CDS 2 Exam Date 2026: UPSC Exam on September 13, Admit Card Out

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the CDS 2 Exam 2026 on September 13, 2026. The Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 is scheduled as a one-day examination for candidates seeking admission to various defence academies.

The CDS 2 admit card 2026 has already been released on the official UPSC website. Candidates appearing for the examination should download their e-Admit Card and check the exam centre, reporting instructions and other details before the examination.

CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 and Important Dates

The UPSC has released the official schedule for CDS 2 2026. Candidates can check the key dates below.

The table provides the important CDS 2 2026 dates, including the notification, application deadline and examination date.

The UPSC official examination page confirms September 13, 2026 as the date of commencement of the CDS 2 examination. The application window closed on June 11, 2026 at 6 PM.

CDS 2 Admit Card 2026

UPSC released the CDS 2 admit card 2026 on September 3. Candidates can download the e-Admit Card from the official UPSC website.

Candidates should check the following details on the admit card:

• Candidate's name
• Roll number
• Registration number
• Examination centre
• Date of examination
• Reporting instructions
• Examination timings
• Important instructions

Candidates must carry the e-Admit Card to the examination centre along with the required valid photo identity proof. UPSC has also issued exam-related instructions for candidates appearing for CDS 2 2026.

CDS 2 Exam 2026 Timing and Exam Pattern

The CDS 2 examination is conducted in offline mode using an objective-type question paper. The papers and timings depend on the academy and course for which the candidate has applied.

Candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA generally take papers in English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. Candidates applying for OTA appear for English and General Knowledge.

The examination is designed to assess candidates' knowledge, reasoning ability and suitability for officer-level training in the Indian Armed Forces.

CDS 2 Exam Centres 2026

UPSC conducts the CDS examination at designated centres across India. Candidates must appear at the examination centre mentioned on their admit card.

Candidates should reach the centre well before the reporting time mentioned in their e-Admit Card. UPSC has also highlighted special instructions for candidates appearing at certain centres, including Delhi.

CDS 2 Application Fee 2026

The CDS 2 application fee varies according to the candidate category. Candidates belonging to the eligible reserved categories and female candidates are exempt from payment of the application fee as per UPSC rules.

For other candidates, the CDS application fee is INR 200.

Candidates should refer to the official CDS 2 notification for the applicable fee and payment rules.

What After the CDS 2 Exam 2026?

After the written examination, candidates who qualify will be called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. The selection process also includes a medical examination and final merit based on the applicable rules.

The CDS selection process broadly includes:

• Written examination
• SSB interview/personality test
• Document verification
• Medical examination
• Final merit list

Candidates selected through the process can be considered for training at the respective defence academies, subject to eligibility, medical fitness and merit.

CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 FAQs