The wait is finally over for candidates aspiring to join the defence sector! The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill 451 prestigious vacancies across various defence academies, including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA).

If you dream of donning the uniform and serving the nation as a commissioned officer, this comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know—from eligibility criteria and important dates to the selection process and common mistakes you should avoid.

1. UPSC CDS 2 2026 Notification Overview

2. Important Dates to Remember

3. Vacancy Distribution by Academy

4. Eligibility Criteria: Can You Apply?

5. Educational Qualifications

6. Selection Process Breakdown

7. Written Examination Pattern & Syllabus

8. How to Apply Online

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

UPSC CDS 2 2026 Notification Overview

The CDS 2 2026 examination is a gateway for graduates to join the Indian Armed Forces. Below is a snapshot of the recruitment notification:

Feature	Details
Organization	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name	Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026
Total Vacancies	451 Posts
Stipend During Training	Rs. 56,100/- per month (Level 10)
Job Location	Across India
Selection Mode	Written Exam + SSB + Medical
Official Website	upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in

Important Dates to Remember

Timing is crucial when applying for UPSC examinations. Ensure you mark these dates on your calendar to avoid the last-minute rush:

Date of Notification: May 20, 2026
Application Window: May 20, 2026, to June 9, 2026 (up to 6:00 PM)
e-Admit Card Download: Last working day of the week preceding the exam
Date of Written Examination: September 13, 2026
Written Result (Tentative): October 2026
SSB Interview Period: February to June 2027 (depending on the academy)
Course Commencement: July 2027 (IMA/INA/AFA) and October 2027 (OTA)

Vacancy Distribution by Academy

The 451 vacancies are distributed across five specific courses. Notably, women candidates are eligible only for the OTA SSC Women (NT) course.

Academy	Course Name	Vacancies
Indian Military Academy (IMA)	163rd (DE) Course	100
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro	26
Air Force Academy (AFA)	222 F(P) Course	32
Officers' Training Academy (OTA) - Men	126th SSC (Men) (NT)	275
Officers' Training Academy (OTA) - Women	126th SSC Women (NT)	18
Total		451

Note: Vacancies for NCC 'C' certificate holders are reserved within IMA, INA, and AFA seats.

Eligibility Criteria: Can You Apply?

UPSC maintains strict standards for age, nationality, and marital status. Male divorcees or widowers are not treated as unmarried and are ineligible for any of the courses.

Age Limit & Marital Status (As of July 1, 2027)

IMA: Unmarried males born between July 2, 2003, and July 1, 2008.
INA: Unmarried males born between July 2, 2003, and July 1, 2008.
AFA: 20 to 24 years. Born between July 2, 2003, and July 1, 2007 (upper age limit of 26 for valid commercial pilot licence holders).
OTA (Men): Unmarried males born between July 2, 2002, and July 1, 2008.
OTA (Women): Unmarried women, issueless widows, or issueless divorcees born between July 2, 2002, and July 1, 2008.

Educational Qualifications

Candidates in their final year/semester are eligible to apply, provided they can produce proof of passing by the dates prescribed for each academy in 2027.

1. For IMA & OTA: A degree from a recognised university or equivalent.

2. For INA: A degree in engineering OR a B.Sc. with physics as a core/elective subject (must have physics and maths at the 10+2 level).

3. For AFA: A degree from a recognised university with physics and mathematics at the 10+2 level OR a Bachelor of Engineering.

Important Physical Standard: Permanent body tattoos are only permitted on the inner face of the forearm or the back of the palm.

Selection Process Breakdown

The selection process is rigorous and designed to test both intellectual capacity and leadership traits.

1. Stage 1: Written Examination: An objective-type test conducted by UPSC.

2. Stage 2: SSB Interview: A two-stage process involving an Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR), Picture Perception (PP&DT), psychology tests, group tasks and a personal interview.

3. Stage 3: Medical Examination: Fitness assessment as per the Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards.

Written Examination Pattern & Syllabus

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions with negative marking (1/3 or 0.33 marks) for each incorrect answer.

For IMA, INA, and AFA:

English: 100 Marks (2 Hours)
General Knowledge: 100 Marks (2 Hours)
Elementary Mathematics: 100 Marks (2 Hours)
Total: 300 Marks

For OTA (Men & Women):

English: 100 Marks (2 Hours)
General Knowledge: 100 Marks (2 Hours)
Total: 200 Marks

Syllabus Focus: English testing covers the workmanlike use of words; General Knowledge focuses on current events and everyday science; Mathematics is based on the Matriculation (Class X) standard.

How to Apply Online

Candidates must apply through the UPSC Online Portal only.

1. Universal Registration (URN): Create a one-time profile valid for all UPSC exams for a lifetime.

2. Fill Application: Complete the examination-specific module for CDS 2 2026.

3. Upload Documents: You will need a scanned photograph, a signature (signed three times on white paper with black ink), and a photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.).

4. Pay Fee: Rs. 200/- for general/OBC/EWS males. Female and SC/ST candidates are exempted from payment.

5. Centre Selection: Centres are allotted on a "first-apply-first-allot" basis. Apply early to secure your preferred city.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many candidates lose their chance due to technical errors. Be mindful of these:

Wrong AFA Preference: If you want AFA, it must be your first choice; placing it second or third is invalid.
Date of Birth Errors: The DOB entered in the application must match your matriculation certificate. It cannot be changed later.
Multiple Signatures: You must scan a sheet where you have signed three times (one below the other).
Army Registration: If you clear the written exam for IMA/OTA, you must register on joinindianarmy.nic.in using the same email address.