UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date 2026: Schedule, Shift Timings & Admit Card Guide

The Union Public Service Commission (CDS 2026) conducts the Combined Defence Services Examination to select eligible candidates for esteemed defence academies. Aspirants preparing for the upcoming cycle can look forward to the upcoming CDS 2 Exam Date 2026, which has been officially announced. Candidates are advised to review the CDS Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern - Click to Check and practice with CDS Previous Year Question Paper PDFs- Click to Check to strengthen their preparation.

CDS 2 Exam Overview & Highlights

The selection process comprises a rigorous written test followed by an SSB interview assessing intelligence and personality. The examination mode is offline. Below is a comprehensive overview of the CDS (II) 2026 examination parameters:

CDS 2 Shift Timings & Exam Schedule

The offline written test is distributed across three distinct shifts on 13th September 2026 (Sunday). Candidates must refer to the breakdown below for individual papers and timing schedules:

Steps to Download UPSC CDS 2 Hall Ticket 2026

The admit card for the CDS 2 Written Exam will be released 9 to 10 days before the exam date. Aspirants can download their hall ticket directly from www.upsc.gov.in by carefully following these steps:

1. Go to the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at www.upsc.gov.in.
2. On the homepage of UPSC, click on the 'Admit Cards' link.
3. Now, click on e-Admit Card, Download displayed in front of “Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026”.
4. Candidates are redirected to a new page.
5. Now click ‘By Registration ID’ or ‘By Roll Number’.
6. Enter the required details, i.e., Registration Number/ Roll Number and Date of Birth, captcha, and click on ‘Submit’.
7. The Combined Defence Services (CDS-2) Admit Card appears on the screen.
8. Download and take a printout of the admit card to carry to the exam centre and for future reference.

Details Mentioned on CDS 2 Admit Card 2026

Once downloaded, verify all personal and exam particulars carefully:

• Candidate’s Name
• Date of Birth
• Category
• Roll Number
• Gender
• Father’s Name
• Mother’s Name
• Photograph and Signature
• CDS 2 Exam Date 2026
• CDS 2 Exam Centre

Exam Centre Guidelines: Allowed and Restricted Items

It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of the hall ticket along with a valid photo ID proof to the exam center. Ensure you abide by all entry protocols.

Items Allowed to Carry

• A clear printout of the UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2026
• One photo ID proof issued by the government (Voter ID/Driving License/PAN Card/Aadhar Card/Passport)
• A recent passport-sized photograph (same as uploaded on the application form)
• Candidates should bring a black ballpoint pen to fill out the attendance list and OMR sheet

Items Not Allowed Inside Exam Centre

• Mobile phones, pagers, or any other electronic equipment or programmable device or storage media such as pen drives, smartwatches, cameras, or Bluetooth devices.
• Wristwatches are not allowed inside the examination hall