Quick summary: CDS 2 Notification 2026 Download PDF

UPSC has released the CDS 2 Notification 2026 PDF announcing 451 vacancies across the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). The application window is 20 May to 09 June 2026 and the official notification is available on upsc.gov.in.

The exam will be held in offline pen-and-paper mode. Papers include Mathematics (where applicable), English and the General Ability Test (GAT). Selection is by written test followed by interview/SSB.

Important dates you must note

Plan your application around the registration flow: you should register early, complete document uploads and pay the fee well before the final day.

Registering late can cost you time for the UPSC’s multi-module registration and delay getting your URN. Create calendar reminders for: initial registration, uploading documents, paying the fee, and final submission.

Vacancy distribution: where are the 451 posts?

Here is the vacancy breakdown published in the notification summary available so far. Confirm these numbers in the official PDF on upsc.gov.in before finalising your branch choice.

Note: the OTA Women figure above is inconsistent in the initial summary (it repeats the total). Always verify the exact branch-wise breakup and any reservation/category splits in the official CDS 2 Notification PDF on upsc.gov.in.

What the numbers mean for you: bigger vacancy counts (like AFA here) generally give more scope for selection across categories, but your branch choice should also match eligibility rules and your career goal.

Who can apply: eligibility checklist

Basic educational requirement listed in the notification is graduation passed or in the final year. Keep your degree proof and final-year certificate ready for uploading if you are in the final year.

Other eligibility actions you must take right away:

• Register on upsconline.nic.in and complete the modules to obtain your URN. This URN is mandatory to log in and complete the application form.
• Read the PDF for academy-specific age limits and any branch-specific degree requirements; those details are stated in the official notification and vary by academy.

Do not assume age limits, medical or physical standards. The notification on upsc.gov.in is the authoritative document for those details.

Step-by-step: how to apply on upsconline.nic.in

The UPSC portal requires a multi-step registration. Follow these steps deliberately and keep proofs of every action.

1. New user registration (Module I–III): register on upsconline.nic.in and complete the first three modules to get your URN. Save the URN securely.
2. Login to Module IV using the URN: this is where you fill the CDS application form.
3. Fill personal details accurately: name, parentage, DOB, category, address and contact details. Ensure these match your ID documents.
4. Fill educational details: university, degree, year of passing or expected passing.
5. Select the academy/academies you want to apply for and confirm you meet the specific eligibility for each.
6. Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature and required documents as per format instructions.
7. Pay the application fee (check the notification for the prescribed fee) and complete payment steps.
8. Preview the entire form, correct any mistakes, then final-submit. Download and save the submitted form and payment receipt.

A few practical tips: keep a calm internet connection, use a desktop if possible, and do the upload steps early so you can retry in case of upload or payment errors.

Application fee and payment basics

The notification states the application fee is “as prescribed in the notification.” The initial summary did not publish an exact fee amount. Check the official PDF on upsc.gov.in for the precise fee and category-wise exemptions.

Common payment modes on the UPSC portal typically include net banking, debit/credit cards and UPI. If the fee details are missing in a preliminary report you read, confirm them on the PDF before payment.

If a payment fails, immediately keep the following evidence: transaction ID, bank SMS, payment gateway screenshot and the UPSC portal error confirmation (if any). These will help if you need to raise a grievance.

Exam pattern and selection process

CDS written exam is held in offline, pen-and-paper mode. Papers listed in the notification are Mathematics (for certain candidates), English, and General Ability Test (GAT). The written exam is followed by an interview/SSB.

Selection flow to expect:

• Written exam (offline) — you must clear the paper-wise and overall cutoffs to be shortlisted.
• Interview/SSB — candidates called for SSB based on written exam merit. SSB is the final selection hurdle for service academies.

UPSC runs CDS twice a year. If you miss this cycle, there is usually another opportunity within months, but plan your preparation as if you have one shot.

