UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 :- The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the detailed notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. This is a golden opportunity for passionate young men and women aspiring to serve the nation as commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
Through the UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026, a total of 451 vacancies will be filled across prestigious academies including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Eligible graduates can submit their applications online starting from May 20, 2026, until June 9, 2026. Read below for detailed insights on eligibility, selection process, exam pattern, and application procedures.
| UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 – Overview | |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 CDS-II, 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 Posts |
| Service Academy Choices | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA (Chennai) |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Application Mode | Online via UPSC Portal |
Vacancy Details for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
The table below provides a comprehensive distribution of the 451 approximate vacancies across various training courses commencing in 2027:
| S.No. | Name of the Course / Academy | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun – 163rd (DE) Course commencing in July 2027 | 100 (including 13 reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders) |
| 2 | Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala – Course commencing in July 2027 Executive Branch | 26 (including 6 reserved for NCC ‘C’ Naval Certificate holders and 1 for Hydro) |
| 3 | Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad – Pre-Flying Training Course commencing in July 2027 | 32 (including 3 reserved for NCC ‘C’ Air Certificate holders) |
| 4 | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – 126th SSC (Men) (NT) Course commencing in Oct 2027 | 275 |
| 5 | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – 126th SSC Women (NT) Course commencing in Oct 2027 | 18 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 | |
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
To apply for the UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026, candidates must satisfy the nationality criteria. A candidate must either be a Citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Educational Qualification for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
The educational prerequisites differ based on the service academy preferred by the candidate:
- For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai: Degree of a recognized University or equivalent.
- For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Degree in Engineering or a B.Sc. with Physics as a core/elective subject from a recognized University/Institution (with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level).
- For Air Force Academy (AFA): Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E./B.Tech).
Note: Candidates studying in the final year/semester of their graduation are also eligible to apply provisionally.
Age Limit, Sex, and Marital Status for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
Only unmarried candidates are eligible. Specific birth date windows are outlined as follows (based on the course commencement date of July 1, 2027):
- For IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2003, and not later than July 1, 2008.
- For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2003, and not later than July 1, 2008.
- For Air Force Academy (AFA): Candidates aged 20 to 24 years as on July 1, 2027 (born not earlier than July 2, 2003, and not later than July 1, 2007). The upper age limit is relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India).
- For Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – SSC Men Course): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2008.
- For Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – SSC Women Non-Technical Course): Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried, and issueless divorcees who have not remarried, born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2008.
Application Fees for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
Candidates need to pay the application fee through online modes (Net Banking, Visa/Master/Rupay Debit or Credit card, or UPI payment):
- General / OBC / EWS Candidates: Rs. 200/- (Rupees Two Hundred Only)
- SC / ST / All Female Candidates: Fee Exempted (No Fee)
Selection Process for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
The recruitment process consists of the following consecutive stages:
- Written Examination: An objective-type offline test. For IMA, INA, and AFA, the exam contains English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. For OTA, the exam contains English and General Knowledge only.
- SSB Interview / Personality Test: Candidates qualifying the written exam undergo a two-stage Intelligence and Personality Test conducted over 4 days at selection centres.
- Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by the SSB undergo a thorough medical evaluation.
- Document Verification: Original certificates are verified post qualification.
How to Apply for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
Candidates must apply online through the official recruitment portal of the Union Public Service Commission. Follow these steps to complete the application:
- Visit the official UPSC online application portal: https://upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the Universal Registration Number (URN) profile if you are registering for the first time. If already registered, log in to your account.
- Fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) carefully, providing all the requested personal, educational, and communication details.
- Complete the Live Photo Capture process and upload a scanned copy of your signature as per the specifications.
- Select your preferred exam centre from the list of available examination locations.
- Pay the requisite application fee of Rs. 200/- (if applicable) through online payment modes.
- Submit the final application form and download/print the confirmation page along with the system-generated Application Number for future reference.
Important Links for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
| Link Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification | Download Notification |
| Apply Online Link | Click Here to Apply |
| Official UPSC Website | Visit Website |
Important Dates for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
| Event | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Date of Official Notification Release | May 20, 2026 |
| Start Date for Online Applications | May 20, 2026 |
| Last Date for Submission of Online Application | June 9, 2026 (until 6:00 PM) |
| Date of CDS-II Written Examination | September 13, 2026 |
| Declaration of Written Exam Results (Tentative) | October 2026 |
Key Takeaways for Candidates
- Ensure that your One-Time Registration (OTR/URN) profile is correct. Only a one-time edit facility is provided.
- Using an Aadhaar Card as the ID document is highly recommended for seamless verification.
- No withdrawal or correction of the application form is permitted once the application is submitted.
- Carry the same Photo ID card that you register in your application to the examination hall.
- Candidates must use a black ball pen only for marking answers on the OMR sheet. Pens of other colors are strictly forbidden.
Final Thoughts on UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
The UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 stands as one of the most prominent gateways for graduates seeking a prestigious and adventurous career in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Since the competition is highly challenging, candidates are advised to prepare diligently in General Knowledge, English, and Elementary Mathematics. Make sure to complete the online application process before the last date, June 9, 2026, to avoid last-minute server congestion. Prepare well, stay physically active, and take the first step towards wearing the honorable uniform!
Download Official Notification