UPSC CDS II Exam Date 2026 Released
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the exam date for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) II recruitment 2026. The examination will be held on 13 September 2026. This recruitment drive offers a total of 451 vacancies across different defence academies.
The online application window was open from 20 May 2026 and extended until 11 June 2026. Candidates who applied within this period are now preparing for the upcoming exam.
Vacancy Breakdown
The 451 posts are distributed among the following academies:
| Post Name | No. of Posts |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | 293 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational qualifications vary by academy:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA): Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Indian Naval Academy (INA): Engineering degree in the relevant trade.
- Air Force Academy: Graduation degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
- Officers Training Academy (OTA): Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
Age Limits and Relaxation
Applicants must meet the following age requirements as per UPSC rules:
- Minimum age: 20 years
- Maximum age: 24 years
Age relaxation is applicable as per official UPSC CDS II recruitment guidelines.
Application Fee Details
- General, EWS, OBC candidates: Rs. 200/-
- SC, ST candidates: No fee
- Female candidates (all categories): No fee
Payments can be made via debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, or other available online methods.
Selection Process
The recruitment process includes:
- Written Examination
- Interview
- Skill Test
Downloading the Exam Date and Admit Card
Candidates can download their exam date notification and admit cards from the official UPSC website. To access these documents, candidates must provide:
- Registration Number
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Verification Code
After submitting these details, the exam date and admit card will be available for download.
Important Dates at a Glance
- Application Start Date: 20 May 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 11 June 2026 (Extended)
- Fee Payment Deadline: 11 June 2026
- Exam Date: 13 September 2026
- Admit Card Release: Before the exam
- Result Announcement: To be updated soon
Frequently Asked Questions
- Has the UPSC CDS-II Exam Date 2026 been released? Yes, it was announced on 12 August 2026.
- When will the exam be conducted? On 13 September 2026.
- Where can candidates check the exam date? On the official UPSC website under the notifications section.
- What details are needed to download the admit card? Registration Number/Roll Number and Password/Captcha.
- What is the official UPSC website? https://upsc.gov.in/
Important Links
- Check Exam Date Notice: Click Here
- Apply Online: Click Here
- Check Date Extend Notice: Click Here
- Download Notification: Click Here
- Official Website: Click Here
