The Union Public Service Commission has officially released the UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2026 for candidates seeking admission into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2026 notification was published on May 20, 2026, and the online application process has now started on the official UPSC portal.
According to the official notice, eligible candidates can submit the UPSC CDS 2 Application Form 2026 till June 9, 2026, while the written examination is scheduled to be conducted on September 13, 2026. The recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 451 vacancies across different defence academies.
Candidates preparing for defence jobs, CDS exam 2026, OTA recruitment, Indian Army officer entry, Air Force Academy admission, and UPSC defence recruitment are advised to complete the registration process early because exam centres will be allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
Table of Contents
UPSC CDS 2 2026 Important Dates
The commission has announced the complete schedule for the examination process along with application timelines and exam dates.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2026 Release Date | May 20, 2026 |
| CDS 2 Application Start Date | May 20, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | June 9, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | June 9, 2026 |
| CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 | September 13, 2026 |
| Expected Admit Card Release | September 2026 |
UPSC CDS 2 Vacancy 2026 Details
The official notification mentions 451 tentative vacancies across different defence academies for male and female candidates.
| Academy | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA Men) | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA Women) | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
The notification also states that vacancy numbers may change depending on organisational requirements during the selection process.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2026
The educational qualification and age limit vary depending on the academy selected by the candidate.
For IMA and OTA, candidates must possess a graduation degree from a recognised university. Candidates applying for INA should have an Engineering degree or B.Sc with Physics and Mathematics background. For AFA, candidates must have Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level along with graduation or engineering qualification.
The age criteria mentioned in the notification are as follows:
- IMA: Unmarried male candidates born between July 1, 2003 and July 1, 2008
- INA: Unmarried male candidates born between July 1, 2003 and July 1, 2008
- AFA: Candidates born between July 1, 2003 and July 1, 2007
- OTA Men: Male candidates born between July 1, 2002 and July 1, 2008
- OTA Women: Women candidates born between July 1, 2002 and July 1, 2008
Application Fee Details
General, OBC and EWS category candidates are required to pay an application fee of Rs 200. Female, SC and ST candidates are exempted from fee payment.
The fee can be paid using debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking mode. UPSC has clarified that fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.
UPSC CDS 2 Application Process 2026
Candidates must apply online through the UPSC online portal. The commission has continued its four-stage online application system, including account creation, Universal Registration Number (URN), Common Application Form (CAF), and examination-specific module.
Applicants will also need to upload a live photograph and signature while completing the registration form. UPSC has advised candidates to use the Aadhaar Card for seamless verification and authentication.
How to Apply for UPSC CDS 2 2026
- Visit the UPSC online application portal.
- Complete account creation and URN registration.
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF).
- Upload photograph, live photo, and signature.
- Select examination centre and academy preferences.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit and download the confirmation page.
The notification clearly states that no correction or modification will be allowed after final submission of the application form.
Exam Centres and Selection Process
UPSC has announced 84 examination cities for CDS 2 2026, including Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Patna and Pune. Exam centres will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The selection process includes:
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List
Candidates who qualify the written exam and opt for Army entries must register on the Join Indian Army website for SSB call-up details.
