UPSC CDS II 2026: Exam Date, Notification, Eligibility, Vacancies, Syllabus, Pattern and Preparation Strategy
UPSC CDS II 2026 complete guide covering exam date, 451 vacancies, eligibility, age limit, syllabus, exam pattern, negative marking, SSB process and preparation strategy.
The UPSC CDS II 2026 examination is one of the most important opportunities for graduates who aspire to become commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 will select eligible candidates for training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
According to the official UPSC notification, CDS II 2026 was notified on 20 May 2026, applications closed on 9 June 2026, and the written examination is scheduled for 13 September 2026.
With 451 tentative vacancies announced across the different academies, CDS II 2026 is a significant opportunity for aspirants looking to build a career as a defence officer.
UPSC CDS II 2026: Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Notification Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 9 June 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Total Tentative Vacancies | 451 |
| Mode | Offline objective-type examination |
| Selection Process | Written Exam + SSB + Medical Examination |
| Official Application Portal | UPSC Online |
The official UPSC examination archive confirms that CDS II 2026 is scheduled for 13 September 2026 and that the notification was issued on 20 May 2026.
What Is UPSC CDS II 2026?
The Combined Defence Services Examination is conducted by UPSC for admission to various pre-commission training academies of the Indian Armed Forces. CDS II is the second CDS examination conducted in a calendar year.
The examination provides entry into four major training establishments: Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy. The written examination is followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) process for candidates who qualify.
For CDS II 2026, the courses covered include the IMA course commencing in July 2027, INA and Air Force Academy courses commencing in July 2027, and OTA courses commencing in October 2027.
UPSC CDS II 2026 Vacancies
The official notification has announced 451 tentative vacancies. The distribution is as follows:
- Indian Military Academy, Dehradun: 100 vacancies
- Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala: 26 vacancies
- Air Force Academy, Hyderabad: 32 vacancies
- OTA Chennai – SSC Men: 275 vacancies
- OTA Chennai – SSC Women: 18 vacancies
The vacancy figures are tentative and may be revised by the Services Headquarters depending on organisational requirements.
Women candidates are eligible for the OTA Women Non-Technical entry under CDS II 2026, while the notification specifies the applicable service and entry preferences for different categories of candidates.
UPSC CDS II 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is one of the most important aspects to check before preparing for the examination. Candidates should carefully compare their age, educational qualification, nationality and marital-status requirements with the official notification.
Nationality
A candidate must generally be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India, subject to the conditions and eligibility certificate requirements mentioned by UPSC.
Age Limit
The age requirement varies according to the academy.
For IMA, eligible candidates must be unmarried males aged 19 to 24 years, with the prescribed date-of-birth range specified in the notification.
For Indian Naval Academy, the age range is also 19 to 24 years for eligible unmarried male candidates.
For Air Force Academy, the normal age limit is 20 to 24 years. Candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA may receive the applicable upper-age relaxation up to 26 years, subject to the notification's conditions.
For OTA, the age range is 19 to 25 years. The notification also specifies eligibility conditions for unmarried women, issueless widows and issueless divorcees who have not remarried.
Because age calculations can be exact and entry-specific, aspirants should always verify their date of birth against the official CDS II 2026 notification rather than relying on general age-limit summaries.
Educational Qualification for CDS II 2026
The educational qualification differs by academy.
For IMA and OTA, candidates need a degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.
For Indian Naval Academy, candidates need a degree in Engineering or a B.Sc. with Physics as a core or elective subject, along with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.
For Air Force Academy, candidates require a recognised degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering qualification. Final-year degree students can also apply, subject to the conditions for producing proof of qualification within the prescribed period.
Also Check UPSC NDA & NA II 2026 Syllabus
CDS II 2026 Exam Pattern
The CDS written examination is objective in nature.
Candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA have to take three papers:
- English – 100 marks
- General Knowledge – 100 marks
- Elementary Mathematics – 100 marks
Each paper is of two hours, making the written examination worth 300 marks.
For OTA, candidates take:
- English – 100 marks
- General Knowledge – 100 marks
The OTA written examination is therefore worth 200 marks. The marks allotted to the SSB interview are equal to the written-examination marks for the respective course.
The General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are set bilingually in Hindi and English. The Mathematics paper is of approximately matriculation level, while English and General Knowledge are broadly at the level expected of a graduate.
UPSC CDS II 2026 Syllabus
English
The English paper tests a candidate's understanding of English and effective use of words. Preparation should therefore focus on grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, sentence usage, error detection, synonyms, antonyms and other objective language-based questions.
