✅ Notification Out | Apply Now – Direct Link Below ⬇️
📢 UPSC CDS-II Online Form 2026 – 451 Posts | Apply Now
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 under Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II on 20 May 2026. A total of 451 vacancies are announced for recruitment into IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. Graduate candidates can apply online from 20 May to 9 June 2026. Written Exam: 13 September 2026. 🪖🎖️
📅 Post Date: 20 May 2026 | ⌛ Last Date: 09 June 2026 | 📝 Exam: 13 Sep 2026
🔍 Short Details / Overview
| Commission | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II, 2026 |
| Notice No. | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Total Vacancies | 451 Posts |
| Notification Released | 20 May 2026 |
| Apply Start | 20 May 2026 ✅ |
| Apply Last Date | 09 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Written Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| SSB Interview | After Written Result |
| Course Commencement (IMA/INA/AFA) | July 2027 |
| Course Commencement (OTA) | October 2027 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in | upsconline.nic.in |
💳 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹ 200/- |
| SC / ST Candidates | NIL (Exempted) |
| All Female Candidates | NIL (Exempted) |
| Sons of JCOs / NCOs / ORs (entitled) | NIL (Exempted) |
| Payment Mode | Online – Net Banking / Visa / MasterCard / RuPay / UPI / SBI Cash |
⚠️ OBC and EWS male candidates are NOT exempted. Fee once paid is non-refundable.
📊 UPSC CDS II 2026 Vacancy Details – 451 Posts
| Academy | Course | Vacancies | For Whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 156th Course (Jan 2027) | 100 | Men |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | INAC 51st Course | 26 | Men |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal | 221st Course / 99 AOP | 32 | Men |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | 122nd SSC (NT) Men | 275 | Men |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | 36th SSC (NT) Women | 18 | Women |
| Total | 451 | Men + Women | |
📌 IMA, INA, AFA → Permanent Commission | OTA → Short Service Commission (SSC)
🎂 Age Limit
| Academy | Age Limit | Date of Birth Range |
|---|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 19–25 Years | 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | 19–25 Years | 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | 20–26 Years (Pilot); 20–25 (Gr-I) | 02 Jan 2001 – 01 Jan 2007 (Pilot) |
| OTA (Men & Women) | 19–25 Years | 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 |
⚠️ Only Unmarried candidates eligible for IMA, INA, AFA. OTA (Women) – Unmarried/Widow/Divorcee without children also eligible.
🎓 Educational Qualification
| Academy | Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| IMA (Army) | Degree from a recognised University or equivalent |
| OTA – Men & Women | Degree from a recognised University or equivalent |
| INA (Navy) | B.E. / B.Tech in specified engineering disciplines OR B.Sc. (Physics + Maths) for Executive branch |
| AFA (Air Force) | Degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2 OR B.E./B.Tech |
✅ Final-year degree students can also apply provisionally. Degree must be completed by the course commencement date.
🇮🇳 Nationality: Indian Citizen / Subject of Nepal / Bhutan / Tibetan refugee (settled before 01 Jan 1962) / PIO from specified countries.
🎯 CDS-II 2026 Selection Process
- 1️⃣ Written Examination – Offline (Pen-and-Paper) | 13 September 2026
- 2️⃣ SSB Interview (5 Days) – Intelligence & Personality Test at Services Selection Boards
- 3️⃣ Medical Examination – At designated Military Hospitals after SSB recommendation
- 4️⃣ Document Verification
- 5️⃣ Final Merit List – Combined Written + SSB Score (Medical fit candidates only)
SSB Centres: Allahabad, Bhopal, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Kapurthala, Mysore, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Kolkata, Varanasi, Visakhapatnam.
