The UPSC CDS 2 2026 notification released on 20 May 2026 on the official website at upsc.gov.in. The CDS exam 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on 13 September 2026 through offline mode.
CDS 2 2026
The Union Public Service Commission is responsible for conducting the Combined Defence Service Exam (CDS) twice a year. The CDS exam is National level exam conducted to fill the eligible candidates for Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. UPSC CDS 2026 is one of the biggest career opportunities for candidates who dream of serving the nation in the defence service. The CDS 2 2026 notification will be released on 20 May 2026 on the official website at upsc.gov.in.
The CDS 2 application form 2026 will be available from 20 May 2026. The UPSC will conduct CDS 2 exam 2026 on 13 September 2026 through offline mode. CDS exam is one of the most popular defence exam in India for graduate candidates who wants to join the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and officers training academy. For more details such as CDS eligibility, vacancy, syllabus, read the complete article.
CDS 2 2026 Notification
The CDS 2 notification 2026 is also to be released on 20 May 2026 at upsc.nic.in. Along with the official notification, the UPSC CDS 2 online form will also start from 20 May 2026. The last date to submit the application form is 9 June 2026. Candidates will get their CDS admit card 2026 in the first week of September 2026 and the CDS 2 exam 2026 will be conducted on 13 September 2026. The selection process includes written test, interview and medical examination.
CDS Exam 2026 Overview
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Service Examination (1) 2026 |
| CDS 2 Vacancy | To be announce |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 | 13 September 2026 |
| Selection Process | Written Test- Interview- Medical Examination |
| Language of Written Exam | Bilingual |
| Mode of Examination | Offline |
| Eligibility | Unmarried Males & Females |
| Job Location | All Over India |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
CDS 2 2026 Exam Date
The Union Public Service Commission has announced the UPSC CDS exam date 2026. The CDS 2 exam is scheduled to be conducted on 13 September 2026. The Combined Defence Service examination will be conducted through offline mode on Sunday. Interested candidates can check the complete schedule for CDS examination below.
| Events | UPSC CDS 2 2026 |
| CDS Application Form 2026 | 20th May 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 9th June 2026 |
| Application Withdrawal | — |
| CDS Admit Card 2026 | September 2026 |
| CDS Exam Date 2026 | 13th September 2026 |
| CDS Result 2026 |
UPSC CDS 2 Vacancy 2026
The UPSC CDS vacancy 2026 will be released along with the official notification for more than 400 posts. The CDS 2 vacancies will be released for Indian army forces, Indian Military Army, Indian Naval army and officers training academy. Check the vacancy details below.
UPSC CDS 2 2026 Eligibility
The candidate who wants to apply for CDS 2 set by the Union Public Service Commission for defence recruitment. The eligibility criteria include candidates education qualification, age limit, and nationality.
- Nationality – the candidates must be the citizen of India. Subject of Nepal/Bhutan or Tibet Refugee who has been migrated to India before 1 January 1962.
- CDS education qualification – education qualification varies according to different Academy check the details below.
- For IMA – the candidate should be graduate in any subject from recognise University.
- For Indian Naval Academy – the candidate must completed their graduation in engineering from recognised University/institution.
- For Air Force Academy – Bachelors Degree from a recognised University with Physics and Mathematics at 10 + 2 level.
- CDS Age Limit –
- For IMA – the unmarried male aged between 19 to 24 years
- For Indian Navel Academy – unmarried male aged between 19 to 24 years
- For AFA – unmarried male is between 20 to 24.
CDS 2 2026 Application Form
The CDS 2 2026 application form will be released on 20 May 2026 on the official website. Candidates who want to take admission in the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy must apply online before the last date, which is 9 June 2026. The CDS application form 2026 is only available on the official portal. Here is the direct link to apply for CDS Application Form 2026.
Also, Check UPSC CDS 2 Online Form – APPLY ONLINE
Also, Check
BPSC 72nd notification 2026
CTET Notification 2026
CDS 2026 Application Fees
The CDS application fees for 2026 are compulsory for all candidates except SC/ST/female category. The CDS 2 2026 exam application fee is Rs 200/-. The Application fees can be paid through online/offline mode through net banking , MasterCard/debit card or cash deposit in any branch. Check application fees details here.
| Category | Application Fee |
| All category except SC/ST/Females | Rs. 200/- |
| SC/ST/Females | Exempted |
UPSC CDS 2 2026 Selection process
The selection process of UPSC CDS exam consists of written examination, SSB interview, document verification and medical test. Candidate who want to be selected for defence recruitment needs to qualify all the stages.
- Written examination
- SSB interview/personality test
- Document verification
- Medical test
How to Apply for UPSC CDS 2 2026
Candidates who wants to apply for UPSC CDS 2 2026 needs to follow the steps given below.
- Firstly candidate needs to visit the official website of UPSC at .upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
- On the homepage click on the one time registration (OTR) link.
- Complete the registration by entering your personal, academic details.
- Now after completing the registration unit to pay the application fees and upload scanned documents including your photograph, signature, Aadhar card, pan card etc.
- Now pay the application fees of Rs 200.
UPSC CDS Salary 2026
The selected candidate will receive an attractive salary with various allowances like dearness allowance, kit maintenance allowance, uniform allowance, transport allowance etc. Interested candidates who wants to know the CDS salary for Air Force, Navy, are given below.
| Rank | Level | (Pay in Rs.)Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | Rs. 56,100 -1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10 B | Rs. 61,300- 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | Rs. 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | Rs. 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | Rs. 1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | Rs. 1,39,600-2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | Rs. 1,44,200-2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 | Rs. 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
| HAG+Scale | Level 16 | Rs. 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Level 17 | Rs. 2,25,000/-(fixed) |
| COAS | Level 18 | Rs. 2,50,000/-(fixed) |
FAQs on CDS 2 2026
When did CDS 2 application form 2026 be release?
The CDS 2 application form 2026 is available from 20 May 2026.
Who can apply for UPSC CDS?
The unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply for combine difference service examination.
What is the last date to apply for CDS 2 2026?
The last date to apply for CDS 2 2026 is 9 June 2026.