🎖️ UPSC CDS II 2026 — APPLY NOW!
📅 Apply Online: 20 May – 9 June 2026
🎯 400+ Vacancies | IMA • INA • AFA • OTA
📝 Exam Date: 13 September 2026 (Sunday)
🚀 Apply Online →The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the much-awaited Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2026 Notification on 20 May 2026. This is one of the most prestigious gateways into the Indian Armed Forces — leading to commissioning as an officer in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and as a Short Service Commission officer through the Officers Training Academy (OTA).
For defence aspirants, this is the moment you have been waiting for. With approximately 400+ vacancies across four premier academies — IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, AFA Hyderabad, and OTA Chennai — the CDS II 2026 is your direct route to wearing the Indian uniform. Online applications are accepted from 20 May 2026 to 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM) via upsconline.gov.in, and the written examination is scheduled for Sunday, 13 September 2026.
In this complete guide, we cover every detail you need: vacancy breakdown, eligibility criteria, age limits, application fee, exam pattern, syllabus, salary structure, SSB interview process, step-by-step application procedure, required documents, preparation strategy, and FAQs. Read it once — apply with confidence.
📌 UPSC CDS II 2026 — Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Notification Released | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Window | 20 May – 9 June 2026 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Written Exam Date | 13 September 2026 (Sunday) |
| Vacancies | 400+ (Tentative) |
| Academies | IMA • INA • AFA • OTA |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (Gen/OBC Male) | NIL (SC/ST/Female) |
| Selection Process | Written Exam → SSB Interview → Medical → Merit |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.gov.in |
📅 Important Dates — CDS II 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Withdrawal Window | 16 June – 22 June 2026 (tentative) |
| Admit Card Release | 3 weeks before exam (~Aug-end 2026) |
| Written Examination | 13 September 2026 (Sunday) |
| Result (Written) | November–December 2026 (tentative) |
| SSB Interview | January – March 2027 (tentative) |
| Final Result | April–May 2027 (tentative) |
| Training Commences | July 2027 (tentative) |
🎯 CDS II 2026 Vacancy Distribution (Tentative)
The exact vacancy break-up will be confirmed in the official UPSC notification PDF. Based on the CDS I 2026 pattern (451 vacancies) and historical trends, the expected distribution for CDS II 2026 is as follows:
| Academy | Course | Tentative Vacancies | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 155th Course (Jul 2027) | ~100 | Male only |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | Executive Branch (Jul 2027) | ~32 | Male only |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | (220) F(P) Course (Jul 2027) | ~32 | Male & Female |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — SSC Men | 121st SSC Course (Apr 2027) | ~170 | Male only |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — SSC Women | 35th SSC(W) Course (Apr 2027) | ~17 | Female only |
| TOTAL (Tentative) | ~400+ | — | |
✅ Eligibility Criteria — CDS II 2026
🎓 Educational Qualification
| Academy | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| IMA & OTA | Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | Bachelor's degree in Engineering from a recognised university |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | Bachelor's degree (any discipline) with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level, OR Bachelor's in Engineering |
🎂 Age Limit (as on Course Commencement Date)
| Academy | Age Limit | Date of Birth (Between) |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 19 – 24 years | 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008 |
| INA | 19 – 24 years | 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2008 |
| AFA | 20 – 24 years | 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2007 |
| OTA (SSC Men) | 19 – 25 years | 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 |
| OTA (SSC Women) | 19 – 25 years | 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 |
💍 Marital Status
| Academy | Marital Status Allowed |
|---|---|
| IMA / INA / AFA | Unmarried Male candidates only |
| OTA (Men) | Married & Unmarried Men |
| OTA (Women) | Unmarried Women, Issueless Widows (not remarried), Issueless Divorcees (not remarried) |
🇮🇳 Nationality
Candidates must be (a) a citizen of India, OR (b) a subject of Bhutan or Nepal, OR (c) a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, OR (d) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
💰 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (Male) | ₹200 |
| SC / ST (Male) | NIL (Exempted) |
| Female (All Categories) | NIL (Exempted) |
Payment Modes: SBI Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit or Debit Card, UPI, or SBI Cash Challan (deposited at any SBI branch).