📝 CDS-II 2026 Written Exam Pattern
For IMA / INA / AFA (3 Papers):
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-II | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-III | Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total (IMA/INA/AFA) | 300 Marks | 6 Hours | |
For OTA – Men & Women (2 Papers):
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-II | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total (OTA) | 200 Marks | 4 Hours | |
- ❌ Negative Marking: 1/3 marks deducted for each wrong answer
- 📝 Mode: Offline Pen-and-Paper (OMR)
- 🗣️ Language: Bilingual (Hindi & English) except English paper
📚 CDS-II 2026 Syllabus Highlights
| Subject | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| English | Spotting Errors, Sentence Arrangement, Synonyms, Antonyms, Reading Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks, Cloze Test |
| General Knowledge | Current Events, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economy, Defence, Sports, Books-Authors |
| Elementary Mathematics | Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics (up to Class 10 level) |
💰 Salary After Commissioning – CDS-II 2026
| Rank | Pay Level | Basic Pay | In-Hand (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant (Army / Navy equivalent) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹80,000–1,00,000+ |
| Flying Officer (Air Force) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹85,000–1,05,000+ |
✅ Additional: Military Service Pay (MSP) ₹15,500/mo + DA + HRA + Transport + Medical + Free Accommodation + CSD Canteen + Army Group Insurance + LTC.
💻 How to Apply for UPSC CDS-II 2026
- 🌐 Visit: upsconline.nic.in or upsc.gov.in
- 📝 Complete One Time Registration (OTR) if not done earlier
- 🔑 Login using Registration ID and Password
- 🖱️ Click on "Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC"
- 📋 Fill Part-I: Personal details, education, service preference (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA)
- 💳 Pay fee of ₹200 via Net Banking / Debit-Credit Card / UPI / SBI cash
- 📤 Fill Part-II: Upload photo, signature, choose exam centre
- ✅ Submit and note down the Application Number
- 🖨️ Download and print the final application form
⚠️ Exam centre allotment is on a first-apply-first-allot basis. Popular centres fill up quickly. Apply early!
⚠️ No changes can be made after form submission. Double-check all details before submitting.
❓ FAQs – UPSC CDS-II Online Form 2026
Q1. How many vacancies are in UPSC CDS-II 2026?
A: 451 posts – IMA (100), INA (26), AFA (32), OTA Men (275), OTA Women (18). 📊
Q2. What is the last date to apply for CDS-II 2026?
A: 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM) at upsconline.nic.in. ⌛
Q3. When is CDS-II 2026 written exam?
A: 13 September 2026. 📅
Q4. Can women apply for CDS-II 2026?
A: Yes, women can apply for OTA (36th SSC Women Non-Technical Course) – 18 vacancies. ✅
Q5. What is the application fee for CDS-II 2026?
A: ₹200 for General/OBC/EWS Male. Free for SC/ST/Women/Sons of JCOs. 💳
Q6. Is Maths paper required for OTA?
A: No. OTA candidates only need to appear for English + GK (2 papers, 200 marks). ✅
Q7. What is the age limit for CDS-II 2026?
A: Generally 19–25 years for IMA/INA/OTA. AFA – 20–26 years (Pilot). 🎂
Q8. When does the IMA course start?
A: IMA / INA / AFA courses commence in July 2027. OTA course: October 2027. 🎓
💡 Preparation Tips for CDS-II 2026
- 📰 Read The Hindu / Indian Express daily for GK & Current Affairs
- 📐 Revise Class 9–10 Maths (NCERT) for Elementary Mathematics
- 📖 Practice English grammar – Spotting errors, comprehension
- 📝 Solve Previous 10 years CDS papers for pattern understanding
- ⏱️ Practise under timed conditions – 1/3 negative marking needs accuracy
- 🪖 Study Defence Current Affairs – Army, Navy, Air Force news, exercises, awards
- 🏃 Maintain physical fitness for SSB – aim: 2.4 km in 15 min, push-ups, chin-ups
- 🧠 Work on SSB OLQ (Officer Like Qualities) – leadership, communication, decision-making
✨ Apply: 20 May – 09 June 2026 | 451 Posts | Exam: 13 Sep 2026 ⬇️
