The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the UPSC CDS II Notification 2026 for the recruitment of IMA, INA, AFA & OTA posts. This is a great opportunity for candidates looking for Central Govt jobs in 2026 in India. A total of 451 vacancies have been announced, and eligible candidates can apply online through the official website.
This article provides complete details, including vacancy details, eligibility criteria, age limit, application fee, selection process, salary, important dates, and how to apply online for UPSC CDS II Notification 2026.
UPSC CDS II Notification 2026 – Overview
The UPSC CDS II Notification 2026 has been released for 451 IMA, INA, AFA & OTA posts.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Name | UPSC CDS II Notification 2026 |
| Recruitment Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Posts Name | Officer Cadet — IMA, INA, AFA, OTA (SSC Men), OTA (SSC Women) |
| Total Vacancies | 451 posts |
| Job Type | Central Govt Jobs |
| Qualifications | Graduate |
| Salary / Pay Level | Training stipend Rs 56,100/m; on commission Pay Level 10 (Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500) + MSP Rs 15,500 |
| Age Limit | 19 years to 25 years |
| Application Date | 20 May to 09 June 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Written Examination + Interview |
| Job Location | All India (training at Dehradun, Ezhimala, Hyderabad, Chennai) |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Vacancies Details – UPSC CDS II Notification 2026
| Academy / Course | Vacancies | Commission / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun — 163rd DE Course (Jul 2027) | 100 | Permanent Commission (incl. 13 NCC reserved) |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala — Executive (GS) | 26 | Permanent Commission (incl. 6 NCC Naval + 1 Hydro) |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad — Flying (Pre-Flying) Course | 32 | Permanent Commission (incl. 3 NCC Air) |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — SSC Men | 275 | Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — SSC Women | 18 | Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) |
| Total | 451 | — |
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CDS II Notification 2026
Candidates must carefully check eligibility before applying for this Central Govt job vacancy in 2026. Only eligible candidates will be considered during document verification.
Educational Qualification
Educational Qualification
- IMA, Dehradun — Graduate degree (any discipline) from a recognised university, or equivalent.
- INA, Ezhimala — Degree in Engineering from a recognised university.
- AFA, Hyderabad — Graduate (any discipline) with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, OR Bachelor of Engineering / Technology.
- OTA, Chennai (Men & Women — SSC) — Graduate degree (any discipline) from a recognised university.
Age Limit
| Academy / Course | Age Limit | Date of Birth (between) |
|---|---|---|
| IMA, Dehradun | 19 to 24 years (Unmarried Male) | 02 July 2003 – 01 July 2008 |
| INA, Ezhimala | 19 to 24 years (Unmarried Male) | 02 July 2003 – 01 July 2008 |
| AFA, Hyderabad | 20 to 24 years (Unmarried) | 02 July 2003 – 01 July 2007 |
| OTA Chennai — SSC Men | 19 to 25 years | 02 July 2002 – 01 July 2008 |
| OTA Chennai — SSC Women (Non-Tech) | 19 to 25 years | 02 July 2002 – 01 July 2008 |
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Salary / Pay Scale
- Training Stipend: Rs 56,100/month (entire training period)
- Pay Level on Commission: Level 10 (Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500)
- Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs 15,500/month (fixed for officers from Lieutenant to Brigadier)
- Dearness Allowance (DA): As per current Central Government rate
- Other Allowances: HRA, Transport Allowance, Field Area Allowance, Ration Allowance
Application Fee
Category-wise application fee is as under.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (Male) | Rs 200 |
| SC / ST | No Fee (Exempted) |
| All Female Candidates | No Fee (Exempted) |
Selection Process
The selection process for the latest Central Govt jobs recruitment in 2026 is designed to evaluate both theoretical knowledge and practical coaching ability. The notified stages are the following:
Stage 1: Written Examination
For IMA / INA / AFA, the written exam carries 300 marks across three papers:
- Paper I — English (Code 11): 100 marks, 2 hours
- Paper II — General Knowledge (Code 12): 100 marks, 2 hours
- Paper III — Elementary Mathematics (Code 13): 100 marks, 2 hours
For OTA Chennai (Men & Women), the written exam carries 200 marks across two papers:
- Paper I — English (Code 11): 100 marks, 2 hours
- Paper II — General Knowledge (Code 12): 100 marks, 2 hours
Stage 2: SSB Interview
Candidates who clear the written cut-off are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview worth 300 marks, conducted over 5 days in two stages:
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) + Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT)
- Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, Psychology Tests and Conference
How to Apply for UPSC CDS II Notification 2026
Candidates must apply online for this UPSC CDS II Notification 2026 by following the steps below:
- Scroll down and go to the Important Links section.
- Click on the “Online Apply Link” and complete the registration process.
- Next stage, click on “Online Apply Link” and Login.
- Enter all your personal and educational details and upload the necessary documents.
- Pay the application fee according to your category and Submit the form.
- Take a printout of the application form.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 10 – 16 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 (Sunday) |
Important Links
| Online Apply Link | Click Here |
| Official Notification | View PDF |
| Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs – UPSC CDS II Notification 2026
Q.1 What is the application start date for the UPSC CDS II Notification 2026?
The online application process is 20 May 2026.
Q.2 What is the last date to apply online for the UPSC CDS II Notification 2026?
The last date to apply is 09 June 2026.
Q.3 How many vacancies are available in the UPSC CDS II Notification 2026?
There are a total of 451 vacancies.
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