📝 CDS II 2026 Exam Pattern
For IMA, INA & AFA Candidates
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 6 Hours | 300 |
For OTA Candidates Only
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 4 Hours | 200 |
• All questions are Objective (MCQ) type
• Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted per wrong answer
• GK paper has Hindi & English bilingual question paper; English and Math papers are only in English
• SSB Interview: 300 marks (IMA/INA/AFA) and 200 marks (OTA)
📚 CDS II 2026 Syllabus Overview
📖 English (100 marks)
Tests the candidate's understanding of English and workmanlike use of words. Topics: Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, Antonyms & Synonyms, Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Cloze Test, Idioms & Phrases, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Arrangement, One-word Substitution.
🌍 General Knowledge (100 marks)
Covers current events, scientific aspects, history, geography. Topics: History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern India, World History), Geography (Indian & Physical), Polity & Constitution, Economy, General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Defence & Current Affairs (national + international), Sports, Awards, Books & Authors.
🧮 Elementary Mathematics (100 marks — Matric level)
Topics: Arithmetic (Number system, HCF/LCM, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time-Work-Speed), Algebra (Basic operations, Quadratic equations, Linear equations), Trigonometry (Sin, Cos, Tan, Heights & Distances), Geometry (Lines, angles, triangles, circles), Mensuration (Areas, volumes), Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode, Bar/Pie charts).
💼 CDS Salary Structure (After Commissioning)
| Rank | Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant (Training) | Stipend | 56,100 (during training) |
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10B | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lt. Colonel | Level 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
Plus allowances: Military Service Pay (MSP) ₹15,500, Dearness Allowance, Kit Maintenance, Field Area Allowance, Siachen Allowance, Free Ration, Subsidised Housing (CSD), Medical Cover for self + family (ECHS), Group Insurance ₹75 lakh, Pension/Gratuity.
🎖️ Selection Process — 4 Stages
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Written Examination | 13 September 2026 — Objective MCQ test (300/200 marks) |
| 2. SSB Interview | 5-day Services Selection Board interview (Stage I screening + Stage II tests) |
| 3. Medical Examination | Conducted by Military Hospitals — fitness for officer service |
| 4. Final Merit List | Combined marks of Written + SSB; published by UPSC |
🗣️ SSB Interview Breakdown (5 Days)
| Day | Activities |
|---|---|
| Day 1 — Screening | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) + Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT) |
| Day 2 — Psychology | TAT, WAT, SRT, SD (Thematic Apperception, Word Association, Situation Reaction, Self Description) |
| Day 3 — GTO Day 1 | Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Progressive Group Task, Half Group Task, Group Obstacle Race |
| Day 4 — GTO Day 2 | Command Task, Individual Obstacles, Final Group Task, Lecturette |
| Day 5 — Personal Interview | 30-45 min interview with the President/Deputy President of the Board; conference & results |
📝 How to Apply for UPSC CDS II 2026 — Step by Step
- Visit the official UPSC online portal: upsconline.gov.in
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) — if not already done. Register with mobile number, email, and create password.
- Login to your account and click on "Apply for Examinations".
- Select "Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026" from the list.
- Fill Part I — Personal details, communication address, education qualification, exam centre preference.
- Choose academy preference (IMA / INA / AFA / OTA) — in order of priority.
- Submit Part I and proceed to Part II.
- Pay application fee online (₹200 for Gen/OBC Male; NIL for Female/SC/ST) via Net Banking, Card, UPI, or generate SBI Cash Challan.
- Upload photograph (3 KB – 40 KB), signature (1 KB – 40 KB), and photo identity proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID etc).
- Select exam centre preference (city-wise, on first-come-first-served basis).
- Read declaration, agree to terms, and click "Final Submit".
- Download the application confirmation page and take 2 printouts for future reference.
