The Union Public Service Commission has officially released the UPSC CDS II Examination 2026 notification for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA). A total of 451 vacancies have been announced under CDS 2 2026. Interested candidates can check eligibility, age limit, selection process, exam pattern, important dates and apply online through the official UPSC website before the last date.
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post / Course Name | Indian Military Academy (IMA) – 163rd DE Course | Indian Naval Academy (INA) – Executive Branch/Hydro | Air Force Academy – 222nd F(P) Course | Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – 126th SSC Men & Women Course |
| Advt. No. | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Total Vacancies | 451 Posts |
| Qualification | Any Graduate, B.Sc, B.Tech/B.E |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date To Apply | 09 June 2026 |
Course-Wise Vacancy Details
| S. No. | Course | Academy | Commencement | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 163rd (DE) Course | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | July 2027 | 100 |
| 02 | Executive Branch (General Service) / Hydro | Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | July 2027 | 26 |
| 03 | 222 F(P) Course (Pre-Flying Training) | Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | July 2027 | 32 |
| 04 | 126th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | October 2027 | 275 |
| 05 | 126th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | October 2027 | 18 |
| Total | 451 | |||
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Start Date to Apply Online | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 June 2026 (up to 6:00 PM) |
| Date of Written Examination | 13 September 2026 |
| Answer Key Objection Window | Candidates can submit representations from the 3rd day to the 7th day after the examination (up to 6:00 PM). |
| SSB Interview for IMA / INA / AFA Candidates | February to March 2027 (Tentative) |
| SSB Interview for OTA Candidates | April to June 2027 (Tentative) |
| Training Course Commencement for IMA / INA / AFA | July 2027 |
| Training Course Commencement for OTA | October 2027 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet all eligibility conditions before applying. Admission at every stage will be provisional until document verification after the SSB Interview/Personality Test.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian Citizen / Subject of Nepal / Eligible Persons of Indian Origin from specified countries. |
| Educational Qualification – IMA & OTA | Graduation Degree from a recognised University. |
| Educational Qualification – INA | Engineering Degree OR B.Sc. with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level. |
| Educational Qualification – AFA | Graduation with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level OR Bachelor of Engineering. |
| Final Year Students | Eligible to apply, subject to submission of passing proof by prescribed dates. |
| Physical Standards | Must meet Armed Forces medical and physical fitness standards. |
| Debarment | Candidates debarred by the Ministry of Defence are not eligible. |
Age Limit & Marital Status
| Academy | Age Limit | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 19–24 Years | Unmarried Male |
| INA | 19–24 Years | Unmarried Male |
| Air Force Academy | 20–24 Years | Unmarried below 25 Years |
| OTA (Men) | 19–25 Years | Unmarried Male |
| OTA (Women) | 19–25 Years | Unmarried Women / Eligible Widows / Divorcees |
Important Note: Marriage is not permitted during training at any academy. Candidates marrying during training will be discharged.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹ 200/- Non-Refundable |
| SC / ST / Female Candidates | NIL |
Selection Process
The selection process for UPSC CDS II 2026 consists of three stages: Written Examination, SSB Interview and Medical Examination. Final selection is based on merit, medical fitness and available vacancies.
Stage 1 – Written Examination
For IMA / INA / AFA
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 300 |
For OTA
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 200 |
Important Points:
- Objective-type questions only
- Negative marking of 0.33 marks for each wrong answer
- Maths & GK papers available in Hindi and English
- Calculators and electronic devices are not allowed
- Black Ball Pen required for OMR sheet
Stage 2 – SSB Interview
Candidates qualifying the written exam will be called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview.
SSB Process
- Stage I: OIR Test & PPDT Screening
- Stage II: Psychology Tests, GTO Tasks, Interview & Conference
The SSB assesses leadership skills, personality, communication ability and officer-like qualities.
Stage 3 – Medical Examination
Candidates recommended by SSB must qualify the medical fitness standards prescribed for entry into the Armed Forces.
CDS 2 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
| Subject | Level | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| English | Graduate Level | Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension |
| General Knowledge | Graduate Level | Current Affairs, History, Geography, Science |
| Elementary Mathematics | Class 10 Level | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics |
Exam Centres
UPSC CDS II 2026 examination will be conducted across multiple cities in India including Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Patna, Chandigarh, Pune, Bhopal, Ranchi, Srinagar, Kochi and many more. Centre allotment is based on a first-apply-first-allot basis, so candidates should apply early.
Competition Level
CDS II 2026 is considered one of the most competitive defence examinations in India. Thousands of candidates compete for limited vacancies every year. The SSB Interview stage is especially challenging and plays a major role in final selection.
Who Should Not Apply?
- Candidates outside the prescribed age limit
- Married male candidates for IMA / INA / AFA
- Candidates without required educational qualifications
- Candidates not meeting physical or medical standards
- Candidates debarred by the Ministry of Defence
- Candidates with invalid AFA eligibility conditions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Entering incorrect Date of Birth
- Uploading unclear photo/signature
- Choosing incorrect academy preferences
- Using different email IDs during registration
- Carrying electronic gadgets to exam centre
- Applying late after preferred centres are filled
- Not carrying original documents during SSB Interview
How to Apply
Candidates can apply online only through the official UPSC portal: UPSC Online Application Portal. No offline application will be accepted.
The application process includes:
- One-Time Registration (URN)
- Filling the Common Application Form (CAF)
- Completing the CDS II 2026 Application Form
- Uploading photo, signature, and required details
- Payment of examination fee
Documents Required
- Matriculation Certificate (Date of Birth proof)
- Educational Qualification Details
- Aadhaar Card or Valid Photo ID
- Passport Size Photograph
- Scanned Signature in Black Ink
- Active Mobile Number & Email ID
Important Instructions
- Apply early to get preferred exam centre
- Keep URN and Application Number safe for future use
- Government/Armed Forces employees must inform their department before applying
- Original documents will be required during the SSB Interview process
For application-related queries, candidates may contact UPSC helpline during working hours or email at upscsoap@nic.in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CDS II 2026?
👉 Candidates must submit the online application form before the last date mentioned in the official notification. It is advised to apply early to avoid server issues and preferred centre unavailability.
Q2. What is the educational qualification required for CDS 2 2026?
👉 Candidates must hold a Graduation Degree from a recognised University. Engineering qualification is required for certain courses like INA and AFA.
Q3. Can final year students apply for CDS II 2026?
👉 Yes, final year or semester students can apply, provided they submit proof of passing the qualifying examination within the prescribed timeline.
Q4. Is there negative marking in the CDS exam?
👉 Yes. One-third (0.33) marks are deducted for every incorrect answer in the written examination.
Q5. What is the age limit for CDS II 2026?
👉 The age limit varies according to the academy/course. Generally, candidates between 19 to 25 years are eligible.
Q6. Can female candidates apply for CDS II 2026?
👉 Yes, female candidates can apply for OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical) course.
Q7. Is Mathematics compulsory for all CDS candidates?
👉 No. Mathematics is compulsory only for IMA, INA and Air Force Academy candidates. OTA applicants do not have the Mathematics paper.
Q8. How can I apply for UPSC CDS II 2026?
👉 Candidates can apply online through the official UPSC website: UPSC Online Portal
Important Links
| Link | Action |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Apply Now |
| Download Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | Visit Official Website |
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