UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 451 Combined Defence Services Posts

UPSC is conducting CDS Examination II, 2026 for 451 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA courses, with last date 09 June 2026.

• {'S. No.': '1', 'Course': '163rd (DE) Course', 'Academy': 'Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun', 'Commencement': 'July 2027', 'Total Vacancies': '100'}
• {'S. No.': '2', 'Course': 'Executive Branch (General Service) / Hydro', 'Academy': 'Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala', 'Commencement': 'July 2027', 'Total Vacancies': '26'}
• {'S. No.': '3', 'Course': '222 F(P) Course (Pre-Flying Training)', 'Academy': 'Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad', 'Commencement': 'July 2027', 'Total Vacancies': '32'}
• {'S. No.': '4', 'Course': '126th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course', 'Academy': "Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai", 'Commencement': 'October 2027', 'Total Vacancies': '275'}
• {'S. No.': '5', 'Course': '126th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course', 'Academy': "Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai", 'Commencement': 'October 2027', 'Total Vacancies': '18'}
• {'S. No.': 'Total', 'Course': '451'}

• Sl. Subject Code Duration Maximum Marks
• 1 English 11 2 Hours 100
• 2 General Knowledge 12 2 Hours 100
• 3 Elementary Mathematics 13 2 Hours 100
• Total (Written) 300
• SSB / Interview Marks 300
• Total (Written) 200
• SSB / Interview Marks 200
• Selection consists of a Written Examination conducted by UPSC followed by Intelligence and Personality Test at the Services Selection Board (SSB)
• and finally Medical Examination. Success at the written examination confers no right of admission to any academy; final selection is made in order of merit subject to medical fitness and number of vacancies available.
• Stage 1 - Written Examination (Objective Type)
• For IMA
• INA
• and Air Force Academy:
• For Officers' Training Academy (OTA):
• All papers are objective type only. General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are set bilingually in Hindi and English. Negative marking applies: 1/3 (0.33) marks deducted for each wrong answer. Calculators are not permitted. Candidates must use Black Ball Pen only for writing and marking in OMR Answer Sheet. Face authentication is mandatory at the examination venue.
• Stage 2 - SSB Intelligence & Personality Test
• Candidates who qualify the written examination will be called for SSB test by the respective Services HQ based on preference. The SSB follows a two-stage process:
• Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). Only those who clear Stage I are admitted to Stage II. Stage II: Interview
• Group Testing Officer Tasks
• Psychology Tests
• and Conference - conducted over 4 days. The personality is assessed by the Interviewing Officer (IO)
• Group Testing Officer (GTO)
• and Psychologist
• with equal weightage.
• Candidates who qualify for IMA/INA/AFA (irrespective of OTA qualification) will be detailed for SSB in February–March 2027. Candidates who qualify for SSC (OTA) only will be detailed for SSB in April–June 2027. Every AFA candidate is given CPSS/PABT only once - the grade secured at first test holds good for every subsequent interview. Candidates who have previously failed CPSS and those who habitually wear spectacles are not eligible for Air Force.
• Stage 3 - Medical Examination
• Final selection is subject to the candidate being declared medically fit as per the "Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces (1st Edition)". Medical standards and procedures are available at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
• Tie-Breaking Principles:
• For IMA/INA/AFA: candidates equal in aggregate (Final Marks) are ranked by written total; if still equal
• by GK paper marks; if still equal
• by age (senior ranked higher). For OTA: same process but written total is English + GK only. Any remaining tie is resolved at the Commission's discretion.

