CDS Exam Centre: How to Choose and Change Exam City

Choosing your CDS Exam Centre may look like a small step in the application form, but it matters on exam day. A well-chosen city means less travel, less stress, and more energy for the three papers ahead.

UPSC conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination at centres across India. Each candidate selects one centre while applying. This guide explains the complete centre list, how allotment works, how to choose the right city, and what the rules say about changing it later.

UPSC conducts the CDS exam at 84 centres across India, as per the CDS II 2026 notification. Candidates choose one centre while filling the application on upsconline.nic.in. Centres are allotted on a "first-apply-first-allot" basis, and a centre is frozen once it is full. Only Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Nagpur have no ceiling. After the application is submitted, the exam centre cannot be changed.

CDS Exam Centre 2027: Overview

Please note: Defence Study is not affiliated with UPSC. The centre list below is based on the CDS II 2026 notification. The final CDS 1 2027 list will be confirmed in the official notification on 2 December 2026.

CDS Exam Centre List 2027 (State-Wise)

Here is the complete CDS Exam Centre list, arranged state-wise for easy reference.

Note that there are two cities named Srinagar in the list: one in Jammu & Kashmir and one in Uttarakhand. Please select the correct one carefully.

How CDS Exam Centre Allotment Works

Understanding the allotment rules helps you plan better and avoid surprises.

First-Apply-First-Allot

Every CDS Exam Centre has a fixed seating capacity, called a ceiling. Seats are filled in the order in which candidates submit their applications. Once a centre reaches its limit, it is frozen and no longer appears as an option. Candidates who apply later must choose from the centres that are still available.

Centres Without a Ceiling

According to the CDS II 2026 notification, Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Nagpur have no ceiling. These cities stay available until the last day of the application window.

You may see some websites include Delhi in this list. That was true in some older notices, but in the current notice Delhi has a ceiling like other centres. It's best to apply early if Delhi is your preferred choice.

One Centre per Application

Candidates select one exam centre in the Examination Specific Module of the application. UPSC advises candidates to decide this choice carefully, as it cannot be changed later.

UPSC's Right to Change Centres

In rare situations, UPSC may change a centre at its own discretion. If this happens, the updated details will appear on your e-Admit Card.

How to Choose the Right CDS Exam Centre

The nearest city is usually the best choice, but a few other points are worth considering:

• Travel time: Pick a city you can reach comfortably on a Sunday morning. Entry closes 30 minutes before the exam starts.

• Transport options: Check bus and train connections, especially for smaller cities.

• Staying overnight: If the centre is far away, you may need to reach a day early. Plan your stay in advance.

• Three papers, one day: IMA, INA and AFA candidates write three papers in a single day. A nearby centre helps you stay fresh till the last paper.

• Apply early: Popular cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Hyderabad can fill up quickly. Applying in the first few days gives you the best chance of getting your preferred CDS exam city.

How to Select Your Exam Centre in the Application Form

Candidates apply for the CDS exam on upsconline.nic.in. The portal has four modules:

1. Account creation

2. Universal Registration Number (URN), a one-time registration for all UPSC exams

3. Common Application Form (CAF)

4. Examination Specific Module, which opens only during the notification window

The exam centre is selected in the fourth module, along with your academy preferences and fee payment. The dropdown will show only the centres that are still available. Please review your choice carefully before final submission.

Helpful tip: You can complete the first three modules before the notification is released on 2 December 2026. This saves time, and you can then submit the exam form, including your centre choice, early in the window.

Can You Change Your CDS Exam Centre After Applying?

This is one of the most common questions from aspirants. The short answer is no.

As per the latest CDS notification:

• UPSC does not entertain any request for a CDS Exam Centre change.

• Candidates cannot withdraw their application after submitting it.

• No correction is allowed in any field of the application after submission and the close of the application window.

What about the one-time URN edit facility? UPSC allows candidates to edit their URN profile once. However, this change applies only to applications submitted after the edit. It does not change an application you have already submitted, including your exam centre.

Has UPSC ever allowed corrections? In some earlier cycles, such as CDS II 2025, UPSC offered a one-time correction window. For CDS II 2026, it clearly stated that no correction facility would be provided. If any such window is announced for CDS 1 2027, we will share the update. Until then, it's safest to treat your centre choice as final.

You must appear only at the venue printed on your e-Admit Card. If a candidate writes the exam at any other centre, their answer sheets will not be evaluated and their candidature may be cancelled.

CDS Exam Centre vs Exam Venue: What Is the Difference?

These two terms are often confused:

• Exam centre is the city you select in the application form, such as Lucknow or Pune.

• Exam venue is the exact school or college within that city where you will write the exam.

The full venue name and address are printed on your e-Admit Card. UPSC releases it on the last working day of the week before the exam. For CDS 1 2027, the admit card is expected in early April 2027.

Exam Day Tips for Your CDS Exam Venue

Once you know your venue, a little planning makes the day much smoother:

• Visit the venue a day before if it's in an unfamiliar area, and check the route and travel time.

• Reach early. Entry closes 30 minutes before each session, and late entry is not permitted.

• Allow time for face authentication, which is now mandatory at all UPSC exam venues.

• Carry only the essentials: your e-Admit Card, an original photo ID, and black ballpoint pens.

• Leave mobile phones, smart watches and bags at home. There is no safe-keeping facility at exam venues.

FAQs on CDS Exam Centre

How many exam centres are there for the CDS exam?
The CDS II 2026 notification lists 84 exam centres across India. The CDS 1 2027 list will be confirmed in the official notification on 2 December 2026.

How many exam centres can I choose for CDS?
Candidates select one exam centre in the Examination Specific Module of the application form.

Can I change my CDS exam centre after submitting the form?
No. UPSC does not accept requests to change the exam centre, and the application cannot be edited or withdrawn after submission.

What if my preferred CDS exam centre is full?
The centre will be frozen and will not appear as an option. You can choose from the remaining centres, or select one of the centres without a ceiling: Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata or Nagpur.

Which CDS exam centres have no seat limit?
As per the CDS II 2026 notice, Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Nagpur have no ceiling.

Where can I find my exact CDS exam venue address?
It is printed on your e-Admit Card, which UPSC releases about a week before the exam on upsconline.nic.in.

Can I write the CDS exam at a different centre in an emergency?
No. Candidates must appear only at the venue mentioned on their e-Admit Card. Otherwise, their papers will not be evaluated.