At a Glance
- Total Vacancies
- 451 Posts
- Post Name
- 11/2026-CDS-II
- Eligibility
- Bachelor's Degree (subject-specific for INA and AFA)
- Age Limit
- IMA/INA: 19–24 yrs | AFA: 20–24 yrs | OTA: 19–25 yrs
- Exam / Result Date
- 13 September 2026
- Application Last Date
- 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM)
- Application Start Date
- 20 May 2026
Quick Summary
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Combined Defence Services Examination II 2026 notification (Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II) for 451 posts across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. Apply online from 20 May to 9 June 2026 at upsconline.nic.in. Written exam on 13 September 2026.
451 officer vacancies across India's four premier defence academies — and a written exam date of 13 September 2026 that is exactly 96 days away. The UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination II 2026 is the fastest route from a graduate degree to a commissioned officer's rank in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. With the application window closing on 9 June 2026 at 6:00 PM, candidates who have been waiting have very little time left. No correction in the application form is permitted after submission — which means accuracy at the time of filling matters more than in most other UPSC exams.
UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 – Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2026 notification (Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II) on 20 May 2026, inviting online applications for 451 posts across the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA). Eligible graduate candidates can apply online from 20 May 2026 to 9 June 2026 (up to 6:00 PM) at upsconline.nic.in. The written examination is scheduled for 13 September 2026. Application fee is ₹200 for General/OBC/EWS male candidates; SC, ST, and all female candidates are fully exempted. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised university (with subject-specific requirements for INA and AFA). Only unmarried male candidates are eligible for IMA, INA, and AFA; women may apply exclusively for the OTA (Women) course.
In CDS II 2025 (Advt. No. 08/2025-CDS-II), UPSC notified 453 vacancies across the same four academies — the 2026 cycle shows a marginal decrease of 2 posts (451 vs 453), with the distribution remaining broadly similar.
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Advt. No. | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II, 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 Posts |
| Post / Course | IMA (100), INA (26), AFA (32), OTA Men (275), OTA Women (18) |
| Application Mode | Online only — upsconline.nic.in |
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (General/OBC/EWS Male) | Nil (SC/ST/Female) |
| Age Limit (as on 01/07/2027) | IMA/INA: 19–24 yrs | AFA: 20–24 yrs | OTA: 19–25 yrs |
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor's Degree (subject-specific for INA and AFA) |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Pay Scale | Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) + MSP ₹15,500/month, 7th CPC |
| Official Portal | upsc.gov.in |
Source: Official UPSC CDS II 2026 Notification (Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II) released by Union Public Service Commission at upsc.gov.in on 20 May 2026.
UPSC CDS II 2026 – Important Dates & Full Schedule
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Released | 20 May 2026 | Done |
| Application Form Opens | 20 May 2026 | Done |
| Application Last Date (online) | 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM) | Today |
| Application Fee Payment Last Date | 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM) | Today |
| Correction / Withdrawal Window | Not applicable — no corrections permitted after submission | |
| Admit Card Available | First week of September 2026 (approx. 5 September 2026*) | Upcoming |
| Written Examination (CDS II 2026) | 13 September 2026 (Sunday) | Upcoming |
| Answer Key / Representation Window | From 3rd day of exam up to 6:00 PM on 7th day (at upsc.gov.in) | |
| Written Exam Result | To be announced — check upsc.gov.in | |
| SSB Interview | To be announced after written result | |
| Final Result / Merit List | To be announced — check upsc.gov.in |
*Admit card date is approximate based on UPSC historical practice (released on the last working day of the week preceding the exam). No admit card is sent by post or email — download only at upsconline.nic.in. Source: UPSC CDS II 2026 official notification, Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II, upsc.gov.in.
