The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 under Advertisement No. 11/2026-CDS-II, inviting online applications for 451 posts across four prestigious defence academies — Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Notably, the application window opened on 20 May 2026 and closes on 09 June 2026, with the written examination scheduled for 13 September 2026. Furthermore, candidates holding a Bachelor’s Degree in the relevant discipline who are born between 01 July 2003 and 01 July 2008 are eligible to apply for this prestigious defence services officer-level recruitment.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Advertisement Number | Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Post Name(s) | IMA — Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, OTA — Officers’ Training Academy |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
Vacancy Breakdown
| Academy | No. of Posts |
|---|---|
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | 293 |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Air Force Academy | 32 |
| Indian Naval Academy | 26 |
| Total | 451 |
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
- Candidates must be born not earlier than 01 July 2003 and not later than 01 July 2008 to qualify for the UPSC CDS II 2026 examination
- Specifically, this means candidates must be between 18 and 23 years of age as on the date of commencement of training for most academies
- Additionally, UPSC provides age relaxation as per applicable defence recruitment regulations — candidates must verify academy-specific age conditions from the official notification
Educational Qualification
- Indian Military Academy (IMA) & Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognised university
- Indian Naval Academy: Specifically, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from a recognised institution — a general degree does not qualify for this entry
- Air Force Academy: Furthermore, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream; however, they must have studied Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level as compulsory subjects
- Consequently, candidates must carefully verify their qualification and 10+2 subject combination against the specific academy they wish to apply for before submitting the application
Nationality
- Candidates must be Indian citizens as per the standard eligibility conditions that UPSC prescribes for all Combined Defence Services examination posts under Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 June 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 09 June 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Admit Card | Before the examination date |
| Result Date | To be updated |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹ 200/- |
| SC / ST / All Female Candidates | ₹ 00/- (Fully Exempt) |
Accepted Payment Modes: Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Card / Mobile Wallet.
Exam Pattern
- Stage 1 — Written Examination: Firstly, UPSC conducts the CDS II Written Examination on 13 September 2026 covering English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (Mathematics paper is not required for OTA candidates). Notably, each paper carries 100 marks with a time duration of 2 hours, and the examination follows a negative marking scheme where incorrect answers attract a deduction. Consequently, candidates must adopt a strategic approach and avoid random guessing to maximise their written exam score.
- Stage 2 — SSB Interview: Subsequently, candidates who clear the written examination receive a call for a comprehensive 5-day Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview at designated SSB centres. Specifically, the SSB evaluates Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs), psychological fitness, group task performance, personal interview, and conference results across all five days. Moreover, SSB performance carries significant weight in the final merit list — making thorough personality and leadership preparation equally important as written exam preparation.
- Final Merit List: Additionally, UPSC prepares the Final Merit List on the basis of combined performance in the Written Examination and SSB Interview. Furthermore, selected candidates undergo a Medical Examination before joining their respective academy for officer training.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in on or after 20 May 2026.
- Locate and click the “Apply Online” link for UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 (Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II).
- Register using a valid email address and mobile number to generate your secure UPSC One-Time Registration (OTR) credentials.
- Fill in the online application form carefully with all required personal, educational, and academy preference details.
- Upload your recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format and within the permitted file size.
- Pay the application fee of ₹ 200/- (General / OBC male candidates) through any accepted online payment mode before 09 June 2026; SC / ST and all female candidates proceed without payment.
- Submit the form and download or print the confirmation receipt — preserve it carefully for future reference during written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination stages.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | [Click Here] |
| Official Notification | [Click Here] |
| UPSC Official Website | [Click Here] |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When does the UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026 application open and close?
Applications opened on 20 May 2026 and the last date is 09 June 2026.
Q2. What is the application fee for General category male candidates?
General / OBC male candidates pay ₹ 200/-; SC / ST and all female candidates are fully exempt.
Q3. Which academy requires an Engineering degree in UPSC CDS II 2026?
The Indian Naval Academy requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering – a general degree is not accepted.
Q4. Is the Mathematics paper mandatory for OTA candidates?
No – OTA candidates are exempt from the Mathematics paper and appear in only English and General Knowledge papers.
Q5. What is the official website for UPSC? The official website is upsc.gov.in.