The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the recruitment notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. This examination provides a prestigious path for university graduates to join the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers across the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings.
Below are the complete details regarding eligibility criteria, academy-wise vacancies, important dates, and step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
### UPSC CDS (II) 2026 Recruitment Overview
- Organization: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Exam Name: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026
- Total Vacancies: 400+ (Approx.)
- Job Category: Central Government / Defence Sector
- Application Mode: Online Only
### Important Dates
Candidates must complete their online registration within the schedule specified below:
| Event | Schedule |
| Date of Notification | May 20, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | June 9, 2026 |
| Date of Written Examination | September 13, 2026 |
### Academy-Wise Vacancy Details
Vacancies are distributed across the following elite training academies:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
- Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
- Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad
- Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men)
- Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women)
### Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification
- For IMA & OTA: Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent institution.
- For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Must hold a Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution.
- For Air Force Academy (AFA): Must hold a Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR a Bachelor of Engineering.
- Note: Candidates studying in the final year of their degree course are also eligible to apply provisionally.
2. Marital Status & Gender
- IMA, INA, and AFA: Only Unmarried Male candidates are eligible.
- OTA (Men): Unmarried Male candidates.
- OTA (Women): Unmarried Women, issueless widows who have not remarried, and issueless divorcees who have not remarried.
### Selection Scheme & Exam Pattern
The selection methodology consists of a highly competitive two-stage process:
Stage 1: Written Examination
The written test features multiple-choice objective questions. The pattern varies depending on the academies chosen:
For IMA, INA, and AFA Admission:
- English: 100 Marks (Duration: 2 Hours)
- General Knowledge: 100 Marks (Duration: 2 Hours)
- Elementary Mathematics: 100 Marks (Duration: 2 Hours)
- Total: 300 Marks
For Officers Training Academy (OTA) Admission:
- English: 100 Marks (Duration: 2 Hours)
- General Knowledge: 100 Marks (Duration: 2 Hours)
- Total: 200 Marks
- Negative Marking: Penalty marking applies for incorrect responses in the objective test papers.
Stage 2: Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB Interview)
Candidates who clear the written cut-off threshold will receive invitations to report at designated service selection boards for a 5-day SSB interview process involving psychological tests, group discussions, and outdoor activities.
### Application Fees
- General / OBC / EWS (Male Candidates): ₹200/-
- Female, SC, and ST Candidates: NIL (Exempted)
- Fees can be paid securely online via net banking, credit/debit cards, or UPI payment gateways.
### How to Apply for UPSC CDS (II) 2026
All eligible aspirants must register through the commission’s unified online platform:
- Visit the Portal: Go directly to the official UPSC application portal: https://upsconline.nic.in.
- One-Time Registration (OTR): If you are a first-time applicant, complete your profile under the One-Time Registration module to obtain your permanent lifetime Universal Registration Number (URN). If already registered, simply log in using your OTR credentials.
- Fill Exam-Specific Form: Access the active link for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 under your dashboard.
- Academy Preferences: Complete your application form carefully and lock in your order of preference for the training academies (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA).
- Upload Documents: Upload your scanned photograph, signature, and an identity proof document according to the required size specifications.
- Application Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment of ₹200/- (if applicable).
- Submit Form: Review your inputs via the preview panel, submit the form, and note down your unique examination Application Number generated by the system.
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