Editorial guide
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the Combined Defence Services (CDS) II Exam 2026 on 13/09/2026. Candidates can access the official answer keys and review their performance.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has successfully conducted the Combined Defence Services (CDS) II Examination 2026. Following the examination held on 13/09/2026, the commission has made the provisional answer keys available for candidates to verify their responses. Always refer to the official UPSC notification to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding the selection process and final results. Candidates are encouraged to cross-verify all details against the official website before taking any further action.
UPSC CDS II 2026 important dates
The UPSC CDS II 2026 application process began on 20/05/2026 and concluded on 11/06/2026. The examination was held on 13/09/2026, with the admit card becoming available for download on 03/09/2026. The provisional answer keys were released on 16/09/2026.
UPSC CDS II 2026 eligibility criteria
Eligibility for the UPSC CDS II 2026 varies by the specific academy. For the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA), a Bachelor Degree in any stream is required. For the Naval Academy, candidates must hold a Bachelor Degree in Engineering. For the Air Force, candidates must possess a Bachelor Degree in any stream with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.
UPSC CDS II 2026 age limit
The minimum age for the UPSC CDS II 2026 is 20 years, and the maximum age is 24 years as of 01/07/2027. Please consult the official notification for post-wise age details and information regarding age relaxation rules.
UPSC CDS II 2026 application fee
The application fee for the UPSC CDS II 2026 was as follows: General, OBC, and EWS candidates were required to pay 200/-. SC, ST, and female candidates were exempt from the fee, paying 0/-. Fees could be paid via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or E-Challan by 11/06/2026.
How to apply for UPSC CDS II 2026
Candidates were required to apply online through the official UPSC portal. The process involved reading the notification, collecting all necessary documents such as eligibility proof, ID proof, and address details, and ensuring scanned copies of photos and signatures were ready. After filling out the form, candidates were advised to preview all columns carefully before submission and payment of fees, followed by printing the final submitted form.
UPSC CDS II 2026 official documents and links
Candidates can access official resources via the following links. Please verify all documents against the official UPSC website: Official website: https://upsc.gov.in/. Apply online: https://upsconline.nic.in/. Official notification: https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-CDS-II-2026-Engl-200526.pdf. Answer keys are available at: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/ProvAnsKey-English-CDSE-II-26-16092026.pdf, https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/ProvAnsKey-GK-CDSE-II-26-160926.pdf, and https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/ProvAnsKey-ElMath-CDSE-II-26-160926.pdf.