Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official Combined Defence Services (CDS) II 2026 notification, inviting eligible Indian candidates to apply online for 451 vacancies across the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This is a Central Government permanent job with a monthly salary of ₹56,100–₹1,77,500. The last date to submit the online application is 09 June 2026.
The UPSC CDS II 2026 examination is a highly competitive gateway for aspiring officers to join the prestigious defence forces of India. Last year, over 2 lakh candidates applied for a similar number of vacancies, highlighting the intense competition. Success in this exam not only offers a distinguished career with immense respect and responsibility but also provides excellent opportunities for career growth, skill development, and leadership training. The rigorous selection process ensures that only the most capable and dedicated individuals are chosen to serve the nation.
The selection process for UPSC CDS II 2026 involves a written examination followed by an intelligence and personality test. Candidates who successfully clear the written exam will be called for the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview. The entire process is designed to assess the candidates' academic knowledge, physical fitness, mental aptitude, and leadership qualities. The timeline from application to final joining typically spans several months, requiring patience and perseverance from the applicants.
| Event | Important Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Fee Payment | 09 June 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | Not Applicable (as per source) |
| Admit Card Release Date | To Be Announced (approx. 2-3 weeks before exam) |
| Exam Date | 18 August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Result Declaration | To Be Announced (after exam and SSB) |
The total number of vacancies for CDS II 2026 is 451 posts, distributed as follows:
| Academy / Course | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 | 54 | 30 | 15 | 21 | 220 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 22 | 12 | 07 | 03 | 06 | 50 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) - Flying Branch | 32 | 17 | 09 | 05 | 07 | 70 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) - Ground Duty (Technical) | 10 | 05 | 03 | 02 | 03 | 23 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) - Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 10 | 05 | 03 | 02 | 03 | 23 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai - SSC Men | 37 | 20 | 11 | 06 | 06 | 80 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai - SSC Women (Non-Technical) | 08 | 04 | 02 | 01 | 01 | 16 |
| Total | 219 | 117 | 62 | 34 | 47 | 451 |
Candidates must hold a Degree of Bachelor of Arts / Science / Commerce of a recognised University or equivalent.
Nationality: Must be a citizen of India. Candidates belonging to certain categories are eligible subject to specific conditions mentioned in the notification.
Physical Standards: Candidates must be physically fit according to the physical standards prescribed for admission to CDS examination. Detailed medical examination will be conducted by the Armed Forces Medical Services.
Candidates selected for CDS II 2026 will be placed at Pay Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) pay matrix.
In addition to the salary, officers are entitled to various perks and benefits including accommodation, leave travel concession, canteen facilities, and opportunities for further education and training.
| Candidate Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200/- |
| SC / ST Candidates | Free |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Free |
| PwD (Persons with Disability) | Free |
| Ex-Servicemen | Free |
| Accepted Payment Modes | Cash at SBI Branch, Net Banking, Credit Card |
The selection of candidates for CDS II 2026 will be done through a multi-stage process:
A final merit list will be prepared based on the aggregate marks obtained in the written examination and the SSB interview, considering the vacancies available for each service.
| Paper | Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | English | 100 | 2 Hours | Yes |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours | Yes |
| Paper III | Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours | Yes |
| Total for IMA/INA/AFA | 300 | 6 Hours | Yes | |
| Paper I | English | 100 | 2 Hours | Yes |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours | Yes |
| Total for OTA | 200 | 4 Hours | Yes | |
English: Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, usage, and other aspects of English language.
General Knowledge: Current events of national and international importance, history of India, geography, political science, economics, basic science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), etc.
Mathematics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Statistics.
Follow these steps to fill the CDS II 2026 online application form before the last date:
⚠️ Pro Tip from our experts: Apply well in advance of the deadline. Government portals often experience high traffic and technical glitches in the final days, which can lead to failed submissions. Ensure all details are accurate before final submission.
Keep the following documents ready (scanned copies in JPEG/PDF format) before you start the application:
| Apply Online | 🚀 Apply Now |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here ↗ |
| Official Website | Click Here ↗ |
The last date to apply online for the UPSC CDS 2 2026 examination is 09 June 2026. Candidates are advised to complete their application process well before this deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.
Selected candidates for UPSC CDS 2 2026 will be placed in Pay Level 10 of the 7th CPC, with a salary ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month. This includes basic pay, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and Transport Allowance.
For UPSC CDS 2 2026, the age limit is a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 24 years as on 01 January 2027. Specific age relaxations apply for IMA/INA and OTA entries as per government rules.
To apply online for UPSC CDS 2 2026, visit the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in), click on the 'Apply Online' link for CDS II 2026, complete Part I registration, upload documents in Part II registration, pay the fee, and submit the form.
The selection process for UPSC CDS 2 2026 involves a written examination conducted by UPSC, followed by an Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB Interview) for shortlisted candidates. Finally, a medical examination is conducted.
Yes, there is an application fee of ₹200/- for General, OBC, and EWS candidates for UPSC CDS 2 2026. However, SC/ST candidates, Female candidates, and Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from paying the application fee.
Required documents for UPSC CDS 2 2026 include 10th/12th certificates, degree certificates, mark sheets, caste certificates (if applicable), EWS certificate (if applicable), fee payment receipt, photograph, and signature as per specifications.
The educational qualification for UPSC CDS 2 2026 is a Bachelor's degree in any discipline for IMA/INA/OTA. For Air Force Academy Flying Branch, 10+2 with Physics and Maths is required. For AFA Ground Duty, an Engineering degree is needed.
The admit card for the UPSC CDS 2 2026 examination is expected to be released approximately 2-3 weeks before the exam date. Candidates can download it from the official UPSC website once it is available.
The result for the UPSC CDS 2 2026 examination will be declared after the written exam and the SSB interview process are completed. The exact date will be announced by UPSC on their official website.