Short Details:
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Exam Schedule for Combined Defence Services (CDS) II Examination 2026 for 451 posts. Candidates who applied between 20 May 2026 and 11 June 2026 can check the exam schedule and official notification for eligibility, selection process, syllabus, pay scale, and other important details.
| Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) UPSC Combined Defence Services CDS II Examination 2026 Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II: Short Details Govt Jobs Info | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Important Dates | Application Fee | ||||||
| • Notification released: 20/05/2026 • Online application started: 20/05/2026 • Last date to apply: 09/06/2026 up to 6 PM • Last date for fee payment: 09/06/2026 • Application correction after submission: Not permitted • CDS II examination date: 13/09/2026 • E-Admit Card: Last working day of the week preceding the examination | • General/OBC/EWS male candidates: ₹200/- • SC/ST candidates: No fee • Female candidates: No fee • The prescribed fee was payable using the payment options available on the UPSC portal. | ||||||
| UPSC CDS II Age Limit and Marital Status | |||||||
| Academy | Age Limit | Eligibility Conditions | |||||
| Indian Military Academy | 19–24 years | • Unmarried male candidates only • Born between 01/07/2003 and 01/07/2008 | |||||
| Indian Naval Academy | 19–24 years | • Unmarried male candidates only • Born between 01/07/2003 and 01/07/2008 | |||||
| Air Force Academy | 20–24 years | • Age calculated as on 01/07/2027 • Born between 01/07/2003 and 01/07/2007 • Upper age may extend to 26 years for eligible DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders | |||||
| OTA SSC Men | 19–25 years | • Unmarried male candidates only • Born between 01/07/2002 and 01/07/2008 | |||||
| OTA SSC Women | 19–25 years | • Unmarried women, eligible issueless widows and eligible issueless divorcees may apply • Born between 01/07/2002 and 01/07/2008 | |||||
| • The date of birth recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary School certificate will be accepted by UPSC. • Candidates must satisfy the academy-specific age, gender and marital-status conditions given in the notification. | |||||||
| Educational Qualification | |||||||
| Academy | Required Qualification | ||||||
| IMA and OTA | • Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification. | ||||||
| Indian Naval Academy | • Degree in Engineering from a recognized university or institution. | ||||||
| Air Force Academy | • Bachelor’s degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level; or • Bachelor of Engineering degree from a recognized university. | ||||||
| • Candidates studying in the final year or semester may apply subject to the conditions and documentary deadlines stated in the notification. • Applicants should read the official notice for proof-of-qualification requirements. | |||||||
| Vacancy Details – Total 451 Posts | |||||||
| Course/Academy | Approximate Vacancies | ||||||
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun – 163rd DE Course | 100 | ||||||
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala – Executive Branch/Hydro | 26 | ||||||
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad – 222 F(P) Course | 32 | ||||||
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai – 126th SSC Men (NT) Course | 275 | ||||||
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai – 126th SSC Women (NT) Course | 18 | ||||||
| Total | 451 | ||||||
| • IMA vacancies include 13 seats reserved for eligible NCC ‘C’ Certificate Army Wing holders. • INA vacancies include six seats for eligible NCC Naval Wing certificate holders and one Hydro vacancy. • AFA vacancies include three seats for eligible NCC Air Wing certificate holders. • The advertised vacancy numbers are provisional and may be changed by the Services Headquarters. | |||||||
| UPSC CDS II Selection Process | |||||||
| • Written examination conducted by UPSC • Services Selection Board intelligence and personality tests • Officer Intelligence Rating and Psychological Aptitude Tests • Document verification • Medical examination according to Armed Forces standards • Final merit list based on the applicable written and SSB marks • Final academy allocation will depend on eligibility, merit, preference and available vacancies. | |||||||
| Written Examination Pattern | |||||||
| Entry | Examination Papers | ||||||
| IMA, INA and AFA | • English: 100 marks • General Knowledge: 100 marks • Elementary Mathematics: 100 marks • Total: 300 marks | ||||||
| OTA | • English: 100 marks • General Knowledge: 100 marks • Total: 200 marks | ||||||
| • Every paper will be objective in nature. • Negative marking applies to incorrect answers. • Candidates must use a black ballpoint pen on the OMR answer sheet. • Entry to the examination venue will close 30 minutes before each session begins. | |||||||
| How to Fill UPSC CDS II Application Form | |||||||
| • Open the new UPSC online application portal. • Create an account and complete Universal Registration to obtain a URN. • Complete the Common Application Form with personal and educational information. • Upload the requested identity and qualification documents. • Upload a clear photograph and complete the live-photo capture process. • Sign three times, one below the other, on white paper using black ink and upload the prescribed signature image. • Open the CDS II 2026 Examination Specific Module. • Select the preferred academies and examination centre carefully. • Pay the ₹200 examination fee if the fee exemption does not apply. • Review all information before final submission because corrections are not allowed afterward. • Save the URN, application number and submitted application form for future use. | |||||||
| Interested Candidates Should Read the Complete UPSC CDS II 2026 Notification Before Participating in the Examination. | |||||||
| Helpful and Important Links | |||||||
| Download Exam Schedule | UPSC Exam Calendar | ||||||
| CDS II Examination Updates | View Active Examination | ||||||
| Apply Online/Candidate Login | Open UPSC Application Portal | ||||||
| Universal Registration (URN) | Create/Login to Account | ||||||
| Download Official Notification | Download Notification PDF | ||||||
| Notification Archive | View UPSC Archive | ||||||
| Download E-Admit Card | UPSC E-Admit Card Portal | ||||||
| Official Website | UPSC Official Website | ||||||
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