Bond & Cost Recovery

Candidates and their parents/guardians must execute a bond before joining training. If a candidate:

• Withdraws voluntarily before completing training,
• Fails to accept commission if offered,
• Is removed on disciplinary grounds, then the entire cost of training, food, clothing, pay & allowances will be recovered before departure.

Important Marriage Restrictions

Candidates applying for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA must strictly adhere to the following marital status conditions before entry and during the training period:

• Candidates Below 25 Years: Must be completely unmarried at the time of entry and are strictly prohibited from marrying during the training period.
• Candidates Aged 25 Years or Above: Married candidates are eligible to apply; however, they will not be provided with married accommodation or permitted to live out with their families during the training duration.
• Discharge & Penalty: Any candidate who marries during the training period will be discharged immediately from the academy and will be liable to refund the full cost of training, including food, clothing, pay, and allowances.
• Male Divorcees / Widowers: Male candidates who are divorcees or widowers are strictly not eligible for these courses.
• Women Candidates (OTA): Eligibility is limited strictly to unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried, and issueless divorcees who possess valid legal divorce documents.

Insurance Coverage

• Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF): Officer Cadets are insured for Rs. 1.25 Crore. Monthly subscription: Rs. 12,500/-.
• Naval GSES Cadets: Rs. 20,00,000 cover for 6 months. One-time contribution: Rs. 2,303/-.
• Air Force Flight Cadets: Rs. 1,25,00,000 cover. Monthly contribution: Rs. 8,600/- (includes saving element of Rs. 5,120/- earning interest).

Age Criteria & Cut-off Dates

The age eligibility criteria for all candidates will be calculated precisely as of 01 July 2026. Please verify your date of birth against the official department - wise brackets given below.

Category-Wise Application Fees & Payment Gateway Info

Note: Payment can be made only through net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card or UPI. Pay by Cash challan at SBI is no longer available for CDS. The fee is strictly non-refundable even if the candidate fails to appear or is disqualified later. Keep the transaction receipt.

Recruitment Scheme & Comprehensive Test Syllabus

Selection Process Overview

The CDS-II 2026 selection has two stages:

Stage 1: Written Examination (Objective Type)

For IMA/INA/AFA:

For OTA (SSC Men & Women):

• All papers consist of objective-type questions only.
• Question papers (Test Booklets) for General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be bilingual (Hindi & English).
• Candidates must use black ball pen only to mark answers.
• Negative Marking: For every wrong answer, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. No penalty for unattempted questions.

Stage 2: Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview & Personality Test

Candidates securing minimum qualifying marks (set by UPSC) in the written exam will be called for SSB tests at various Selection Centres.

Two-Stage SSB Process:

• Stage-I (Day 1): Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). Only those who qualify Stage-I proceed to Stage-II.
• 
  
• Stage-II (4 days):
• Interview by Interviewing Officer (IO)
• Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
• Psychological Tests
• Conference

Personality is assessed holistically by three assessors (IO, GTO, Psychologist) with equal weightage. No separate marks for individual tests. Conference marks are awarded based on overall performance.

Air Force Specific:

• Candidates choosing AFA as first preference must undergo Computer Pilot Selection System (CPSS) and/or Aviation Medicine tests.
• AFA must be indicated as first choice only; second/third choice for AFA is invalid.
• Candidates who fail CPSS are considered for other preferred services (if CDS exam qualified).
• Those who habitually wear spectacles or failed CPSS/PABT earlier are not eligible for Air Force.

Medical Examination

Candidates recommended by SSB undergo medical examination as per "Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces (1st Edition)" (available at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in).

Permanent Body Tattoos: Permitted only on inner forearm (inside elbow to wrist) and back (dorsal) side of hand. Tattoos elsewhere lead to disqualification, except for tribal customs (case-by-case clearance).

Final Merit & Selection

For IMA/INA/AFA:

• Final merit based on Written (300) + SSB (300) = 600 marks.

For OTA:

• Final merit based on Written (200) + SSB (200) = 400 marks.

Detailed Syllabus

English (Code 11):

• Tests understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
• Standard: Graduate level.
• Grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, sentence correction, para-jumbles, etc.

General Knowledge (Code 12):

• Current events, everyday observation and scientific aspects expected of an educated person without specialized study.
• Indian History and Geography (no special study required).
• Standard: Graduate level.

