UPSC CDS 2 2026 Notification: 451 Vacancies Open for IMA, INA, AFA & OTA

451 vacancies are now open under the Combined Defence Services Examination- II, 2026 conducted by Union Public Service Commission. This recruitment drive selects unmarried male candidates for Indian Military Academy Dehradun (163rd DE Course), Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala (Executive Branch), Air Force Academy Hyderabad (222 F(P) Course), and both male and unmarried female/issueless divorcee candidates for Officers Training Academy Chennai (126th SSC Men & Women NT Course). Graduate candidates from recognised universities should check subject-specific requirements for Navy and Air Force entries. Applications open online only at upsconline.nic.in from 20 May 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check

Expert note: AFA candidates must note – CPSS (Pilot Aptitude Test) is conducted only once. Those who failed CPSS earlier or habitually wear spectacles are not eligible for Air Force.

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Important Dates

Vacancy and Category Analysis

Competition analysis: With 451 total vacancies and approximately 1.2-1.5 lakh expected applicants based on CDS- I 2026 trends, the overall selection ratio stands at roughly 1 in 270 to 1 in 330. OTA Men category (275 seats) offers highest selection probability – ratio approximately 1 in 200. IMA with 100 seats sees stiffer competition at roughly 1 in 500. General category candidates face highest competition due to limited UR seats – approximately 228 UR seats across all courses means roughly 1 in 500-600 UR applicants succeed. OBC candidates have better odds with reservation (~121 seats) at roughly 1 in 300. NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders have significantly better chances – 13 dedicated Army seats, 6 Naval, 3 Air Force. However, if NCC reserved vacancies remain unfilled, they convert to unreserved seats. PwD candidates need to check individual course medical eligibility – not all disabilities are acceptable for combat roles.

Salary and In-Hand Calculation

In-hand breakdown for Lieutenant: Basic Pay ₹56,100 + Military Service Pay (MSP) ₹15,500 fixed + Dearness Allowance (DA at 50% as of Jan 2026) ₹28,050 + HRA (X class city 27%) ₹15,147 = Gross ₹1,14,797. Deductions: NPS (10% of Basic+DA) approx ₹8,415 + Income Tax (negligible at this bracket) + CGEIS (if opted) = Approximate in-hand ₹70,000-78,000 per month depending on city classification and tax regime selected. Training period stipend ₹56,100 is without MSP and DA but includes free accommodation, food, and medical during academy tenure.

Compared to CAPF Assistant Commandant which offers similar ₹56,100 pay scale but without MSP, CDS officers receive ₹15,500 extra monthly as MSP – approximately ₹1.86 lakh more annually. Combat allowances add further difference during field postings.

Application Fee

Age Limit

Age calculation example: For OTA application, if your date of birth is 15 July 2002, you turn 19 on 15 July 2021 – eligible. Upper limit: born 01 July 2008 means you turn 25 on 01 July 2033 – eligible for 2026 exam. Use official DOB from matriculation certificate only. No other document (affidavit, horoscope, birth certificate) accepted.

Eligibility Criteria

Final year students: Studying in final year/semester of degree course CAN apply. Must submit proof of passing degree examination by specific dates: IMA/INA by 01 July 2027, AFA by 13 May 2027, OTA by 01 October 2027. At SSB interview, carry bonafide certificate from college stating you will complete degree by prescribed deadline. Failure to produce degree proof by deadline cancels candidature.

Selection Process

Stage 1: Written Examination (Objective Type) – 13 September 2026

For IMA/INA/AFA: Three papers – English (2 hours, 100 marks), General Knowledge (2 hours, 100 marks), Elementary Mathematics (2 hours, 100 marks). Total 300 marks. For OTA: Two papers – English (100 marks) and General Knowledge (100 marks). Total 200 marks. Negative marking: 0.33 marks deducted per wrong answer. Use only black ball pen on OMR sheet.

