The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 notification for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy. The recruitment drive offers 451 tentative vacancies across various defense training courses. The online application process started on 20 May 2026, and the last date to submit the application form has been extended to 11 June 2026. The written examination is scheduled to be conducted on 13 September 2026. Eligible graduates and final-year students can apply through the official UPSC portal. The selection process includes a written examination, SSB intelligence & personality test, and medical examination. Applicants are advised to check the eligibility conditions, age criteria, vacancy details, exam pattern, and important dates before submitting the application form.
UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Advertisement No. | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Article Category | NOTIFICATION |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Notification
The UPSC has officially issued Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II dated 20 May 2026 for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. The notification contains complete details regarding course-wise vacancies, eligibility conditions, examination scheme, syllabus, application procedure, exam centers, and selection process. Applicants should carefully read the official notification before applying online.
Important Dates for UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Original Last Date to Apply | 09 June 2026 |
| Extended Last Date to Apply | 11 June 2026 |
| e-Admit Card Release | Last working day before the exam week |
| Written Examination Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Tentative Written Result | October 2026 |
UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Vacancy Details
| Course | Academy | Commencement | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 163rd (DE) Course | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | July 2027 | 100 |
| Executive Branch / Hydro | Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | July 2027 | 26 |
| 222 F(P) Course | Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | July 2027 | 32 |
| 126th SSC (Men) (NT) Course | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | October 2027 | 275 |
| 126th SSC Women (NT) Course | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | October 2027 | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Cut Off Marks
The UPSC CDS II cut off marks will be announced after the completion of the written examination and SSB process. The cutoff depends on factors such as the difficulty level of the paper, number of applicants appearing, and total vacancies available. Separate final merit lists are prepared for IMA, INA, AFA, OTA Men, and OTA Women courses.
Eligibility Details
Applicants must satisfy all these eligibility conditions before applying for the examination. Nationality should be as prescribed in the official notification. For IMA and OTA: Degree from a recognized university or equivalent. For the Indian Naval Academy: a degree in engineering or a BSc with physics and mathematics at the 10+2 level. For the Air Force Academy: a degree with physics and mathematics at the 10+2 level or a bachelor of engineering. Final-year students may also apply, subject to producing proof of passing before the prescribed date. Applicants must be physically fit according to the Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for entry into the armed forces.
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Education Qualification and Age Conditions
The educational qualification and age criteria vary depending on the academy selected by the applicant. Indian Military Academy: Unmarried male applicants aged 19 to 24 years. Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male applicants aged 19 to 24 years. Air Force Academy: Applicants aged 20 to 24 years; certain conditions apply for CPL holders and marital status. OTA SSC Men: Unmarried male applicants aged 19 to 25 years. OTA SSC Women: Unmarried women, eligible widows, and eligible divorcees aged 19 to 25 years.
Application Fee Details
The application fee is payable through online mode only. For General / OBC / EWS Male Applicants, the application fee is Rs. 200/-. For female applicants (all categories), the application fee is exempted. For SC / ST applicants, the application fee is exempt. The application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Exam Pattern
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
For OTA:
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
Pay Scale and Training Stipend
Applicants selected for training at IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA will receive a fixed stipend during the training period. The starting stipend is Rs. 56,100 per month, corresponding to Level 10 of the Defense Pay Matrix. After commissioning, officers become eligible for military service pay and other allowances as applicable.
How to Apply Online?
The applicants can submit the online application only through the UPSC Online Application Portal.
- Visit the official UPSC online portal.
- Complete account creation and generate the Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Fill in the Common Application Form and Examination-Specific Module.
- Upload the required photograph, signature, and supporting documents.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable.
- Submit the application form and keep a copy of the application number for future reference.
Documents Required for Application
The documents required for application are as Matriculation or Secondary School Certificate for date of birth proof, Educational qualification details and applicants, Aadhaar Card or any valid government-issued photo identity proof, Passport-size photograph and live webcam photograph. Scanned signature on plain white paper using black ink, URN generated during UPSC registration, and fee payment details, wherever applicable.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | CLICK HERE |
| Extended Link | CLICK HERE |
| Official Website | CLICK HERE |
