Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Notification for recruitment to various defence academies including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Through the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026, UPSC will fill a total of 451 vacancies across different defence training courses.
UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Overview – Latest Defence Sarkari Naukri 2026
| Particular | Details |
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Notification Number | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Total Vacancies | 451 Posts |
| Job Type | Central Government Defence Job |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 09 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Date of Examination | 13 September 2026 |
| Selection Process | Written Exam + SSB Interview + Medical Test |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
The UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 offers officer-level career opportunities in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. Candidates selected through this recruitment will undergo professional military training at respective academies and will later join the Armed Forces as commissioned officers.
UPSC CDS 2 Vacancy 2026 – Course Wise Vacancy Details
UPSC has announced a total of 451 vacancies under different defence academies. The number of vacancies may increase or decrease depending upon service requirements.
| S. No. | Course Name | Academy | Course Commencement | Total Vacancies |
| 1 | 163rd (DE) Course | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | July 2027 | 100 |
| 2 | Executive Branch / Hydro | Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | July 2027 | 26 |
| 3 | 222 F(P) Course | Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | July 2027 | 32 |
| 4 | 126th SSC Men (NT) | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | October 2027 | 275 |
| 5 | 126th SSC Women (NT) | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | October 2027 | 18 |
| Grand Total | 451 | |||
Among all entries, OTA SSC Men carries the highest number of vacancies. Candidates should carefully select their course preferences while filling the application form because changes are not allowed after submission.
UPSC CDS 2 Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Educational Qualification Details
Candidates applying for UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 must fulfill all educational qualification requirements before the prescribed cut-off date.
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
| IMA & OTA | Degree of a recognised University or equivalent |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Engineering Degree OR B.Sc. with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Degree with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level OR Bachelor of Engineering |
Candidates studying in the final year or final semester of graduation are also eligible to apply. However, such candidates must produce proof of passing the qualifying examination within the prescribed deadline mentioned in the official notification.
Candidates are advised to check their course eligibility carefully before submitting the form. Applications of ineligible candidates may be rejected at any stage of the recruitment process.
UPSC CDS 2 Age Limit 2026 – Course Wise Age Criteria
The age limit for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 is different for each academy and course. Age will be calculated strictly according to the Matriculation Certificate.
| Course | Age Limit | Date of Birth Range |
| IMA | 19 to 24 Years | 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2008 |
| INA | 19 to 24 Years | 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2008 |
| AFA | 20 to 24 Years | 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2007 |
| OTA Men | 19 to 25 Years | 02 July 2002 to 01 July 2008 |
| OTA Women | 19 to 25 Years | 02 July 2002 to 01 July 2008 |
No age relaxation is available in UPSC CDS Examination 2026. Even a one-day difference in date of birth can make the candidate ineligible. Therefore, applicants must carefully verify their eligibility before applying online.
UPSC CDS 2 Application Fee 2026 – Fee Details for Defence Jobs
| Category | Application Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS Male | ₹200/- |
| Female Candidates | NIL |
| SC / ST Candidates | NIL |
The fee can be paid online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, Rupay Card, or UPI. The application fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.
UPSC CDS 2 Salary 2026 – Stipend During Training and Pay Level
Candidates selected through UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 will receive a monthly stipend during training at their respective academies.
| Particular | Details |
| Starting Stipend During Training | ₹56,100/- per month |
| Pay Level | Level 10 |
Apart from the basic stipend, officers become eligible for various defence allowances, military service benefits, medical facilities, accommodation benefits, insurance coverage, and pension-related benefits as per government rules after commissioning.
UPSC CDS 2 Selection Process 2026 – Written Exam, SSB Interview and Medical Test
The selection process for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 consists of three major stages.
- Stage 1 – Written Examination: Candidates must appear for objective-type written examination conducted by UPSC. Negative marking of one-third marks applies for wrong answers.
- Stage 2 – SSB Intelligence and Personality Test: Candidates who qualify the written exam will be called for Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. This stage evaluates personality, leadership qualities, psychology, communication, and officer-like qualities.
- Stage 3 – Medical Examination: Candidates clearing SSB interview must undergo medical examination as per Armed Forces medical standards.
Final selection will be prepared according to overall merit, medical fitness, and availability of vacancies in different academies.
