By 
The UPSC CDS 2 2026 notification is officially out. If you’re aiming for a commission in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force, this is your second and final chance this year. The Union Public Service Commission has released 451 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA, with the written exam scheduled for 13 September 2026.
In this guide, you’ll find everything — official dates, academy-wise vacancy breakdown, exact eligibility (age, education, marital status), step-by-step online application process, exam pattern, syllabus, and a document checklist that prevents rejection at the verification stage.
CDS 2 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Start | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 9 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Selection Process | Written Exam → SSB Interview → Medical Examination |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (General/OBC Male); Nil for SC/ST/Female |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
The CDS 2 exam is conducted twice a year. While CDS 1 2026 was held on 12 April 2026, CDS 2 is your final opportunity this year to secure admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), or Officers Training Academy (OTA).
CDS 2 2026 Vacancy Breakdown (Academy-wise)
UPSC has notified 451 total vacancies across five academy categories. Here’s the exact split:
Table
| Academy | Course | Vacancies | Gender Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 154th (DE) Course | 100 | Unmarried Male only |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 116th Course | 26 | Unmarried Male only |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 220th Course | 32 | Unmarried Male only |
| OTA (Men) | 124th SSC (NT) Course | 275 | Male candidates |
| OTA (Women) | 38th SSC (NT) Course | 18 | Female candidates |
| TOTAL | — | 451 | — |
Key insight: OTA (Men) has the bulk of vacancies at 275 posts, making it the most accessible entry point. Women candidates should note that only 18 OTA (Women) vacancies are available — competition is significantly higher.
Related: Looking for more government jobs in India? Check our complete list of active recruitments.
CDS 2 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for CDS is non-negotiable and strictly enforced. UPSC verifies documents only after the SSB interview, but if you’re found ineligible at any stage — even after selection — your candidature is cancelled and you may face debarment.
Age Limit (as on course commencement date)
| Academy | Age Limit | Date of Birth Range | Gender & Marital Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | 19–24 years | 2 July 2003 to 1 July 2008 | Unmarried Male only |
| INA | 19–24 years | 2 July 2003 to 1 July 2008 | Unmarried Male only |
| AFA | 20–24 years | 2 July 2003 to 1 July 2007 | Unmarried Male only |
| OTA (Men) | 19–25 years | 2 July 2002 to 1 July 2008 | Male (unmarried below 25) |
| OTA (Women) | 19–25 years | 2 July 2002 to 1 July 2008 | Unmarried Female / Issueless Widow / Divorcee (not remarried) |
Special relaxation for AFA: Candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by DGCA (India) can apply up to 26 years (born not earlier than 2 July 2001).
⚠️ Critical: Age is calculated based on your Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate only. No affidavit, horoscope, or birth extract is accepted. Once submitted, your date of birth cannot be changed.
Educational Qualification
| Academy | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| IMA | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a UGC-recognized university |
| INA | Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution |
| AFA | Bachelor’s Degree (with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level) OR Bachelor of Engineering |
| OTA (Men & Women) | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a UGC-recognized university |
Final-year students can apply — but you must submit your passing degree certificate at the time of course commencement. No backlogs are permitted at the time of application.
Who CANNOT Apply?
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12th-pass only candidates — CDS requires a degree; no diploma is accepted
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Married males applying for IMA, INA, or AFA
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Male divorcees/widowers — treated as not unmarried
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Women applying for IMA, INA, or AFA (women are eligible for OTA only)
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Candidates removed from any defence academy on disciplinary grounds
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Candidates with permanent tattoos outside the inner forearm or back of palm
Related: If you’re a 12th-pass candidate, explore government jobs after 12th pass that don’t require a degree.
CDS 2 2026 Exam Pattern
The exam pattern varies by academy. IMA, INA, and AFA candidates take 3 papers; OTA candidates take 2 papers (no Mathematics).
| Academy | Papers | Subjects | Duration | Max Marks | Maths? | SSB Marks | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | 3 | English, GK, Elementary Maths | 2 hrs each | 300 | Yes | 300 | 600 |
| INA | 3 | English, GK, Elementary Maths | 2 hrs each | 300 | Yes | 300 | 600 |
| AFA | 3 | English, GK, Elementary Maths | 2 hrs each | 300 | Yes | 300 | 600 |
| OTA (Men) | 2 | English, GK | 2 hrs each | 200 | No | 200 | 400 |
| OTA (Women) | 2 | English, GK | 2 hrs each | 200 | No | 200 | 400 |
Marking Scheme
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Negative marking: Yes, 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer
-
Medium: English and Hindi (except English paper, which is English only)
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Question type: Objective (MCQ)
CDS 2 2026 Syllabus
Paper 1: English (100 Marks)
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Spotting Errors
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Sentence Improvement
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Synonyms & Antonyms
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Reading Comprehension
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Ordering of Words/Sentences
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Fill in the Blanks
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Idioms & Phrases
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One Word Substitution
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Para Jumbles
Paper 2: General Knowledge (100 Marks)
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Current Affairs (National & International)
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Indian History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
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Indian Polity & Constitution
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Geography (Physical, Indian, World)
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Economics (Basic concepts, Budget, Five-Year Plans)
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General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
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Defence-related news
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Environment & Ecology
Paper 3: Elementary Mathematics (100 Marks) — IMA/INA/AFA Only
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Arithmetic: Number System, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Time & Distance
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Algebra: Basic operations, HCF/LCM, Polynomials, Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations
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Trigonometry: Sine, Cosine, Tangent, Heights & Distances
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Geometry: Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles, Polygons
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Mensuration: Area & Volume of 2D & 3D figures
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Statistics: Data interpretation, Mean, Median, Mode
Tip: OTA candidates (Men & Women) are NOT tested on Mathematics. This makes OTA a popular choice for humanities and arts graduates.
