Latest update — 6 October 2026
CDS II 2026 was held on 13 September; UPSC uploaded the three official papers on 14 September. The reviewed examination page does not yet show a CDS II written-result entry. For the next attempt, the official calendar schedules CDS I 2027 for 11 April 2027.
CDS II 2026 at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Notification | 20 May 2026 |
| Written examination | 13 September 2026; date now past |
| Applications | Closed; final receipt deadline on the official page: 11 June, 6:00 pm |
| Notified vacancies | 451 tentative: IMA 100, INA 26, AFA 32, OTA men 275, OTA women 18 |
| Course intake | IMA/INA/AFA courses in July 2027; OTA courses in October 2027 |
What is new for the 2026–27 session?
The official exam page records an extended closing date of 11 June, later than the 9 June date printed in the initial CDS II notice. The current portal uses Universal Registration and an examination-specific form. Use the notified academy/course combination; the courses begin in 2027 even though the examination is CDS II 2026.
Notification PDF
Read the official CDS notification
Important dates
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification | 20 May 2026 |
| Final application deadline | 11 June 2026, 6 pm; closed |
| e-admit-card entry | 3 September 2026 |
| Written examination | 13 September 2026 |
| Official question papers | 14 September 2026 |
| Written result | No entry displayed on the official CDS II page at this review |
Vacancies and posts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| IMA | 100 |
| INA | 26 |
| AFA | 32 |
| OTA men | 275 |
| OTA women | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
Eligibility
Detailed guide: CDS Eligibility Checklist 2026–27: Documents & Academy Choices
Official notification: academy rules come first
CDS eligibility is not one universal age-and-degree rule. Check the academy, course and examination session together. The course may start in 2027 even though the examination is CDS II 2026.
Official reference: Section 3: conditions of eligibility.
Educational qualification by academy
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| IMA and OTA | Recognised university degree or equivalent |
| INA | Engineering degree OR BSc with Physics as a core/elective subject, with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, as specified |
| AFA | Recognised degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 OR Bachelor of Engineering |
The INA wording in this notification is broader than a generic “engineering only” summary. Candidates should use the exact current notification and any later amendments.
Final-year candidates and qualification proof
Final-year/semester degree candidates can apply under the notification’s conditions. The specified final proof dates are 1 July 2027 for IMA/INA, 13 May 2027 for AFA and 1 October 2027 for OTA. Graduates with Army/Navy/Air Force as first choice have the separate instruction to present graduation/provisional certificates at the start of SSB. Read the full proof-submission provisions; permission to sit the written paper is not a waiver.
Nationality, documents and medical suitability
The notification permits Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal and specified persons of Indian origin, with Government of India eligibility certification where required; Gorkha subjects of Nepal have the stated certificate exception. Academy-specific medical standards and restrictions on previous training withdrawal also apply. Medical eligibility must be assessed under the official standards, not by an online checklist or coaching advertisement.
Application process and fees
Applications use the UPSC portal linked from the examination page. Complete account creation, the Universal Registration profile, Common Application Form and the examination-specific form during the allowed window. Keep the application number and submitted copy. Follow the current live-photo, signature, identity and certificate instructions. Profile edits do not automatically change an already submitted examination form.
CDS II registration is closed. The notice specifies ₹200, with female, SC and ST candidates exempt. Check category eligibility rather than assuming every age relaxation also grants a fee exemption.
Exam pattern
Detailed guide: CDS OTA Exam Pattern 2026–27: English, GK & SSB
Written examination pattern by academy
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| IMA, INA and AFA | English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics: 100 marks and 2 hours each; total 300 |
| OTA | English and General Knowledge: 100 marks and 2 hours each; total 200 |
| Question format | Objective; GK and Mathematics question booklets are bilingual in Hindi and English |
| Negative marking | One-third of the marks assigned to a question for a wrong answer; blank answers have no penalty |
| Calculators | Not permitted in the objective papers |
UPSC can prescribe qualifying marks in any or all subjects. Minimum qualifying marks and the eventual competitive cut-off are different concepts; do not treat an unofficial estimate as a confirmed selection threshold.
Syllabus
Detailed guide: CDS General Knowledge Preparation 2026–27: Syllabus & Revision
English syllabus
UPSC describes the purpose as testing understanding of English and practical use of words. For preparation, practise comprehension, vocabulary in context, grammar and correct usage using actual official papers. These practice categories should not be mistaken for a guaranteed question count by topic.
General Knowledge syllabus
Prepare current events, everyday observation and scientific understanding expected of an educated person without specialist study, Indian history and geography. Link current affairs to basic concepts and use official papers to judge the level. The notification does not prescribe a fixed number of months of current affairs or a guaranteed section-wise distribution.
Elementary Mathematics syllabus
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic and number theory | Number systems, operations, roots, fractions, percentages, interest, profit/loss, ratio, work/distance, divisibility, factors, HCF/LCM and logarithms |
| Algebra | Polynomials, factors, quadratic equations, simultaneous equations and inequalities, sets, rational expressions and indices |
| Trigonometry | Ratios, standard angles, identities and simple heights-and-distances problems |
| Geometry | Lines, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, tangents and loci |
| Mensuration | Plane areas and surface area/volume of the specified solids |
| Statistics | Data collection, tables, graphs and measures of central tendency |
Selection process
Selection after the written examination
Written qualification leads to the applicable Services Selection Board process. Stage I includes Officer Intelligence Rating and Picture Perception and Description testing. Only those who clear Stage I proceed to Stage II, which includes interview, group tasks, psychological tests and conference. Academy-specific medical fitness and document requirements remain necessary.
SSB maximum marks equal the written maximum: 300 for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 for OTA. Written and SSB performance, preferences, eligibility, medical fitness and available vacancies affect selection. Air Force applicants must also satisfy applicable flying-aptitude requirements. A written shortlist is not an admission guarantee.
Salary
The notification gives the Level 10 officer basic-pay range ₹56,100–₹1,77,500 at Lieutenant-equivalent rank, with applicable Military Service Pay and allowances subject to the relevant conditions. Training stipend and commissioned-service pay are different entitlements. Actual take-home pay depends on posting and deductions.
Preparation resources, previous papers and cut-offs
CDS previous-year papers · CDS syllabus checklist · 3- and 6-month study plans · CDS cut-off guide. Begin with the academy-specific paper combination, then practise official questions under each paper’s time limit.
2027 session planning
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| CDS I / NDA I notification | 2 December 2026 |
| CDS I / NDA I application deadline | 22 December 2026 |
| CDS I / NDA I examination | 11 April 2027 |
| CDS II / NDA II notification | 12 May 2027 |
| CDS II / NDA II application deadline | 1 June 2027 |
| CDS II / NDA II examination | 19 September 2027 |
The calendar provides dates. The next notification must establish its vacancies, eligibility cut-offs and application rules.
Official sources
Checked on 6 October 2026. Later official amendments take precedence. Preparation plans are GovtAdhikari editorial guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest official update?
CDS II 2026 was held on 13 September; UPSC uploaded the three official papers on 14 September. The reviewed examination page does not yet show a CDS II written-result entry. For the next attempt, the official calendar schedules CDS I 2027 for 11 April 2027.
Are the 2027 dates guaranteed?
Published calendar dates are subject to change. Where a detailed notification has been issued, read it with any later amendment.
Can I reuse the previous cycle’s eligibility conditions?
Only as preparation context. The notification for your own examination/session determines eligibility and the application rules.