| Recruiting Authority: | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Name of the Exam: | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
| Advertisement No.: | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| About Recruiting Agency: | UPSC is India’s central recruiting commission responsible for conducting prestigious national-level examinations for civil services and defence services. CDS is conducted twice a year for selecting candidates for officer-level positions in Army, Navy & Air Force. |
| About Recruitment: | National-level examination for officer training courses. Includes permanent commission (IMA, INA, AFA) and short service commission (OTA). Written exam + SSB Interview + Medical Examination. Vacancies are tentative and may change as per service HQ requirements. NCC ‘C’ certificate holders get reserved seats in some courses. |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Combined Defence Services Examination (II) Recruitment 2026
| Important Dates | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| • Notification Release Date: 20 May 2026 • Application Started: 20 May 2026 • Last Date: 09 June (06:00 PM) • Payment Last Date: 09 June (06:00 PM) • Admit Card: One week before exam • Exam Date: 13 Sep 2026 • Result Date: As per schedule | • General / OBC / EWS: 200/- • SC / ST / Female: 0/- • PwBD: No separate exemption mentioned; follows SC/ST/Female rule = 0/- The candidate is required to pay the non-refundable application fee through online mode by using debit card / credit card / Internet banking / UPI, etc. |
| Age Limit (As on 01 July 2027) |
| Name of the Post | Age limit |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 20 – 23 years DOB between: 02.07.2003 to 01.07.2008 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 20 – 23 years DOB between: 02.07.2003 to 01.07.2008 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 20 – 24 years DOB between: 02.07.2003 to 01.07.2007 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA — Men) | 20 – 24 years DOB between: 02.07.2002 to 01.07.2008 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA — Women) | 20 – 24 years DOB between: 02.07.2002 to 01.07.2008 |
| Total Vacant Posts – 451 |
| S. No. | Name of the Course | Approximate No. of Vacancies (Refer Note–iii) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Military Academy, Dehradun – 163rd (DE) Course commencing in July 2027. | 100 (including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders) |
| 2 | Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala – Course commencing in July, 2027 Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro. | 26 (including 06 vacancies for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders and 01 for Hydro) |
| 3 | Air Force Academy, Hyderabad – (Pre-Flying) Training Course commencing in July, 2027 i.e. 222 F(P) Course. | 32 (including 03 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Air Wing) holders through NCC Special Entry) |
| 4 | Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 126th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course Commencing in October, 2027. | 275 |
| 5 | Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (Madras) 126th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course commencing in October, 2027. | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
| Essential Desirable Qualification |
| Name of the Post | Essential Qualification |
| IMA | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or an equivalent qualification |
| OTA – Men & Women | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or an equivalent qualification |
| INA | Degree in Engineering from a recognized University / Institution |
| AFA | Bachelor’s Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, OR a Bachelor of Engineering degree |
| Required Docs to ‘Fill Your Forms‘ |
| Documents List | • Class 10th Certificate • Graduation Marksheet • Graduation Degree / Provisional Certificate • Final Year Bonafide Certificate (if applicable) • NCC ‘C’ Certificate (if applicable) • Photo (Upload) • Live Photo (Upload) • Signature (Upload) • Aadhaar Card / Valid Photo ID • Email ID & Mobile Number • Category Certificate (SC / ST / OBC / EWS) • NOC (for Govt./Armed Forces candidates) |
| Don’t Forget to See (Help Yourself) | |
| Special Comment | |
| Photo: | • Photo must be clear, recent and in colour. • Background should be plain (preferably light colour). • No cap, goggles or heavy shadows allowed. • Face should be clearly visible with proper lighting. |
| Signature: | • Signature must be done with black/blue pen on white paper. • Both photo and signature should be uploaded in correct size & format as per UPSC instructions. |
| Salary (Basic pay / Pay scale / Compensation / Emoluments) | |
| Post | Scale of Pay (7th CPC) |
| Lieutenant | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level–10) |
| Captain | ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900 (Level–10B) |
| Major | ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200 (Level–11) |
| Lieutenant Colonel | ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400 (Level–12A) |
| Colonel | ₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900 (Level–13) |
| Brigadier | ₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600 (Level–13A) |
| Major General | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 (Level–14) |
| Lt. General / HAG | ₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100 |
| HAG+ Scale | ₹2,05,400 – ₹2,24,400 |
| VCOAS / Army Commander / Equivalent | ₹2,25,000 (Fixed) |
| Chief of Army/Navy/Air Staff | ₹2,50,000 (Fixed) |
| Steps to Apply the Form | |
| (1. Visit the official website: https://upsconline.nic.in) (2. Complete Account Creation and generate URN (Universal Registration Number).) (3. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) carefully.) (4. Upload Photograph, Live Photograph, and Signature as per UPSC guidelines.) (5. Provide personal details, educational details, and ID information.) (6. Select the Examination Centre from the available options.) (7. Pay the Application Fee through Debit Card / Credit Card / Internet Banking / UPI.) (8. Submit the Examination-Specific Module of CDS-II 2026.) (9. Download and save the Final Submitted Application Form for future reference.) (10. Keep the registered Email ID & Mobile Number active for OTP and communication.) |
Please follow the links given below
Disclaimer:- All the details mentioned above are true to the best of our research. However, for exact information, please refer to the detailed notification. In case of any confusion, the detailed notification will be considered correct. Please read the full notification before applying the form.