UPSC Combined Defence Services (II) Examination 2026 — 451 Posts

A total of 451 vacancies are spread across five courses: the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and two Officers' Training Academy entries (275 of which are for the OTA Short Service Commission Men course). Women candidates are eligible only for the OTA Short Service Commission Women course. The numbers are tentative and may change.

• Qualification: A degree from a recognised University (or final-year students) for the Officers' Training Academy. For the Indian Naval Academy, a degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or an Engineering degree is required. For the Air Force Academy, an Engineering degree, or a degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, is required.
• Marital status: Married male candidates are not eligible for IMA, INA or AFA. Divorcees and widowers are not treated as unmarried.
• Age: Within the course-wise age band as stated in the official notification; no relaxation is available.
• Women candidates are eligible only for the OTA Short Service Commission Women course.

1. Visit the official UPSC online portal (upsconline.nic.in).
2. Create an account and complete the one-time Universal Registration (URN).
3. Fill the Common Application Form and the Examination Specific Module.
4. Indicate your course preferences carefully (place OTA last if applying for IMA/INA/AFA).
5. Upload your photograph and signature (signed three times) as specified.
6. Pay the fee, if applicable, and submit before 6:00 PM on 09-06-2026.
7. Retain the Application Number for future use.

Selection has three stages: a written examination conducted by UPSC, an Intelligence and Personality Test at the Services Selection Board (SSB), and a medical examination. Negative marking of one-third (0.33) mark applies for each wrong answer. Final selection is in order of merit, subject to medical fitness and the number of vacancies.

For IMA, INA and AFA, the written exam covers English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. For the Officers' Training Academy, it covers English and General Knowledge. The General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are set in both Hindi and English.