🪖 UPSC · Advt. 11/2026-CDS-II · Defence Entry • 🟢 Apply: 20 May – 9 June 2026 • 📅 Exam: 13 September 2026

UPSC CDS II Recruitment 2026
451 Posts — IMA · INA · AFA · OTA

Union Public Service Commission · Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2026 · 451 vacancies across IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, AFA Hyderabad, OTA Chennai · Apply 20 May – 9 June 2026 · Exam 13 September 2026

UPSC has released the notification for Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 (Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II) for 451 vacancies across Indian Military Academy (100), Indian Naval Academy (26), Air Force Academy (32), and Officers' Training Academy (293 — SSC Men + Women). Applications are open at upsconline.nic.in till 9 June 2026. Written exam on 13 September 2026 followed by SSB Interview. Graduate-level entry with negative marking (−1/3 per wrong answer).

📋 451 Posts · 4 Academies

🏛️ UPSC · Central Govt · Armed Forces

📅 Apply: 20 May – 9 Jun 2026

📝 Written + SSB · −1/3 NM

📅 Exam: 13 Sep 2026

💰 Fee: ₹200 (Gen) · Free (SC/ST/Female)

⚠️ Negative Marking: −1/3 mark per wrong answer. 3 wrong answers cancel 1 correct answer. This applies to all papers. Do not guess randomly. Blank answers carry no penalty.

⚡ Should You Apply? — Quick Check

• IMA (Dehradun): Graduation in any discipline · Age 19–24 · Unmarried male only

• INA (Ezhimala): Engineering degree in relevant field · Physics & Maths at 10+2 · Age 19–22 · Unmarried male only

• AFA (Hyderabad): Graduation with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level OR BE/B.Tech · Age 19–23 · Unmarried male only

• OTA (Chennai) — SSC Men: Graduation in any discipline · Age 19–25 · Male

• OTA (Chennai) — SSC Women: Graduation in any discipline · Age 19–25 · Unmarried/Widow/Divorcee without children

• No graduation degree → Not eligible for any academy

• No Physics & Maths at 10+2 → Not eligible for INA and AFA

💰 Salary & Benefits

₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500/month

Pay Level-10 (7th CPC) · Starting rank: Lieutenant (IMA) / Sub-Lieutenant (INA) / Flying Officer (AFA) / Lieutenant (OTA) · Plus Military Service Pay ₹15,500/month fixed · CTC ~₹17–18 LPA

• Military Service Pay ₹15,500/month

• DA + HRA + Transport Allowance

• Free Ration / Ration Money

• Free Medical (Self + Family)

• Army / Navy / Air Force Accommodation

• Leave Travel Concession

• Group Insurance + Pension

🎯 Selection Process — 3 Stages

1. Written Examination — CDS II 2026 ⭐ Shortlisting Stage

   Held on 13 September 2026. Two papers for OTA candidates (English + GK). Three papers for IMA/INA/AFA candidates (English + GK + Elementary Mathematics). Each paper 100 marks · 2 hours. Negative marking: −1/3 per wrong answer. Written exam shortlists candidates for SSB Interview academy-wise.
   

2. SSB Interview — 5 Days ⭐ Most Critical Stage

   Services Selection Board (SSB) interview at designated centres. Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) + PPDT. Stage II: Psychology tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD) + GTO tasks + Personal Interview + Conference. Final merit = SSB marks. Written exam merit is used only for shortlisting for SSB.
   

3. Medical Examination + Merit List

   SSB-recommended candidates undergo medical examination at designated military hospitals. Final joining is in order of merit list. Training commences at respective academies (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA).

⚠️ Critical Instructions

• OTR is mandatory before applying. Complete One-Time Registration at upsconline.nic.in first. Without OTR, you cannot submit the application form.

• Submit separate application form for each academy you want to apply for (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA-Men, OTA-Women). Single form does NOT cover all academies.

• Correction window is 10–16 June 2026 only. No corrections permitted after 16 June 2026. Double-check all entries before submitting.

• OTA candidates: Maths paper is NOT required. Applying for OTA + any technical academy requires appearing in Maths paper for the technical academy.

• Admit card will be available approximately 6 September 2026 (tentative) at upsc.gov.in. Downloaded from OTR login.

• OTA has 293 vacancies out of 451 total — highest share. Graduation in any stream eligible. Most accessible entry route for general graduates.

• Female candidates: Only OTA (SSC Women, 39th Course) is available. 17 vacancies. Graduation in any discipline eligible. Fee is Nil for all female candidates.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Data sourced from UPSC notification (Advt. 11/2026-CDS-II dated 20-05-2026) and cross-verified with multiple trusted sources. Always verify at upsc.gov.in and apply at upsconline.nic.in. ResultDekho is not affiliated with UPSC or Government of India. Last updated: 21 May 2026.