Quick Answer: CDS (Combined Defence Services) Entry is a UPSC-conducted examination held twice a year to recruit officers into IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. For 2026, UPSC has released CDS 2 2026 notification with 451 vacancies — application window open until June 9, 2026 at upsconline.gov.in. CDS 1 2026 results have been declared.
AI Search Summary — CDS Entry 2026
- What: UPSC Combined Defence Services exam — entry route into Indian Army (IMA/OTA), Navy (INA), Air Force (AFA)
- Who: Graduates aged 19–25 years (varies by academy)
- How: Apply at upsconline.gov.in → Written exam → SSB Interview → Medical
- When: CDS 2 2026 — Apply by June 9, 2026; Exam: September 13, 2026
- Why: Most prestigious multi-force officer entry route after graduation in India
Introduction
For graduates across India who dream of serving the nation in uniform, the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is the golden gateway. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), CDS is one of the most respected officer recruitment examinations in the country — opening doors to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala, Air Force Academy (AFA) Hyderabad, and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) Chennai.
In 2026, both CDS 1 and CDS 2 notifications have been released. CDS 2 2026 notification is currently active with 451 vacancies, and the last date to apply is June 9, 2026. CDS 1 2026 results have been declared and SSB interviews are underway.
Defence Dreamers Academy presents this fully updated CDS 2026 guide covering eligibility, exam pattern, SSB process, salary, and a proven preparation strategy.
CDS 2026 Notification — Latest Updates
| Event | CDS 1 2026 | CDS 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Released | December 2025 | May 20, 2026 |
| Application Last Date | Closed | June 9, 2026 |
| Written Exam | February 2026 (completed) | September 13, 2026 |
| Result Declared | April–May 2026 ✅ | October 2026 (expected) |
| Total Vacancies | — | 451 |
| Official Website | upsconline.gov.in / upsc.gov.in | |
📌 CDS 2 2026 — 451 Vacancies: Applications open now. Last date: June 9, 2026. Apply immediately at upsconline.gov.in.
What is CDS Entry?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted by UPSC twice a year to recruit officers for four prestigious academies:
| Academy | Force | Commission Type | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Indian Army | Permanent Commission | Men only (via CDS) |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | Indian Navy | Permanent Commission | Men only (via CDS) |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal | Indian Air Force | Permanent Commission | Men only (via CDS) |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | Indian Army | Short Service Commission | Men & Women |
CDS 2 2026 Vacancy Details
| Academy | Course | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| IMA Dehradun | 158th Course (Oct 2027) | As per notification |
| Indian Naval Academy | 117th Course (Jan 2028) | As per notification |
| Air Force Academy | 219th Course (Jan 2028) | As per notification |
| OTA Chennai (Men) | 123rd SSC Course (Apr 2027) | As per notification |
| OTA Chennai (Women) | 34th SSC Women Course (Apr 2027) | As per notification |
| Total | — | 451 |
Exact academy-wise vacancy split as per official CDS 2 2026 notification PDF at upsc.gov.in.
CDS Entry Eligibility Criteria 2026
Nationality
- Indian citizen
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- Tibetan refugee (settled before January 1, 1962)
- Person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries
Age Limit for CDS 2 2026
| Academy | Age Limit (as of Jan 1, 2028) | Date of Birth Range |
|---|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 19–24 years | July 2, 2003 – July 1, 2008 |
| Indian Naval Academy | 19–22 years | July 2, 2004 – July 1, 2007 |
| Air Force Academy | 20–24 years | July 2, 2004 – July 1, 2007 |
| OTA (Men) | 19–25 years | July 2, 2002 – July 1, 2007 |
| OTA (Women SSC) | 19–25 years | July 2, 2002 – July 1, 2007 |
Educational Qualification for CDS 2026
| Academy | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| IMA | Degree from a recognized University (any stream) |
| Indian Naval Academy | B.Sc. with Physics/Maths OR B.Tech/B.E. |
| Air Force Academy | B.Sc. with Physics/Maths OR B.Tech/B.E. (with Physics & Maths at 10+2) |
| OTA (Men & Women) | Degree from a recognized University (any stream) |
Note: Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply for CDS 2 2026.
