Union Public Service Commission has released the e-admit cards for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026, covering 451 tentative vacancies.
Latest Update
Overview
| Commission | Union Public Service Commission |
| Examination | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Notice Number | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Total Vacancies | 451 tentative vacancies |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Academies | IMA, INA, AFA and OTA |
| Selection | Written examination, SSB interview, medical examination and merit |
Important Dates
| Notification | 20 May 2026 |
| Original Notification Deadline | 9 June 2026 at 6:00 PM |
| Final Receipt Date Recorded on UPSC Page | 11 June 2026 at 6:00 PM |
| Examination Timetable Uploaded | 10 August 2026 |
| E-Admit Card and Press Note | 3 September 2026 |
| Written Examination | 13 September 2026 |
| IMA, INA and AFA Courses | July 2027 |
| OTA Courses | October 2027 |
Vacancy Details
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad | 32 |
| Officers’ Training Academy—Men | 275 |
| Officers’ Training Academy—Women | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
The vacancies are tentative and may be changed by the respective service headquarters during the selection process.
Salary
| Officer-Cadet Training | ₹56,100 per month |
| Lieutenant—Level 10 | ₹56,100–₹1,77,500 |
| Military Service Pay | ₹15,500 per month fixed from Lieutenant to Brigadier |
Additional allowances depend on the service, rank, duties and posting location.
Age
| IMA and INA | 19–24 years; unmarried male candidates born from 1 July 2003 to 1 July 2008 |
| Air Force Academy | 20–24 years as on 1 July 2027; up to 26 years for eligible CPL holders |
| OTA—Men | 19–25 years under the notified date-of-birth and marital-status conditions |
| OTA—Women | 19–25 years; unmarried women and eligible widows or divorcees under the notification conditions |
Qualification
Indian Military Academy and Officers’ Training Academy
A degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.
Indian Naval Academy
An engineering degree, or a recognised B.Sc. degree with Physics as a core or elective subject and Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.
Air Force Academy
A recognised degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
Experience
No previous employment experience is prescribed. Candidates must satisfy the degree, age, marital-status, nationality, physical and medical conditions for their selected academy.
Fee
| General, OBC and EWS | ₹200 |
| Female Candidates | Exempted |
| SC and ST Candidates | Exempted |
| No additional fee |
Selection Process
- UPSC written examination
- Written-result shortlisting
- Registration with the relevant service headquarters where required
- Services Selection Board intelligence and personality testing
- Computerised Pilot Selection System for applicable aviation choices
- Physical and medical examination
- Final merit using written and SSB marks
- Academy allocation according to eligibility, merit, preferences and vacancies
Exam Pattern
IMA, INA and Air Force Academy
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
| Written Total | Three papers | 300 |
| SSB | As scheduled | 300 |
Officers’ Training Academy
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Written Total | Two papers | 200 |
| SSB | As scheduled | 200 |
All written papers are objective. One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for an incorrect answer.
Documents Required
- Printed UPSC CDS II e-admit card
- Original photo identity card whose number appears on the admit card
- Recent identical passport-size photographs as required by the admit-card instructions
- Government-issued photo ID showing a changed name, where applicable
- Black ballpoint pen
- Matriculation certificate for proof of age
- Degree or provisional degree certificate and mark sheets
- NCC certificate where a reserved NCC vacancy is claimed
- Category certificate where applicable
- Other original certificates required during SSB or academy verification
How to Download the Admit Card
- Open the official UPSC online portal.
- Select the e-admit-card section.
- Choose Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026.
- Read and accept the displayed examination instructions.
- Enter the requested registration, application or roll-number credentials.
- Download the e-admit card.
- Verify the photograph, name, roll number, venue and applicable papers.
- Contact UPSC immediately if any discrepancy appears.
- Print a clear copy of the admit card.
- Arrange the original photo ID and photographs required by the instructions.
- Reach the examination venue before entry closes for each applicable session.
- Preserve the admit card until the final selection process is complete.
Important Links
Download Official CDS II E-Admit-Card Press Note Download UPSC CDS II E-Admit Card Download Official CDS II Timetable Download Detailed CDS II Notification Open Official UPSC Examination PageFrequently Asked Questions
When was the CDS II e-admit card released?
UPSC uploaded the e-admit card and official press note on 3 September 2026.
When is the CDS II examination?
The written examination will be conducted on 13 September 2026.
How many vacancies are available?
The examination covers 451 tentative vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.
Will UPSC send the admit card by post?
No. Candidates must download and print it from the official UPSC online portal.
What should candidates carry?
They should carry the printed e-admit card, original photo ID whose number appears on it, required photographs and permitted writing materials.
Is Elementary Mathematics compulsory for OTA?
No. OTA candidates take only English and General Knowledge. Mathematics applies to IMA, INA and AFA candidates.
Is negative marking applicable?
Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to an objective question is deducted for an incorrect answer.
Does clearing the written examination guarantee selection?
No. Candidates must also clear SSB testing, medical requirements and final merit conditions.
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