UPSC CDS 2026 · Notification & recruitment
UPSC CDS Notification 2026: Recruitment, Vacancy, Dates, Fee and How to Apply
The latest UPSC CDS notice is "Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II", published 20 May 2026. Applications closed on 9 June 2026.
Dates, vacancies, fee, eligibility and selection process, copied from the latest official notice. Nothing here is estimated; the official notice is the final word.
UPSC CDS 2026 important dates
Applications closed on 9 June 2026.
| Notification | 20 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online application (last date) | 9 June 2026 (6 pm) |
| Written examination | 13 September 2026 |
| Course commencement | IMA, INA and AFA: July 2027; OTA: October 2027 |
Source: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (published 20 May 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
UPSC CDS vacancy 2026
Vacancies: 451 (approximate): IMA 100, INA 26, AFA 32, OTA SSC Men 275, OTA SSC Women 18 — including NCC 'C' vacancies at IMA (13), INA (6) and AFA (3)
- Indian Military Academy, Dehradun — 163rd (DE) Course
- Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala — Executive Branch (General Service) / Hydro
- Air Force Academy, Hyderabad — (Pre-Flying) 222 F(P) Course
- Officers' Training Academy, Chennai — 126th SSC (Men) (NT) Course
- Officers' Training Academy, Chennai — 126th SSC Women (NT) Course
Source: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (published 20 May 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
CDS (II) 2026 vacancies by course
The notice lists about 451 vacancies. OTA Chennai has the largest number (275 for men and 18 for women), followed by the Indian Military Academy (100), the Air Force Academy (32) and the Indian Naval Academy (26). Some IMA, INA and AFA vacancies are reserved for NCC 'C' certificate holders. The notice calls these figures tentative.
Approximate vacancies as printed in the notice
| Course | Commences | Vacancies | Of which reserved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun — 163rd (DE) Course | July 2027 | 100 | 13 for NCC 'C' (Army Wing) |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala — Executive Branch (General Service) / Hydro | July 2027 | 26 | 6 for NCC 'C' (Naval Wing) and 1 for Hydro |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad — (Pre-Flying) 222 F(P) Course | July 2027 | 32 | 3 for NCC 'C' (Air Wing) through NCC Special Entry |
| Officers' Training Academy, Chennai — 126th SSC (Men) (NT) | October 2027 | 275 | — |
| Officers' Training Academy, Chennai — 126th SSC Women (NT) | October 2027 | 18 | — |
| Total | 451 |
Tentative; may change.
UPSC CDS eligibility summary
Age limit: IMA and INA: 19–24, unmarried men born 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2008. AFA: 20–24, born 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2007 (up to 26 for DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders: born 1 July 2001 – 1 July 2007). OTA Men: 19–25, unmarried, born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008. OTA Women: born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008 (as on Date-of-birth windows printed in the notice (para 3(b)); AFA age counted as on 1 July 2027).
- IMA and OTA: degree of a recognised university or equivalent
- INA: degree in Engineering, or B.Sc. with Physics as a core or elective subject, with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2
- AFA: degree of a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, or Bachelor of Engineering
- Final-year students may apply; proof of passing is due by 1 July 2027 (IMA, INA), 13 May 2027 (AFA) and 1 October 2027 (OTA)
UPSC CDS application fee
₹200
All female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempted from the fee. OBC and EWS candidates get no exemption.
Source: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (published 20 May 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
UPSC CDS selection process
- Written examination by UPSC (objective): three papers for IMA, INA and AFA; two papers for OTA
- Intelligence and Personality Test at a Services Selection Board (two stages; Stage II over 4 days)
- Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) for Air Force Academy candidates
- Medical examination
How to apply for CDS
- 1
Register on the UPSC online portal
Apply only on upsconline.nic.in. Your Universal Registration Number (URN) is registered once in a lifetime and reused for later examinations.
- 2
Keep a photo ID ready
You need the details of one photo ID card, which you must also carry to the examination and the SSB.
- 3
Upload and capture your photograph
You must upload a photograph and also capture a live photograph while filling the Common Application Form.
- 4
Fill your course preferences carefully
Specify the services in order of preference in the examination-specific module; at least one preference is mandatory. A man who wants only Army Short Service Commission should give OTA as his one and only choice. Women are considered only for OTA.
- 5
Choose your centre early
Centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis, so apply early to get the centre you want.
- 6
Pay the fee and submit
The fee is ₹200 by net banking, Visa/MasterCard/RuPay card or UPI; no other mode is valid. Female, SC and ST candidates are exempt. For this cycle the form closed at 6 pm on 9 June 2026.
- 7
Check before submitting
No correction is allowed in any field after submission, and an application cannot be withdrawn once submitted.
- 8
Download the e-Admit Card
The e-Admit Card is issued on the last working day of the week before the examination.
UPSC CDS official links
- Official notice (PDF): Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (published 20 May 2026)
- Official website: upsc.gov.in (the only place to apply)
Check the official notice before applying: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-CDS-II-2026-Engl-200526.pdf
Frequently asked questions
When can I apply for UPSC CDS?
Online application (last date): 9 June 2026 (6 pm), as per the notice published on 20 May 2026. Applications are made only on upsc.gov.in.
How many vacancies are there in UPSC CDS?
451 (approximate): IMA 100, INA 26, AFA 32, OTA SSC Men 275, OTA SSC Women 18 — including NCC 'C' vacancies at IMA (13), INA (6) and AFA (3), according to the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II.
What is the application fee for UPSC CDS?
₹200. All female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempted from the fee. OBC and EWS candidates get no exemption. (as per the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II).
How many vacancies are there in CDS (II) 2026?
About 451: 100 at IMA, 26 at INA, 32 at AFA, 275 for OTA SSC Men and 18 for OTA SSC Women.
Can women apply for CDS?
Yes, but only for the Short Service Commission (Women) course at OTA Chennai. Unmarried women, and issueless widows and divorcees who have not remarried, are eligible. Women are exempt from the fee.
Can final-year students apply for CDS?
Yes. Proof of passing must reach by 1 July 2027 for IMA and INA, 13 May 2027 for AFA and 1 October 2027 for OTA, and a bonafide certificate is required at the SSB.
What is the CDS application fee?
₹200. All female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempt; OBC and EWS candidates must pay.
Can married candidates apply for CDS?
Men must be unmarried for IMA, INA and OTA. For AFA, candidates below 25 must be unmarried; married candidates aged 25 or above may apply but get no married accommodation during training. Marriage is not permitted during training.