CDS 2 Application Form 2026: Registration Deadline Extended to 11 June

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Service (CDS) Examination (II) for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA). The online application window for the CDS 2 Exam 2026 has been officially extended until 11th June 2026. This extension provides a final opportunity for aspirants to begin their journey toward a distinguished career in national defense.

CDS 2 Online Application Form 2026

To apply, candidates must first complete the One Time Registration (OTR) on the UPSC portal before filling out the CDS 2 2026 application form. Selection is based on a rigorous written examination followed by SSB interviews. We strongly advise candidates to finalize their submissions well ahead of the revised deadline to avoid potential last-minute server congestion. .

UPSC CDS 2 Application Form 2026: Important Dates
Events	Dates
CDS 2 Notification 2026	20th May 2026
CDS 2 Application Form Starts	20th May 2026
Registration Last Date	11th June 2026
CDS 2 Exam Date 2026	13th September 2026

Check CDS 2 Notification 2026: 451 Vacancies Announced

CDS 2 Application Form 2026 Link

Candidates vying for the 451 available positions across the nation's premier defense academies can apply through the official UPSC website. The registration process officially closes on 11th June 2026. Access the direct application link now to ensure your candidature is registered without technical issues. 

Apply Online: CDS 2 Application Form 2026 (Link Active)

Steps to Fill CDS 2 Application Form 2026

Please follow the simplified steps outlined below to successfully complete your CDS 2 2026 registration.

Step 1: Complete OTR Registration

• Visit the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), i.e., www.upsc.gov.in, or directly apply from the above link.
• On the homepage, click on Examination >> Active Examinations >> Combined Defense Services Examination (II), 2026.
• Click on One-Time Registration (OTR) for Examination.
• The candidate has to register himself/herself on the OTR (One Time Registration) portal by clicking the New Registration button.
• You will be redirected to a new page; start filling in your details correctly.
• After registration, he/she has to log in (by Email ID, Mobile number, or OTR ID) to verify the already registered OTR application

Step 2: Fill Out Application Form

• Login by entering your email ID, mobile/OTR ID, and OTP/password.
• Candidates are redirected to a new page where they have to enter the required information, create a new password, and click on the submit tab.
• Read all the instructions carefully and proceed by clicking on "Yes.”
• Submit application forms by filling in details, including educational qualification addresses, etc
• Upload scanned documents as required in the application form.
• Select your preferences carefully and continue to Part I

Step 3: Fee Payment and Final Submission

• Pay the required application fee through online/offline mode as discussed above
• Select the desired examination center from the list
• Check all the details and click on "Submit." Download a copy of the UPSC CDS 2 application form 2026 for future reference

Pre-requisite of CDS 2 Online Form 2026

• The scanned images of the latest photographs and signature should be in jpg/jpeg format.
• photo identity card should be in PDF format
• The size of the photograph and signature must be of the following dimensions:.

Documents	File Size and Format	Format
Photograph	20 to 300 KB	JPG format
Signature
Photo Identity Document (PID)	20 to 300 KB	PDF format

Details Required to Enter CDS 2 Application Form 2026

Before submitting your CDS 2 2026 application, ensure all required documents are ready and all entered information is accurate to prevent future disqualification.

• Applicant Full Name
• Gender
• Date of Birth
• Father's Name
• Mother's Name
• Minority Status
• Valid Mobile Number (to be used as Login ID)
• Alternate Mobile Number, if any
• Valid Email ID (to be used as Login ID)
• Alternate Email ID, if any
• Board Examination Roll No. (Class X)
• Security Questions
• Nationality
• Community
• Educational Qualification
• Address

CDS 2 Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the CDS 2 2026 exam, candidates must meet specific educational and age requirements for the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. The exam is open to unmarried male and female graduates aged between 19 and 25. Ensure you fulfill all criteria before applying through the official UPSC portal.

Age Limit: 19 to 25 years

Marital Status: Unmarried candidates only

Educational Qualification: Graduate degree from a recognized institution

Nationality: Indian citizens or eligible subjects of Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibetan refugees.