Last date to Apply 09 June 2026
Introduction - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS-II), 2026. This prestigious examination opens the gateway for young aspirants to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). With a total of 451 vacancies, the CDS-II 2026 offers opportunities for both men and women to serve the nation in various defence services.
The examination will be conducted on 13 September 2026, and applications are invited online through UPSC’s portal until 9 June 2026. Candidates must ensure eligibility, upload required documents, and follow the strict guidelines outlined in the notification. This recruitment is a golden chance for those who aspire to build a career in the Armed Forces under the Government of India.
Job Overview - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Advertisement No. | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Total Vacancies | 451 (IMA-100, INA-26, AFA-32, OTA Men-275, OTA Women-18) |
| Post | Commissioned Officers in Army, Navy, Air Force, and SSC (Men/Women) |
| Nature of Recruitment | Government of India Defence Services Examination |
| Job Type & Location | Permanent Commission / Short Service Commission; Training at IMA (Dehradun), INA (Ezhimala), AFA (Hyderabad), OTA (Chennai) |
| Application Deadlines | Start: 20 May 2026 | End: 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Eligibility | Graduate degree required; NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders eligible for reserved seats |
| Age Limit | 19–24 years (IMA/INA), 20–24 years (AFA), 19–25 years (OTA Men/Women) |
| Salary Structure | ₹56,100 per month (training stipend) + allowances; as per 7th CPC Defence Pay Matrix |
| Selection Process | Written Exam → SSB Interview → Medical Examination |
| Reservation Rules | NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders reserved seats (Army, Navy, Air Force); Women eligible only for OTA |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (General/OBC); Exempted for SC/ST/Women |
| Documents Required | Matriculation Certificate, Graduation Degree, Photo ID, Photograph, Signature |
| Exam Centres | Across India (Agartala, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, etc.) |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| Submission Mode | Online only |
| Apply Online | Apply Online |
Important Dates - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Start | 20 May 2026 |
| Application End | 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Examination Date | 13 September 2026 |
Vacancy Details - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
| Course | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (163rd DE Course) | 100 (incl. 13 NCC Army Wing) |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala (Executive/Hydro) | 26 (incl. 6 NCC Naval + 1 Hydro) |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (222 F(P) Course) | 32 (incl. 3 NCC Air Wing) |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai – SSC (Men) | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai – SSC (Women) | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
Application Fee - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / Women | Exempted |
Important Links - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
| Link | Description |
|---|---|
| Notification PDF | Official UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification |
| UPSC Official Website | Union Public Service Commission Portal |
| Apply Online | Submit CDS-II 2026 Application Form |
| Join WhatsApp | Get instant updates via WhatsApp |
| Join Telegram | Follow RapidoJobsIndia Telegram Channel |
Salary Structure - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
| Stage | Approx. Salary |
|---|---|
| Training (Stipend) | ₹56,100 per month + allowances |
| Commissioned Officer | As per 7th CPC Defence Pay Matrix |
Eligibility Criteria - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
| Academy | Age Limit | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| IMA / INA | 19–24 years | Graduate Degree |
| AFA | 20–24 years (26 for CPL holders) | B.Sc. with Physics/Maths or B.E./B.Tech |
| OTA (Men/Women) | 19–25 years | Graduate Degree |
Documents Required - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
- Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate: Mandatory proof of Date of Birth. Only certificates issued by recognized boards/universities are accepted.
- Graduation Degree/Marksheet: Final year students must provide provisional certificates. Engineering graduates applying for INA/AFA must submit relevant degree proof.
- Valid Photo ID: Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport, or Driving License. The same ID must be carried to the exam centre and SSB interview.
- Recent Photograph: Passport-size, clear background, uploaded digitally as per UPSC guidelines.
- Signature: Signed three times in black ink on plain white paper, scanned and uploaded.
- NCC ‘C’ Certificate (if applicable): For candidates applying under reserved NCC vacancies, proof must be submitted before the deadline.
How to Apply - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
- Visit the official UPSC portal: UPSConline.nic.in.
- Create a Universal Registration Number (URN) profile with personal details and a valid photo ID.
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) with academic, category, and communication details.
- Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, and ID proof as per the specified format.
- Pay the application fee online (₹200 for General/OBC; exempted for SC/ST/Women).
- Choose your preferred exam centre carefully; allotment is on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation PDF for future reference.
- No withdrawal or correction is allowed after submission, so double-check all entries before finalizing.
Selection Procedure - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
- Written Examination: Objective type papers in English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics (for IMA/INA/AFA). OTA candidates appear for English and GK only. Negative marking applies.
- SSB Interview/Personality Test: Shortlisted candidates undergo a two-stage selection process including Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR), Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT), Group Testing, Psychological Tests, and Personal Interview.
- Medical Examination: Conducted at Military Hospitals to ensure candidates meet defence medical standards. Includes vision, hearing, physical fitness, and overall health checks.
- Final Merit List: Prepared based on written exam scores + SSB performance + medical fitness, subject to vacancies and preferences indicated.
Exam Pattern - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
| Subject | Marks | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours | |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours | |
| Elementary Mathematics (IMA/INA/AFA only) | 100 | 2 Hours | |
| OTA (Men/Women) | English + GK only | 200 | 4 Hours |
Job Location - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
Selected candidates will undergo training at respective academies: IMA (Dehradun), INA (Ezhimala), AFA (Hyderabad), and OTA (Chennai). Post-training, officers will be commissioned across India in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Related Posts - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
- Indian Army TGC 144 Recruitment 2026
- Indian Army TES 56th Entry 2026
- Indian Army CSBO Grade II Recruitment 2026
- Indian Army 95th SSC RVC Recruitment 2026
- Territorial Army Officer Recruitment 2026
- AFCAT 02/2026 – IAF Officer Recruitment
- IAF Group C Civilian Recruitment 2026
- Indian Navy SSC Executive IT Recruitment 2026
- Indian Navy HQ ANC Recruitment 2026
FAQs - UPSC CDS-II 2026 Notification
1. What is UPSC CDS-II 2026?
The Combined Defence Services Examination-II (CDS-II) 2026 is conducted by UPSC for recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and OTA.
2. How many vacancies are available?
A total of 451 vacancies are announced across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA (Men & Women).
3. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 9 June 2026 (till 6:00 PM).
4. When will the exam be conducted?
The CDS-II 2026 examination will be held on 13 September 2026.
5. Who can apply for CDS-II 2026?
Graduates meeting age and eligibility criteria can apply. Women are eligible only for OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical).
6. What is the age limit?
19–24 years for IMA/INA, 20–24 years for AFA (26 for CPL holders), and 19–25 years for OTA.
7. What is the application fee?
₹200 for General/OBC candidates. SC/ST and Women candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
8. How can I apply online?
Applications must be submitted at UPSConline.nic.in. No offline mode is available.
9. What documents are required?
Matriculation certificate (DOB proof), graduation degree, valid photo ID, recent photograph, and signature.
10. What is the selection process?
Written exam → SSB Interview/Personality Test → Medical Examination → Final Merit List.
11. What is the salary structure?
Stipend of ₹56,100 per month during training, with allowances. Pay as per 7th CPC Defence Pay Matrix after commissioning.
12. Where can I find the official notification?
The official notification PDF is available at Download Notification.
Join Telegram 
Join WhatsApp 
Join Facebook