The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the UPSC Combined Defence Service CDS II Recruitment 2026. Candidates aspiring to serve in prestigious defence institutions such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy (OTA) can now review the recruitment details and submit their applications. Detailed schedules, eligibility criteria, and fee structures have been released on UPSC Official Website.
UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026: Key Highlights
The recruitment notification provides a total of 451 Posts. Below are the key dates and updates related to the application process:
- Post Name: UPSC Combined Defence Service CDS II Recruitment 2026
- Post Date / Update: 09 June 2026
- Application Begin Date: 20/05/2026
- Last Date to Apply Online: 11/06/2026
- Pay Exam Fee Last Date: 11/06/2026
- Correction Date: As per Schedule
- Exam Date: 13/09/2026
- Admit Card Available: Before Exam
Application Fee Structure
Applicants need to pay their fees via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or E-Challan. The category-wise application fees are:
- General / OBC / EWS: 200/-
- SC / ST / Female: 0/-
Age Limit Details
Candidates must verify their age criteria before proceeding with the application:
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 24 Years
- Age Limit Calculation Date: 01/07/2027
- Age Relaxation: Extra as per Rules
Vacancy Details & Distribution
The 451 vacancies are distributed across various academies as shown in the table below:
| Post Name | Total Post | Post Name | Total Post |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy IMA | 100 | Indian Naval Academy | 26 |
| Air Force Academy | 32 | Officers Training Academy OTA | 293 |
Academy-Wise Eligibility Criteria
Ensure you meet the academic criteria specified for your targeted wing:
- For IMA & OTA: Bachelor Degree in Any Stream.
- For Naval Academy: Bachelor Degree in Engineering.
- For Airforce: Bachelor Degree in Any Stream with Physics & Math in 10+2 Level
Documents and Details Required
Keep the following documents ready before beginning your online registration:
- Eligibility documents
- ID Proof
- Address Details
- Basic Details
- Scanned Photograph
- Scanned Signature
- Scanned ID Proof
How to Fill CDS II Exam Notification 2026 Online Form
- Read the notification carefully before applying for the UPSC CDS II Recruitment application form. (Download UPSC CDS II Exam 2026 Notification PDF)
- Check and collect all required documents including eligibility, ID proof, address details, and basic details.
- Keep scanned documents related to the recruitment form ready, such as photo, signature, ID proof, etc. (Need tools? Try ).
- Check the preview and all columns carefully before submitting the application form.
- Pay the required application fee if applicable to complete the form submission (Apply Online UPSC CDS II Registration).
- Take a print out of the final submitted form.
Next Steps After Application
Once you have successfully completed your online registration and fee payment, keep your application printout safely for future reference. Prepare thoroughly for the written examination scheduled for 13/09/2026. Keep an eye out for updates regarding your admit card, which will be made available on the official portal prior to the exam date.
