
What is the educational qualification required for Air Force posts?
Candidates need a Bachelor's degree in any stream with Physics and Mathematics in 10+2 or a Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
When was the CDS I 2021 exam conducted?
The CDS I 2021 exam was conducted on 07 February 2021.
When were the final results for CDS I 2021 declared?
The final results for CDS I 2021 were declared on 24 December 2021.
What is the selection process for CDS I 2021?
The selection process includes a Written Exam, Interview, Document Verification, and Medical Examination.
What is the exam pattern for CDS I 2021?
The exam consists of three subjects: English (100 marks), General Knowledge (100 marks), and Elementary Mathematics (100 marks), totaling 300 marks. Each paper is of 2 hours duration.
Is there negative marking in the CDS I 2021 exam?
Yes, there is negative marking of one-third of the marks assigned to each question.
What are the physical requirements for CDS I 2021?
For IMA/INA/Air Force, the minimum height is 157.5 cm for men and 152 cm for women. For OTA, the minimum height is 157.5 cm for men and 152 cm for women. Chest expansion of 5 cm is required.
Where can I download the admit card for CDS I 2021?
The admit card for CDS I 2021 was available for download from 07 January 2021 on the official UPSC website.
What documents are required for the CDS I 2021 application?
Required documents include Matriculation Certificate, Degree Certificate, Marksheets, Caste Certificate (if applicable), Domicile Certificate, Passport-sized Photograph, Signature, and ID Proof.
What is the total number of vacancies for CDS I 2021?
The total number of vacancies for CDS I 2021 is 345 posts.
Is there any age relaxation for OBC candidates?
Yes, OBC candidates are provided with an age relaxation of 3 years.