Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
UPSC CDS II 2026: Combined Defence Services Exam Notice
Quick Information
| Post Name | Lieutenant (IMA), Flying Officer (AFA), Sub-Lieutenant (INA), Officer (OTA — Men & Women) |
| Total Vacancies | 459 |
| Salary | Lieutenant: Pay Level 10 — ₹56,100/month + MSP ₹15,500/month + DA + Military Allowances. Total in-hand package approximately ₹80,000–₹1,00,000/month for a new officer depending on posting. Free accommodation, ration, medical, and transport provided. |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Application Fee
| General | Nil |
| OBC | Nil |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| Women | Nil |
| PH / Divyang | Nil |
Important Dates
| Start Date | 28 May 2026 |
| Last Date | 17 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
Eligibility
| Age Limit | IMA/INA/AFA: 19–24 years (born between 02 Jan 2003 and 01 Jan 2008). OTA: 19–25 years (born between 02 Jan 2002 and 01 Jan 2008). Age as on date of commencement of course. |
| Education | IMA/OTA (Men): Degree from a recognised university. INA: Degree in Engineering. AFA: Degree with Physics and Maths at 10+2, or Degree in Engineering. OTA (Women): Degree from a recognised university. |
Selection Process
- 1**Stage 1 — Written Examination** | Subject | IMA / INA / AFA | OTA | |---|---|---| | English | 100 marks | 100 marks | | General Knowledge | 100 marks | 100 marks | | Elementary Mathematics | 100 marks | Not applicable | | **Total** | **300 marks** | **200 marks** | - Duration: 2 hours per paper - Negative Marking: 1/3 marks deducted per wrong answer **Stage 2 — SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test)** - Candidates shortlisted from written exam appear before a Services Selection Board (SSB) - 5-day process: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)
- 2Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT)
- 3Psychological Tests
- 4Group Tests
- 5and Personal Interview - Total marks: 300 (IMA/INA/AFA) or 200 (OTA) - SSB is conducted by Ministry of Defence **Stage 3 — Medical Examination** - Final medical at designated Armed Forces hospitals - Vision
- 6physical fitness
- 7and general health standards as per service requirements
How to Apply
Official Links
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What is CDS?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is conducted by UPSC twice a year to recruit officers into the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. It is one of the most prestigious paths into the armed forces for graduates — and the only one that leads to a permanent commission directly through a written exam.
CDS II 2026 is the second cycle for this year. Written exam is scheduled for September 13, 2026.
Academies and Vacancies
| Academy | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | ~100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | ~45 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | ~32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — Men | ~225 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — Women (SSC) | ~17 |
| Total | ~459 |
Exact vacancy breakdowns published in the official notification at upsc.gov.in.
Eligibility
Age Limit (as on course commencement date)
- IMA, INA, AFA: 19–24 years (born between 02 Jan 2003 and 01 Jan 2008)
- OTA (Men & Women): 19–25 years (born between 02 Jan 2002 and 01 Jan 2008)
Only unmarried male candidates for IMA, INA, AFA. Both married and unmarried candidates eligible for OTA. Women eligible only for OTA (Short Service Commission).
Educational Qualification
| Academy | Required Degree |
|---|---|
| IMA | Degree from a recognised university |
| INA | Degree in Engineering |
| AFA | Degree with Physics & Maths in 10+2, OR Degree in Engineering |
| OTA (Men & Women) | Degree from a recognised university |
Final year degree students may also apply — must produce proof of passing before SSB.
Exam Pattern
Written Examination
| Paper | IMA / INA / AFA | OTA |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 marks, 2 hours | 100 marks, 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 marks, 2 hours | 100 marks, 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 marks, 2 hours | Not required |
- Negative marking: 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer
- Questions are objective (MCQ) type
SSB Interview
- 300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 marks for OTA
- 5-day process at SSB centres across India
- Tests: Officer Intelligence Rating, Psychological testing, Group tasks, Personal interview
Salary and Benefits
A freshly commissioned officer's package is one of the best in Indian government service:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Level 10) | ₹56,100/month |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹15,500/month |
| Dearness Allowance | ~₹32,000/month (revised quarterly) |
| HRA / Accommodation | Free government accommodation in lieu of HRA |
| Transport Allowance | ₹3,600–₹7,200/month |
| Effective Monthly Package | ~₹1,05,000–₹1,20,000+/month |
Additional benefits: Free medical for self and family (ECHS after retirement), ration allowance, uniform allowance, leave travel concession (LTC), Army Group Insurance, subsidised loans, and pension (50% of last pay after 20 years service).
Selection Process
Stage 1: Written Exam → Shortlist for SSB Stage 2: SSB Interview (5 days, at SSB Centre) Stage 3: Medical Examination (at designated Armed Forces hospitals) Stage 4: Merit list — Final allocation based on written + SSB marks
Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | May 28, 2026 |
| Online Application Start | May 28, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | June 17, 2026 |
| Written Examination | September 13, 2026 |
| SSB Interviews | November 2026 onwards |
| Course Commencement (IMA) | January 2027 |
How to Apply
- Go to upsconline.gov.in
- Click "Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC" → "CDS (II) 2026"
- Register with email and mobile number (one-time)
- Fill personal details, academy preferences, and educational qualification
- Upload photo and signature as per specifications
- No application fee — submit directly
- Note your Registration ID and print the application
Preparation Strategy
English (100 marks): Spotting errors, sentence improvement, ordering of sentences, comprehension passages. Practice SSC/CDS previous year English papers — the pattern is very consistent.
General Knowledge (100 marks): Split between static GK (History, Geography, Polity, Science) and current affairs (last 6 months). CDS GK leans heavily toward defence and national security news. Read The Hindu or Indian Express daily.
Elementary Mathematics (for IMA/INA/AFA only): Up to 10th standard mathematics — Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Statistics. Very manageable if practiced regularly. Previous year papers are your best resource.
SSB Preparation: Start after clearing written. Practice OIR tests (verbal and non-verbal reasoning at speed). Read books on SSB like "SSB Interview" by Major General VK Singh.
Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Apply Online | upsconline.gov.in |
| Official Notification | upsc.gov.in |