UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS II) 2026 Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially issued the examination schedule and published the hall ticket / admit card for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS II) 2026 under Advt. No. 11/2026CDSII. This prestigious nationallevel competitive exam is conducted twice a year to recruit eligible unmarried male and female candidates for commission into the Indian Armed Forces, including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).

Key Recruitment Highlights

• Issuing Authority: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Examination Name: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 (CDS 2)
• Total Vacancies: 451 Posts spread across Army, Navy, and Air Force wings
• Pay Scale & Stipend: Selected candidates undergo training where they receive a fixed stipend during cadet training (Starting Level 10 - ₹56,100 per month), followed by rankbased pay scales, military service pay (MSP), free medical facilities, government accommodation, and various allowances as applicable to commissioned officers.
• Job Location: Across India (Postings in Army, Navy, and Air Force Stations)

Candidates who submitted their online applications before the last date of June 11, 2026, can now download their eAdmit Cards using their Roll Number, Registration ID, or Date of Birth from the official UPSC online portal.