UPSC Recruitment 2026 | Apply for 451 CDS-II Vacancies

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination-II (CDS-II), 2026. This competitive examination is conducted for admission into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official UPSC portal within the prescribed dates.

UPSC CDS-II 2026 notification released for 451 vacancies in IMA, INA, AFA & OTA. Check eligibility, age limit, salary, exam date, and apply online now.

Vacancy Details
Academy Name	No. of Vacancies
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun	100
Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala	26
Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad	32
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men)	275
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women)	18
Total	451
Salary
Officer Cadets during training at IMA, INA, AFA & OTA will receive a stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month. After successful commissioning as Lieutenant, pay scale will be Rs. 56,100/- to Rs. 1,77,500/- under Level 10. Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500/- per month is applicable from Lieutenant to Brigadier rank.
Qualification
IMA & OTA: Degree from a recognized University or equivalent. Indian Naval Academy (INA): Degree in Engineering or B.Sc. with Physics as a core/elective subject and Mathematics at 10+2 level. Air Force Academy (AFA): Degree with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering.
Age Limit
IMA & INA: 19 to 24 years AFA: 20 to 24 years Upper age limit for AFA is relaxable up to 26 years for valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders. OTA (Men & Women): 19 to 25 years Female candidates applying for OTA must be unmarried women, issueless widows, or issueless divorcees who have not remarried.
Application Fee
General/OBC Candidates: Rs. 200/- Female/SC/ST Candidates: No Fee
Selection Process
Written Examination SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test) Medical Examination
How to Apply?
Visit the official UPSC Online portal. Complete One Time Registration (OTR) to generate URN. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF). Complete the Examination Specific Module. Upload required documents, signature, and live photograph. Pay the application fee and submit the form. Take a printout of the final submitted application form.
Important Dates
Notification Release Date: 20 May 2026 Last Date to Apply: 09 June 2026 (up to 06:00 PM) Written Examination Date: 13 September 2026
Important Links
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Official Website	Click Here

UPSC CDS-II Recruitment 2026 - FAQs

What is the total number of vacancies in UPSC CDS-II 2026?

A total of 451 tentative vacancies are available across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA academies.

Is there negative marking in the CDS examination?

Yes. One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer.

Can women candidates apply for all academies?

No. Women candidates are eligible only for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.

What is the application fee for UPSC CDS-II 2026?

The application fee is Rs. 200/- for General/OBC candidates, while Female and SC/ST candidates are exempted.

Can candidates edit the application form after final submission?

No. UPSC does not allow withdrawal or modification of the application form after final submission.