UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS II) 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially opened registrations for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS II) 2026. This prestigious national-level examination offers 451 vacancies for admission into elite military training institutions: the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). Eligible graduates, engineering professionals, and final-year students can apply online through the official UPSC portal. Selected candidates will undergo comprehensive military training and enter service as commissioned officers at a starting basic pay scale of ₹56,100 per month. The online application portal is currently active and will accept submissions until June 23, 2026.
451
Total Posts
Level 10 Pay Matrix — ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month (Basic starting pay as Lieutenant, plus applicable Military Service Pay, Kit Maintenance, and DA allowances)
Salary
19–24
Age (yrs)
All India (Post-commissioning deployments across tactical formations)
Location
Timeline
20 May 2026
Detailed guidelines published on UPSC portal
20 May 2026
UPSC One Time Registration (OTR) link activated
23 Jun 2026
Portal window automatically locks at 6:00 PM exactly
24 Jun 2026 – 30 Jun 2026
7-day editing window for correcting any registration profile slips
6 Sept 2026
Offline pen-and-paper based exam scheduled across India
This is the latest stage announced so far — check the Updates tab for what's next.
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About This Notification
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. This recruitment drive offers a premier gateway for young, dynamic graduates to join the Indian Armed Forces as regular commissioned officers. With a total of 451 vacancies, the entries span across the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala), Air Force Academy (Hyderabad), and Officers Training Academy (Chennai) for both Men and Women (Non-Technical courses).
The selection process is highly competitive, comprising a rigorous Written Examination conducted by the UPSC, followed by intensive intelligence, personality, and psychological assessments at the Services Selection Board (SSB). Candidates meeting the stringent physical, medical, and educational standards must submit their single integrated profile through the UPSC online application system before the closing deadline on June 23, 2026.
Key Details
Organization
Union Public Service Commission
Department
Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force)
Exam Name
Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026
Total Posts
451
Job Location
All India (Post-commissioning deployments across tactical formations)
Selection Process
Stage 1: Written Examination (Objective MCQ format) → Stage 2: SSB Interview / Personality Test (Intelligence & Psychological Tests) → Stage 3: Strict Medical Examination (Appeals processed under special medical boards) → Stage 4: Final Merit List Integra
Official Website
https://upsc.gov.in
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Must be an unmarried citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin migrated from specified nations for permanent settlement.
Final Year Status
Candidates currently studying in their final year/semester of graduation are fully eligible to apply, provided they don't have backlogs and can submit proof of passing by the specified academy reporting date.
Physical Fitness Baseline
Must be in excellent physical condition. No tattoos on visible parts, matching body mass index (BMI) standards, and clear vision profiles (varies across Army, Navy, and AFA criteria).
Educational Qualification
- Indian Military Academy (IMA) & Officers Training Academy (OTA): Degree of a recognized University or equivalent qualification in any academic discipline.
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): Degree in Engineering (B.E. or B.Tech.) from a recognized University/Institution.
- Air Force Academy (AFA): Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR a Bachelor of Engineering/Technology degree.
Age Limit
General Category: 19–24 years
No standard caste-based age relaxations apply to UPSC CDS entries. Age eligibility limits vary precisely based on the specific institutional academy preferences:
- IMA & INA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2008.
- Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 years as of 1st July 2027 (Born not earlier than 2nd July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2007). Upper age limit stretchable up to 26 years for valid commercial pilot license holders issued by DGCA.
- OTA (Men & Women): Unmarried male or female candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2008.