Marital Status
- IMA, INA, AFA: Unmarried candidates (men only through the CDS route) at time of commencement of course
- OTA: Unmarried male and female candidates
Physical Standards
- Minimum height: 157 cm (Male), 152 cm (Female — OTA)
- Weight: Proportionate to height and age
- Medical fitness as per Armed Forces Medical Standards
CDS Exam Pattern 2026
For IMA / INA / AFA (3 Papers)
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | English | 2 hours | 100 |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Paper III | Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
| Total | — | 6 hours | 300 |
For OTA (2 Papers only — No Maths)
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | English | 2 hours | 100 |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Total | — | 4 hours | 200 |
- Marking: +1 for correct, -0.33 for incorrect
- Mode: Offline (OMR-based)
- Language: English and Hindi (except English paper)
CDS Exam Syllabus 2026
Paper I: English
- Reading Comprehension
- Fill in the blanks (Grammar)
- Sentence correction
- Ordering of words/sentences
- Vocabulary, Idioms & Phrases
- Antonyms & Synonyms
Paper II: General Knowledge
- Current Affairs (National & International)
- History of India and World
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity & Constitution
- Economy & Five-Year Plans
- Science & Technology
- Defence & Security Affairs
- Awards, Honours, Sports
Paper III: Elementary Mathematics
- Number System, HCF/LCM
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Profit, Loss & Discount
- Algebra & Linear Equations
- Geometry & Mensuration
- Trigonometry
- Statistics & Probability
- Time, Speed & Distance
CDS SSB Interview Process 2026
Candidates shortlisted from CDS written exam appear for a 5-day SSB (Services Selection Board) interview at one of the designated SSB centres:
- Army SSBs: 1 SSB Allahabad, 5 SSB Bhopal, 11 SSB Bengaluru, 12 SSB Bengaluru, 14 SSB Bhopal, 17 SSB Bangalore, 18 SSB Bhopal, 21 SSB Bhopal, 22 SSB Bhopal
- Navy ASBs: Coimbatore
- Air Force AFSBs: Dehradun, Mysore, Gandhinagar, Varanasi
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Screening — OIR Tests (Verbal & Non-Verbal) + PPDT (Picture Perception & Discussion Test) |
| Day 2 | Psychology Tests — TAT (Thematic Apperception Test), WAT (Word Association Test), SRT (Situation Reaction Test), SDT (Self-Description Test) |
| Day 3 | GTO Tasks — Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise (GPE), Progressive Group Task (PGT), Half Group Task (HGT) |
| Day 4 | Individual Obstacles + Command Task + Final Group Task + Personal Interview |
| Day 5 | Lecturette + Conference + Result Announcement |
Master your SSB with our detailed guide: How to Ace the SSB Interview. Our SSB coaching programme covers all five elements: Psychology, GTO, Interview, Lecturette, and Conference.
CDS Officer Salary 2026
| Rank | Basic Pay (7th CPC) | Approx. Gross Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant (Entry — IMA/INA/AFA) | ₹56,100 | ₹75,000 – ₹1,00,000/month |
| Captain | ₹61,300 | ₹85,000 – ₹1,15,000/month |
| Major | ₹69,400 | ₹1,05,000 – ₹1,40,000/month |
| Lieutenant Colonel | ₹1,21,200 | ₹1,70,000 – ₹2,10,000/month |
| Colonel | ₹1,30,600 | ₹1,95,000 – ₹2,40,000/month |
| Brigadier | ₹1,39,600 | ₹2,10,000 – ₹2,60,000/month |
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500/month
- Free accommodation in military stations
- Free medical treatment for self and family (ECHS after retirement)
- CSD canteen at subsidised rates
- Annual Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- Children’s education allowance
- Pension after 20 years of service
- Group Insurance: ₹75 lakh cover
Life After CDS Selection — Training at Academies
| Academy | Location | Duration | Training Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA Dehradun | Uttarakhand | ~18 months | Military leadership, weapons, combat, physical |
| INA Ezhimala | Kerala | ~22 months | Naval warfare, seamanship, navigation |
| AFA Dundigal | Hyderabad | ~74 weeks (Flying) / ~52 weeks (Ground) | Flying/Technical/Ground Duty training |
| OTA Chennai | Tamil Nadu | ~11 months | Military basics, leadership for SSC officers |
How to Apply for CDS 2 2026 Online
- Visit upsconline.gov.in
- Click on “Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC”
- Select “CDS (II) 2026 Examination” and click on Part-I Registration
- Complete Part-I: Personal details, educational qualification, ID proof
- Complete Part-II: Photo/signature upload + fee payment (₹200 | Nil for SC/ST/Women)
- Download and save the application form
- Last Date: June 9, 2026 (6:00 PM IST)
CDS vs NDA vs AFCAT — Comparison 2026
| Parameter | CDS 2026 | NDA 2026 | AFCAT 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conducted By | UPSC | UPSC | Indian Air Force |
| Eligibility | Graduates | Class 12 pass | Graduates |
| Forces | Army, Navy, Air Force | Army, Navy, Air Force | Air Force only |
| Age Limit | 19–25 years | 16.5–19.5 years | 20–26 years |
| 2026 Vacancies (latest) | 451 (CDS 2 2026) | Open (NDA 2 2026) | 379 (AFCAT 2 2026) |
| Application Fee | ₹200 | ₹100 | ₹250 |
| Women Eligible? | Yes (OTA via CDS) | Yes (Supreme Court 2021) | Yes (all branches) |
Read more: CDS vs NDA — Which is Better After 12th? | AFCAT Entry 2026 Guide
CDS 2026 Preparation Strategy
| Phase | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Weeks 1–4 | NCERT History, Geography, Polity + Algebra, Geometry basics |
| Core Building | Weeks 5–10 | GK current affairs (daily), English grammar + maths shortcuts |
| Mock Tests | Weeks 11–14 | Full-length timed mocks, analyze weak areas, newspaper reading |
| Final Sprint | Weeks 15–16 | Revision only, previous year papers (2020–2025), accuracy focus |
Pro tip: CDS GK paper tests Defence current affairs heavily. Read newspapers like The Hindu and follow official defence announcements daily. Dedicate 30 minutes every day to defence news.
