UPSC CDS II Exam Date 2026 Out – Exam on 13 September
UPSC CDS II Exam Date 2026 has been announced. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 on 13 September 2026. Candidates who successfully submitted the application form can now plan their preparation according to the announced examination date.
UPSC CDS II Exam Date 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Begin | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date for Apply Online | 11 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 11 June 2026 |
| Correction Date | As per Schedule |
| CDS II Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Admit Card | Before Exam |
UPSC CDS II 2026 Latest Update
Exam Date: 13 September 2026
Candidates should continue their preparation and regularly check for the release of the UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2026. The admit card will contain the examination centre, reporting time and other important instructions.
UPSC CDS II Application Fee 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200/- |
| SC / ST / Female | ₹0/- |
The examination fee can be paid through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking or E-Challan.
UPSC CDS II Age Limit 2026
The age requirement varies according to the defence academy and course.
| Age Details | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 20 Years |
| Maximum Age | 24 Years |
| Age Calculation Date | 01 July 2027 |
Candidates should check the official notification for the academy-wise date-of-birth requirement, as the prescribed age conditions can differ for particular courses.
UPSC CDS II Eligibility 2026
The educational qualification depends on the academy selected by the candidate.
| Academy / Entry | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Bachelor’s Degree in Any Stream |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | Bachelor’s Degree in Any Stream |
| Indian Naval Academy | Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering |
| Air Force Academy | Bachelor’s Degree in Any Stream with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level |
Candidates should ensure that their qualification meets the requirements of the particular academy before appearing in the selection process.
UPSC CDS II Vacancy 2026
The UPSC CDS II 2026 recruitment has 451 vacancies across different defence academies.
| Post / Academy | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy | 26 |
| Air Force Academy | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | 293 |
| Total | 451 |
UPSC CDS II Exam 2026 – Selection Process
The selection process for CDS II generally consists of the following stages:
| Stage | Selection Process |
|---|---|
| 1 | Written Examination |
| 2 | SSB Interview / Personality Test |
| 3 | Document Verification |
| 4 | Medical Examination |
| 5 | Final Merit List |
Candidates who qualify for the written examination are called for the SSB stage according to the academy and course for which they have applied.
UPSC CDS II Exam Pattern 2026
For IMA, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy, the written examination includes:
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| English | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 |
For OTA, the written examination consists of:
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| English | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 100 |
The written examination is followed by the SSB selection process for candidates who meet the prescribed qualifying requirements.
UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2026
The UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2026 will be released before the examination. Candidates should download it as soon as it becomes available and carefully verify the details printed on it.
The admit card may contain:
- Candidate name and roll number
- Examination centre
- Exam date and timing
- Reporting instructions
- Important examination guidelines
Candidates should carry the required identification and documents to the examination centre as instructed by UPSC.
How to Prepare for UPSC CDS II Exam 2026
With the examination scheduled for 13 September 2026, candidates have a clear target date for their preparation. The remaining preparation period should be divided between syllabus revision, practice papers and mock examinations.
For English, focus on grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and error-based questions. General Knowledge preparation should cover current affairs along with history, geography, polity, science and other relevant areas. Candidates appearing for IMA, Naval Academy or Air Force Academy should also give regular time to Mathematics.
Solving previous-year CDS papers is useful for understanding the question pattern and improving speed. Mock tests can further help candidates identify weak areas before the examination.
Important Instructions for CDS II Exam 2026
Candidates should check the admit card carefully after its release and confirm the examination centre and reporting time. Avoid waiting until the last day to download or print the admit card.
It is also important to read the examination instructions before appearing for the test and carry only the items permitted by UPSC.
UPSC CDS II Exam Date 2026 – FAQs
Q1. When is the UPSC CDS II Exam 2026?
The UPSC CDS II examination will be conducted on 13 September 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies are available in UPSC CDS II 2026?
There are 451 vacancies for IMA, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and OTA.
Q3. What is the CDS II application fee?
General/OBC/EWS candidates have to pay ₹200, while SC, ST and female candidates are exempted from the fee.
Q4. What is the qualification for IMA and OTA?
Candidates need a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream for IMA and OTA.
Q5. What qualification is required for the Indian Naval Academy?
Candidates should have a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
Q6. What is the CDS II 2026 exam date?
The examination is scheduled for 13 September 2026.
Q7. When will the CDS II admit card be available?
The admit card will be released before the examination.
UPSC CDS II 2026 Latest Update
UPSC CDS II Exam Date 2026 is OUT. The Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 will be held on 13 September 2026. Candidates should use the announced date to organize their final preparation and wait for the admit card release.