UPSC CDS II 2026 – Vacancy Details (Post-wise)
UPSC has notified a total of 451 tentative vacancies for CDS II 2026 across four defence academies. The vacancy counts are subject to revision by Services Headquarters. Candidates must indicate their academy preference order at the time of filling the online form — preferences cannot be changed after submission.
| Academy / Course | Vacancies | Gender | Commission Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 | Male (Unmarried only) | Permanent Commission — Indian Army |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 | Male (Unmarried only) | Permanent Commission — Indian Navy |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 | Male (Unmarried only) | Permanent Commission — Indian Air Force |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — SSC Men (Non-Technical) | 275 | Male (Unmarried) | Short Service Commission — Indian Army (10 yrs, extendable to 14) |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — SSC Women (Non-Technical) | 18 | Female | Short Service Commission — Indian Army (10 yrs, extendable to 14) |
| Total | 451 | — | — |
Vacancy figures are tentative and may be revised by Services HQ. NCC 'C' Certificate holders have reserved seats within the above academy totals — they are not additional vacancies. Source: UPSC CDS II 2026 notification, Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II, upsc.gov.in.
UPSC CDS II 2026 – Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male candidates) | ₹200 |
| SC / ST (all genders) | Nil (Exempted) |
| Female Candidates (all categories) | Nil (Exempted) |
| Payment Mode | Net Banking | Visa / Master / RuPay Debit or Credit Card | UPI | E-Challan (SBI bank branches) |
Fee structure as per official UPSC CDS II 2026 notification (Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II).
UPSC CDS II 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit for UPSC CDS II 2026 (as on 01 July 2027)
| Academy / Course | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Date of Birth Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 19 years | 24 years | 2 July 2003 to 1 July 2008 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 19 years | 24 years | 2 July 2003 to 1 July 2008 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 20 years | 24 years | 2 July 2003 to 1 July 2007 |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA) — Men & Women | 19 years | 25 years | 2 July 2002 to 1 July 2008 |
Age calculated as on 01 July 2027 (reporting date for courses). Age proof: Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate only. Source: UPSC CDS II 2026 notification.
Educational Qualification for UPSC CDS II 2026
| Academy / Course | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Bachelor's Degree in any stream from a recognised university. Final year students are eligible to apply. |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA) — Men & Women | Bachelor's Degree in any stream from a recognised university. Final year students are eligible to apply. |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from a recognised university OR B.Sc. with Physics as a subject. Final year engineering students are eligible to apply. |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Bachelor's Degree in any stream from a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics as subjects at 10+2 level, OR Bachelor of Engineering (B.E./B.Tech). Final year students eligible. |
Candidates must produce degree certificate / marksheet before SSB interview. Source: UPSC CDS II 2026 notification (Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II), upsc.gov.in.
Marital Status & Gender for UPSC CDS II 2026
| Academy | Gender Eligible | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|
| IMA, INA, AFA | Male only | Must be unmarried. Male divorcees and widowers are NOT eligible. |
| OTA (SSC Men) | Male only | Must be unmarried. Male divorcees and widowers are NOT eligible. |
| OTA (SSC Women) | Female only | Unmarried women, widows without children (not remarried), and divorcees (not remarried) are eligible. |
UPSC CDS II 2026 – Pay Scale & Salary
Officers selected through CDS II 2026 are commissioned at Pay Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) after completing training at their respective academies. During training, cadets receive a fixed monthly stipend of ₹56,100 — equivalent to the entry-level Lieutenant pay. Post-commissioning, officers draw basic pay in the range of ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 plus a Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500 per month (applicable from Lieutenant to Brigadier rank), Dearness Allowance, HRA or free accommodation, and additional allowances based on posting (Field Area, High Altitude, Flying, Ration).
Pay scale as per 7th CPC pay matrix. MSP as per Ministry of Defence orders. In-hand figure is approximate and varies with posting location and applicable allowances. Source: UPSC CDS II 2026 official notification, upsc.gov.in.
UPSC CDS II 2026 – Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The CDS II 2026 written examination is offline (pen-and-paper, OMR-based), conducted in English and Hindi (bilingual). The exam pattern differs slightly for IMA/INA/AFA candidates versus OTA candidates. All questions are objective-type (MCQ). There is negative marking of 1/3 mark for every wrong answer; unattempted questions carry no penalty. Black ballpoint pen only — pencil or ink pen are not permitted.