📄 Documents & Specifications Required
| Document | Format & Size |
|---|---|
| Scanned Photograph | JPG, 3 KB – 40 KB, 350×350 px |
| Scanned Signature | JPG, 1 KB – 40 KB, 350×350 px |
| Photo Identity Card | PDF, max 300 KB (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID/Passport/DL) |
| Educational Certificates | Keep ready for SSB stage |
| Caste/Category Certificate | If applicable, for SSB & medical stage |
| Domicile/Nationality Proof | For SSB stage |
🏃 Physical Standards Required
| Parameter | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Height | 157.5 cm (Army), 162.5 cm (Air Force) | 152 cm |
| Weight | As per height-age chart | As per height-age chart |
| Vision (Air Force) | 6/6 in one eye, 6/9 in other (correctable to 6/6) | Same |
| Chest Expansion | Minimum 5 cm | Not applicable |
| BMI | Within healthy range; no obesity | Within healthy range |
📈 Preparation Strategy — 4-Month Roadmap (May → September 2026)
| Month | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | Build foundation — NCERTs (Class 6–12 Social Science, Geography, History), Lucent's GK, Wren & Martin (English) |
| July 2026 | Subject-wise concept clarity + topic-wise PYQs (last 10 years) + daily current affairs |
| August 2026 | Full-length mock tests (1 per week initially, then 2-3 per week) + revision of weak areas |
| Sept (T-15 days) | Only revision + PYQ practice + light mocks. NO new topics. |
📚 Recommended Books
| Subject | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| English | Wren & Martin (Grammar), Norman Lewis "Word Power Made Easy" |
| General Knowledge | Lucent's GK, Manorama Yearbook 2026, Pratiyogita Darpan, NCERT (6-12) |
| Mathematics | R.S. Aggarwal (Quantitative Aptitude), NCERT (Class 9 & 10 Math) |
| Current Affairs | The Hindu, PIB, AIR News, Sarkari Nokrii daily roundups |
| SSB Preparation | "Let's Crack SSB Interview" by Dr Cdr N. K. Natarajan, OIR practice |
🎯 Why Join the Indian Armed Forces as an Officer?
The Combined Defence Services is not just a job — it's a calling. As an officer in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force, you receive an unmatched combination of pride, prestige, professional growth, lifelong financial security, and the privilege of serving the nation. Few careers offer the leadership opportunities, the camaraderie, the adventure, and the deep sense of purpose that the uniformed services do.
From day one of training at the IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA, you are moulded into a leader — physically, mentally, and morally. Officers enjoy world-class medical cover (ECHS) for self and family, subsidised housing, free ration, paid leave (60 days annual + 20 days casual), CSD canteen privileges, lifelong pension, and respect that no civilian designation can match. Whether you want to fly Sukhoi fighter jets, command an infantry battalion in Ladakh, sail a frigate in the Indian Ocean, or lead troops in counter-insurgency operations — the CDS II 2026 is your gateway.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When is the UPSC CDS II 2026 application start and end date?
Online applications open on 20 May 2026 and close on 9 June 2026 at 6:00 PM. Applications are accepted only through upsconline.gov.in.
Q2. What is the CDS II 2026 written exam date?
The written examination is scheduled for Sunday, 13 September 2026, conducted by UPSC across designated centres.
Q3. How many vacancies are there in CDS II 2026?
Approximately 400+ vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. The exact academy-wise break-up is given in the official notification PDF.
Q4. What is the application fee for CDS II 2026?
₹200 for General/OBC male candidates. Female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempted from the fee.
Q5. Can women apply for CDS II 2026?
Yes — women can apply for AFA (Air Force Academy) and OTA SSC (Women) wing. IMA and INA remain male-only as per current policy.
Q6. What is the age limit for CDS II 2026?
For IMA & INA: 19–24 years. For AFA: 20–24 years. For OTA: 19–25 years. Exact DOB cut-offs are specified in the notification.
Q7. Is graduation mandatory to apply?
Yes. For IMA & OTA — bachelor's in any discipline. For INA — Engineering degree. For AFA — degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2, OR Engineering degree. Final-year students can also apply (subject to producing proof of passing before SSB).
Q8. How many papers are there in the CDS II written exam?
For IMA/INA/AFA candidates — 3 papers (English, GK, Elementary Math). For OTA candidates — 2 papers (English, GK). Each paper is 2 hours, 100 marks.
Q9. Is there negative marking in CDS exam?
Yes. 1/3rd mark is deducted for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Q10. What is the SSB interview pattern?
A 5-day intensive interview process — Day 1 Screening, Day 2 Psychology, Days 3–4 GTO Tasks, Day 5 Personal Interview + Conference. Total marks: 300 (IMA/INA/AFA) or 200 (OTA).
Q11. What is the starting salary after commissioning?
Pay Level 10 — Basic Pay ₹56,100/month + Military Service Pay (MSP) ₹15,500 + DA + other allowances. In-hand ranges from ₹78,000 to ₹1,10,000 depending on posting & location.
Q12. When will the CDS II 2026 admit card be released?
The e-Admit Card will be released approximately 3 weeks before the exam, i.e., late August 2026, on upsc.gov.in. Candidates must download and carry a printout to the exam centre.
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