What is the new update about UPSC NDA & CDS 2 recruitment?

Originally, the last date to apply online for NDA 2 and CDS 2 was June 9, 2026. But UPSC issued a fresh notice and extended the registration deadline till June 11, 2026 (upto 06:00 PM). Both exams are going to be held on 13 September 2026 in offline pen-and-paper mode across the country. Through this drive, a total of 845 high-profile vacancies will be filled in Army, Navy, and Air Force.

What are the important dates for UPSC NDA 2 and CDS 2 2026?

It is very important to keep track of deadlines so you do not miss anything at the last moment. Here is the full updated schedule for both examinations:

How many total vacancies are available in NDA II and CDS II?

UPSC has announced a total of 845 seats for this session. Out of this, 394 vacancies are for the NDA 2 and 451 vacancies are for the CDS 2. Let us take look at the detailed breakdown for each wing:

1. National Defence Academy (NDA 2) - 394 Posts

• Army Wing: 208 Posts
• Navy Wing: 42 Posts
• Air Force Wing: 120 Posts (includes ground duty and flying branch)
• Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry): 24 Posts

2. Combined Defence Services (CDS 2) - 451 Posts

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun: 100 Posts
• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala: 26 Posts
• Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad: 32 Posts
• Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men): 275 Posts
• Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women): 18 Posts

Am I eligible to apply for UPSC NDA or CDS 2 form?

Eligibility is different for both exams because NDA is for intermediate students and CDS is for college graduates. Make sure you fit inside the below criteria before filling up form:

UPSC NDA 2 Eligibility Details:

• Educational Qualification: For Army wing, you must have passed or appearing in 12th class (Any stream). For Air Force and Naval wings, 12th pass is required with Physics and Mathematics as main subjects.
• Age Limit: Candidates must be born between 02 January 2008 and 01 January 2011 (both dates inclusive).
• Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates can apply.

UPSC CDS 2 Eligibility Details:

• Educational Qualification: For IMA & OTA, you need a Bachelor Degree in any stream from a recognized university. For INA, an Engineering Degree is compulsory. For AFA, you need a Degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level or a B.E/B.Tech degree. Final year students are also eligible to apply.
• Age Limit: For IMA & INA, age should be between 19-24 years (Born between 2nd July 2003 to 1st July 2008). For AFA, age should be 20-24 years. For OTA (both men and women), age must be between 19-25 years (Born between 2nd July 2002 to 1st July 2008).

What is the application fee for NDA and CDS 2 forms?

You can pay your application fees using online payment methods like credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI. The fee structure is given below:

• NDA 2 Application Fee: Rs. 100/- for General/OBC candidates. SC, ST, and female candidates do not have to pay any fee.
• CDS 2 Application Fee: Rs. 200/- for General/OBC Male candidates. All female applicants and SC/ST candidates are fully exempted from fee payment.

How to fill UPSC NDA and CDS 2 online application form?

Filling up the form can be little bit tricky because of UPSC's new system. Follow these clear steps to avoid any mistakes on your application form:

1. First, go to the official website of UPSC online portal at upsconline.nic.in.
2. If you are registering for first time, you have to complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process by filling basic identity profile, mobile number, and email.
3. Once OTR is completed, login with your OTR ID/Email and password.
4. Go to the dashboard and see the "Latest Notifications" tab. You will see links for both NDA II and CDS II 2026.
5. Click on the respective exam link and start filling the Common Application Form (CAF) with your qualification details and service preferences.
6. Upload your scanned recent passport photograph, signature, and a valid photo ID proof (like Aadhaar card, PAN card, etc.). Note that you also need to capture a live photograph during this process.
7. Pay the required application fee based on your category.
8. Choose your preferred examination center carefully from the available list.
9. Review all information one last time and hit the "Submit" button. Do not forget to print the confirmation page for your future records.

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