UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 – Apply for 451 Combined Defence Services Posts
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), New Delhi · All India
Quick Info
Quick Info Overview
| 🏢 Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), New Delhi |
| 📋 Post Name | UPSC CDS 2 Examination 2026 – Apply for 451 Combined Defence Services Posts |
| 📢 Total Vacancies | 451 |
| 📁 Category | Central Govt Jobs |
| 📍 Location | All India |
| 🎓 Education | graduate, btech, bsc, mba |
| 🎂 Age Limit | 19 – 24 Yrs (Gen) | OBC: 24 Yrs | SC/ST: 24 Yrs | PwD: 24 Yrs | As on: 09-06-2026 |
| 💰 Salary | Rs. 56,100/- per month (Level 10 starting pay) (₹56,100/month) |
| 💳 App Fee | No Fee |
| 📝 Apply Mode | Offline |
| 📅 Last Date | 09-06-2026 by 6:00 PM |
Important Dates
| Notification Released | 20-05-2026 |
| Online Apply Start | 20-05-2026 |
| Apply Last Date | 09-06-2026 (by 6:00 PM) |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 09-06-2026 |
| Interview Date | 01-02-2027 |
Vacancy Breakdown
| General | 0 |
| OBC | 0 |
| SC | 0 |
| ST | 0 |
| EWS | 0 |
| PH | 0 |
| Total Posts | 451 |
Application Fee
| General / OBC | Nil / Exempted |
| SC / ST | Nil / Exempted |
| PH / PWD | Nil / Exempted |
| Female Candidates | Nil / Exempted |
Selection Process
- Stage 1: Written Examination (Objective Type)
- Stage 2: SSB Intelligence & Personality Test
- Stage 3: Medical Examination
Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the CDS 2 Examination 2026 notification for admission into Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy. There are 451 vacancies available for various courses. Eligible candidates can apply online from 20-05-2026 to 09-06-2026. The examination will be conducted on 13-09-2026.
Key Highlights
- Notification Date: 20/05/2026
- Total Vacancies: 451 (subject to change by Services HQ)
- Exam Date: 13/09/2026
- Application Mode: Online via https://upsconline.nic.in
- Selection Process: Written Examination, SSB Intelligence & Personality Test, Medical Exam
- Stipend During Training: Rs. 56,100/- per month (Level 10)
- Last Date to Apply: 09-06-2026 (up to 6:00 PM)
Vacancy Details
- 163rd (DE) Course, Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun - 100 Posts
- Executive Branch / Hydro, Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala - 26 Posts
- 222 F(P) Course, Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad - 32 Posts
- 126th SSC Men (NT), Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai - 275 Posts
- 126th SSC Women (NT), Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai - 18 Posts
Eligibility
Candidates must be Indian citizens or certain specified foreign nationals. Educational qualifications vary by course: degree holders or equivalent are eligible for IMA and OTA; engineering degree or B.Sc. with Physics for INA; degree with Physics and Mathematics or engineering for AFA. Final year students may apply with conditions.
Age limits vary for different courses; for example, 19-24 years for IMA, INA, and AFA unmarried males, with specific date of birth ranges. Physical fitness as per specified medical standards is mandatory.
Important Dates
- Notification Date: 20-05-2026
- Application Start Date: 20-05-2026
- Application Last Date: 09-06-2026 (6:00 PM)
- Written Exam Date: 13-09-2026
- Written Result: Oct 2026 (Tentative)
- SSB Interview (IMA/INA/AFA): Feb - Mar 2027 (Tentative)
- SSB Interview (OTA): Apr - Jun 2027 (Tentative)
- Course Commencement (IMA/INA/AFA): July 2027
- Course Commencement (OTA): Oct 2027
Application Fee
The official notification should be referred to for exact fee details. Application is online.
How to Apply
Candidates must apply online only through the official UPSC application portal. No other mode of application is accepted. Ensure the application is submitted before the deadline.
Selection Process
The selection involves a written objective type examination followed by an SSB Intelligence & Personality test and a medical examination. The written exam is scheduled for 13 September 2026.
Candidates can also explore other Defence Jobs 2026 and UPSC Jobs 2026 on our portal. For exam related information, candidates may download the Admit Card from UPSC official site. After exams, candidates should regularly check latest exam results and Download Syllabus PDF for preparation. Those interested in Central Govt Jobs can review Latest Govt Jobs 2026 available at JobOne.in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the eligibility for UPSC CDS 2 2026? +
How to apply for UPSC CDS 2 2026? +
What is the last date to apply for UPSC CDS 2 2026? +
What is the age limit for UPSC CDS 2 2026? +
What is the salary after selection in UPSC CDS 2 2026? +
What is the selection process for UPSC CDS 2 2026? +
Is there any application fee for UPSC CDS 2 2026? +
Important Links
📚 Exam Preparation Strategy
Timeline: Short-term preparation (Less than 30 days)
- Priority: Focus only on high-scoring topics and previous year patterns
- Strategy: Study 6-8 hours daily, solve at least 2 mock tests per week
- Smart work: Skip low-weightage topics, master frequently asked questions
💡 Subject-wise Focus Areas:
- General Knowledge: Read daily current affairs, focus on last 6 months events, government schemes
- Reasoning: Practice pattern recognition, syllogism, and coding-decoding (30 mins daily)
- Quantitative Aptitude: Master time & work, percentage, ratio & proportion - these appear in 60% of papers
- English/Regional Language: Grammar rules, vocabulary building, comprehension practice
✍️ Application Tips & Common Mistakes
✅ Before You Start:
- Keep all documents scanned and ready (Photo: 50KB, Signature: 20KB, JPG format recommended)
- Have a valid email ID and mobile number (OTP will be sent for verification)
- Keep your educational certificates handy for filling exact marks and registration numbers
- Use a laptop/desktop for better experience (avoid mobile for complex forms)
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Wrong Category Selection: Once submitted, category cannot be changed - verify before final submit
- Photo/Signature Errors: Must have white background, exact dimensions as specified
- Incomplete Payment: Don't close browser immediately after payment, wait for confirmation page
- Last-minute Rush: Server overload common on last day - apply within first 10 days
- Email Mistakes: Use a permanent email ID, not temporary or office email
💡 Pro Tips:
- Fill form in two sessions: Save as draft first, review next day with fresh mind before final submission
- Take screenshots of every page during application process
- Download and save the final submitted application PDF immediately
- Note down your registration number and application number separately
- Set email alerts for updates from the organization
💬 Success Story
"Achieving Government Job Dream"
Success story from a government job aspirant
"After completing my graduation, I spent two years preparing for government exams. The journey was challenging but worth it. Consistent preparation and staying motivated were crucial. I joined online test series, followed a strict study schedule, and never missed daily practice."
Key Learnings: "Time management during exams is as important as preparation. Practice mock tests in exam conditions. Stay calm during the actual exam - nervous candidates make silly mistakes even if they know the answers."
Ready to Apply?
Click below to visit the official application page.
Application closes on 09 Jun 2026
🎯 Expert Analysis
This is a valuable government opportunity offering job security, good salary, and career growth prospects. Government jobs provide stability that private sector cannot match.
📊 Key Highlights:
💡 General Preparation Tips: