UPSC CDS II Exam Schedule 2026 Out: Check Your Exam Date Direct Link

Notice information

• Short Information: UPSC CDS II Exam Schedule 2026 The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the CDS II 2026 Notification for 451 vacancies across the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy,,. Graduates aged 20 to 24 can begin their online application journey starting May 20, 2026,. With the exam scheduled for September 13, 2026, now is the time to review the eligibility criteria and prepare for one of India’s most prestigious defense recruitment examinations.
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UPSC CDS II Exam Schedule 2026 Overview

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Important Dates : UPSC CDS II Exam Schedule 2026

• Mark your calendars with these critical dates to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines:
• Application Start Date: May 20, 2026
• Last Date to Apply & Pay Fee: June 11, 2026
• Exam Date: September 13, 2026
• Admit Card Availability: Released shortly before the exam date.

Vacancy Breakdown by Academy : UPSC CDS II Exam 2026

• The vacancies are distributed across the four primary wings of the defense services:

Eligibility Criteria: UPSC CDS II 2026

• Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the specific educational and age requirements.

Educational Qualifications

• IMA & OTA: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized university.
• Naval Academy: A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering is mandatory.
• Air Force: Candidates require a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream, but must have studied Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.

Age Limit (as of 01/07/2027)

• Minimum Age: 20 Years.
• Maximum Age: 24 Years.
• Note: Age relaxation is applicable as per the official rules.

Application Fees

• The application process is conducted online through the official UPSC portal.
• General / OBC / EWS: ₹200.
• SC / ST / Female: ₹0 (Exempted).
• Payment Methods: Fees can be paid via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or E-Challan.

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Important Link UPSC CDS II Exam Schedule 2026

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Q1. What is the total number of vacancies for UPSC CDS II 2026?

• The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced a total of 451 vacancies for the CDS II 2026 recruitment. These posts are distributed across different wings: 100 for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), 293 for the Officers Training Academy (OTA), 32 for the Air Force Academy, and 26 for the Indian Naval Academy.

Q4. What educational qualifications are required for the UPSC CDS II 2026 exam?

• For IMA and OTA, you need a Bachelor’s degree in any stream. For the Naval Academy, a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is mandatory. For the Air Force Academy, you must have a Bachelor’s degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level from a recognized board or university.

Q5. What is the age limit for candidates applying for CDS II 2026?

• As of July 1, 2027, candidates must be between the minimum age of 20 years and the maximum age of 24 years. Age relaxation is also applicable for specific categories as per the official recruitment rules. Make sure to check the full notification for detailed post-wise age criteria and relaxation guidelines.

Q6. How much is the application fee for UPSC CDS II 2026?

• General, OBC, and EWS candidates are required to pay an application fee of ₹200. However, SC, ST, and Female candidates are completely exempted from paying any fee. You can pay through online modes like Debit/Credit cards and Net Banking, or via E-Challan.

Q8. How many vacancies are specifically available for the Officers Training Academy (OTA)?

• The Officers Training Academy (OTA) has the highest number of vacancies in this recruitment cycle, with a total of 293 posts available. To qualify for OTA, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline and meet the required age and physical fitness standards specified in the official notification.