Exam Pattern for IMA, INA & AFA (CDS II 2026)
| Paper | Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper 2 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper 3 | Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total (Written) | 300 | 6 Hours total | |
| SSB Interview (IMA / INA / AFA) | 300 | — | |
Exam Pattern for OTA (CDS II 2026)
| Paper | Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper 2 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total (Written) | 200 | 4 Hours total | |
| SSB Interview (OTA) | 200 | — | |
OTA candidates do not appear for Elementary Mathematics. Negative marking: 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer. Representations on answer key accepted only on UPSC website within 5 days of exam (day 3 to day 7 at 6:00 PM). Source: UPSC CDS II 2026 notification (Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II).
UPSC CDS II 2026 – Selection Process
| Stage | Detail | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 — Written Examination | Offline MCQ exam: English, GK, Mathematics (IMA/INA/AFA); English, GK (OTA). Conducted by UPSC on 13 September 2026. | 300 (IMA/INA/AFA) | 200 (OTA) |
| Stage 2 — SSB Interview | Service Selection Board (SSB) interview conducted by Army / AFSB (Air Force) / NSB (Navy) at designated SSB centres. Tests officer-like qualities, personality, psychological fitness, and situational judgment over approximately 5 days. Consists of Stage I (Officer Intelligence Rating + PPDT) and Stage II (GTO tasks, Psychology tests, Personal Interview, Conference). | 300 (IMA/INA/AFA) | 200 (OTA) |
| Stage 3 — Document Verification | Verification of educational certificates, age proof (Matriculation certificate), domicile, and other documents at time of SSB or thereafter. | — |
| Stage 4 — Medical Examination | Medical examination by a Medical Board at AFMS/Military hospitals. Specific vision, height, and fitness standards apply per academy. AFA has additional CPSS / PABT (pilot aptitude) tests for flying branch. | Qualifying |
| Stage 5 — Final Merit List & Appointment | Combined merit of written exam score and SSB interview marks. Final merit list published at upsc.gov.in. Selected candidates receive joining instructions from respective academy. | — |
How to Fill UPSC CDS II 2026 Online Form – Step by Step
The UPSC CDS II 2026 application is submitted exclusively online at upsconline.nic.in. One-Time Registration (OTR) is compulsory before filling the examination-specific form. No application by post, email, or offline mode is accepted. No correction is allowed after final submission — verify every field carefully before clicking Submit.
- Complete OTR (One-Time Registration): Visit upsconline.nic.in and click "One-Time Registration." Create your OTR profile with personal details, upload a photograph (and capture a live photo) and signature (sign three times on white paper with black ink). OTR generates a Universal Registration Number (URN) valid for all future UPSC exams — skip this step if you already have a URN.
- Log in and select CDS II 2026 notification: Log in with your URN / registered email ID. Navigate to "Active Examinations" and click on "Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 (Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II)." Read the complete notification instructions on screen before proceeding.
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF): Enter personal details, educational qualification, exam centre preference, and academy preference order (IMA / INA / AFA / OTA). Double-check all entries — especially date of birth, academy choice order, and qualification details. These cannot be changed after submission.
- Pay the application fee: General/OBC/EWS male candidates must pay ₹200 via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay), UPI, or E-Challan at SBI branches. SC/ST and all female candidates need not pay any fee. Note the payment transaction ID for your records.
- Preview and submit the application: Before final submission, carefully review every column in the preview — name, DOB, qualification, academy preferences, fee payment status. Once satisfied, click Submit. The application cannot be modified, withdrawn, or resubmitted after this point.
- Save your Application Number and take a printout: After submission, note the Application Number generated by the system. Take a printout of the final submitted form and keep it safely — it will be required for admission to the written examination and SSB interview. No separate admit card is posted by UPSC; the e-Admit Card must be downloaded from upsconline.nic.in before the exam.
Application Open: 20 May 2026 | Last Date: 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM)
UPSC CDS II 2026 Admit Card – How to Download
The UPSC CDS II 2026 Admit Card (e-Admit Card) has not been released yet. It will be available for download approximately in the first week of September 2026 (estimated around 5 September 2026) at upsconline.nic.in. The admit card is issued only electronically — no physical copy is sent by post or email. Without the e-Admit Card, entry to the examination hall is not permitted.
UPSC CDS II 2026 – Official Links & Notification PDF
| Apply Online (OTR + CDS II 2026 Form) | upsconline.nic.in |
| Download Official Notification PDF | Notif-CDS-II-2026-Engl-200526.pdf (upsc.gov.in) |
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
