UPSC CDS-ll 2026 Notification, Eligibility, Dates

UPSC CDS-II 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the highly anticipated notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination-II, 2026. This recruitment drive offers a golden opportunity for dynamic and eligible candidates seeking to build a prestigious career in the Indian Armed Forces by securing admission to elite defence academies across the country.

UPSC CDS-2 2026 Overview

Important Dates

UPSC CDS-2 2026 Vacancy Details

The UPSC CDS II 2026 recruitment aims to fill 451 total vacancies across premier defense academies. This includes distinct allocations for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy (for both men and women).

UPSC CDS-2 2026 Eligibility Details

A candidate must fall into one of the following categories:

• A Citizen of India.
• A subject of Nepal.
• A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam, with the intention of permanently settling in India.
• Note: Candidates belonging to the second and third categories must have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India. This certificate is not required for Gorkha subjects of Nepal.

Education Details

• IMA and OTA: A degree from a recognised University or equivalent.

• Indian Naval Academy: A degree in Engineering or a B.Sc. with Physics as a core/elective subject from a recognised University/Institution (must have studied Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level).

• Air Force Academy: A degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.

Age Limit

• IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 1st July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2008 (19 to 24 years).
• INA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 1st July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2008 (19 to 24 years).
• AFA: 20 to 24 years as on 1st July 2027 (born not earlier than 1st July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2007).
• OTA (SSC Men): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 1st July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2008 (19 to 25 years).
• OTA (SSC Women NT): Unmarried women, issueless widows, and issueless divorcees who have not remarried, born not earlier than 1st July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2008 (19 to 25 years).

Salary

Officer Cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month (starting pay in Level 10) during the entire duration of their training at the respective Service academies.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based on a multi-stage process:

1. Written Examination: Conducted by the Commission.
2. SSB Interview: Intelligence and Personality Test by the Services Selection Board for candidates who qualify the written exam.
3. Medical Examination: Based on standard guidelines for entry into the Armed Forces.

Application Fee

• General/OBC/EWS Candidates: Rs. 200/-.

• Female/SC/ST Candidates: Exempted from fee payment.

UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2026 How to Apply

• Candidates must visit the official online application portal at https://upsconline.nic.in.
• Register and create your Universal Registration Number (URN) on the OTR portal if you haven’t already.
• Fill up the Common Application Form (CAF) along with the Examination Specific Module.
• Upload necessary documents, including three signatures on a plain white paper, a scanned photograph, and carefully capture a live photograph.
• Pay the prescribed application fee via Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or net banking.
• Finalize and submit the application before 06:00 P.M. on 9th June 2026.

UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2026 Official Links

Exam Pattern

• The examination will consist entirely of objective-type questions.
• For IMA, INA, and AFA: The test features three subjects: English (100 Marks, 2 Hours), General Knowledge (100 Marks, 2 Hours), and Elementary Mathematics (100 Marks, 2 Hours).
• For OTA: The test features two subjects: English (100 Marks, 2 Hours) and General Knowledge (100 Marks, 2 Hours).
• Penalty: There is a negative marking of one-third (0.33) of the marks for every wrong answer marked in the objective-type question papers.