UPSC CDS-II Exam Date & Admit Card 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination-II 2026 for admission to courses at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) .
The online application process for UPSC CDS-II 2026 began on 20 May 2026 , and eligible candidates could submit their applications until 11 June 2026 . The written examination was conducted on 13 September 2026 at various examination centres.
The UPSC CDS-II 2026 Answer Key was released on 16 September 2026 for the written examination held on 13 September 2026. Candidates can now check the answer key and use it to compare their responses and estimate their performance in the examination.
Organization Name Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Exam Name Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II 2026 Advt. No. 11/2026-CDS-II Vacancies 451 Job Location All India Exam Date 13 September 2026 Answer Key Date 16 September 2026 Category UPSC CDS-II Answer Key 2026 Official Website upsc.gov.in
Notification Release Date: 20 May 2026
Online Application Start Date: 20 May 2026
Last Date to Apply: 11 June 2026
Fee Payment Last Date: 11 June 2026
Admit Card Date: 03 September 2026
Examination Date: 13 September 2026
Answer Key Date: 16 September 2026
General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹200
SC / ST / Sons of JCOs / ORs Candidates: No Fee
All Female Candidates: No Fee
Payment Mode: Online
Indian Military Academy (IMA): Born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2008
Indian Naval Academy (INA): Born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2008
Air Force Academy: Born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2007
Officers Training Academy (OTA): Born between 02 July 2002 and 01 July 2008
Indian Military Academy (IMA): Bachelor’s Degree in any streamIndian Naval Academy (INA): 12th passed with Physics and Mathematics along with B.Tech or B.Sc. with Physics as a core/elective subjectAir Force Academy: 12th passed with Physics and Mathematics along with a Degree in any stream or B.E./B.Tech DegreeOfficers Training Academy (Men): Bachelor’s DegreeOfficers Training Academy (Women): Bachelor’s Degree
Post Name Vacancies Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun 100 Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala 26 Air Force Academy, Hyderabad 32 Officers Training Academy (Men), Chennai 275 Officers Training Academy (Women), Chennai 18
The selection will be done in the following stages:
Written Examination
SSB Interview
Medical Examination
Document Verification
Exam Pattern – IMA, INA, AFA – Negative Marking: 1/3rd
Subject Marks Duration English 100 02 Hours General Knowledge 100 02 Hours Elementary Mathematics 100 02 Hours Total 300 06 Hours
Exam Pattern – OTA – Negative Marking: 1/3rd
Subject Marks Duration English 100 02 Hours General Knowledge 100 02 Hours Total 200 04 Hours
Academy Name SSB Marks Indian Military Academy 300 Indian Naval Academy 300 Indian Air Force Academy 300 Officers’ Training Academy 200
