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CDS 2 Notification 2026 : Apply Online, Eligibility & Exam Date Details
Union Public Service Commission released the UPSC CDS 2 2026 notification on May 20, 2026, on the official website upsconline.nic.in/upsc.gov.in. UPSC CDS 2 notification 2026 provides information about the CDS exam, like exam eligibility criteria, syllabus, and exam pattern, in the official UPSC CDS notification 2026. The Union Public Services Commission conducts the CDS exam twice a year. The UPSC CDS 2 notification can be downloaded in PDF format.
CDS 2 Notification PDF 2026 - Click here
This Story also Contains
- CDS Notification 2026 - Exam dates
- CDS Application Form 2026
- CDS 2 Eligibility Criteria 2026
- CDS Selection Process 2026
- CDS 2 Exam Pattern 2026
- CDS 2 Syllabus 2026
Candidates are encouraged to go through the CDS 2026 notification thoroughly and acquaint themselves with all the details regarding the exam. Twice a year, the CDS exam is held with the purpose of shortlisting eligible candidates for various courses under the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy. Below, we go through all the details presented in the CDS for candidates’ reference.
CDS Notification 2026 - Exam dates
From the following table, candidates can check all the important CDS exam dates 2026. Candidates are advised to keep track of all the dates so that they don’t miss any events.
CDS 2 Exam Dates 2026
CDS 2 Events | CDS 2 2026 Date |
UPSC CDS 2 notification | May 20, 2026 |
CDS 2 application form starts | May 20, 2026 |
Last date to register for CDS | June 11, 2026 |
Admit card release date | To be announced |
CDS exam 2026 | September 13, 2026 |
CDS 1 Exam Dates 2026
CDS 1 Events | CDS 1 2026 Date |
CDS 1 notification | December 10, 2025 |
CDS 2026 application form | December 10, 2025 |
Last CDS 1 2026 Registration date | December 30, 2025 |
Application form correction window | To be announced |
Admit card release date | April 2, 2026 |
CDS 1 exam date 2026 | April 12, 2026 |
CDS Application Form 2026
UPSC will soon activate the UPSC CDS 2 application correction window 2026 on the official website. Earlier, the exam authority extended the CDS 2 application form last date till June 11, 2026. The commission activated the CDS 2 2026 application form online link on May 20, 2026.
While filling out the application form, candidates have to fill in their details and academic information, select the CDS 2026 exam centre and pay the application fee. Candidates who successfully submit their application form will get their CDS 2026 admit card.
Also read: Basic Information about category-wise career exams
CDS 2 Eligibility Criteria 2026
The Union Public Service Commission specified the CDS 2026 eligibility criteria in the official notification. The CDS exam eligibility consists of the CDS exam age limit, nationality, academic qualification, and physical standards required to fill in the application form. The detailed CDS exam eligibility is mentioned in the notification.
Also read:
CDS Selection Process 2026
Union Public Service Commission mentioned the details regarding the CDS selection process 2026 in the official notification. As per the selection process, there are two stages in the exam – the written exam and the SSB interview. Candidates who clear the written exam are called to appear in the SSB interview round, which is a 5-day affair.
The written exam tests a candidate's aptitude and reasoning abilities, while SSB tests psychological aptitude and mental condition. Candidates have to clear both these stages to be commissioned officers in the Indian defence forces.
Also read:
CDS 2 Exam Pattern 2026
The CDS 2 notification 2026 consists of the exam pattern prescribed by UPSC. The CDS 2 2026 exam pattern consists of the stages of the exam, time duration, marking scheme, subjects which need to be studied, etc. Candidates must refer to the CDS exam pattern while preparing for the exam, as the CDS question paper 2026 is based entirely on it. From the following tables, Candidates can check the CDS exam pattern.
CDS 2026 Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA
Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
English | 2 hours | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
Exam Pattern of CDS 2026 for OTA
Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
English | 2 hours | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
Also read:
CDS 2 Syllabus 2026
Apart from the exam pattern, the notification also consists of the CDS syllabus. UPSC prescribed the official CDS 2026 exam syllabus, which consists of the subjects, topics and sub-topics which candidates need to study in order to clear the exam. Candidates must streamline the CDS exam syllabus with the exam pattern to form their preparation strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is eligible for the CDS exam?
A:
Candidates who meet the CDS eligibility criteria are eligible to apply for the CDS 2 exam 2026.
Q: When can I apply for CDS 2 2026?
A:
Candidates can apply for the CDS 2 exam 2026 from May 20 to June 11, 2026.
Q: Are females eligible for CDS?
A:
Yes, females are eligible for CDS but only for OTA (Officers Training Academy).
Q: When will the CDS 2 notification release?
A:
The CDS 2025 notification was released on May 20, 2026.
Q: How can I apply for CDS 2 exam 2026?
A:
Candidates can apply for the CDS 2 2026 exam by visiting the official website and following the steps mentioned there.
Q: How many stages are there in the CDS exam?
A:
There are two stages in the CDS exam - written test and SSB interview.
Q: Is there any negative marking in the CDS exam?
A:
Yes, there is a negative marking of ⅓ mark in the CDS 2 written test.
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Questions related to CDS
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to CDS ?
Hello, to prepare for the CDS exam, focus on the exam pattern, syllabus, and regular practice of previous years' papers and mock tests. Make a study plan and revise important topics regularly.
For more information about the CDS exam, you can check this link: CDS Exam Pattern
Hello Dear Student,
Yes, if your date of birth is 18 October 2002, you are likely to be eligible for CDS OTA in 2027, as the age limit for OTA is generally 19 to 25 years. Candidates applying for OTA are usually required to be born within the prescribed date
Hi !!
As per the UPSC CDS eligibility criteria for IMA, you are eligible to apply for the CDS 2 exam.
Hello,
There are certain age limit criteria determined by the conducting body. For more details, you can refer to the article mentioned below regarding the age limit for the UPSC CDS exam.
Eligibility criteria for CDS candidates
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You can refer to the article mentioned below regarding the career options after a Bachelor of Computer Applications
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