UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 451 Combined Defence Services Posts



1. Examination Overview

AttributeDetails
Conducting BodyUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC), New Delhi
Exam NameCombined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026
Notification No.11/2026-CDS-II dated 20/05/2026
Total Vacancies451 (Tentative)
Stipend During TrainingRs. 56,100/- per month (Starting pay in Level 10)
Application ModeOnline Only
Selection ProcessWritten Exam (Objective) $\rightarrow$ SSB Interview $\rightarrow$ Medical Exam
Official Websitesupsc.gov.in | upsconline.nic.in

2. Important Dates & Timeline

EventDate / Timeline
Notification Release Date20-05-2026
Online Application Window20-05-2026 to 09-06-2026 (Up to 6:00 PM)
Helpline Active Period20-05-2026 to 09-06-2026 (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, working days)
e-Admit Card DownloadLast working day of the week preceding the exam
Date of Written Examination13-09-2026
Answer Key Challenge Window3rd day to 7th day after exam (Up to 6:00 PM)
Written Exam Result (Tentative)October 2026
SSB Interview (IMA/INA/AFA)February – March 2027 (Tentative)
SSB Interview (OTA)April – June 2027 (Tentative)
Course Commencement (IMA/INA/AFA)July 2027
Course Commencement (OTA)October 2027

3. Vacancy Breakup by Academy

S.No.Course NameAcademy & LocationCommencementVacancies
1163rd (DE) CourseIndian Military Academy (IMA), DehradunJuly 2027100
2Executive Branch (GS) / HydroIndian Naval Academy (INA), EzhimalaJuly 202726
3222 F(P) Course (Pre-Flying)Air Force Academy (AFA), HyderabadJuly 202732
4126th SSC (Men) (NT)Officers' Training Academy (OTA), ChennaiOctober 2027275
5126th SSC (Women) (NT)Officers' Training Academy (OTA), ChennaiOctober 202718
Total Vacancies451

4. Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualifications

Academy / CategoryEducational QualificationAge LimitMarital Status & GenderBirth Date Range (Inclusive)
IMADegree from a recognized University (or equivalent).19 to 24 yearsUnmarried Male only02-07-2003 to 01-07-2008
INAEngineering Degree OR B.Sc. with Physics (requires Physics & Math at 10+2).19 to 24 yearsUnmarried Male only02-07-2003 to 01-07-2008
AFAEngineering Degree OR Degree with Physics & Math at 10+2 level.20 to 24 yearsMale (Under 25 must be unmarried; Commercial Pilot License holders relaxed up to 26 years).02-07-2003 to 01-07-2007 (CPL: Not earlier than 01-07-2001)
OTA (Men)Degree from a recognized University (or equivalent).19 to 25 yearsUnmarried Male only02-07-2002 to 01-07-2008
OTA (Women)Degree from a recognized University (or equivalent).19 to 25 yearsUnmarried women / Issueless widows / Issueless divorcees (not remarried).02-07-2002 to 01-07-2008

5. Application Fee

CategoryFee AmountPayment Mode
General / OBC / EWS (Male)Rs. 200/-Online Only (Net Banking, Cards, UPI)
Female (All Categories)NIL (Exempted)N/A
SC / ST CandidatesNIL (Exempted)N/A

6. Scheme of Written Examination

For IMA, INA, and AFA

Sl.No.SubjectSubject CodeDurationMaximum Marks
1English112 Hours100
2General Knowledge122 Hours100
3Elementary Mathematics132 Hours100
TotalWritten Stage Marks300
SSBSSB Interview / Personality Test Marks300

For Officers' Training Academy (OTA)

Sl.No.SubjectSubject CodeDurationMaximum Marks
1English112 Hours100
2General Knowledge122 Hours100
TotalWritten Stage Marks200
SSBSSB Interview / Personality Test Marks200

⚠️ Exam Rules Note: All question papers are objective type. GK and Math papers are bilingual (English/Hindi). There is a negative marking penalty of 1/3rd (0.33) mark for every incorrect answer. Only Black Ball Point pens are allowed for OMR marking.

7. Syllabus Brief

SubjectStandardCore Focus Areas
EnglishGraduate LevelTesting understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
General KnowledgeGraduate LevelCurrent events, everyday science, Indian History, Geography.
Elementary MathematicsMatriculation (Class 10)Arithmetic (Number System, Fractions, Percentages, Ratios, SI/CI), Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics.

8. Registration Help & Support Contacts

ChannelContact InfoAvailability
Helpline Numbers011-24041001 / 011-4030344410:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Working days during application window)
Email Supportupscsoap@nic.inInclude Name, Year of Exam, URN, Application Number, and Roll Number

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