CDS 2 Exam 2026 - Application form (Out), Eligibility, Exam Dates, Syllabus
About CDS 2026
The Union Public Service Commission activated the UPSC CDS 1 2026 application form from December 10 to December 30, 2025, on the official website. Earlier, the commission released the UPSC CDS 1 2026 notification on December 10, 2025 at upsconline.nic.in. The commission also activated the UPSC application form 2025 link on the same day. The commission has also announced the UPSC CDS 1 exam date 2026 on the official website. As per the exam date, the UPSC CDS 1 exam 2025 is going to be conducted on April 12, 2026.
The application form and the UPSC CDS 2026 notification were released on the same date on the official website. The CDS exam 2026 is conducted for those who wish to pursue their careers as commissioned officers in the Navy, Air Force and Army after graduation or candidates appearing in their final year. There are two stages in the CDS exam 2026: a written exam followed by the SSB interview.
Candidates who qualify in the written CDS exam 2026 are eligible for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview which includes Personality cum Psychometric tests and Intelligence interviews. Candidates who clear the UPSC CDS exam 2026 selection process will have to undergo training programmes as per their merit and preference for Army, Navy and Air Force jobs. The training of selected candidates will be done at the Indian Military Academy (IMA Dehradun), the Indian Naval Academy (INA Ezhimala), the Air Force Academy (Hyderabad), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA Chennai).
CDS 2026 Highlights
| Full Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination |
| Short Exam Name | CDS |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Frequency Of Conduct | Twice a year |
| Exam Level | Intermediate |
| Exam Duration | 6 Hours |
| No Of Seats | 483 |
CDS Important Dates
CDS Combined Defence Services Examination (session 2026)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The CDS 2 exam 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on September 13, 2026.
UPSC released the CDS 2026 application form on May 20, 2026.
The number of CDS 2 vacancies is a total of 451.
The cadets are paid Rs. 56,100 per month. During training, they get a stipend of Rs. 6000 OTA while Rs 12,000 per month in IMA, INA and Air Force academy.
Candidates between the age group of 20 years to 24 years can apply for the CDS exam.
Bachelors degree is must to apply for the CDS examination.
Yes, girls too can apply for CDS exam. Girls are considered for OTA and allotted Short Service Commission in non-Technical cadre.
The written exam of CDS is conducted for 300 marks and candidates must score a minimum of 20% of the total marks i.e. 60. Candidates need to qualify in all three papers of the CDS exam.
Questions related to CDS
On Question asked by student community
Hi
If you are a female candidate with a DOB of May 25, 2002, you can appear for the CDS exam for 4 to 5 more attempts. Check out the CDS exam dates 2026 to learn more about how and when to appear for the examination.
Yes, you can apply for the CDS 1 2027 and CDS 2 2027 exams, but likely ONLY for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA). You will be overage for IMA, INA, and AFA.
CDS 1 2027 Eligibility
For the course commencing in January/April 2028, the approximate age cut-offs will be:
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Academy |
HI AKASH
YES, You will be eligible for this exam because you are falling within the required birth range of jaunary 2 2003 to january 1 2008.
i hope this helps you
Thank you