UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2026 Released: Download Hall Ticket for 451 Defence Vacancies
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Recruitment Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Event / Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 11 Jun 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | 03 Sep 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | 13 Sep 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 03 Sep 2026 |
| Written Examination | 13 Sep 2026 |
| Educational Qualification | IMA and OTA: Graduation degree from a recognized university. INA: Engineering degree. AFA: Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering. | ||||||
| Work Experience | No prior work experience is specified in the provided recruitment details. | ||||||
| Age Limits Details |
General / UR: 20 to 24 years for IMA, INA and AFA as prescribed.
OBC Candidates: 20 to 24 years, subject to applicable examination rules.
EWS Candidates: 20 to 24 years, subject to applicable examination rules.
SC Candidates: 20 to 24 years, subject to applicable examination rules and relaxations.
ST Candidates: 20 to 24 years, subject to applicable examination rules and relaxations.
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| Age Relaxation Info | Age relaxation is applicable only as permitted under the UPSC CDS II examination rules. | ||||||
| Nationality / Citizenship | Candidates must satisfy the nationality conditions prescribed in the UPSC CDS II examination rules. | ||||||
| Domicile Requirements | No specific state domicile requirement is stated. | ||||||
| Other Eligibility Parameters |
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| Eligibility Notes | Candidates must also satisfy the prescribed marital-status, educational, age and other conditions applicable to the academy for which they are considered. |
| General / UR | 200 |
| OBC | 200 |
| EWS | 200 |
| Female (All Categories) |
| Post Name | Total Posts | Description / Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 | Graduation degree from a recognized university or institution; candidates appearing in the qualifying degree may also be considered subject to the prescribed conditions. |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 | Engineering degree such as B.E. or B.Tech from a recognized institution, with appearing candidates subject to the applicable conditions. |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 | Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering degree, subject to examination rules. |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | 293 | Graduation degree from a recognized university or institution; candidates appearing in the qualifying degree may also be considered subject to the prescribed conditions. |
- Step 1: Written examination consisting of objective-type papers for the applicable academy.
- Step 2: SSB Interview, including intelligence assessment, personality testing and related selection activities.
- Step 3: Document verification to confirm educational, identity and other eligibility requirements.
- Step 4: Medical examination and assessment of fitness according to the applicable defence service standards.
- Step 1: Open the official UPSC examination portal and navigate to the e-Admit Cards section.
- Step 2: Select the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 admit card option.
- Step 3: Choose the available login method, such as Registration ID or Roll Number.
- Step 4: Enter the required Registration ID or Roll Number, Date of Birth and captcha information.
- Step 5: Submit the details, download the displayed e-Admit Card and print a clear copy for the examination.
| Link Description | Action Link |
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UPSC CDS II Admit Card 2026
The Union Public Service Commission has made the e-Admit Card available for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. Candidates who submitted applications for the examination can now obtain their hall ticket and prepare for the written test scheduled for 13 September 2026. The examination is being conducted for 451 vacancies distributed among the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers Training Academy.
The admit card is an essential document for entry to the examination centre. Candidates should download it as soon as possible, carefully check the name, roll number, examination centre, reporting instructions and other details, and carry a clear printed copy on the examination day. Any discrepancy should be addressed through the appropriate official channel before the examination.
CDS II 2026 Important Dates
The application process began on 20 May 2026 and closed on 11 June 2026. The e-Admit Card became available from 3 September 2026, while the written examination is scheduled for 13 September 2026. The examination is therefore approaching quickly, and candidates should not wait until the last day to download their hall ticket.
Vacancy Details
The recruitment covers a total of 451 posts. The Indian Military Academy has 100 vacancies, the Indian Naval Academy has 26, the Air Force Academy has 32, and the Officers Training Academy has 293 vacancies. The academy selected by a candidate depends on the eligibility requirements and preferences applicable to the examination.
Eligibility Overview
For the Indian Military Academy and Officers Training Academy, candidates need a graduation degree from a recognized university or institution, with appearing candidates also eligible subject to the prescribed conditions. For the Indian Naval Academy, an engineering degree is required. Air Force Academy applicants need a graduation degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering degree, as applicable under the examination rules.
The prescribed age requirement for the examination is generally 20 to 24 years for the relevant academies, with candidates required to fall within the specified date-of-birth range. Candidates must also satisfy the applicable marital-status and other conditions prescribed for CDS II. Age relaxation, wherever applicable, is governed by the examination rules.
CDS II Selection Process
The selection procedure begins with the written examination. Candidates who qualify according to the applicable standards are called for the Services Selection Board process, which includes the SSB interview, intelligence assessment and personality testing. Successful candidates then undergo document verification and the required medical examination. Final selection is subject to merit, eligibility, medical fitness and the availability of vacancies.
How to Download CDS II Admit Card 2026
- Visit the official UPSC examination portal.
- Open the section related to e-Admit Cards for UPSC examinations.
- Locate the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 admit card link.
- Select the available login method, such as Registration ID or Roll Number.
- Enter the required credentials, date of birth and captcha details.
- Submit the information and view the electronic admit card.
- Download the document and take a clear printout for the examination.
Examination Fee
The examination fee for General, OBC and EWS candidates is stated as Rs. 200. SC, ST and female candidates are exempt from payment of the examination fee. The fee was payable through the permitted online or challan-based modes during the application period.
Important Instructions for Exam Day
Candidates should read every instruction printed on the admit card before leaving for the examination centre. They should verify the centre address and reporting requirements in advance so that there is sufficient time for travel and security checks. The admit card should be preserved carefully because it may be required during subsequent stages of the selection process. Candidates should also carry only those items permitted by the examination authorities.
Since the CDS II written examination is scheduled for 13 September 2026, applicants should use the remaining preparation time efficiently. Revising the prescribed subjects, practising previous examination-level questions and managing time across papers can help improve readiness. Candidates should rely on the instructions printed on their individual e-Admit Card for centre-specific requirements.
Key Takeaway
The CDS II 2026 admit card is available from 3 September 2026, and the written examination is scheduled for 13 September 2026. With 451 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA, candidates should download their hall ticket promptly, verify all personal and examination details, and follow the instructions issued by UPSC. The admit card should be treated as a mandatory examination document and kept safely throughout the recruitment process.
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