UPSC CDS II Exam 2026:- The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the recruitment notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 (Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II). This exam serves as an entry point for graduate men and women looking to secure permanent or short-service commissions as officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
A total of 451 vacancies are available across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Officers Training Academy (OTA). The online registration process began on May 20, 2026, and candidates can apply up to June 09, 2026, by 06:00 PM.
UPSC CDS II 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Advt. No. | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Total Vacancies | 451 Posts |
| Job Type | Permanent & Short Service Commission (Officer Cadre) |
| Job Location | Across India (Training at Dehradun, Ezhimala, Hyderabad, or Chennai) |
| Application Mode | Online via UPSC OTR Portal |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Official Notification Released | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 June 2026 (Till 06:00 PM) |
| UPSC CDS II Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | August 2026 (Tentative) |
Application Fees
| Category | Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200/- |
| SC / ST Candidates | ₹0/- (Exempted) |
| All Category Female Candidates | ₹0/- (Exempted) |
| Payment Mode | Online (Net Banking, Cards, UPI) or Pay-by-Cash option |
Also Read:- UPSC 2026
Academy-Wise Vacancies & Age Limits
Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply. Due to military training bounds, candidate birthdates must fall strictly within the specified brackets below:
| Academy Name | Total Vacancies | Commission Type | Allowed Birthdate Bracket (Both Dates Inclusive) |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 | Permanent | 02/07/2003 to 01/07/2008 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 | Permanent | 02/07/2003 to 01/07/2008 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 | Permanent | 02/07/2003 to 01/07/2007 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA – Men), Chennai | 275 | Short Service | 02/07/2002 to 01/07/2008 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA – Women), Chennai | 18 | Short Service | 02/07/2002 to 01/07/2008 |
| Grand Total | 451 |
Educational Qualifications Required
- IMA & Officers Training Academy (OTA): A Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or Institution.
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): A Degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech), OR a B.Sc. degree with Physics as a core/elective subject (provided you passed Class 12th with Physics and Math).
- Air Force Academy (AFA): A Degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics studied at the Class 12th level), OR a Bachelor of Engineering / Technology degree.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
- Written Exam
- SSB Interview
- Medical Examination
- Document Verification
The offline pen-and-paper exam uses an objective format with a penalty for incorrect attempts (1/3rd negative marking).
Also Read:- UPSC Medical Officer
Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA
Candidates opting for permanent commissions are tested across three distinct subjects:
| Paper Module | Maximum Marks | Test Duration | Question Type |
| English | 100 Marks | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQs) |
| General Knowledge | 100 Marks | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQs) |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 Marks | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQs) |
| Total Allocation | 300 Marks | 6 Hours |
- SSB Interview / Personality Test Weightage: 300 Marks.
Exam Pattern for Officers Training Academy (OTA)
Candidates applying for Short Service Commission (Men & Women) are exempt from the mathematics paper:
| Paper Module | Maximum Marks | Test Duration | Question Type |
| English | 100 Marks | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQs) |
| General Knowledge | 100 Marks | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQs) |
| Total Allocation | 200 Marks | 4 Hours |
- SSB Interview / Personality Test Weightage: 200 Marks.
How to Apply for UPSC CDS II Exam 2026
- Visit the official application landing page: upsconline.nic.in.
- One Time Registration (OTR): If applying for the first time on the portal, build your OTR profile. Otherwise, log in using your OTR ID or mobile verification code.
- Fill Application (Part-I): Click on the active link for CDS Exam (II) 2026, fill in your personal data, select your academy preference hierarchy (e.g., IMA, AFA, INA, OTA), and submit.
- Fee Payment: Remit the ₹200 fee using net banking tools or credit/debit instruments (Exempted categories will skip this automatically).
- Media Upload: Upload a scanned, clear passport photograph, signature file, and an ID proof document in line with the specified formatting dimensions.
- Select Exam Centre (Part-II): Pick your preferred city location for the written test from the available drop-down list.
- Finalize: Preview your filled application summary sheet, confirm accuracy, and print out the completed confirmation page for future reference.
Important Related Links
| Title | Link |
| Apply Online | Apply Online |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Now |
| UPSC Official Website | Visit Now |
FAQs – UPSC CDS II 2026
Ans: Yes. Candidates in their final semester or year of graduation are fully eligible to apply, provided they do not have any backlogs and can produce their final passing degree certificate at the time of the SSB Interview/joining.
Ans: No. In the CDS recruitment model, female candidates are eligible to apply exclusively for the Short Service Commission via the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai.
Ans: No. The OTA entrance scheme consists of only two modules: English and General Knowledge. The Elementary Mathematics paper is mandatory only for candidates selecting IMA, INA, or AFA.
Also Read:- UPSC Civil Services Prelims