UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2026 Notification: Apply for 451 Defence Officer Posts
Union Public Service Commission — Ministry of Defence
📅 Important Dates
| Application Start | 20 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply | 09 Jun 2026 |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 09 Jun 2026 |
| Exam Date | 13 Sep 2026 |
📋 Vacancy Details
| 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 |
📝 Detailed Notification Information
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: 2026-05-20
- Online Application Start Date: 2026-05-20
- Last Date to Apply: 2026-06-09
- Date of Written Examination: 2026-09-13
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.
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Deepak Joshi is a career development expert and motivational speaker who has been actively involved in the Sarkari Result ecosystem for 7 years. He focuses on Police, SSC, and state government job notifications.