UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2026 Notification: Apply for 451 Defence Officer Posts
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) — Ministry of Defence
Age Eligibility & DOB Range for Combined Defence Services (CDS) Officer
Cut-off Date: 09 Jun 2026 — Candidates must be between 19 to 25 years (General category). Category-wise relaxation and exact DOB boundaries are shown below.
| Category | Min Age | Max Age | Relaxation | DOB Must Be Between |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 19 yrs | 25 yrs | — | 10 Jun 2001 to 09 Jun 2007 |
| EWS | 19 yrs | 25 yrs | — | 10 Jun 2001 to 09 Jun 2007 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 19 yrs | 28 yrs | +3 yrs | 10 Jun 1998 to 09 Jun 2007 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 19 yrs | 30 yrs | +5 yrs | 10 Jun 1996 to 09 Jun 2007 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 19 yrs | 30 yrs | +5 yrs | 10 Jun 1996 to 09 Jun 2007 |
| PwD (General) | 19 yrs | 35 yrs | +10 yrs | 10 Jun 1991 to 09 Jun 2007 |
Check Your Age Eligibility — Interactive Calculator
Prescribed Age: 19–25 Years (As on 09 Jun 2026)
Expected In-Hand Salary for Combined Defence Services (CDS) Officer — Pay Level 10 (Grade Pay ₹5,400 - PB3)
This post carries Pay Level 10 (Grade Pay ₹5,400 - PB3) under the 7th Central Pay Commission with entry-level basic pay of ₹56,100/month. Below is the estimated monthly in-hand salary across all three city classifications (DA at 50% included).
| Component | X-City (Metro) | Y-City (Town) | Z-City (Rural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹56,100 | ₹56,100 | ₹56,100 |
| Dearness Allowance (50%) | ₹28,050 | ₹28,050 | ₹28,050 |
| HRA | ₹16,830 (30%) | ₹11,220 (20%) | ₹5,610 (10%) |
| Transport Allowance (+ DA) | ₹10,800 | ₹5,400 | ₹5,400 |
| Gross Monthly Pay | ₹111,780 | ₹100,770 | ₹95,160 |
| Total Deductions (NPS, CGHS, etc.) | −₹9,385 | −₹9,385 | −₹9,385 |
| ✨ Estimated In-Hand Salary | ₹102,395 | ₹91,385 | ₹85,775 |
Estimates based on 7th CPC Pay Matrix with current DA rate (50%). Actual salary may vary based on posting location, additional allowances, and individual deductions. Use the interactive calculator below for detailed city-wise breakdown.
7th Pay Commission In-Hand Salary Explainer
Pay Level 10 (Grade Pay ₹5,400 - PB3) • Starting Basic: ₹56,100/month
Executive Summary & Key Facts
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued an official recruitment notification for Combined Defence Services (CDS) Officer, announcing a total of 451 vacancies located in All India. The online application window opens on 20 May 2026 and closes on 09 June 2026. To be eligible, applicants must hold Degree of a recognised University or equivalent and be within the prescribed age limit of 19-25 years, with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. Selected candidates will receive an approved pay scale of 56,100 INR. The selection procedure comprises Written Examination, SSB Interview, Medical Examination. For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.
📅 Combined Defence Services (CDS) Officer - Important Dates & Schedule
| Application Start | 20 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply |
09 Jun 2026
|
| Fee Payment Deadline | 09 Jun 2026 |
| Exam Date | 13 Sep 2026 |
📋 Combined Defence Services (CDS) Officer - Eligibility Criteria & Vacancy Overview
| Post Name | Combined Defence Services (CDS) Officer |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Qualification | Degree of a recognised University or equivalent |
| Age Limit | 19-25 years |
| Salary | 56,100 INR |
| Application Fee | 200 INR (Exempted for Female/SC/ST) |
| Selection Process | Written Examination, SSB Interview, Medical Examination |
📝 Combined Defence Services (CDS) Officer - Detailed Notification Guide
UPSC CDS 2 2026 Exam Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (II), 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill 451 vacancies across prestigious academies including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA).
Important Dates
- Notification Date: 20 May 2026
- Online Application Start Date: 20 May 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 9 June 2026
- Date of Written Examination: 13 September 2026
Vacancy Details
The 451 total vacancies are distributed as follows:
- IMA (163rd DE Course): 100 Posts
- INA (Executive Branch/Hydro): 26 Posts
- AFA (222 F(P) Course): 32 Posts
- OTA (126th SSC Men): 275 Posts
- OTA (126th SSC Women): 18 Posts
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Specific requirements for Naval and Air Force academies include Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level. Final-year students are eligible to apply provided they meet the specific course completion timelines.
Selection Process
The selection process consists of three stages:
- Written Examination: Objective-type test covering English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA/INA/AFA) or English and GK (for OTA).
- SSB Intelligence & Personality Test: A rigorous multi-day assessment for candidates who qualify the written stage.
- Medical Examination: Final verification against the physical and medical standards prescribed by the Ministry of Defence.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply exclusively through the official UPSC online portal. Ensure you have your Aadhaar card, scanned photograph, and signature ready before starting the registration process. Detailed instructions are available in the official notification.