UPSC CDS (II) 2026 Notification Out – Apply Online for 451 Vacancies.
UPSC
Last Date :- 20 May - 09 June
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the detailed notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill 451 vacancies across prestigious defence academies including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA).
The online application window is now active. Read on to find all the critical details including important dates, vacancy distribution, eligibility criteria, and step-by-step application instructions.
Interested and eligible candidates may read this advertisement and apply online here against these Application notifications. All applicants are requested to bookmark this page for future updates .
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Post Name | UPSC CDS (II) Examination 2026 | ||
| Vacancies | 451 | ||
| Organization | UPSC | ||
| Qualification | Graduation | ||
| Apply Mode | Online | ||
| Apply Fee | ₹200/- | ||
| Start Date |
| ||
| Last Date | 9 June 2026 |
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
| Academy | Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) Men | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) Women | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 Education Qualification
Educational Qualification
* For IMA & OTA: Degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
* For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution.
* For Air Force Academy (AFA): Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR a Bachelor of Engineering.
*(Note: Candidates in their final year/semester of graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any backlog and can submit proof of passing at the time of the SSB interview).
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
(a) Nationality: A candidate must either be:
(i) a Citizen of India, or
(ii) a subject of Nepal, or
(iii) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African
Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia
or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (ii) and (iii) above shall be a person in whose
favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.
Certificate of eligibility will, however, not be necessary in the case of candidates who are
Gorkha subjects of Nepal.
A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary, may be admitted to the
examination provisionally subject to the necessary certificate being given to him/her by the Govt.
before declaration of result by UPSC.
(b) Age Limits, Sex and Marital Status:
(i) For IMA— Age: 19 to 24 years. Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 1st July, 2003
and not later than 1st July, 2008 only are eligible.
(ii) For Indian Naval Academy— Age: 19 to 24 years. Unmarried male candidates born not earlier
than 1st July, 2003 and not later than 1st July, 2008 only are eligible.
(iii) For Air Force Academy—
Age: 20 to 24 years as on 1st July, 2027 i.e. born not earlier than 1st July, 2003 and not later than 1st
July, 2007. Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License
issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 yrs. i.e. born not earlier than 1st July, 2001 and not later
than 1st July, 2007 only are eligible.
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 Salary & Pay Scale
Basic Pay (Level 10): ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500
Military Service Pay (MSP): Fixed at ₹15,500 per month (applicable from Lieutenant to Brigadier ranks)
Dearness Allowance (DA): Adjusted regularly based on government norms House Rent Allowance (HRA): Varies between 9% to 27% depending on the class of city Transport Allowance (TA): ₹3,600 to ₹7,200 per month based on position
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
1. Written Examination: An offline (pen-and-paper) objective test conducted by UPSC.
* For IMA, INA, AFA: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
* For OTA:* English and General Knowledge only.
2. SSB Interview: Personality and intelligence test conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB) spanning over 5 days.
3. Medical Examination & Document Verification: Final evaluation of health and physical fitness as per military standards.
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
* Female / SC / ST candidates: Fee Exempted (Nil)
* All other candidates: ₹200/-
* Payment Mode: Can be paid online via Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
# Notification Release Date May 20, 2026
# Commencement of Online Application May 20, 2026
# Last Date to Apply Online June 9, 2026 (by 6:00 PM)
# UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date September 13, 2026
# Admit Card Release September 2026 (Approx. 2-3 weeks before the exam)
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 How to Apply
Applicants need to visit official https://upsc.gov.in/ portal for submission of online application this scheme. One needs to follow below mentioned steps to apply online.
Step 1: Scroll down, go to Important Web Links section.
Step 2: Click on One-Time Registration link .
Step 3: A new webpage will be opened.
Step 4: Enter your details as required in the portal; and register yourself.
Step 5: After registration, Click on Online Application Form and Login.
Step 6: Enter all credentials and upload your documents as required in the portal.
Step 7: Finally click on "Submit" and take print out of your submitted application.
Step 1: Scroll down, go to Important Web Links section.
Step 2: Click on One-Time Registration link .
Step 3: A new webpage will be opened.
Step 4: Enter your details as required in the portal; and register yourself.
Step 5: After registration, Click on Online Application Form and Login.
Step 6: Enter all credentials and upload your documents as required in the portal.
Step 7: Finally click on "Submit" and take print out of your submitted application.
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 web Link
Application Form Click Here Official Notification Click Here WhatsApp Channel Click Here Telegram Channel Click Here Official Website
Click Here
Disclaimer
Note to Applicants: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute an official legal document. While we strive to keep the information accurate and up-to-date, recruitment rules and dates are subject to change by the issuing authority.
