UPSC CDS Admit Card 2026
UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2026
Conducted by: Union Public Service Commission
UPSC Combined Defence Services (II) Examination 2026 Admit Card
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Combined Defence Services (II) Examination, 2026 |
| Organising body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam cycle/year | CDS (II) 2026 — written stage for IMA, INA, AFA and Officers' Training Academy entries (as per notification) |
| Post(s) | Commissioned officer entries into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers' Training Academy (SSC for Men & Women) |
| Total vacancies (indicative) | As per CDS (II) 2026 notification; academy-wise intake notified at various stages |
| Admit card status | Expected — e-admit cards are usually hosted about two weeks before the written exam |
| Admit card release date | Expected a couple of weeks prior to the exam; exact date to be confirmed by the Commission |
| Exam date(s) | October 2026 (as per the UPSC Annual Examination Calendar 2026) |
| Selection stages | Written Exam → SSB Interview → Medical Examination → Merit / Joining of respective academies |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
The Combined Defence Services Examination is the gateway for graduates and eligible candidates to join the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and the Officers' Training Academy as commissioned officers. UPSC conducts the CDS exam twice a year, and the second round of 2026 — CDS (II) — is tentatively scheduled for October 2026 as per the official examination calendar. Candidates who registered within the application window will have to download the CDS (II) 2026 e-admit card from the official UPSC website using their registration number and date of birth. Admit cards are available only in electronic form and UPSC does not post them by courier. On this page you will find the expected admit card schedule, a step-by-step download guide, the written exam pattern for all four academies, the exam-day document rules and practical answers to common admit card questions.
Admit card release timeline — CDS (II) 2026
| Event | Indicative date |
|---|---|
| CDS (II) 2026 notification | As per examination calendar (issued some months before the exam) |
| Last date for online application | As per notification (typically about 3 weeks after notification) |
| Application correction window | As per notification (short window after last date) |
| Exam city preference / centre allotment (self-choice of city at application) | Captured during application |
| CDS (II) 2026 e-admit card release | Expected: about 2 weeks before the written exam |
| Written examination — CDS (II) 2026 | October 2026 (as per examination calendar) |
| Written result declaration | Tentative: within a few months of the exam |
| SSB Interview rounds | As per service headquarters schedule after written result |
The schedule above is indicative and tracks the UPSC Annual Examination Calendar 2026. Any change in the written exam date will be communicated through a corrigendum or notice on the official website, and candidates should re-check the site before finalising travel plans.
How to download the CDS (II) 2026 admit card
CDS admit cards are downloaded self-service from the Admit Card section of the official website. The system authenticates you through your registration number (RID) or roll number along with date of birth, so keep your OAR registration details from upsconline.gov.in ready. Steps:
- Open the official website upsc.gov.in and go to the Admit Card link, or open upsc.gov.in/admit-card directly.
- Select the entry for Combined Defence Services (II) Examination, 2026 — Admit Card.
- Agree to the instructions / declaration displayed.
- Enter registration ID (RID) or roll number as requested, together with your date of birth.
- If you have forgotten the registration number, use the roll number / RID recovery option, or approach the help desk quoting your name, DOB and registered email.
- Open the generated e-admit card and verify name, DOB, category, academy preference, exam city, venue address and reporting time.
- Save the PDF and take printouts; keep one spare copy in your exam kit.
- Do not make any marks or writing on the admit card — the copy must be unaltered on the exam day.
Official admit card links
The following are the only official sources for the CDS (II) 2026 admit card and related communication. Do not share credentials or admit card PDFs with unofficial portals:
- UPSC Admit Card section (all exams)
- Official website of the Union Public Service Commission
- UPSC Online Application Registration portal (application status and registration)
Exam pattern and exam day instructions
CDS (II) 2026 written exam pattern
All papers are objective type, of 2 hours duration each. Candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA write three papers; candidates appearing for Officers' Training Academy (SSC) write only the English and General Knowledge papers.
| Section | Applicable academy | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | All academies (IMA, INA, AFA & OTA) | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | All academies (IMA, INA, AFA & OTA) | 100 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | IMA, INA and AFA only | 100 | 2 hours |
| Maximum written marks | IMA / INA / AFA: 300; OTA: 200 | — | All papers on the same day |
Negative marking applies: one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates shortlisted after the written stage attend the SSB interview (approximately 5 days) and subsequent medical examination; the final merit differs by academy and category.
Mandatory documents and exam day rules
- Two printouts of the e-admit card (one for submission / verification at the venue, one for personal retention if required).
- Original government photo ID matching the admit card name: Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence or voter ID.
- Two passport-size photographs matching the admit card.
- Blue / black ballpoint pen; sharpened pencils are typically not required since OMR marking is done with a ballpoint as per instructions.
- Reach the centre well in advance; late entry beyond the stipulated time is disallowed.
- Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, calculators and written material are prohibited inside the examination hall.
What to do if the CDS (II) 2026 admit card is not yet released
Admit cards for CDS examinations are generally activated about two weeks before the exam. If the link is not visible yet while the written exam is still a month away, that is normal practice. During the waiting period:
- Monitor the official website's Admit Card and What's New sections regularly — links appear there first, and an exam notice may revise the date.
- Keep your registration ID and DOB stored offline; the admit card portal will require exactly these details and typos cause login failures.
- Confirm your applied academies and category once application status is visible, so that the admit card does not surprise you with a mismatch; use the correction window while it lasts.
- Prepare a soft box of travel documents: photo ID original, spare photos, printouts.
- If the link does not work even after the official release date, try again during off-peak hours; heavy traffic on the first day is common.
- If the issue persists, write to the Commission through the contacts given on the official website — not to any unofficial support number.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When is the CDS (II) 2026 written exam and when will the admit card come?
A: The written examination is expected in October 2026 per the examination calendar, and the e-admit card normally becomes downloadable about two weeks before that date. Track the Admit Card section of the official website for the live link.
Q: I registered with OAR (One Time Registration). Do I need a separate login for the admit card?
A: No. The admit card download uses your registration ID (RID) or roll number plus date of birth directly on the upsc.gov.in admit card page. The same RID created at upsconline.gov.in during application works here.
Q: Is Mathematics compulsory for OTA candidates?
A: No. OTA (SSC) aspirants write only the English and General Knowledge papers. Mathematics applies to IMA, INA and AFA entries. Your admit card will list the papers applicable to you.
Q: Can I enter the exam centre with a digital copy of the admit card on my phone?
A: No. Mobile phones and electronic gadgets are not permitted inside the venue. Only a physical printout of the e-admit card is accepted.
Q: What if my photo or signature is blurred in the printed admit card?
A: Print at higher quality and ensure the photograph is clearly identifiable. If the digital file itself is unclear, report it to UPSC before the exam with your registration details.
Q: Will I get an SMS or email when the admit card is released?
A: UPSC does not separately SMS every candidate the release; the authentic channel is the Admit Card section of the official website. It is the candidate's responsibility to download in time.
Disclaimer
All information on this page is indicative and derived from the UPSC Annual Examination Calendar 2026, typical CDS notification patterns and standard UPSC exam conduct rules. Vacancy figures, exact exam dates and admit card release timing are subject to the official CDS (II) 2026 notification, exam notice and website notifications. Always confirm on the official website of the Union Public Service Commission before acting on any date. This website is an independent information source and is not affiliated with UPSC or the Indian Armed Forces.