Elementary Mathematics (Code 13) - Matriculation Level

• Arithmetic: Number systems (natural, integers, rational, real), fundamental operations, square roots, decimals, unitary method, time-distance, time-work, percentages, simple/compound interest, profit/loss, ratio/proportion, variation.
• Elementary Number Theory: Division algorithm, prime/composite numbers, divisibility tests (2,3,4,5,9,11), multiples/factors, HCF/LCM, Euclidean algorithm, logarithms (base 10), laws of logarithms.
• Algebra: Basic operations, simple factors, Remainder Theorem, HCF/LCM, polynomial theory, quadratic equations (real roots only), relation between roots & coefficients, simultaneous linear equations (2 unknowns - analytical & graphical), linear inequations (2 variables), set language/notation, rational expressions, conditional identities, laws of indices.
• Trigonometry: sin x, cos x, tan x (0° < x < 90°), values for x = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, simple identities, use of trigonometric tables, heights & distances (simple cases).
• Geometry: Lines, angles, plane figures, theorems on properties of angles, parallel lines, triangles (sides, angles, congruency, similarity, medians, altitudes), parallelograms, rectangles, squares, circles (tangents, normals), loci.
• Mensuration: Areas (squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, circles, composite figures), surface area & volume (cuboids, right circular cones, cylinders, spheres).
• Statistics: Data collection/tabulation, graphical representation (frequency polygons, histograms, bar/pie charts), measures of central tendency.

Complete Online Application Process Explained

Step-by-Step Application Guide

1. Visit Official Portal: Go to https://upsconline.nic.in
2. Universal Registration Number (URN) Creation:
3. If applying to UPSC for the first time, create URN.
4. If already registered, skip this step
5. 
   
6. Common Application Form (CAF):
7. Fill personal details, educational qualifications, contact information.
8. Upload live photograph capture and uploaded photograph & signature as per instructions.
9. Examination-Specific Module (CDS-II 2026):
10. Select exam name: "Combined Defence Services Examination-II, 2026"
11. Select preferred examination centre (from 84 available centres). Centres have capacity limits; allocation is first-come-first-serve. Apply early to secure preferred centre.
12. Indicate course preferences(IMA, INA, AFA, OTA) in order of priority:
13. Male candidates: Indicate multiple preferences. If applying for AFA, it must be first choice only. If applying for OTA along with IMA/INA/AFA, OTA must be last preference (or deemed last automatically).
14. Female candidates: Indicate OTA as the only choice.
15. Pay application fee (if applicable).
16. Review & Submit:
17. Carefully review all filled information.
18. No corrections allowed after submission (except one-time URN profile edit facility - changes will apply only to future applications, not already submitted ones).
19. Final Submission and Print Application 
20. After successful payment, submit the application and take a printout of form.

Documents to Keep Ready

• Scanned Photograph: JPG/JPEG format, size 10-50 KB, dimensions as per instructions.
• Scanned Signature: JPG/JPEG format, size 10-50 KB.
• Educational certificates (for reference): Matriculation (DOB proof), Degree/Provisional Degree, Mark Sheets.
• Photo ID Card details: Aadhaar (preferred) or Voter ID/PAN/Passport/Driving License.
• NCC 'C' Certificate details (if applicable): Certificate number, issue date (certificate submission required later at specified address if applying under NCC quota).

Candidate Decision Corner: Career Analysis

Is CDS-II 2026 Right for You?

Before applying, honestly assess whether a career in the Armed Forces aligns with your long-term goals, personal circumstances, and values.

You Should Apply If:

• You possess a strong sense of national service, discipline, and commitment.
• You are physically fit, mentally resilient, and enjoy challenges.
• You seek a career with job security, structured growth, and adventure.
• You are prepared for frequent postings, transfers, and separation from family.
• You value leadership, teamwork, and responsibility.
• You are comfortable with hierarchical structures and military protocol.

Reconsider If:

• You prioritize location stability and work-life balance over duty.
• You cannot meet strict physical/medical standards.
• You are seeking high financial returns in early career years (private sector may offer more initially).
• You are unwilling to adhere to strict discipline and lifestyle restrictions.

Work Culture, Salary Structure, and Career Path

Salary & Allowances (as of Notification Date)

During Training:

• Stipend: Rs. 56,100/- per month (Level 10 starting pay).
• Training period not counted as commissioned service.