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 Scheme of Examination
The UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is structured into two main phases: a Written Examination followed by an Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB Interview). Below are the complete details regarding the exam pattern, subject distribution, and marking scheme.
1. Written Examination Pattern
The structure of the written test varies depending on the academies you are applying for. The exam is conducted in an offline pen-and-paper mode using OMR sheets.
A. For Admission to Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA):
Candidates applying for these three wings must appear for all three papers. Each paper is conducted for a duration of 2 hours.
|
Subject |
Duration |
Maximum Marks |
|
1. English |
2 Hours |
100 Marks |
|
2. General Knowledge |
2 Hours |
100 Marks |
|
3. Elementary Mathematics |
2 Hours |
100 Marks |
|
Total |
6 Hours |
300 Marks |
B. For Admission to Officers' Training Academy (OTA) - Men & Women:
Candidates applying only for the Short Service Commission (SSC) via OTA are exempted from the mathematics section. They only need to appear for two papers.
|
Subject |
Duration |
Maximum Marks |
|
1. English |
2 Hours |
100 Marks |
|
2. General Knowledge |
2 Hours |
100 Marks |
|
Total |
4 Hours |
200 Marks |
2. Important Rules & Marking Scheme
* Nature of Questions: All question papers will consist of Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions) only.
* Medium of Exam: The question papers for General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be set bilingually in Hindi and English (except for the English language paper, which is only in English).
* Negative Marking: There is a penalty for wrong answers. For every incorrect response, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as negative marking.
* Use of Calculators: Candidates are not permitted to use calculators, mathematical tables, or logarithmic tables during the examination.
3. Phase 2: SSB Interview (Intelligence and Personality Test)
Candidates who clear the UPSC written exam cut-off will receive a call letter for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview.
* Maximum Marks for SSB:
* For IMA, INA, and AFA: 300 Marks
* For OTA: 200 Marks
* Duration: The interview process spans over 5 days at dedicated selection centers.
* Structure: The SSB process consists of a two-stage selection procedure:
* Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). Candidates must pass Stage I to qualify for Stage II.
* Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the final Conference.
1. Standard of the Examination
The level of difficulty is categorized by subject to ensure a fair evaluation of candidates from different academic backgrounds:
* Elementary Mathematics: Matriculation (Class 10th) Level.
* English & General Knowledge: Graduation Level (as expected from a graduate of an Indian University).
2. Detailed Syllabus
A. English (100 Marks)
The goal is to test your understanding of English and workmanlike use of words. Focus areas include:
* Comprehension: Understanding of complex passages.
* Grammar: Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, and Cloze Test.
* Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Idioms & Phrases.
* Structure: Ordering of Words in a Sentence and Ordering of Sentences (Para Jumbles).
* Usage: Fill in the blanks (Prepositions, Articles, Tenses).
B. General Knowledge (100 Marks)
This paper tests "knowledge of current events" and matters of everyday observation. You do not need a "special study of any scientific discipline," but you must be broadly informed.
* History: Focus on the Indian Freedom Movement and social/cultural history.
* Geography: Physical and Indian Geography (Climate, Rivers, Mineral Resources).
* Science: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Life Sciences) at a basic conceptual level.
* Polity: The Constitution of India, Fundamental Rights, and the Parliamentary system.
* Current Affairs: National and International events, Defence-related news, and Awards.
C. Elementary Mathematics (100 Marks)
*Only for IMA, INA, and AFA aspirants.*
| Section | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Number System (Natural, Integers, Real), HCF/LCM, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Simple/Compound Interest. |
| Algebra | Basic Operations, Remainder Theorem, Theory of Polynomials, Quadratic Equations, and Linear Inequalities. |
| Trigonometry | Sine x, Cosine x, Tangent x (0° to 90°), Simple Identities, and Heights & Distances. |
| Geometry | Lines and Angles, Plane Figures, Properties of Triangles, Circles (Tangents and Normals), and Loci. |
| Mensuration | Areas of Squares, Rectangles, Triangles, and Circles; Surface Area and Volume of Cuboids, Cones, Cylinders, and Spheres. |
| Statistics | Collection and Tabulation of Data, Graphical Representation (Histograms, Pie Charts, Bar Charts), and Measures of Central Tendency. |
3. Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB)
The SSB interview is not just a "question-answer" session; it is a multi-day assessment involving:
* Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
* Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Final Conference.
UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment 2026 FAQ
What is the starting date of online application for UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment ?
The starting date of UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment application submission is 20 May 2026.
What is the total number of available vacancies of UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment ?
The total number of vacancies under 451.
What is the last date of online application UPSC CDS (II) ?
The last date of UPSC CDS (II) Recruitment application submission is 9 June 2026.