UPSC CDS 2 Online Form 2026: The Union Public Service Commission has officially released the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS II) 2026 Notification under Advt No. 11/2026-CDS-II for 451 vacancies. Eligible candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree, B.Sc, or Engineering Degree can apply online before 09 June 2026.
Candidates interested in joining the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, or Officers Training Academy through CDS II 2026 should read the complete notification carefully before applying online.
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | CDS II Examination 2026 |
| Advertisement No. | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree / B.Sc / Engineering Degree |
| Job Location | All India |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 09 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Official Website | UPSC Official Website |
UPSC CDS 2 Vacancy 2026 Details
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
| Details | Information |
|---|
| Course | 163rd (DE) Course – July 2027 |
| Vacancies | 100 |
| Qualification | Degree from a Recognised University |
| Age Limit | 19 to 24 Years |
| Marital Status | Unmarried Male |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
| Details | Information |
|---|
| Course | Executive Branch Course – July 2027 |
| Vacancies | 26 |
| Qualification | Engineering Degree OR B.Sc with Physics & Mathematics |
| Age Limit | 19 to 24 Years |
| Marital Status | Unmarried Male |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad
| Details | Information |
|---|
| Course | 222 F(P) Pre-Flying Training Course |
| Vacancies | 32 |
| Qualification | Degree with Physics & Mathematics OR Engineering Degree |
| Age Limit | 20 to 24 Years |
| Marital Status | Unmarried Candidates |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
Officers Training Academy (OTA) – Men
| Details | Information |
|---|
| Course | 126th SSC (Men) (NT) Course |
| Vacancies | 275 |
| Qualification | Degree from Recognised University |
| Age Limit | 19 to 25 Years |
| Marital Status | Unmarried Male |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
Officers Training Academy (OTA) – Women
| Details | Information |
|---|
| Course | 126th SSC Women (NT) Course |
| Vacancies | 18 |
| Qualification | Degree from Recognised University |
| Age Limit | 19 to 25 Years |
| Eligible Candidates | Unmarried Women / Eligible Widows / Divorcees |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|
| Educational Qualification | Graduation / B.Sc / Engineering Degree |
| Nationality | Indian Citizen / Eligible Categories |
| Job Type | Defence Jobs |
| Application Mode | Online |
Selection Process
The UPSC CDS II 2026 Selection Process includes the following stages:
| Selection Stage | Details |
|---|
| Written Examination | Conducted by UPSC |
| SSB Interview | Intelligence & Personality Test |
| Medical Examination | Armed Forces Medical Standards |
| Final Merit List | Based on Written + SSB Marks |
Written Exam Pattern
For IMA / INA / AFA
| Subject | Marks |
|---|
| English | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 |
| Total | 300 |
For OTA
| Subject | Marks |
|---|
| English | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 100 |
| Total | 200 |
Negative Marking
- 1/3rd marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|
| General / OBC / EWS Male | ₹200/- |
| Female / SC / ST Candidates | Exempted |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 June 2026 |
| Last Time for Submission | 06:00 PM |
| Examination Date | 13 September 2026 |
Pay Scale & Training Details
| Academy | Training Duration |
|---|
| IMA | Approx. 18 Months |
| INA | Approx. 18 Months |
| AFA | Approx. 74 Weeks |
| OTA | Approx. 49 Weeks |
Salary Details
| Rank | Pay Scale |
|---|
| Lieutenant / Equivalent | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Military Service Pay | ₹15,500 per month |
| Training Stipend | ₹56,100 per month |
How to Apply for UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
Candidates can apply online by following these steps:
- Visit the UPSC Online Application Portal.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR).
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF).
- Upload photograph, signature, and required documents.
- Select preferred academy and exam centre.
- Pay the application fee online if applicable.
- Submit the form before the last date.
- Save and print the final application form for future reference.
Important Links
Other Important Information
| Topic | Details |
|---|
| Examination Notice No. | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Face Authentication | Mandatory |
| Mobile Phones | Strictly Prohibited |
| Exam Centres | 84 Centres Across India |
| NCC ‘C’ Certificate Reservation | Available |
| Commission Type | Permanent & Short Service Commission |
| Helpdesk Number | 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 |
| Email Support | upscsoap@nic.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026?
UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026 is a defence recruitment examination for admission into IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA academies.
Q2. How many vacancies are available?
There are a total of 451 vacancies available under CDS II 2026.
Q3. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application form is 09 June 2026.
Q4. What is the qualification required?
Candidates must possess a Graduation Degree, B.Sc, or Engineering Degree depending on the academy.
Q5. What is the examination date?
The CDS II 2026 examination will be conducted on 13 September 2026.
Q6. What is the official website of UPSC?
The official website is UPSC Official Portal