Post-Commissioning Pay Levels:

• Approximate In-Hand: Rs. 85,000 - 95,000/- per month (varies based on posting, allowances, deductions).

Promotion Timeline (Time Scale)

SSC (OTA) Officers:

• Eligible for substantive promotion to Captain (2 years), Major (6 years), Lt. Colonel (13 years).
• Can apply for Permanent Commission in the 10th year (if eligible and suitable).
• If not granted PC but deemed fit, can extend tenure to total 14 years.
• Early Release Option: Can seek release after 5 years (except those who underwent specialized courses like Degree Engineering).

Work Culture

• Disciplined, hierarchical, mission-oriented.
• Early morning routines, physical training mandatory.
• Frequent field postings, exercises, operational deployments (counter-insurgency, border duties, high-altitude areas).
• Limited work-life balance during operational postings; better during peace station tenures.
• Strong camaraderie, esprit de corps, regimental traditions.
• Opportunities for adventure sports, sports championships, welfare activities.

Common Application Errors to Avoid Natively

Incorrect Date of Birth Entry:

• Verify your DOB from Matriculation certificate before entering. Even a single digit error can lead to permanent rejection.
• DOB once entered cannot be changed.

Poor Quality Photograph/Signature Upload:

• Ensure photograph is recent (within 3 months), clear, front-facing, plain light background.
• Signature must be legible, scanned properly (three signatures on white paper, black ink).
• Blurred/unclear uploads lead to application rejection.

Wrong Test Booklet Series or Roll Number Encoding on OMR:

• On exam day, carefully encode Test Booklet Series (A/B/C/D), Subject Code, and Roll Number in OMR circles using black ball pen.
• Mismatch renders answer sheet invalid.

Incorrect Course Preference Indication:

• Male candidates applying for AFA must indicate it as first choice only. Second/third choice for AFA is invalid.
• If applying for OTA along with IMA/INA/AFA, OTA must be last preference (or deemed last).
• Female candidates can choose OTA only.
• No request for changing preferences entertained after submission.

Missing Centre Allocation Due to Delay:

• Centres allocated on first-come-first-serve basis. Apply early to get preferred centre.
• Once centres reach capacity, you'll be forced to choose from remaining ones.

Not Carrying Original Certificates to SSB Interview:

• Candidates qualifying written exam must carry original educational certificates to SSB.
• Final year students must carry bonafide certificate from Principal.
• Failure to produce originals = no SSB interview.

Not Registering on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in (for Army first choice candidates):

• Candidates with IMA/OTA as first choice must register on Recruiting Directorate website to receive SSB call-up information.
• Email ID on UPSC form and Army website must match.

Common Queries & Answers

Is there an option to modify or edit data after submitting the final fee?

No. Once the application is submitted and fee paid, no changes are allowed in any field. The one-time URN profile edit does not reflect in already submitted applications.

What is the exact estimated in-hand monthly salary after accounting for standard allowances?

During training: approximately Rs. 56,100. After commissioning in peace station: Rs. 78,000-85,000. In field/high altitude areas it crosses Rs. 1,00,000 easily with risk and hardship pay.

Is this a permanent state/central government establishment post or a contractual position?

IMA, INA and AFA lead to Permanent Commission. OTA leads to Short Service Commission of 14 years (10+4). SSC officers can apply for Permanent Commission after 5 years subject to vacancies and performance.

Are age limits relaxed for SC/ST/OBC candidates?

No relaxation in upper age limit is provided for defence services entries through CDS. The age limits are uniform.

How are tie-breaking scores handled if two candidates finish equal?

For IMA/INA/AFA: Higher marks in Elementary Mathematics, then General Knowledge, then age. For OTA: Higher marks in General Knowledge, then age. Final discretion rests with UPSC.

Can a candidate who has been recommended in previous SSB but failed medical re-appear?

Yes, provided they meet all eligibility criteria afresh. Previous medical unfitness may require fresh appeal or waiver depending on the defect.

Does having a tattoo automatically disqualify a candidate?

Only if it is on prohibited areas (face, neck, hands except inner forearm and reverse palm). Small permissible tattoos are accepted case-by-case.

Can serving government employees apply?

Yes, but they must inform their department and submit NOC at appropriate stage. Applications without proper intimation are liable for rejection.

What happens if I miss the SSB call-up letter due to postal delay?

You must contact the respective service headquarters immediately. Non-receipt of call letter is the candidate’s responsibility after a certain date.