Stage 2: SSB Interview (5 days) – Feb-June 2027

Stage I (Day 1): Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests + Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). Candidates clearing Stage I proceed to Stage II. Stage II (Days 2-4): Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Interview. Day 5: Conference. Total marks for SSB: 300 for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA. Final merit based on written + SSB marks combined.

Stage 3: Medical Examination

Medical standards as per “Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces (1st Edition)”. Available at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. Permanent tattoos permitted only on inner forearm or back of palm. Tribal tattoos on face/body permitted case-by-case with Commandant Selection Centre approval.

📌 Your first 7 days after applying: 1) Download and save application PDF with transaction ID. 2) Register on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in if Army first choice – this is mandatory for SSB call letter. 3) Start English paper preparation daily – reading comprehension and error spotting priority. 4) Collect original matriculation certificate and degree marksheets – keep scanned copies ready. 5) Order spectacles (if vision issues) – Air Force vision standards are strict at 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other without correction.

Exam Syllabus

Exam Pattern – IMA/INA/AFA

English (Matriculation+ standard)

• Vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, fill in blanks
• Reading comprehension passages
• Sentence rearrangement, error detection
• Idioms and phrases, one-word substitution
• Para completion, cloze test

General Knowledge (Graduate standard)

• Current events – national and international (last 12-18 months priority)
• History of India – ancient, medieval, modern (freedom struggle focus)
• Indian Geography – physical, economic, social
• Everyday science – scientific aspects of common observations
• Indian Polity and Constitution – basic structure, rights, duties

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Elementary Mathematics (Matriculation standard)

• Arithmetic: Number system, HCF/LCM, percentage, profit-loss, simple/compound interest, time-speed-distance, work and wages, ratio-proportion, logarithms base 10
• Algebra: Quadratic equations (real roots only), simultaneous linear equations (2 variables), polynomials, remainder theorem, set language, indices
• Trigonometry: sin/cos/tan for 0°,30°,45°,60°,90°, identities, heights and distances, use of tables
• Geometry: Lines, angles, triangles (congruency, similarity), circles (tangents, secants), parallelograms, rectangles, squares, loci
• Mensuration: Areas of squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, surface area and volume of cuboid, cylinder, cone, sphere
• Statistics: Data collection, frequency polygons, histograms, bar charts, pie charts, mean/median/mode

How to Apply (UPSC Online Portal)

1. Visit upsconline.nic.in – click on “Online Application Portal”
2. Create Account (if first time) – provide email, mobile, set password – get Universal Registration Number (URN)
3. Complete Universal Registration Profile – upload photo (live capture also required), signature (3 times on white paper, black ink), ID proof details
4. Fill Common Application Form (CAF) – educational qualifications, date of birth (from matric certificate exactly), address
5. Select Examination Specific Module – choose CDS-II 2026, then select course preferences carefully (AFA must be first choice)
6. Choose exam centre – “first-apply-first-allot” basis applies for most centres except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata, Nagpur
7. Pay fee ₹200 (unless exempted) – Net Banking/Debit/Credit/UPI only – no offline payment
8. Submit application – download final PDF with Application Number – no withdrawal or editing allowed after submission

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is approximate in-hand salary after deductions for CDS officers?

Approximately ₹70,000-78,000 per month for Lieutenant rank after all deductions (NPS, tax). Training stipend is ₹56,100 fixed without MSP/DA. Post-commission, basic ₹56,100 + MSP ₹15,500 + DA (50%) + HRA (9-27%) gives gross ₹1.15 lakh approx, deductions bring to ₹70k+ range. Action tip: Select new tax regime if opting for higher allowances – old regime offers deductions but calculate based on your investment capacity.

What is last date to apply for UPSC CDS 2 2026?

09 June 2026, up to 6:00 PM. The application link on upsconline.nic.in disables exactly at 6 PM – no extension. Action tip: Complete application by 7 June to avoid last-day server slowdowns that cause payment gateway failures – a common reason for rejected applications.

What are total vacancies and which courses are available?

