UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. This is a golden opportunity for graduates to join the Indian Armed Forces as officers. If you have dreamt of wearing the uniform and leading from the front, this is your moment. A total of 451 vacancies are available across the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
Application and Examination Name/UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
| Name of Recruitment: (CDS II) Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Total Posts: 451 |
Important Dates/UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 09 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 09 June 2026 |
| Written Examination Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | To be announced (released before the exam) |
| Result Declaration Date | To be announced (expected in October-November 2026) |
Application Fee/UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
| ⁕ General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹200/- ⁕ SC / ST / PwD / Female Candidates: Nil (No fee) ⁕ Payment Method: Net Banking Credit Card / Debit Card UPI IMPS / Mobile Wallet |
Educational Qualification & Age Limit/UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
| Academy / Course | Age Limit (as on 01 July 2027) | Date of Birth Range | Qualification | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 19 to 24 years | Not earlier than 02 July 2003 & not later than 01 July 2008 | Bachelor Degree from a recognised university | Unmarried Male |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | 19 to 24 years | Not earlier than 02 July 2003 & not later than 01 July 2008 | B.E./B.Tech degree from a recognised university | Unmarried Male |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | 19 to 24 years (for 10+2 entry) | Not earlier than 02 July 2003 & not later than 01 July 2007 | Graduation with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level OR B.E./B.Tech | Unmarried Male |
| OTA (Men) | 19 to 25 years | Not earlier than 02 July 2002 & not later than 01 July 2008 | Degree from a recognised university | Unmarried Men (SSC) |
| OTA (Women) | 19 to 25 years | Not earlier than 02 July 2002 & not later than 01 July 2008 | Bachelor Degree from a recognised university | Unmarried Women, Widows without encumbrance |
Total Number of Vacancies/UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
| S. No. | Course / Academy | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IMA (Indian Military Academy), Dehradun — 163rd DE Course (Jul 2027) | 100 |
| 2 | INA (Indian Naval Academy), Ezhimala — Executive (GS) | 26 |
| 3 | AFA (Air Force Academy), Hyderabad — Flying (Pre-Flying) Course | 32 |
| 4 | OTA (Men) Chennai — SSC Men (Non-Technical) | 275 |
| 5 | OTA (Women) Chennai — SSC Women (Non-Technical) | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
How to Apply Online/UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
| Step 1: Visit the Official UPSC Website: upsc.gov.in or the dedicated application portal upsconline.nic.in Step 2: On the homepage, look for the link that says “Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC” or “CDS II 2026” and click on it Step 3: If you are a new user, click on “New Registration” or “One Time Registration (OTR)”. Fill in your basic details like name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number to create a registration ID and password. If you have already registered, simply log in using your credentials Step 4: Log in and fill out the detailed application form. Enter your personal details, educational qualifications, communication address, and other required information accurately Step 5: Upload scanned copies of the following documents as per the specifications: Recent Passport Size Photograph (in JPG/JPEG format, size between 20KB to 300KB) Signature (in JPG/JPEG format, size between 20KB to 300KB) Valid ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, etc.) Educational Certificates (10th, 12th, Graduation marksheets and certificates) Category Certificate (for SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates) Step 6: Pay the application fee online through Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, UPI, etc., as applicable. General/OBC/EWS candidates pay ₹200, while SC/ST/PwD/Female candidates are exempted Step 7: After payment, review all the details entered in the application form carefully. Ensure there are no errors or discrepancies. Step 8: Click on the “Submit” button to finalise your application. Download the confirmation page and take a printout for your records. |
Selection Process and Examination Phases/UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
| Phase I: Written Examination – Conducted offline (OMR-based), this is the first hurdle. It tests candidates on English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. |
| Phase II: SSB Interview – Candidates who clear the written exam are called for a 5-day SSB (Services Selection Board) interview. This comprehensive process evaluates Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs), intelligence, personality, and group interaction skills. It includes psychological tests, group tasks, and a personal interview |
| Phase III: Medical Examination – Candidates who clear the SSB interview undergo a thorough medical examination at a military hospital to ensure they are physically and medically fit for commissioning |
Examination Pattern/UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
For IMA, INA, and AFA (Total Marks: 600)
| Subject | Subject Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Written Total | 300 | ||
| SSB Interview | 300 | ||
| Grand Total | 600 |
For OTA (Men & Women) (Total Marks: 400)
| Subject | Subject Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Written Total | 200 | ||
| SSB Interview | 200 | ||
| Grand Total | 400 |
Syllabus Overview/UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
| ⁕ English: Spotting Errors, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms/Antonyms, Sentence Improvement, Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles. ⁕ General Knowledge: Current Events (National & International), History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economy, General Science, Defence-related news. ⁕ Elementary Mathematics: Arithmetic (Number System, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Time & Distance), Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry. |
Pay Scale and Allowances /UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
| ⁕ Pay Level: Level 10 ⁕ Pay Band: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month ⁕ Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 per month ⁕ Other Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, Free Medical Facilities for self and family, Canteen Facilities, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), Pension after retirement, and numerous other benefits |
Important Link
| APPLY ONLINE | CLICK HERE |
| OTR REGISTRATION | CLICK HERE |
| DOWNLOAD NOTIFICATION | CLICK HERE |
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE | CLICK HERE |
| FOR MORE VACANCIES | CLICK HERE |
| JOIN TELEGRAM CHANNEL | CLICK HERE |
| JOIN WHATSAPP CHANNEL | CLICK HERE |
1.Can I apply for UPSC CDS II 2026 if I am in my final year of graduation?
Yes, candidates appearing in their final year exams are eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of passing the degree examination before the commencement of the course
2.What is the application fee for female candidates for CDS II 2026?
Female candidates are exempted from paying any application fee. The fee is Nil for them
3.Is there any negative marking in the CDS II written exam?
Yes, for every incorrect answer, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question is deducted. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions
4.What is the salary of an officer selected through CDS?
The pay scale is Level 10 of the 7th CPC with a pay band of ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month, plus MSP of ₹15,500 and other allowances
5.What is the age limit for applying to the IMA through CDS II 2026?
The age limit for IMA is 19 to 24 years (born not earlier than 2nd July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2008)
6.What is the minimum height required for male candidates for the Indian Army?
The minimum acceptable height for male candidates for the Army is 157.5 cm
7.Is the CDS II 2026 exam online or offline?
The written examination is an offline (pen and paper-based) exam where candidates have to fill in OMR sheets using a black ball pen
8.Can a candidate with a B.Tech degree apply for the Indian Naval Academy?
Yes, a B.E./B.Tech degree from a recognised university is the required qualification for INA
9.How can I check the result for the CDS II 2026 exam?
The result will be published on the official UPSC website upsc.gov.in in the “What’s New” or “Written Examination Result” section.
10.Is there any relaxation in the physical standards for candidates from certain regions?
No, the physical and medical standards are uniform for all candidates across the country. However, specific conditions apply for Gorkha and candidates from hilly regions, which are detailed in the official notification.
