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

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the detailed recruitment notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 notification is out to fill 451 vacancies for Combined Defence Services. Candidates can apply online only from 20.05.2026 to 09.06.2026 through UPSC website upsc.gov.in.

Important Dates : UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026

Academy wise Vacancy Details : UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026

Educational Qualification : UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026

Eligible 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.

Candidates must satisfy the nationality criteria.

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Age Limit  Marital Status : UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026

For IMA: 19 – 24 years (Unmarried; born not earlier than 2nd July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2008).

For INA: 19 – 24 years (Unmarried; born not earlier than 2nd July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2008).

For AFA: 20 – 24 years (Unmarried; born not earlier than 2nd July 2003 and not later than 1st July 2007). Upper age limit extendable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot License.

For OTA (Men & Women): 19 – 25 years (Born not earlier than 2nd July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2008). OTA permits unmarried females, eligible widows, and divorcees who have not remarried.

Application Fees : UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026

Selection Process : UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026

The recruitment process consists of three distinct stages: Written Examination (Objective, Offline) → SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test) → Medical Examination.

Exam Pattern

For IMA, INA, and AFA (300 Marks Total):

• English (120 Questions | 2 Hours) — 100 Marks
• General Knowledge (120 Questions | 2 Hours) — 100 Marks
• Elementary Mathematics (100 Questions | 2 Hours) — 100 Marks

For Officers Training Academy (OTA) (200 Marks Total):

• English (120 Questions | 2 Hours) — 100 Marks
• General Knowledge (120 Questions | 2 Hours) — 100 Marks

Note: There is a negative marking penalty of 1/3 rd mark for every incorrect answer.

How to Apply?

Interested and eligible candidate may apply online before carefully read all details have given official notification.

• Step 1: Visit the official UPSC application portal at upsconline.nic.in.
• Step 2: Log in with your OTR credentials (Email ID / Mobile / OTR ID). If you are a new user, select “New Registration.”
• Step 3: Go to the “Latest Notifications” tab and look for Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026.
• Step 4: Fill in Part-I of the application form with personal and qualification details, and select your academy preferences.
• Step 5: Proceed to Part-II to pay the application fee (if applicable), choose your exam city center, and upload high-quality scanned copies of your photo, signature, and an official identity card.
• Step 6: Review all sections carefully and hit submit. Save a digital copy and print the final registration page for your records.

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