Summary
The Union Public Service Commission announced in Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II that the CDS 2 2026 exam will take place on Sunday, 13 September 2026 and the written test will be conducted in three different shifts on that day at examination centres throughout India.
This blog provides the officially confirmed CDS 2 exam date in 2026 the full timetable from the date of notification through to the announcement of results, the paper timings according to shift, details regarding the vacancies, and an account of how the remaining weeks should appear for those candidates who have already applied.
1. CDS 2 2026 Exam Date at a Glance
| Particular | Detail |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notice Number | No. 11/2026-CDS-II |
| CDS 2 2026 Exam Date | 13 September 2026 (Sunday) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline, OMR based |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Academies | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA |
2. Complete CDS 2 2026 Schedule
The complete timeline for this cycle, from the issuance of the notification to the written exam, is set out below.
| Event | Date |
| Notification released | 20 May 2026 |
| Online application starts | 20 May 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Admit card release | Expected 2 to 3 weeks before the exam |
| CDS 2 2026 exam date | 13 September 2026 |
| Written result | Expected around 4 to 6 weeks after the exam |
| SSB interview | Following the written result |
| Course commencement | July 2027 for IMA, INA and AFA, October 2027 for OTA |
The application deadline was 9 June 2026 and the UPSC does not allow any amendments after the applications have been submitted. Candidates who have already applied should now concentrate solely on their admit card and the exam.
3. CDS 2 Exam Date 2026: Timings (Shift-Wise)
All three papers are same day papers. IMA, INA and AFA candidates sit for all the three papers, whereas OTA candidates sit for only English and General Knowledge.
| Paper | Timing | Duration |
| English | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM | 2 hours |
Each paper will be of 100 marks with one third of the marks assigned to a question being deducted for every wrong answer. Report time is well ahead of the start of the shift and gates close strictly so plan your travel with a wide margin.
Attempt a free CDS 2 2026 full-length mock test in real exam timings.
4. Vacancy Distribution for CDS 2 2026
| Academy | Vacancies |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) Hyderabad | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai – Men | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai – Women | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
5. Implications of Exam Date on Preparation
With the CDS 2 2026 exam fixed on 13 September, the time to start new books is limited. At this point, starting any new book will only fragment your revision, costing more marks than gaining.
Three areas you need attention on at the moment are:
- Full-length mocks in exam timings. This will help you build better concentration by shifting your peak from late at night to 9:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM for the three papers
- Previous year papers since patterns repeat generously in General Knowledge and Mathematics
- Current affairs from January to August 2026, with a focus on defence news, appointments, schemes and major national events
- If you are having a hard time dividing your remaining days between the three papers, the AI planner on Digital Benchers can suggest a day-wise plan depending on the exam date, the hours you have available and the topics on which you are weak based on your mock scores.
6. Admit Card
UPSC releases the e-admit card online, generally two to three weeks prior to the exam. It contains your roll number, exam centre address, reporting time and shift details. It should be downloaded as soon as the link is live, cross-verifying all details of the application, since centre allotment cannot be changed later.
A printed copy along with a valid photo ID is to be carried on the day of the exam since entry is denied to candidates without both.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the CDS 2 2026 exam date?
- The CDS 2 2026 exam date is 13 September 2026 (Sunday) when the written exam will be held in three shifts at designated centres in India.
Is the CDS 2 exam date 2026 confirmed by UPSC?
- Yes, the exam date 13 September 2026 has been confirmed in the official notification 11/2026-CDS-II published on 20 May 2026, which coincides with the annual examination calendar of UPSC.
What are the paper timings on CDS 2 2026 exam date?
- The English exam will commence at 9:00 AM and conclude at 11:00 AM, General Knowledge from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM and theElementary Mathematics exam will start at 4:00 PM and end at 6:00 PM.
- Note: that OTA candidates will appear only for the first two papers.
When will the CDS 2 2026 admit card be released?
- The admit card for CDS 2 2026 is typically released two to three weeks before the examination date on upsc.gov.in, so it is recommended that you periodically check the website rather than waiting for any external notification.
Can I still apply for CDS 2 2026?
- No, the last date for receipt of applications was 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM). However, those who missed the opportunity should consider applying for CDS 1 2027 (notification expected in December 2026).
How many vacancies are there in CDS 2 2026?
- According to the notification, a total of 451 vacancies have been announced: 100 for IMA, 26 for INA, 32 for AFA, 275 for OTA Men and 18 for OTA Women.
Is there negative marking in CDS 2 2026?
- Yes, one-third of the marks assigned for each question shall be deducted as penalty for every wrong answer, which means that the benefit of accuracy outweighs any advantage of attempting all questions.