UPSC CDS-2 Registration Open 2026: Apply Before 9 June, Know How to Apply

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the CDS-2 2026 notification on 20 May 2026. Along with it, the application process for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination II is currently ongoing on the official website.

Those candidates who are interested can now fill out the UPSC CDS-2 application form 2026 through the official UPSC online portal. The  UPSC CDS 2 last date to apply is 9 June 2026. After this deadline, no applications will be accepted.

The CDS examination is conducted for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). This year’s notification includes complete details such as vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus and selection process.

As per the official update, the CDS 2 2026 written examination will be held on 13 September 2026. The exam will be conducted in offline mode across various exam centres in the country. The selection will be through a written exam followed by SSB interview and medical examination.

Candidates should carefully check the eligibility criteria for the CDS exam 2026. Only those who meet the required conditions should complete the registration process within the given timeline.

UPSC CDS-2 2026: Important Events and Dates

All students can refer to the table given below to check all the important dates related to UPSC CDS-2. This will provide a clear overview to the ones who are applying and all applicants are advised to keep these dates in mind and complete the application process within the given timeline.

How to Apply for UPSC CDS-2 Exam 2026?

Candidates who want to apply can follow the simple steps given below. Before starting the application, they should read all the instructions carefully.

Step 1: Firstly, candidate need to visit the official website of UPSC at https://upsconline.nic.in/.

Step 2: Register by creating the Universal Registration Number (URN) and complete your basic profile.

Step 3: Fill in the Common Application Form (CAF) with personal details like name, date of birth and educational qualification.

Step 4: Upload the required documents including photograph, signature and other certificates as asked in the format.

Step 5: Capture and upload a live photograph as per the given instructions.

Step 6: Carefully check all the details entered in the form.

Step 7: Submit the application form and download the confirmation page for future reference.

UPSC Online Application Portal: Key Information for Candidates

The UPSC online application portal has four parts which are Account Creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form (CAF) and an exam-specific form. The first three can be filled out anytime, but the exam-specific form is available only during the application period.

After registering, candidates will get a Universal Registration Number (URN) which stays the same for all UPSC exams. Once the exam form is submitted, an application number is also generated for that specific exam. Both numbers should be kept safely for future use.

Candidates should read all instructions carefully before applying and keep all required documents ready in advance to avoid any issues. They are also advised to use Aadhaar for identity verification to make the process smoother.