• Candidates must apply online only through https://upsconline.nic.in. No other mode of application is accepted. The Online Application Portal has four modules: Account Creation, Universal Registration (URN - one-time for lifetime), Common Application Form (CAF), and Examination Specific Module. The URN generated is common for all UPSC examinations; the Application Number generated is examination-specific and must be retained.
• Candidates in Government Service / Armed Forces must inform their Head of Office / Commanding Officer in writing that they have applied. Armed Forces candidates must also submit NOC at the time of SSB interview. Candidates should also give their consent for the Pratibha Setu Portal (Public Disclosure Scheme) at the time of filling the Examination Specific Module if they wish their details to be shared with registered organisations for employment purposes after final result.
• Documents / Details Required While Applying:
• Date of Birth as per Matriculation / Secondary School Examination Certificate
• Educational qualification details and supporting documents
• Aadhaar Card (strongly advised as primary ID; other options: Voter Card/EPIC, PAN Card, Passport, Driving License, or any Photo ID issued by State/Central Government)
• Passport-size photograph (uploaded) and live photograph captured via webcam
• Signature: signed three times (one below the other) on plain white paper with black ink, scanned and uploaded
• URN (Universal Registration Number) - generate once, valid for all UPSC exams for lifetime
• Fee payment via Net Banking / Debit / Credit / Rupay / UPI (Rs. 200/- for General/OBC/EWS Male; NIL for Female and SC/ST)
• Documents to be Kept Ready after Written Result (for SSB):
• Original Matriculation / Secondary School Examination Certificate showing date of birth
• Original Degree / Provisional Degree Certificate and mark sheets of all years/semesters
• Final year students: Bonafide certificate from Principal/College stating candidate will pass degree exam by specified date
• NCC 'C' Certificate (Army / Naval / Air Wing) for candidates applying under NCC reserved vacancies, to be submitted by 13-05-2027
• NOC from Commanding Officer (for Armed Forces candidates) to be submitted at SSB
• Apply Online at: https://upsconline.nic.in
• For queries: Call 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, working days, 20-05-2026 to 09-06-2026) or email [email protected]. All communications must include Name & Year of Exam, URN, Application Number, Roll Number (if received), full name, complete postal address, and registered email ID / mobile number.

• Applications once submitted cannot be withdrawn. No correction/alteration/modification in any field of the application is allowed after submission under any circumstances. The URN Profile provides a one-time edit facility; changes to URN profile do not reflect in applications already submitted and apply only to future applications. Candidates must indicate course preferences carefully; no addition/alteration in preferences is entertained after submission. When first choice is offered and a candidate declines, candidature is cancelled for all other choices for regular commission. AFA must compulsorily be indicated as first choice if the candidate wishes to join the Air Force Academy; choice for AFA as second/third etc. is invalid. OTA must always be the last preference for male candidates competing for both Permanent Commission (IMA/INA/AFA) and Short Service Commission (OTA) courses. e-Admit Cards are available only on the Commission's website for download. No admit card is sent by post or email. Candidates must enter the venue at least 30 minutes before commencement; entry is closed 30 minutes prior. Face authentication is mandatory at the examination venue for all candidates. Use Black Ball Pen only for all writing/marking in OMR sheets. Any omission/mistake in encoding Roll Number or Test Booklet Series Code will render the answer sheet liable for rejection. Negative marking applies: 1/3rd of marks deducted for each wrong answer. Marking more than one answer is also treated as wrong. Mobile phones, smart/digital watches, pagers, Bluetooth devices, calculators, and any electronic equipment are strictly banned inside the examination premises even in switched-off mode. Infringement entails disciplinary action including permanent/specified-period ban from UPSC examinations. Candidates who qualify at the written exam and have Army (IMA/OTA) as first choice must register on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in to receive SSB call-up information. The email ID used there must be the same as registered with UPSC. Candidates will appear for SSB at their own risk and are not entitled to compensation for any injury sustained during SSB tests. Candidates who were previously removed from any Service Academy on disciplinary grounds or for lack of officer-like qualities are not eligible to apply. Marriage subsequent to the date of application will disqualify the candidate even if successful in the examination. A candidate who marries during training will be discharged and must refund all expenditure incurred by the Government. After admission to IMA / INA / AFA, candidates will not be considered for any other commission and will not be permitted to appear for any other interview or examination. Representations on question papers and provisional answer keys can be submitted only through the Commission's website within 5 days of the examination (Day 3 to Day 7 up to 6:00 PM). No representation by email/post/hand or any other mode is accepted. All revisions/corrigendum (if any) will be hosted on the UPSC website only - candidates should visit regularly. Government strives to have a workforce that reflects gender balance; women candidates are encouraged to apply.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), New Delhi ne UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 451 Combined Defence Services Posts ke liye official notification jari kiya hai. Kul 451 (subject to change by Services HQ) posts ke liye applications mangi gayi hain. Last date 09-06-2026 (up to 6:00 PM) hai.

Application Online mode mein ki ja sakti hai. Selection process ke liye official notification dekhein.