Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2026 – UPSC CDS Recruitment
Quick Info
- Vacancies
- Vacancies: 451
- Employment Type
- Employment Type: Contract, Full Time
- Pay Scale
- Pay Scale: ₹56,100 - ₹250,000 per month
- Qualification
- Qualification: Degree of a recognized University or equivalent for IMA/OTA; Engineering degree or B.Sc with Physics/Maths for Navy and Air Force.
- Experience Required
- Experience Required: Freshers eligible. The notification specifies educational qualifications (Degree or Engineering) but does not mandate any prior professional work experience for candidates.
- Age Limit
- Age Limit: Between 19 to 25 years
- Application Mode
- Application Mode: Online
- Deadline
- Deadline:
Vacancies under this Notification
This list may not include all posts.
- Combined Desfence Services - Air Force Academy, Hyderabad 32 Vacancies
- Combined Desfence Services - Indian Military Academy, Dehradun 100 Vacancies
- Combined Desfence Services - Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala 26 Vacancies
- Combined Desfence Services - Officers' Training Academy, Chennai (SSC Men) 275 Vacancies
- Combined Desfence Services - Officers' Training Academy, Chennai (SSC Women) 18 Vacancies
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026, offering 451 vacancies for prestigious officer-level courses across the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy. This recruitment drive provides a premier opportunity for graduates and final-year students to join the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers. Eligible candidates must meet specific age and educational criteria, including degrees in engineering or science for technical branches. The selection process involves a rigorous written examination followed by intelligence and personality tests conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB).
- Application Deadline: June 9, 2026, until 6:00 PM via the official UPSC portal.
- Total Vacancies: 451 posts distributed across Army, Navy, and Air Force training academies.
- Employment Type: Permanent Commission (IMA/INA/AFA) and Short Service Commission (OTA).
- Selection Process: Written Examination followed by SSB Interview and Medical Examination.
- Application Fee: ₹200 for General/OBC candidates; Female/SC/ST candidates are fully exempted.
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Additional Salary Information
Stipend for Cadet Training: ₹56,100 per month (Level 10). Post-commissioning pay scales range from ₹56,100 for Lieutenants to ₹2,50,000 for the COAS, plus MSP of ₹15,500 and various allowances.
Important Dates
Selection Process
Written Examination (Objective Type) Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB Interview) Document Verification Medical Examination
Application Fees
General/OBC: ₹200 Female: Exempted SC/ST: Exempted
Reservation
13 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate (Army Wing) in IMA.
06 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate (Naval Wing) in INA.
03 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate (Air Wing) in AFA.
Fee exemption for SC/ST and Female candidates.
How to Apply
- Visit the official UPSC application website at https://upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) to generate your Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Log in using your URN and fill out the Common Application Form (CAF).
- Complete the fourth module which is the Examination Specific Form for CDS-II 2026.
- Upload a clear photograph and capture a live photo as per the specified instructions.
- Upload your signature scanned on a plain white paper in black ink.
- Pay the application fee of ₹200 (if applicable) via net banking or card payment.
- Submit the form and retain the Application Number for future correspondence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, candidates studying in the final year/semester of their degree course who have not yet passed the final degree examination can apply, provided they can submit proof of passing by the specified dates in 2027.
Yes, there is a negative marking penalty. For each wrong answer, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
The Universal Registration Number (URN) is a unique lifetime identifier generated on the UPSC Online Application Portal. It is mandatory for all applicants to register their URN profile before filling out the examination-specific form.