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.
UPSC CDS-II Recruitment 2026
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
Important Dates
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
Application Fee
General / OBC / EWS Candidates: â‚ą200
SC / ST / Sons of JCOs / ORs Candidates: No Fee
All Female Candidates: No Fee
Payment Mode: Online
Age Limit Details
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
Educational Qualification
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
Vacancy Total : 451 Posts
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
Selection Process
The selection will be done in the following stages:
Written Examination
SSB Interview
Medical Examination
Document Verification
Exam Pattern
Exam Pattern – IMA, INA, AFA – Negative Marking: 1/3rd
Subject Marks Duration
English
 100
02 Hours
General Knowledge
 100
02 Hours
Elementary MathematicsÂ
 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
UPSC CDS-II Recruitment 2026 Download Answer Key PDF