UPSC CDS 2 Exam Pattern 2026 – Written Examination Scheme
For IMA, INA, and Air Force Academy:
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
For OTA:
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
The examination will be conducted offline using OMR sheets. Candidates must use Black Ball Pen only while marking answers.
UPSC CDS 2 Important Dates 2026 – Apply Online Dates and Exam Schedule
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 09 June 2026 |
| Written Examination Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Written Result | October 2026 (Tentative) |
| IMA / INA / AFA Course Commencement | July 2027 |
| OTA Course Commencement | October 2027 |
How to Apply for UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 – Step by Step Online Form Process
- Visit the official UPSC online application portal.
- Create your account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Complete the Common Application Form carefully.
- Select your preferred defence academies and courses.
- Enter personal, educational, and communication details correctly.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, and required documents.
- Pay the application fee through online payment mode.
- Preview the complete application form carefully before final submission.
- Submit the application form and note down the Application Number.
- Take a printout of the final submitted form for future reference.
Candidates should fill all details very carefully because UPSC does not allow corrections after final submission of the application form.
Documents Required for UPSC CDS 2 Online Form 2026
- Matriculation Certificate
- Graduation Degree / Marksheet
- Aadhaar Card or Valid Photo ID Proof
- Passport Size Photograph
- Scanned Signature
- Final Year Bonafide Certificate (if applicable)
- NCC Certificate (if applicable)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Important Links – Apply Online and Notification PDF
| Action | Link |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Download PDF |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
👉 Check more Latest Govt Jobs 2026 updates regularly on CareerFocusNow
FAQs – UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026
UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 is a national-level defence recruitment examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for selection of officer candidates in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. Through this recruitment drive, candidates are selected for admission into prestigious academies such as Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). For CDS 2 2026, UPSC has announced a total of 451 vacancies across various courses. Out of these, the highest number of vacancies has been released for OTA SSC Men course. This recruitment is considered one of the top defence officer entry opportunities for graduate candidates in India.
The online application process for UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 started on 20 May 2026 and the last date to submit the online application form is 09 June 2026 up to 6:00 PM. Candidates must complete registration, upload documents, and pay the application fee before the deadline. UPSC generally does not extend the closing date, therefore applicants are advised to submit their forms early to avoid server issues, payment failures, or heavy traffic during the final days of registration.
Educational qualification requirements vary according to the academy chosen by the candidate. For IMA and OTA, candidates must possess a graduation degree from a recognised university. For INA, candidates should have an Engineering degree or B.Sc. degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level. For Air Force Academy, candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level along with a graduation degree or Engineering degree. Final year students are also eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of passing the qualifying examination within the prescribed timeline mentioned in the official notification.
The UPSC CDS 2 selection process consists of three stages. The first stage is the Written Examination conducted by UPSC in offline mode using OMR sheets. Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview, which tests officer-like qualities, intelligence, communication skills, leadership ability, and psychological suitability for defence services. Candidates clearing the SSB stage must undergo a detailed Medical Examination. Final merit is prepared based on written exam marks, SSB performance, medical fitness, and availability of vacancies in the respective academies.
Candidates selected through UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 receive a monthly stipend of ₹56,100 during training at the respective defence academies. After successful completion of training and commissioning as officers, candidates become eligible for salary and allowances according to Level 10 of the pay matrix. In addition to basic pay, officers receive Military Service Pay, Dearness Allowance, accommodation facilities, transport benefits, medical coverage, insurance benefits, and other defence-related perks provided by the Government of India.
Yes, negative marking is applicable in UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026. One-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every incorrect answer marked by the candidate. If a candidate marks more than one option for the same question, it is treated as a wrong answer and negative marking is applied. Due to this system, candidates are advised to focus on accuracy rather than random guessing during the examination.
Yes, female candidates are eligible to apply for UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026, but only for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) SSC Women (Non-Technical) course. Women candidates are not eligible for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), or Air Force Academy (AFA) through CDS 2 2026. UPSC has announced 18 vacancies for OTA Women course in this recruitment cycle.
According to the official schedule released by UPSC, the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 will be conducted on 13 September 2026 across multiple examination centres in India. Candidates will be able to download their e-Admit Card from the official UPSC website during the last working week before the examination date. UPSC does not send admit cards through post or email, therefore candidates must regularly check the official portal for updates.