UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 Notification released for 451 vacancies in IMA, INA, Air Force Academy and OTA. Check eligibility, age limit, salary, exam pattern, application fee, important dates, selection process and apply online before 09 June 2026.
Advertising no. :- 11/2026-CDS-II
Introduction:
The Union Public Service Commission has released the official notice for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. This exam is conducted twice a year at a national level to recruit eligible unmarried male and female candidates as Commissioned Officers into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy. Interested candidates who fulfill the eligibility conditions can apply through the official online registration portal within the given timeline.
- For more updates, stay connected with www.sarkarimission.in
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026- Overview:
organization name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
post name | Commissioned Officers |
post type | Permanent Commission / Short Service Commission |
application mode | Online |
application fees | Rs. 200 (Female, SC, and ST candidates are completely exempted from fee payment. No exemption for OBC and EWS candidates). |
No Of Vacancy | Total 451 vacancies |
education qualification | * For Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers' Training Academy (OTA): Degree of a recognized University or equivalent. * For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Degree in Engineering or B.Sc. with Physics as core/elective subject (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level). * For Air Force Academy (AFA): Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering. |
selection process | Written Examination followed by Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB Interview) and Medical Examination. |
age limit | * Indian Military Academy (IMA): 19 to 24 years * Indian Naval Academy (INA): 19 to 24 years * Air Force Academy (AFA): 20 to 24 years (relaxable up to 26 years for valid Commercial Pilot License holders)
|
salary | Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 2,50,000 per month (Starts at Level 10 Pay Matrix for Lieutenant rank along with other admissible allowances like Dearness Allowance, MSP, and Transport Allowance). |
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026- Important Dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 June 2026 (Till 06:00 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | As per UPSC Schedule |
| Admit Card Release Date | Last working day of the week preceding the exam |
| Written Examination Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Written Result Declaration | Expected October–November 2026 |
| SSB Interview Schedule | February–June 2027 (depending on academy/course) |
| Final Result | After completion of SSB & Medical Examination |
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026-wise Vacancy & Pay Level Details:
| Academy / Course | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA Men) | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA Women) | 18 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026- Exam Pattern:
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 300 | 6 Hours |
Officers Training Academy (OTA)
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 200 | 4 Hours |
Exam Highlights:
- Mode: Offline (OMR Based)
- Question Type: Objective (MCQ)
- Negative Marking: 1/3 Marks Deducted
- Mathematics: Only for IMA, INA & AFA
- SSB Interview after Written Exam ✔️
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026- Important Direct Link:
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026- Exam Tips Preparation:
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly review the complete syllabus for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics to understand the weightage of different topics.
- Manage Your Time: Practice solving past exam papers within the specified time limits to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Improve English Skills: Focus on reading comprehension, basic vocabulary, and standard grammar usage to score high in the English section.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Read newspapers daily and keep track of national and international events, defense updates, history, and geography for the General Knowledge paper.
- Avoid Guesswork: Since there is a penalty for incorrect answers, only mark answers you are confident about to minimize negative marking.
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026- How To Apply?
- Go to the official online application website of the commission at [https://upsconline.nic.in](https://upsconline.nic.in).
- Create your account and complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process to generate your Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Log in with your credentials and complete the Common Application Form (CAF) by filling in your basic personal and communication details.
- Provide details of a valid photo identity card such as an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter Card, Passport, or Driving License.
- Complete the live photo capture module, upload a scanned copy of your signature in black ink, and upload your passport-size photograph according to the official instructions.
- Fill out the Examination Specific module, select your examination center preferences, and select your preferred defense services in order of priority.
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 200 through net banking, card payment, or UPI (if you are not exempted from the fee).
- Review all the details carefully, submit your online application form, and save your generated Application Number along with the URN for future use.
BSNL Junior Telecom Officer Vacancy 2026- FAQs?
Question 1: Can final-year graduation students apply for the UPSC CDS II 2026 exam?
Answer: Yes, candidates who are studying in the final year or semester of their degree course and have yet to pass the final degree examination can apply provisionally, provided they can produce proof of passing by the specified joining dates.
Question 2: Is there a facility to modify or edit the application form after final submission?
Answer: No, candidates are not allowed to make any changes, additions, or modifications to the application form once it is submitted. However, a one-time edit facility is provided only for updating the Universal Registration Number (URN) profile.
Question 3: Who is exempted from paying the application fee for the examination?
Answer: All female candidates as well as candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are completely exempted from paying the examination fee.
Question 4: Can I use a pencil or a blue pen to mark my answers on the OMR sheet?
Answer: No, candidates must use a black ball pen only for both writing and marking answers on the OMR sheet. The use of pencils or pens of any other color is strictly prohibited.
Question 5: What is the penalty for marking a wrong answer in the objective test?
Answer: Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers. For every incorrect answer marked by a candidate in the objective type question papers, a fixed deduction will be applied as negative marking.
- For more updates, stay connected with www.sarkarimission.in
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