CDS Application Form

CDS (2) application form 2026 will be released on August 4. The last date to fill the application form will be August 24, 2026. The link to withdraw CDS application form 2026 will be made available after the application process closes. The last date to pay the application fees offline will be August 23, 2026. Candidates can pay the application fees online till August 24.

The application fee is Rs 200 for General and OBC male candidates while Female, SC, ST candidates are exempted from fee payment. The application fees can be paid online and offline. CDS (1) application form 2026 was released on October 28. The last date to fill the application form was November 18. The link to withdraw CDS application form was made available from November 24 to 20, 2026. https://2692f110fb51c15d3300992c05f7ce8f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlhttps://2692f110fb51c15d3300992c05f7ce8f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlhttps://2692f110fb51c15d3300992c05f7ce8f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

CDS Registration 2026 dates

UPSC has announced CDS registration dates 2026. The table below contains CDS dates 2026 related to the registration process.

CDS 1 application dates

CDS 2 application form dates

How to fill CDS 2026 Application Form?

CDS application form can be filled in two stages: Part I & II. In Part I of registration, candidates are required to fill the basic information. In Part 2, candidates need to pay the application fees, select the exam centre, upload photograph, signature, photo identity card document, and declaration. The steps to fill both the parts of the application form are explained below: 

Part-I: CDS 2026 Registration

• Visit the official website upsc.gov.in
• Click the Part-I link to register for the CDS exam
• Enter personal details, address, and educational qualification to apply online for CDS
• Candidates are also required to choose their preferred branch
• Verify the details before submitting the registration form
• On successful registration, the registration ID is generated

The screenshot of the registration is given below:

Part-II: Fee payment, exam centre selection, uploading images

Candidates need to login with the generated registration ID to fill the details in Part-II of CDS application form

Fee payment: Applicants can pay the examination fee through cash/credit card/debit card or net banking. The fee structure is given below. 

Selection of CDS exam centres: Candidates need to choose their preferred CDS exam centres while filling the CDS application 2026. Candidates are provided with the option of choosing one exam centre. The exam centres are allotted on first-apply-first-allot basis.

Image uploading: Candidates need to upload the scanned images of their photograph and signature. The images should not exceed 300 kb and must not be less than 20 kb.

Submit the application form and take its printout

Watch the video to fill CDS application formhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/nVvNDn7H4x8

Documents required for CDS Registration 

Before filling CDS application form, candidates must keep the following documents ready. 

• Marksheet of Class 10 and 12
• Admit card of Class 10 
• One photo-identity proof (Aadhaar Card/Voter Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Any other Photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government)
• Bank details to pay the fees online for CDS 2026

Specifications for Signature and Photograph 

• The scanned photograph should be uploaded first in JPG format
• The digital size of the file should not exceed 300 kb and must not be less than 20 kb. The resolution should be 350 pixels (Width) X 350 pixels (Height) minimum, 1000 pixels (Width) X 1000 pixels (Height) maximum. The bit depth of the image should be 24 bit
• The photo identity card document should be in PDF format. The digital size of PDF file should not exceed 300 kb and must not be less than 20 kb

Information related to fee payment 

• Candidates are required to pay the application fee online through SBI Net banking or by cash through SBI bank challan or through credit card/debit card
• To pay a fee in cash, candidates should take the printout of challan generated online after completion of registration
• Candidates need to go to the nearest SBI branch for depositing fee after 24 hours of generation of challan
• Pay by cash mode option is deactivated a day before the exam. However, applicants who have generated their pay-in-slip before it is de-activated may pay at the counter of SBI Branch during the working hours on the closing date of the application

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Withdrawal facility of CDS 2026 Application form

• Candidates must go through the instructions carefully before filling up the request for withdrawal of the application
• The withdrawal facility is available for candidates who do not want to appear in the exam
• Candidates are advised to provide the registration ID of the registered application. There is no provision for the withdrawal of incomplete applications
• Before making requests for withdrawal, candidates must ensure that they have access to the mobile number and email ID which were provided by them at the time of filling the application form
• Separate OTPs will be sent to the candidate’s registered mobile number and email ID. Requests for withdrawal will only be processed after validating the OTPs
• Once the request for online withdrawal of the application is accepted, candidates must print the authenticated receipt
• Once the application has been withdrawn by candidates, it cannot be revived
• The fees will not be refunded to candidates
• On successful completion of the withdrawal of the application, an auto-generated email and SMS will be sent on the candidate’s registered email id and mobile number

What is CDS eligibility criteria?

CDS eligibility criteria are different for different defence academies. The basic educational qualification prescribed for the exam is graduation. The minimum age of candidates should be 19 years. Read More on CDS eligibility criteria 2026.