The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially published the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination-II (CDS-II), 2026 under Advertisement Number 11/2026-CDS-II. There are a total of 451 vacancies across the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Eligible and interested candidates can submit their applications online starting from 20 May 2026. The last date to fill out the application form is 09 June 2026. Candidates are strictly advised to read the complete official notification PDF for detailed information on the age limit, post-wise eligibility criteria, syllabus, selection procedure, and pay scale before proceeding to apply online.
UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 Details
| Important Dates | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Begin | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date for Apply Online | 09 June 2026 (up to 06:00 PM) |
| Pay Exam Fee Last Date | 09 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Available | Before Exam |
| Result Date | Will Be Update Here Soon |
Disclaimer: Candidates are advised to confirm from the Union Public Service Commission official website.
| Application Fee | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 200/- |
| SC / ST / PH | ₹ 0/- (Nil) |
| All Category Female | ₹ 0/- (Nil) |
| Payment Mode | Pay the Examination Fee through Net Banking, Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card, or UPI Payment modes only. |
UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026: Age Limit & Marital Status Criteria
(Note: Age limits are calculated for courses commencing in July/October 2027 as per rules)
- For IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 1st July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2008 (19 to 24 years).
- For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 1st July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2008 (19 to 24 years).
- For Air Force Academy (AFA): Born not earlier than 1st July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2007 (20 to 24 years as on 1st July 2027). Upper age relaxable up to 26 years for valid CPL holders.
- For OTA (SSC Men): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 1st July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2008 (19 to 25 years).
- For OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical): Unmarried women, issueless widows, and issueless divorcees born not earlier than 1st July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2008 (19 to 25 years).
- Age Relaxation: Extra as per UPSC Combined Defence Services Exam II 2026 Recruitment Rules.
UPSC CDS II Vacancy Details 2026 : Total 451 Posts
| Academy / Course Name | Total Posts |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun (163rd DE Course) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala (Executive Branch/Hydro) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad (Pre-Flying 222 F(P) Course) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (126th SSC Men Course) | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (126th SSC Women Course) | 18 |
Post Name and Eligibility Criteria
| Post Name | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| IMA & OTA | * Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized University or equivalent. |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | * Degree in Engineering OR B.Sc. with Physics as a core or elective subject from a recognized University/Institution (Must have Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level). |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | * Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized University (Must have Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR Bachelor of Engineering. |
(Note: Candidates studying in the final year/semester of their Degree course are also eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of passing the degree examination by the specified deadlines.)
Mode of Selection Process
The selection process for the UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam II 2026 involves the following chronological stages:
- Written Examination: Objective-type test in English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (Maths not required for OTA).
- SSB Interview (Intelligence and Personality Test): Two-stage selection process (Stage I: OIR and PP&DT, Stage II: Interview, GTO Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference) taking place over 4 days.
- Document Verification: Verification of original educational certificates and ID proofs.
- Medical Examination: Comprehensive medical fitness test according to the standards laid down by the Armed Forces.
UPSC CDS II Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
For Admission to IMA, INA, and AFA:
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Objective Type | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | Objective Type | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | Objective Type | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 300 Marks | 6 Hours |
For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy (OTA):
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Objective Type | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | Objective Type | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 200 Marks | 4 Hours |
Important Note regarding Exam Pattern:
- Negative Marking: There is a penalty for wrong answers (1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted).
- Mode of Exam: Offline OMR-based test. Candidates must use a Black Ball Pen only.
Brief Syllabus Outline:
- English: Designed to test understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
- General Knowledge: Current events, matters of everyday observation, History of India, and Geography.
- Elementary Mathematics: Number System, Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.
How To Apply Online for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
Interested candidates who wish to apply for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) CDS II post can submit their application online before 09 June 2026. Use the click here link provided below under the important link section to apply directly.
- Step 1: Visit the official online application portal of UPSC at
https://upsconline.nic.in. - Step 2: Candidates must first complete their One Time Registration (OTR). If you have already registered, simply log in using your credentials.
- Step 3: Navigate to the “Examination Specific Module” for the CDS-II 2026 Examination and click on the “Apply” link.
- Step 4: Fill in all your basic, educational, and communication details correctly.
- Step 5: Upload your scanned photograph, a live captured photograph, signature (three times on plain white paper), and a valid Photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card strongly recommended).
- Step 6: Select your preferred examination center and pay the required application fee (if applicable) using an online payment method.
- Step 7: Carefully preview your application form before submitting it. No modifications are allowed after final submission.
- Step 8: Take a printout of the finally submitted application form for future reference.
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Important Links
| Important Links | Direct Links |
|---|---|
| Apply Online Form | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | UPSC Official Site Link |
Important Question about recruitment (FAQ)
Q1: What is the last date to apply for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The last date to submit the online application form is 09 June 2026 till 06:00 P.M.
Q2: Can final year graduation students apply for the UPSC CDS 2 Exam?
Ans: Yes, candidates who are in their final year/semester of the degree course can apply, provided they submit proof of passing the degree examination by the specified deadlines (July/October 2027 depending on the academy).
Q3: Is there any negative marking in the UPSC CDS II Written Exam?
Ans: Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers. One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect response.
Q4: Can women apply for the UPSC CDS II 2026 Examination?
Ans: Yes, unmarried women, issueless widows, and divorcees can apply, but they are exclusively eligible for the Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) course at the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.
Q5: What is the application fee for SC, ST, and Female candidates?
Ans: Female candidates and candidates belonging to the SC/ST categories are fully exempted from paying the examination fee.
Q6: Are mobile phones or calculators allowed during the exam?
Ans: No. The use of calculators, mobile phones, smartwatches, or any electronic gadgets is strictly prohibited inside the examination hall.