451 total vacancies: IMA Dehradun – 100 (including 13 NCC Army), INA Ezhimala – 26 (including 6 NCC Naval + 1 Hydro), AFA Hyderabad – 32 (including 3 NCC Air), OTA Chennai Men SSC – 275, OTA Chennai Women SSC – 18. Action tip: Apply for all preferences you are eligible for – leftover qualified candidates from IMA/INA/AFA get considered for SSC even without OTA preference if vacancies remain.

What is minimum educational qualification for CDS exam 2026?

Graduation from recognised university for all courses. Additional requirement for INA and AFA: Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level mandatory. B.Sc Physics (with Physics as core/elective) is accepted for INA. Final year students can apply with college bonafide certificate. Action tip: AFA candidates – if you don’t have 10+2 Physics/Maths certificate, you cannot apply even with Engineering degree. Verify your 10+2 marksheet first.

What is age limit for General category and relaxation for OBC SC ST?

IMA/INA: 19-24 years (born 01 July 2003 to 01 July 2008). AFA: 20-24 years (born 01 July 2003 to 01 July 2007) – CPL holders get 26 years upper limit. OTA: 19-25 years (born 01 July 2002 to 01 July 2008). Standard GoI relaxation: OBC +3 years, SC/ST +5 years (applies to upper limit only). Action tip: OBC/SC/ST candidates calculate using 15 July of birth year method – count completed years as on application last date, not exam date.

What is application fee and who gets exemption?

₹200 for General/OBC/EWS candidates. Female candidates and SC/ST candidates are fully exempted – no fee payment required. OBC/EWS candidates do NOT get any fee exemption. Payment only through online modes – net banking, debit/credit card, UPI. Action tip: Screenshot successful payment transaction – keep as proof. Fee not refunded under any circumstance including application rejection.

What is selection process for CDS 2026?

Three stages: (1) Written exam on 13 September 2026 – objective type OMR sheet, 300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 marks for OTA, negative marking applicable. (2) SSB interview (5 days) – Stage I: OIR + PP&DT, Stage II: Psychology, GTO tasks, Interview. (3) Medical exam at Armed Forces hospital. Final merit: written + SSB marks combined. Action tip: Start physical fitness now – OTA has mandatory run (2.4km: men 10:30 min, women 13 min), push-ups (men 40, women 15), pull-ups (men 6), sit-ups (30), squats (2 sets of 30), lunges (2 sets of 10) on arrival.

Can final year graduation students apply for CDS 2026?

Yes, students in final year/semester of degree course are eligible to apply as a special concession. Must produce proof of passing degree by: IMA/INA – 01 July 2027, AFA – 13 May 2027, OTA – 01 October 2027. At SSB interview, carry bonafide certificate from college principal stating you have appeared/will appear for final exam by deadline. Action tip: No extension granted for late degree declaration – even if university delays results, your candidature will cancel. Apply only if confident of completing degree by these dates.

Is NCC ‘C’ Certificate mandatory for reserved vacancies?

No, but 13 IMA seats (Army Wing), 6 INA seats (Naval Wing), and 3 AFA seats (Air Wing) are reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders. Candidates without NCC certificate compete for unreserved seats. Condition: served minimum 3 academic years in NCC Senior Division and not discharged more than 24 months before application last date. Action tip: NCC candidates must submit proof of passing NCC ‘C’ exam to respective service HQ by 13 May 2027 – address provided in notification. If insufficient NCC qualified candidates, reserved seats convert to unreserved.

What documents are required at SSB interview?

Originals with self-attested copies: Matriculation certificate (for date of birth – no other document accepted), Degree certificate/provisional degree + all semester marksheets (final year students: bonafide certificate from college), Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) for claiming reservation, NCC ‘C’ Certificate (if applicable), ID proof (Aadhaar recommended), 10+2 marksheet for AFA/INA candidates (to prove Physics & Mathematics). Action tip: Arrange these documents NOW – SSB call letter arrives 2-3 weeks before interview. Last-minute scrambling leads to disqualification from SSB.