CDS Admit Card 2026
CDS Admit Card 2026: Download Hall Ticket, Release Date & Exam Instructions
The CDS Admit Card 2026 is an essential document issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to all eligible candidates registered for the Combined Defence Services Examination. Without the admit card (also called the CDS Hall Ticket or e-Admit Card), candidates are not permitted to enter the examination hall under any circumstances. UPSC does not send admit cards by post — they are available only online through the official UPSC portal.
The CDS 1 2026 Admit Card was released on 2 April 2026, approximately 10 days before the examination date of 12 April 2026. The CDS 2 2026 Admit Card is expected to be released approximately 2 weeks before the exam (tentatively in late August 2026).
CDS Admit Card 2026 – Key Dates
|
Event |
CDS 1 2026 |
CDS 2 2026 (Expected) |
|
Notification Release |
10 December 2025 |
20 May 2026 |
|
Exam Date |
12 April 2026 |
13 September 2026 |
|
Admit Card Release |
2 April 2026 |
~Late August 2026 |
|
Admit Card Available Till |
Till examination date |
Till examination date |
How to Download CDS Admit Card 2026
Candidates can download the CDS hall ticket from the official UPSC website by following these steps:
|
Step |
Action |
|
Step 1 |
Visit the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in |
|
Step 2 |
Click on the "e-Admit Card" link on the homepage or Active Exams section |
|
Step 3 |
Select "e-Admit Card: Combined Defence Services Examination (I/II) 2026" |
|
Step 4 |
Choose login method: Registration ID or Roll Number |
|
Step 5 |
Enter your Date of Birth and complete the CAPTCHA |
|
Step 6 |
Click "Submit" to view your admit card |
|
Step 7 |
Download the PDF and print on clean white A4 paper |
Tip: Print two copies of the admit card — one to submit at the exam centre and one to keep for your records.
Details Printed on CDS Hall Ticket 2026
Candidates must verify the following information on their admit card immediately after downloading:
|
Information |
Details |
|
Candidate's Name |
As registered during application |
|
Roll Number |
Unique number assigned by UPSC |
|
Registration Number |
From One Time Registration (OTR) |
|
Date of Birth |
As submitted in the application form |
|
Exam Date |
12 April 2026 (CDS 1); 13 September 2026 (CDS 2) |
|
Exam Timing |
Mentioned paper-wise (morning and afternoon sessions) |
|
Exam Centre Name |
Allotted exam centre |
|
Exam Centre Address |
Full address with city and pin code |
|
Candidate's Photograph |
Passport-size photo uploaded during application |
|
Candidate's Signature |
As uploaded during registration |
|
Important Instructions |
Rules, prohibited items, documents to carry |
Documents to Carry Along with CDS Admit Card
The admit card alone is not sufficient. Candidates must carry a valid Photo ID Proof to the exam centre:
|
Accepted Photo ID Proofs |
Valid / Invalid |
|
Aadhaar Card |
✅ Valid |
|
Voter ID Card |
✅ Valid |
|
Passport |
✅ Valid |
|
Driving Licence |
✅ Valid |
|
College / Institution ID Card |
✅ Valid |
|
PAN Card |
✅ Valid |
|
Photocopy of any ID (without original) |
❌ Not Valid |
|
Expired ID card |
❌ Not Valid |
CDS Exam Instructions 2026 – Important Rules
All candidates appearing for CDS 2026 must comply with the following exam-day instructions:
|
Rule |
Detail |
|
Reporting Time |
Report to the exam centre at least 30 minutes before exam start |
|
Entry Without Admit Card |
Strictly not allowed |
|
Electronic Devices |
Mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, and earphones are prohibited |
|
Rough Work |
Must be done only in the space provided in the question booklet |
|
Stationery |
Black/Blue ballpoint pen for OMR; pencil may be used for rough work |
|
Exam Hall Entry |
No candidate admitted after the exam starts |
|
Dress Code |
Decent and formal attire; no restrictions on colour |
What If There Is an Error in the CDS Admit Card?
If candidates notice any discrepancy in the details mentioned on their CDS admit card, they must immediately contact UPSC:
|
Contact Method |
Detail |
|
UPSC Helpline |
011-23385271 / 011-23381125 / 011-23098543 |
|
|
[Check UPSC website for current email ID] |
|
In-Person |
UPSC Facilitation Centre, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069 |
|
Timing |
Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (excluding public holidays) |
Errors in the admit card, such as misspelled name, wrong roll number, or incorrect exam centres, must be reported before the exam date. UPSC does not address such issues after the examination.
The CDS 2 2026 Admit Card will be released on the official UPSC website approximately 2 weeks before the exam. Candidates should bookmark upsc.gov.in and check regularly for updates. No hard copy of the admit card is dispatched by UPSC, so timely download is entirely the candidate's responsibility.
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