Important Dates
Official Notification Release
20 May 2026
Detailed guidelines published on UPSC portal
Application Start Date
20 May 2026
UPSC One Time Registration (OTR) link activated
Last Date to Apply Online
23 Jun 2026
Portal window automatically locks at 6:00 PM exactly
Application Modification Window
24 Jun 2026 – 30 Jun 2026
7-day editing window for correcting any registration profile slips
E-Admit Card Download Availability
—
Released electronically ~3 weeks prior to the examination date
UPSC CDS II Written Exam Date
6 Sept 2026
Offline pen-and-paper based exam scheduled across India
| Event | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ✓Official Notification Release | 20 May 2026 | Detailed guidelines published on UPSC portal |
| ✓Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 | UPSC One Time Registration (OTR) link activated |
| ✓Last Date to Apply Online | 23 Jun 2026 | Portal window automatically locks at 6:00 PM exactly |
| ✓Application Modification Window | 24 Jun 2026 – 30 Jun 2026 | 7-day editing window for correcting any registration profile slips |
| E-Admit Card Download Availability | — | Released electronically ~3 weeks prior to the examination date |
| ✓UPSC CDS II Written Exam Date | 6 Sept 2026 | Offline pen-and-paper based exam scheduled across India |
Vacancy Breakup — Total: 451
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
100Pay Scale: ₹56,100 (Stipend during Cadet Training phase)
Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
32Pay Scale: ₹56,100 (Stipend during Cadet Training phase)
Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad
32Pay Scale: ₹56,100 (Stipend during Cadet Training phase)
Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — Men (Non-Tech)
250Pay Scale: ₹56,100 (Stipend during Cadet Training phase)
Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — Women (Non-Tech)
37Pay Scale: ₹56,100 (Stipend during Cadet Training phase)
| Post Name | Total | GEN | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | PH | Female | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ₹56,100 (Stipend during Cadet Training phase) |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ₹56,100 (Stipend during Cadet Training phase) |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ₹56,100 (Stipend during Cadet Training phase) |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — Men (Non-Tech) | 250 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ₹56,100 (Stipend during Cadet Training phase) |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — Women (Non-Tech) | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ₹56,100 (Stipend during Cadet Training phase) |
| Total | 451 |
Application Fee
Payment Mode: Online or Offline SBI Challan
Can be paid via net banking, cards, or by depositing cash at any SBI branch via Pay-by-Cash mode.
Written Examination — For IMA, INA, AFA — Exam Pattern
English (100 Marks), General Knowledge (100 Marks), Elementary Mathematics (100 Marks)
Questions
360
Marks
300
Duration
360 min
Negative
0.33
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (100 Marks), General Knowledge (100 Marks), Elementary Mathematics (100 Marks) | 360 | 300 | 360 min | 0.33 | offline |
Split into three individual 2-hour papers conducted on the same day. One-third mark deducted per mistake.
Written Examination — For Officers Training Academy — Exam Pattern
English (100 Marks), General Knowledge (100 Marks)
Questions
240
Marks
200
Duration
240 min
Negative
0.33
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (100 Marks), General Knowledge (100 Marks) | 240 | 200 | 240 min | 0.33 | offline |
OTA applicants skip the Elementary Mathematics paper completely.
SSB Interview Assessment — Exam Pattern
Stage I (OIR & PPDT) & Stage II (Psychological Tests, Group Tasks, and Personal Interview)
Marks
300
Negative
0
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage I (OIR & PPDT) & Stage II (Psychological Tests, Group Tasks, and Personal Interview) | — | 300 | — | 0 | offline |
Evaluated over 5 consecutive days at designated Military Selection Boards. Equal weightage to written exam totals.
Step 1: Create OTR Profile Configuration
Visit upsconline.nic.in and register yourself under the One Time Registration (OTR) database engine if not configured previously.
Step 2: Log In and Complete Part-I Registration
Access the active application link for CDS II 2026, select your targeted entry academies, rank your institutional preferences, and fill in your current residential/qualification records.
Step 3: Remit Application Fee
Pay the ₹200 fee using net banking, credit/debit instruments, or UPI. Skip this step if you qualify for an exemption.
Step 4: Upload Visual Documents and Select Center
Upload a scanned passport photograph, your signature file, and an officially recognized photo identity card PDF.
Step 5: Final Declaration and Submission Verification
Select your preferred test center based on availability, review your application summary, and click submit.
Latest Updates
20 May
2026
🔔 UPSC CDS II 2026 Registration Portal Opened
Detailed notification for 451 vacancies is now live. Online submissions are actively accepted on the upsconline framework until June 23, 2026.
Go To Application Form Portal LinkAbout the Examination Structure
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is structured bi-annually by the UPSC to short-list executive military leadership talents across the country. Candidates clearing the highly objective written tests do not get automatic admission; instead, they face the rigorous, multi-dimensional Services Selection Board (SSB) evaluation. The SSB uses behavioral science, situational stress challenges, and extensive interviews to find candidates with high Officer Like Qualities (OLQs), ensuring only top talent enters the armed forces.
Detailed Paper Syllabus Breakdown
- English: Evaluates functional vocabulary, sentence structural improvements, reading comprehension, spotting errors, antonym/synonym matrices, and ordering of words in sentences.
- General Knowledge: Encompasses exhaustive segments from current scientific progress, history of India, physical geography, dynamic geopolitical affairs, and underlying socio-economic structures.
- Elementary Mathematics: Includes Arithmetic, Number Systems, Algebra fundamentals, Trigonometry identities, Geometry, Mensuration formulas, and basic descriptive Statistics frameworks.
