UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 451 Officer Posts

UPSC has officially released the CDS 2 2026 Notification for 451 vacancies! Check the age limits, eligibility criteria, and exam patterns.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the detailed recruitment notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 (Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II). This highly prestigious national-level recruitment drive offers a golden opportunity for graduate unmarried men and women to secure commission as officers in the Indian Armed Forces.

The online application portal went live on May 20, 2026, and eligible aspirants can register until June 9, 2026. Featuring a total of 451 tentative vacancies across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), the CDS entry remains one of the most respected pathways to leadership, adventure, and service to the nation.

UPSC CDS 2 2026: Important Dates & Timeline

To ensure your registration moves smoothly through the commission’s automated framework, map your preparation around this official operational schedule:

Academy-Wise Vacancy Breakup

The 451 vacancies are strictly allocated across specialized military training institutions for courses commencing in July 2027 (and October 2027 for OTA):

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun: 100 Posts (Includes 13 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate Army Wing holders).
• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala: 26 Posts (Includes 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate Naval Wing holders).
• Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad: 32 Posts (Includes 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate Air Wing holders).
• Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men): 275 Posts (126th Short Service Commission Non-Technical Course).
• Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women): 18 Posts (39th Short Service Commission Women Non-Technical Course).

Are You Eligible? Age Limits & Academic Criteria

UPSC enforces definitive eligibility rules regarding age brackets and educational fields as of the target entry timeline (January 1, 2027):

1. Academy-Specific Age Limits & Marital Status

• IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2003, and not later than July 1, 2008 (19 to 24 Years).
• INA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2003, and not later than July 1, 2008 (19 to 24 Years).
• AFA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2003, and not later than July 1, 2007 (20 to 24 Years). Upper limit is relaxable up to 26 years for valid DGCA Commercial Pilot License holders.
• OTA (Men & Women): Unmarried candidates (or issueless widows/divorcees who have not remarried for women) born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2008 (19 to 25 Years).

2. Educational Qualifications

• For IMA & OTA: Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
• For Indian Naval Academy: Must hold a Degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) from a recognized university or institution.
• For Air Force Academy: Must hold a Degree from a recognized university (with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 secondary level) OR a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

Final Year Eligibility: Final-year graduation students are fully eligible to apply for the written phase, provided they do not have backlog papers and can produce proof of their passing degree at the time of their SSB interview.

The Selection Journey & Written Exam Pattern

The selection pipeline involves a highly competitive offline written test, followed by a centralized psychological evaluation, and medical diagnostics.

[Written OMR Exam] ➔ [SSB Interview (5-Day Testing)] ➔ [Medical Fitness Board] ➔ [Final Merit List]

Written Exam Blueprint

The format relies on objective multiple-choice questions (MCQs) administered in pen-and-paper mode on September 13, 2026.

• Negative Marking: A penalty deduction of 1/3rd mark applies for every incorrect response.

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

• English: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (100 Marks)
• General Knowledge: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM (100 Marks)
• Elementary Mathematics: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (100 Marks)

For Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) Aspirants (200 Total Marks)

• English: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (100 Marks)
• General Knowledge: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM (100 Marks)
• (OTA candidates are exempt from taking the Mathematics paper).

Application Fee Structure

• General / OBC Category Male Candidates: ₹200/-
• Exempted Categories: Female candidates and applicants belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are completely exempt from paying the application fee.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online via UPSC Portal

1. Access the Platform: Go to the official application desk at upsconline.nic.in.
2. Complete One-Time Registration (OTR): If you haven’t completed this in prior exam cycles, select “New Registration” to generate your permanent OTR profile using your foundational details and identity proofs.
3. Initiate CDS Application: Log into your profile dashboard using your OTR credentials. Go to the active examination stack and select the link for “Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026.”
4. Academic Profiles & Choice Filling: Input your graduation metrics and rank your academy preferences (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA) according to your eligibility and career choice.
5. Live Photo Capture System: Along with uploading a clear signature file (20 to 300 KB in JPG), candidates must capture a live picture through the browser interface using a digital camera or phone front camera against a plain, well-lit background.
6. Fee Payment & Center Choice: Settle the ₹200 fee (if applicable) through integrated net banking, cards, or UPI. Select your target exam city, verify your form summary layout, and hit final submit. Print the confirmation page for your preparation records.