Document checklist and application files

Keep scanned copies ready in the formats and sizes UPSC specifies. Typical documents include:

• Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, Passport, Driving Licence)
• Degree certificate or final-year study certificate
• Class 10/12 certificates for DOB or other checks
• Scanned passport-size photograph and signature in required format
• Any category or disability certificates, if applicable

File tips: name files clearly (e.g., Surname_Firstname_Degree.pdf), keep backups on cloud and phone, and check size/format before starting the upload process on upsconline.nic.in.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Registration mistakes are frequent and avoidable. Common errors and quick fixes:

• Using the wrong URN: always copy the URN exactly and use it for Module IV login.
• Incomplete modules: complete all registration modules well before the deadline.
• Mismatched data: ensure name and DOB exactly match your photo ID; discrepancies cause problems later.
• Waiting until the last day: the UPSC server may slow down; payments can fail at peak times.

After submission, keep a downloaded copy of the final form and your payment receipt. These are your proof if anything goes wrong.

What’s not in the initial notification (gaps to check in the PDF)

The preliminary summary does not show all required details. When you open the official CDS 2 Notification PDF on upsc.gov.in, verify these items:

• Exact application fee amount and category-wise exemptions
• Age limits per academy and the exact date for age calculation
• Detailed educational qualifications for each academy/branch
• Physical and medical standards required by the services
• Reservation and category-wise vacancy breakup
• Exam centres and city options
• Detailed syllabus, paper-wise weightage and marking scheme
• SSB schedule, stages and reporting details

If anything in the published summary conflicts with the notification, the notification on upsc.gov.in is authoritative. Contact UPSC through the contact details in the PDF if something else needs clarification.

Prep plan and next steps for applicants

Short-term checklist for the next 7–10 days:

• Download the official CDS 2 Notification PDF from upsc.gov.in and read academy-specific clauses.
• Register at upsconline.nic.in, complete modules and get your URN.
• Collect and scan all documents, passport photo and signature to required specs.
• Pay the application fee and final-submit the form before 09 June 2026 .

30/60/90-day study plan (high level):

• 30 days: Revise basics — GAT (General Knowledge, English), NCERT basics for history, geography and polity; practice English comprehension.
• 60 days: Start full-length practice papers twice a week; focus on speed and accuracy in Maths and GAT sectional tests.
• 90 days: Increase full mocks and previous-year papers; simulate exam conditions; start light SSB interview preparation — communication, group tasks and personal interview fundamentals.

After you clear the written test, SSB preparation becomes crucial. Focus on personality, communication, current affairs, physical fitness and officer-like qualities.

Where to download the official CDS 2 Notification 2026 Download PDF and apply

Actions to take right now:

• Download the official notification PDF from upsc.gov.in and read the eligibility, fee, age limits and document specs.
• Apply at upsconline.nic.in — complete Modules I–III first to get your URN, then fill Module IV and submit the application.

How to verify the correct PDF: check the UPSC notification number and the filename on upsc.gov.in; the official PDF will carry UPSC headers and the exact recruitment title "Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026" or similar. Keep the PDF saved and backed up.

Save these pages for later: the notification PDF on upsc.gov.in and your application dashboard on upsconline.nic.in. These will be where you check admit card dates and other updates.

FAQs

Q1: Where can I download the CDS 2 Notification 2026 PDF? A1: Download the official PDF from upsc.gov.in. The notification contains full details on eligibility, fee, syllabus and selection.

Q2: How many vacancies are announced in CDS 2 2026? A2: The notification summary shows a total of 451 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA. Verify the exact branch-wise and category-wise breakup in the PDF.

Q3: How do I apply for CDS 2 2026? A3: Register and apply on upsconline.nic.in . Complete Modules I–III to get your URN, then log in to Module IV to fill the application, upload documents, pay the fee and final-submit.

Q4: What are the application dates I must remember? A4: The application window is 20 May 2026 to 09 June 2026 . Submit well before the last date to avoid server or payment issues.

Q5: What papers are in the CDS written exam? A5: The written exam includes Mathematics (where applicable), English and the General Ability Test (GAT). The mode is offline pen-and-paper and selection is by written test followed by interview/SSB.

Q6: The notification summary doesn’t list the fee amount — what should I do? A6: Check the official CDS 2 Notification PDF on upsc.gov.in for the exact fee and payment instructions. If still unclear, use the contact details provided in the notification to seek confirmation from UPSC.