How to Apply Online for CDS 2 2026
Applications are accepted only online through the UPSC portal. Follow these exact steps:
Step 1: One-Time Registration (OTR)
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Visit upsconline.nic.in
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Click “One-Time Registration (OTR)”
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Enter your Name, Date of Birth, Email, Mobile Number
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Verify via OTP (Email + Mobile)
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Create a password and note your Registration ID
Step 2: Fill the Application Form
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Login with your Registration ID and Password
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Select “Apply for Examination” → “Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026”
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Fill personal details (Category, Nationality, Marital Status, etc.)
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Enter educational qualifications
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Select exam centre preference (choose 3 cities in order)
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Select academy preference (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA)
Step 3: Upload Documents
| Document | Size | Format | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 10 KB – 200 KB | JPG/JPEG | 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm |
| Signature | 4 KB – 30 KB | JPG/JPEG | — |
Step 4: Pay Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / Female (All categories) | Nil |
Payment modes: Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI
Step 5: Submit & Print
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Review all details carefully
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Click “Final Submit”
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Download and print the confirmation page
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Save the PDF for future reference
⚠️ No corrections allowed after submission. Double-check your name spelling, date of birth, and category before final submit.
Related: Need help navigating government portals? Our official government portals directory has direct links to UPSC, EPFO, PM Kisan, and 90+ other.gov.insites.
CDS 2 2026 Application Fee
Table
| Category | Fee | Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹200 | No |
| SC / ST (Male) | Nil | Yes |
| Female (All categories) | Nil | Yes |
Important: Fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another exam.
CDS 2 2026 Admit Card
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Release Date: Approximately 21 days before the exam (expected late August 2026)
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Download Link: upsc.gov.in → “Admit Cards”
-
Alternative: upsconline.nic.in
Documents to carry on exam day:
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Printed Admit Card
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Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar / PAN / Passport / Driving Licence / Voter ID)
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Two recent passport-size photographs
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Black ballpoint pen
CDS 2 2026 Selection Process
Stage 1: Written Examination (13 September 2026)
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Offline OMR-based test
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Results expected: First week of October 2026
Stage 2: SSB Interview (5 Days)
Only candidates who clear the written exam are called for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. The 5-day process includes:
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Screening Test (OIR + PPDT) |
| Day 2 | Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD) |
| Day 3 | Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks |
| Day 4 | GTO Tasks (continued) + Interview |
| Day 5 | Conference |
Stage 3: Medical Examination
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Conducted at Military Hospital
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Tests: Vision, Hearing, X-Ray, Blood, Urine, Physical fitness
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Tattoos checked (only inner forearm/back of palm allowed)
Stage 4: Final Merit List
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Based on Written Marks + SSB Marks
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Document Verification
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Training commencement: July 2027 (IMA/INA/AFA) / October 2027 (OTA)
CDS 2 2026 vs CDS 1 2026: Key Differences
| Parameter | CDS 1 2026 | CDS 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | 11 December 2025 | 20 May 2026 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 | 13 September 2026 |
| Course Start | January & April 2027 | July & October 2027 |
| Vacancies | ~400+ | 451 |
Preparation Tips for CDS 2 2026
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Focus on Mathematics (IMA/INA/AFA): Practice 10th-level NCERT thoroughly. Speed matters — 100 questions in 120 minutes.
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English: Read editorials daily. Focus on grammar rules and vocabulary.
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GK: Follow current affairs for the last 12 months. Defence news is crucial.
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Previous Year Papers: Solve CDS papers from 2020–2025 to understand the pattern.
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SSB Preparation: Start physical training now — running, push-ups, pull-ups. Work on communication skills and group discussion ability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the CDS 2 2026 notification released?
Yes. The official notification was released on 20 May 2026 on upsc.gov.in.
What is the last date to apply for CDS 2 2026?
9 June 2026 is the last date for online application submission.
Can final-year students apply for CDS 2 2026?
Yes, but you must submit your degree certificate at the time of course commencement. No backlogs are allowed.
Is there negative marking in CDS 2 2026?
Yes. 1/3rd mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
What is the CDS 2 2026 exam date?
The written exam is scheduled for 13 September 2026 (Sunday).
Can girls apply for CDS 2 2026?
Yes, but only for OTA (Women) — 18 vacancies. Women are not eligible for IMA, INA, or AFA through CDS.
What is the application fee for CDS 2 2026?
₹200 for General/OBC/EWS male candidates. Nil for SC/ST and all female candidates.
How many vacancies are there in CDS 2 2026?
451 total vacancies — IMA (100), INA (26), AFA (32), OTA Men (275), OTA Women (18).
What is the age limit for CDS 2 2026?
19–24 years for IMA/INA; 20–24 years for AFA; 19–25 years for OTA (Men & Women).
Is CDS 2 tougher than CDS 1?
No. UPSC maintains the same standard for both exams. The difficulty level is comparable.
Official Sources & Quick Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official UPSC Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Apply Online | upsconline.nic.in |
| Official Notification PDF | Available on upsc.gov.in |
| Admit Card Download | upsc.gov.in → “Admit Cards” |
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