UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 — 451 Vacancies

UPSC is conducting Combined Defence Services Examination II, 2026 for 451 Officer-level vacancies in the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Officers' Training Academy. If you are an unmarried graduate (with Physics/Maths at 10+2 for Navy/Air Force and an Engineering/BSc degree for Navy), you can apply online. The last date is 9 June 2026 at 6:00 PM. The written exam is on 13 September 2026. Stipend during training is Rs. 56,100 per month, and on commissioning, you start at Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 - Rs. 1,77,500).

UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination II 2026 - 451 Officer Vacancies

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II for the Combined Defence Services Examination II, 2026. Selected candidates will join the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala, Air Force Academy (AFA) Hyderabad, and Officers' Training Academy (OTA) Chennai for SSC (Men and Women) courses. All female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempted from the examination fee. The recruitment is one of India's most prestigious entry routes into the Armed Forces as a commissioned officer.

Vacancy Breakdown by Course

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun - 163rd (DE) Course (Jul 2027): 100 posts (including 13 reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate Army Wing holders)
• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala - Executive Branch / Hydro (Jul 2027): 26 posts (including 6 for NCC 'C' Naval Wing holders and 1 for Hydro)
• Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad - 222 F(P) Pre-Flying Course (Jul 2027): 32 posts (including 3 for NCC 'C' Air Wing holders via Special Entry)
• Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai - 126th SSC (Men) NT Course (Oct 2027): 275 posts
• Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai - 126th SSC (Women) NT Course (Oct 2027): 18 posts

Total: 451 vacancies. The number of vacancies is tentative and can be revised by Services HQ.

Who Can Apply?

Nationality

• You must be a Citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin from select countries (Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African nations) settling permanently in India

Educational Qualification

• For IMA & OTA (Men/Women): Degree from a recognised University or equivalent
• For Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering OR B.Sc with Physics as a core/elective subject (with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level)
• For Air Force Academy: Degree of recognised university (with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level) OR Bachelor of Engineering
• Final year students can also apply, subject to submitting proof of passing before the cut-off date

Age Limit

• For IMA & Indian Naval Academy: 19 to 24 years - unmarried male candidates born between 2 July 2003 and 1 July 2008
• For Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 years as on 1 July 2027 - born between 2 July 2003 and 1 July 2007 (relaxable up to 26 years for valid Commercial Pilot Licence holders)
• For OTA (SSC Men): 19 to 25 years - unmarried male candidates born between 2 July 2002 and 1 July 2008
• For OTA (SSC Women): 19 to 25 years - unmarried women, issueless widows / divorcees (with documents) who have not remarried, born between 2 July 2002 and 1 July 2008
• Candidates below 25 years must remain unmarried during training. Male divorcees / widowers are not eligible.

Salary

• Stipend during training at IMA / INA / AFA / OTA: Rs. 56,100 per month (entry pay at Level 10)
• On commissioning as Lieutenant (or equivalent): Rs. 56,100 - Rs. 1,77,500 (Level 10 of 7th CPC pay matrix)
• Captain: Rs. 61,300 - Rs. 1,93,900 (Level 10B)
• Major: Rs. 69,400 - Rs. 2,07,200 (Level 11)
• Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs. 15,500 per month (fixed) for officers up to the rank of Brigadier
• Other allowances: Dearness Allowance, Risk and Hardship Allowance, Dress Allowance (Rs. 20,000 per year), and other Service-specific allowances

Physical Standards

Candidates must be physically fit as per the standards in the "Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces (1st Edition)". Detailed standards are available at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in under Policies → Officer's Selection → Medical Standards. Permanent body tattoos are only permitted on the inner forearm or the back of the hand. Tattoos on other parts of the body will lead to disqualification.

Application Fee

• General / OBC / EWS male candidates: Rs. 200
• All Female candidates: No fee
• SC / ST candidates: No fee
• Payment Mode: Net banking of any bank, or Visa / Master / Rupay Credit / Debit Card / UPI
• Fee once paid is not refunded.

Selection Process

The selection will be done in the following stages:

1. Written Examination (13 September 2026): For IMA / INA / AFA - 3 papers (English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics) of 100 marks each, 2 hours each (total 300 marks). For OTA - 2 papers only (English, General Knowledge) of 100 marks each, 2 hours each (total 200 marks). Objective type, bilingual (English/Hindi) for GK and Maths. Negative marking of 1/3 (0.33) per wrong answer.
2. SSB Interview / Personality Test: Two-stage selection at Service Selection Boards. Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) + Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer tasks, Psychology tests, Conference over 4 days. Marks for IMA/INA/AFA: 300; for OTA: 200
3. Medical Examination: As per Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards
4. Document Verification: Original documents verified after qualifying SSB

How to Apply

1. Visit the UPSC online portal at upsconline.nic.in.
2. Complete the Universal Registration Number (URN) profile - one-time registration if not done already.
3. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF): name, date of birth, qualifications, address, etc.
4. Fill the Exam Specific Module for CDS-II 2026 - choose service preferences (IMA / INA / AFA / OTA), exam centre, fee payment.
5. Upload your photograph (with live photo capture), signature (signed 3 times on plain paper), and the required documents.
6. Pay the fee online (skip if SC/ST or female).
7. Submit the application before 9 June 2026 at 6:00 PM.
8. Download the e-Admit Card from upsconline.nic.in in the last week before the exam.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 20 May 2026
• Application Start Date: 20 May 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM)
• Written Exam Date: 13 September 2026
• Admit Card Release: Last working day of the preceding week before the exam
• SSB Interview (IMA/SSC): February - March 2027 (tentative)
• SSB Interview (OTA only): April - June 2027 (tentative)
• IMA / INA Course Commencement: July 2027
• AFA Course Commencement: July 2027 (222 F(P) Course)
• OTA Course Commencement: October 2027

• Undergo officer-level training at IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, AFA Hyderabad, or OTA Chennai based on selection
• Lead troops in combat, peacekeeping, and disaster relief operations after commissioning
• Maintain operational readiness and high standards of physical and mental fitness
• Manage and mentor subordinate personnel under your command
• Implement orders, policies, and procedures as per Service regulations
• Plan, coordinate, and execute training exercises and field operations
• Uphold the values, discipline, and traditions of the Indian Armed Forces
• Serve in operational, training, and staff appointments across India and abroad