1. Examination Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), New Delhi |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Notification No. | 11/2026-CDS-II dated 20/05/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 (Tentative) |
| Stipend During Training | Rs. 56,100/- per month (Starting pay in Level 10) |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Selection Process | Written Exam (Objective) $\rightarrow$ SSB Interview $\rightarrow$ Medical Exam |
| Official Websites | upsc.gov.in | upsconline.nic.in |
2. Important Dates & Timeline
| Event | Date / Timeline |
| Notification Release Date | 20-05-2026 |
| Online Application Window | 20-05-2026 to 09-06-2026 (Up to 6:00 PM) |
| Helpline Active Period | 20-05-2026 to 09-06-2026 (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, working days) |
| e-Admit Card Download | Last working day of the week preceding the exam |
| Date of Written Examination | 13-09-2026 |
| Answer Key Challenge Window | 3rd 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 Name | Academy & Location | Commencement | Vacancies |
| 1 | 163rd (DE) Course | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | July 2027 | 100 |
| 2 | Executive Branch (GS) / Hydro | Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | July 2027 | 26 |
| 3 | 222 F(P) Course (Pre-Flying) | 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 |
| Total Vacancies | | | 451 |
4. Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualifications
| Academy / Category | Educational Qualification | Age Limit | Marital Status & Gender | Birth Date Range (Inclusive) |
| IMA | Degree from a recognized University (or equivalent). | 19 to 24 years | Unmarried Male only | 02-07-2003 to 01-07-2008 |
| INA | Engineering Degree OR B.Sc. with Physics (requires Physics & Math at 10+2). | 19 to 24 years | Unmarried Male only | 02-07-2003 to 01-07-2008 |
| AFA | Engineering Degree OR Degree with Physics & Math at 10+2 level. | 20 to 24 years | Male (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 years | Unmarried Male only | 02-07-2002 to 01-07-2008 |
| OTA (Women) | Degree from a recognized University (or equivalent). | 19 to 25 years | Unmarried women / Issueless widows / Issueless divorcees (not remarried). | 02-07-2002 to 01-07-2008 |
5. Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount | Payment Mode |
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | Rs. 200/- | Online Only (Net Banking, Cards, UPI) |
| Female (All Categories) | NIL (Exempted) | N/A |
| SC / ST Candidates | NIL (Exempted) | N/A |
6. Scheme of Written Examination
For IMA, INA, and AFA
| Sl.No. | Subject | Subject Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| 1 | English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| 3 | Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | Written Stage Marks | | | 300 |
| SSB | SSB Interview / Personality Test Marks | | | 300 |
For Officers' Training Academy (OTA)
| Sl.No. | Subject | Subject Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| 1 | English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| 2 | General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | Written Stage Marks | | | 200 |
| SSB | SSB Interview / Personality Test Marks | | | 200 |
⚠️ 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
| Subject | Standard | Core Focus Areas |
| English | Graduate Level | Testing understanding of English and workmanlike use of words. |
| General Knowledge | Graduate Level | Current events, everyday science, Indian History, Geography. |
| Elementary Mathematics | Matriculation (Class 10) | Arithmetic (Number System, Fractions, Percentages, Ratios, SI/CI), Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics. |
8. Registration Help & Support Contacts
| Channel | Contact Info | Availability |
| Helpline Numbers | 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 | 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Working days during application window) |
| Email Support | upscsoap@nic.in | Include Name, Year of Exam, URN, Application Number, and Roll Number |
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