Rather than memorising isolated rules, aspirants should practise questions regularly and analyse why an option is correct or incorrect.
General Knowledge
General Knowledge is broad and includes current events, everyday scientific awareness, Indian history and geography.
A practical preparation strategy is to combine current-affairs revision with static subjects. Defence-related developments, national and international events, important government initiatives, science and technology, sports, awards and major historical and geographical facts should receive regular attention.
Elementary Mathematics
Mathematics includes areas such as arithmetic, elementary number theory, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration and statistics. The official syllabus covers topics including percentages, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, time and work, time and distance, quadratic equations, trigonometric identities, geometrical properties, areas and volumes, data representation and measures of central tendency.
Because the paper is speed-oriented, solving questions accurately under time pressure is more important than simply knowing formulas.
Negative Marking in CDS II 2026
Aspirants should be particularly careful about blind guessing. The CDS objective papers carry negative marking.
For every wrong answer, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question is deducted. If more than one option is marked, it is also treated as a wrong answer and attracts the applicable penalty. No penalty is imposed when a question is left unanswered.
This makes intelligent question selection an important part of the examination strategy.
CDS II 2026 Selection Process
The selection process consists of the written examination followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) intelligence and personality assessment for candidates who qualify.
The SSB process has two broad stages. Stage I includes the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Candidates who clear Stage I proceed to Stage II, which includes the interview, Group Testing Officer tasks, psychology tests and conference.
Candidates need to qualify separately in the written examination and SSB assessment according to the qualifying standards prescribed by the Commission and Services Selection Board. Final merit is based on the combined performance, subject to medical fitness, suitability and availability of vacancies.
How to Prepare for UPSC CDS II 2026
A focused preparation plan can significantly improve performance.
1. Understand the syllabus first
Before buying multiple books or joining several test series, understand the official syllabus. Divide it into English, General Knowledge and Mathematics according to the academy you are targeting.
2. Practise previous-year papers
Previous CDS papers help candidates understand recurring concepts, difficulty level and time pressure. UPSC maintains an official repository of previous question papers that aspirants can use for practice.
3. Build speed through timed practice
CDS is not simply a knowledge test. Candidates must answer objective questions within fixed time limits. Regular timed practice can help improve both accuracy and decision-making.
4. Revise current affairs consistently
Instead of attempting to cover several months of news in a few days, maintain short revision notes and revisit them frequently.
5. Strengthen Mathematics fundamentals
For candidates appearing for IMA, INA or AFA, Mathematics can become a major scoring opportunity. Focus on fundamentals first, followed by repeated practice of calculation-intensive questions.
6. Start SSB preparation early
Do not wait until the written result to learn about SSB. Communication skills, confidence, group behaviour, psychological readiness and awareness develop gradually. Understanding the SSB structure in advance can make the transition from written preparation to personality assessment smoother.
Important Exam-Day Instructions
CDS II 2026 candidates should carefully follow UPSC's examination instructions. Candidates must use a black ballpoint pen for marking the OMR sheet. Calculators are not permitted for the objective papers. Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices and other prohibited electronic items are also banned.
UPSC has also specified mandatory face authentication at the examination venue. Entry closes 30 minutes before the commencement of each examination session, so candidates should plan to reach the centre well in advance.
CDS II 2026: Final Preparation Strategy
With the written examination scheduled for 13 September 2026, aspirants should prioritise revision, mock tests and accuracy rather than continuously adding new study material.
A useful final-phase routine is to divide each day between Mathematics practice, English revision, General Knowledge/current affairs and full-length or sectional mock tests. After every mock test, spend time analysing incorrect answers. Identifying why a question was missed is often more valuable than simply checking the score.
Candidates should also maintain a realistic balance between written-exam preparation and physical and personality development for the subsequent SSB stage.
Conclusion
UPSC CDS II 2026 offers a prestigious route for graduates who want to serve as officers in the Indian Armed Forces. With 451 tentative vacancies, multiple academy options and a selection process that evaluates both academic ability and officer-like qualities, the examination requires disciplined preparation rather than last-minute study.
The most effective approach is to understand the official syllabus, practise previous-year questions, improve speed and accuracy, stay updated with current affairs and begin SSB preparation early. Candidates should also rely on the official UPSC notification for the latest information because dates, vacancies and other administrative details can be subject to change.
For authoritative updates, candidates should regularly check the official UPSC website and the UPSC Online application portal.