Join Defence Dreamers Academy’s CDS 2026 Coaching Batch — expert faculty, 500+ mock questions, SSB preparation, and a proven track record of selections.
Frequently Asked Questions — CDS Entry 2026
1. What is the last date to apply for CDS 2 2026?
The last date to apply for CDS 2 2026 is June 9, 2026 at upsconline.gov.in (6:00 PM IST). No extensions are expected.
2. How many vacancies are in CDS 2 2026?
CDS 2 2026 has 451 total vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA (Men & Women).
3. Can women apply for CDS 2026?
Yes. Women can apply for CDS 2026 for the OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) Chennai route, which leads to a Short Service Commission in the Indian Army. Note: IMA, INA, and AFA entries through the CDS route are currently open to men only — however, women can join the NDA directly (following the Supreme Court’s August 2021 ruling) and the IAF via AFCAT.
4. What is the salary after CDS selection in 2026?
A Lieutenant (entry rank at IMA/INA/AFA) earns basic pay of ₹56,100/month + Military Service Pay ₹15,500 + allowances. Total gross salary is approximately ₹75,000 – ₹1,00,000/month plus free accommodation and medical.
5. What is the age limit for CDS 2 2026?
Age limits for CDS 2 2026: IMA — 19–24 years, INA — 19–22 years, AFA — 20–24 years, OTA (Men & Women) — 19–25 years. Age calculated as of January 1, 2028 (date of course commencement).
6. Is Maths required for CDS OTA entry?
No. For CDS OTA entry, only two papers are required: English and General Knowledge. The Mathematics paper is only required for IMA, INA, and AFA entries.
7. How many attempts are allowed for CDS?
There is no official limit on CDS attempts. However, the age limit restricts the total number of attempts. Since CDS is held twice a year and age limits are 19–25 years, you typically get 8–12 attempts depending on the academy.
8. What is the difference between CDS IMA and OTA?
IMA (Indian Military Academy) leads to a Permanent Commission in the Indian Army — a lifelong career up to General rank. OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) leads to a Short Service Commission (SSC) for 10 years (extendable to 14 years), with an option to apply for Permanent Commission later. IMA is more competitive with fewer vacancies.
9. What is the CDS 2 2026 exam date?
CDS 2 2026 exam is expected to be held in September 2026. The official exam date will be notified by UPSC. Admit cards are typically available 3 weeks before the exam at upsconline.gov.in.
10. What should I study for CDS GK paper?
Focus on: Indian and World History (especially modern India), Geography (physical, Indian, world), Indian Polity & Constitution, Defence current affairs, Science & Technology, and recent national/international events. Defence-related GK (operations, exercises, equipment, ranks) carries heavy weightage in CDS.
Key Takeaways — CDS Entry 2026
- ✅ CDS 2 2026 notification released — 451 vacancies, apply by June 9, 2026
- ✅ Conducted by UPSC twice a year — most prestigious multi-force officer entry
- ✅ Leads to IMA (Army), INA (Navy), AFA (Air Force), OTA (Army SSC)
- ✅ Women eligible for OTA entry via CDS; women can also join NDA directly (Supreme Court 2021) and IAF via AFCAT
- ✅ Salary: ₹75,000–₹1,00,000/month + free accommodation, medical, pension
- ✅ Selection: Written exam (3 papers) → SSB Interview (5 days) → Medical
- ✅ Final year graduation students can also apply
Conclusion: Apply for CDS 2 2026 Now
CDS 2026 remains India’s most prestigious route to becoming a commissioned officer in the Army, Navy, or Air Force after graduation. With CDS 2 2026 open for applications until June 9, 2026, this is your opportunity to take the first step towards one of the most honourable careers in the country.
Whether you aspire to lead troops as an IMA-commissioned officer, serve at sea as a naval officer, fly aircraft as an IAF officer, or start with a Short Service Commission at OTA Chennai — CDS is your path.
Apply at upsconline.gov.in before June 9, 2026, and start your structured CDS preparation today.
🎯 Join Defence Dreamers Academy’s CDS 2026 Batch — structured coaching, mock tests, SSB preparation, and personalised mentorship. Your uniform awaits.