Name of Post :
UPSC Combined Defence Service CDS II Recruitment 2026
Post Date/ Update :
16 /September/ 2026
Short Information :
UPSC Combined Defence Service CDS II Recruitment 2026 is a national-level recruitment examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the selection of eligible candidates for various courses in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers' Training Academy (OTA). Eligible candidates can apply online as per the prescribed schedule. The selection process generally includes a Written Examination, SSB Interview/Personality Test and Medical Examination. Candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully before applying and regularly check the official UPSC website for the latest updates regarding the application form, admit card, examination, result and other recruitment details.
Important Dates
- Application Begin : 20/05/2026
- Last Date for Apply Online : 11/06/2026
- Pay Exam Fee Last Date : 11/06/2026
- Correction Date : As per Schedule
- Exam Date : 13/09/2026
- Admit Card Available : 03/09/2026
- Answer Key Available : 16/09/2026
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS : 200/-
- SC / ST / Female : 0/-
- Payment Mode : Pay the Examination Fee Through Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking or Pay the Exam Fee Through E Challan.
UPSC CDS II Eligibility 2026
- For IMA & OTA : Bachelor Degree in Any Stream.
- For Naval Academy : Bachelor Degree in Engineering.
- For Airforce : Bachelor Degree in Any Stream with Physics & Math at 10+2 Level.
CDS 2 Age Limit as on 01/07/2027
- Minimum Age : 20 Years
- Maximum Age : 24 Years
- Post Wise Age Details : Read the Official Notification.
- Age Relaxation : Extra as per Rules.
UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 : Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Total Post |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | 293 |
How to Fill CDS II Exam Notification 2026 Online Form
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued the Combined Defence Services CDS II Recruitment 2026 notification and invited online application forms. Candidates can apply online from 20/05/2026 to 11/06/2026.
- Candidate Read the Notification Before Apply the UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 Application Form for UPSC Latest Defence Vacancies 2026.
- Kindly Check and Collect All Documents – Eligibility, ID Proof, Address Details, Basic Details.
- Kindly Ready Scan Documents Related to Recruitment Form – Photo, Sign, ID Proof, Etc.
- Before Submit the Application Form, Must Check the Preview and All Columns Carefully.
- If Candidate is Required to Pay the Application Fee, Must Submit It. If You Have Not Paid the Required Application Fees, Your Form is Not Completed.
- Take A Print Out of Final Submitted Form.
Interested Candidates Can Read the Full Notification Before Apply Online
SOME USEFUL IMPORTANT LINKS
| Download Answer Key | English | General Knowledge | Elementary Mathematics |
| Download Admit Card | Click Here |
| Download Exam Schedule | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | UPSC Official Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is UPSC Combined Defence Service CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) II Recruitment 2026 is a national-level examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
Q2. When did the UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 application form start?
Answer: The UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 application form started on 20/05/2026.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The last date to apply online for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 was 11/06/2026.
Q4. When was the UPSC CDS II 2026 examination conducted?
Answer: The UPSC CDS II 2026 written examination was conducted on 13/09/2026. Official UPSC
Q5. How many vacancies are available in UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: A total of 451 tentative vacancies are available across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.
Q6. What is the educational qualification for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: For IMA and OTA, candidates need a Bachelor's Degree in any stream. For Indian Naval Academy, a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering is required. For Air Force Academy, candidates need a Bachelor's Degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or an Engineering degree.
Q7. What is the age limit for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The general age range is around 20 to 24 years, with post-wise age requirements varying by academy. Candidates should read the official notification for exact age criteria.
Q8. What is the application fee for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The application fee is ₹200/- for General, OBC and EWS candidates, while SC, ST and Female candidates are exempted from the fee.
Q9. What is the selection process for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The selection process generally includes the Written Examination, Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview/Personality Test and Medical Examination, followed by the final merit process.
Q10. When was the UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2026 released?
Answer: The UPSC CDS II 2026 Admit Card was made available on 03/09/2026.
Q11. When was the UPSC CDS II 2026 Answer Key released?
Answer: The UPSC CDS II 2026 Answer Key was made available on 16/09/2026 for subjects including English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.
Q12. Which subjects are included in the UPSC CDS II written examination?
Answer: Candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA have English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, while OTA candidates have English and General Knowledge.
Q13. Are female candidates eligible for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: Yes, female candidates are eligible for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) entry, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.
Q14. How can I download the UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2026?
Answer: Candidates can download the UPSC CDS II Admit Card through the official UPSC online portal using their required login details.
Q15. How can I check the UPSC CDS II Answer Key 2026?
Answer: Candidates can check and download the CDS II Answer Key from the official UPSC website after its release.
Q16. What are the posts/courses available under UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The recruitment provides admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
Q17. How can I apply for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: Eligible candidates could apply online through the official UPSC online application portal during the prescribed application period.
Q18. Where can I get the latest UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 updates?
Answer: Candidates should regularly visit the official UPSC website for the latest updates regarding the admit card, answer key, result, SSB interview and other recruitment information.
Q1. What is UPSC Combined Defence Service CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) II Recruitment 2026 is a national-level examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
Q2. When did the UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 application form start?
Answer: The UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 application form started on 20/05/2026.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The last date to apply online for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 was 11/06/2026.
Q4. When was the UPSC CDS II 2026 examination conducted?
Answer: The UPSC CDS II 2026 written examination was conducted on 13/09/2026. Official UPSC
Q5. How many vacancies are available in UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: A total of 451 tentative vacancies are available across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.
Q6. What is the educational qualification for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: For IMA and OTA, candidates need a Bachelor's Degree in any stream. For Indian Naval Academy, a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering is required. For Air Force Academy, candidates need a Bachelor's Degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or an Engineering degree.
Q7. What is the age limit for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The general age range is around 20 to 24 years, with post-wise age requirements varying by academy. Candidates should read the official notification for exact age criteria.
Q8. What is the application fee for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The application fee is ₹200/- for General, OBC and EWS candidates, while SC, ST and Female candidates are exempted from the fee.
Q9. What is the selection process for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The selection process generally includes the Written Examination, Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview/Personality Test and Medical Examination, followed by the final merit process.
Q10. When was the UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2026 released?
Answer: The UPSC CDS II 2026 Admit Card was made available on 03/09/2026.
Q11. When was the UPSC CDS II 2026 Answer Key released?
Answer: The UPSC CDS II 2026 Answer Key was made available on 16/09/2026 for subjects including English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.
Q12. Which subjects are included in the UPSC CDS II written examination?
Answer: Candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA have English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, while OTA candidates have English and General Knowledge.
Q13. Are female candidates eligible for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: Yes, female candidates are eligible for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) entry, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.
Q14. How can I download the UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2026?
Answer: Candidates can download the UPSC CDS II Admit Card through the official UPSC online portal using their required login details.
Q15. How can I check the UPSC CDS II Answer Key 2026?
Answer: Candidates can check and download the CDS II Answer Key from the official UPSC website after its release.
Q16. What are the posts/courses available under UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: The recruitment provides admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
Q17. How can I apply for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026?
Answer: Eligible candidates could apply online through the official UPSC online application portal during the prescribed application period.
Q18. Where can I get the latest UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 updates?
Answer: Candidates should regularly visit the official UPSC website for the latest updates regarding the admit card, answer key, result, SSB interview and other recruitment information.