The UPSC CDS 2 2026 exam will be held on 13 September 2026 (Sunday), as confirmed in the official time-table released by the Union Public Service Commission. The Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 will be conducted in three shifts on a single day: English (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM), General Knowledge (12:30 PM to 2:30 PM), and Elementary Mathematics (4:00 PM to 6:00 PM), with Indian Standard Time observed throughout. This article covers the official CDS 2 2026 exam schedule, subject codes, important dates, vacancies, and other essential details for candidates.
UPSC CDS 2 2026 Exam Date Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 | 13 September 2026 |
| Day | Sunday |
| Time Zone | Indian Standard Time (IST) |
| Number of Papers | 3 (English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics) |
| Number of Shifts | 3, all on the same day |
| Exam Duration per Paper | 2 Hours |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
CDS 2 2026 Official Time-Table
The table below is taken directly from the official UPSC time-table for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026.
| Date | Indian Standard Time | Subject | Subject Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM | English | 11 |
| 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 12:30 PM to 02:30 PM | General Knowledge | 12 |
| 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 04:00 PM to 06:00 PM | Elementary Mathematics | 13 |
Who Appears for Which Papers
- Candidates applying for IMA, INA, and AFA must appear for all three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
- Candidates applying only for OTA (Officers' Training Academy) appear for English and General Knowledge only. Elementary Mathematics is not applicable to OTA-only candidates.
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CDS 2 2026 Important Dates
As per the official CDS 2 2026 notification, the key dates are as follows.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 2026 Notification Release | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Original Last Date to Apply | 9 June 2026 |
| Extended Last Date to Apply | 11 June 2026, up to 6:00 PM |
| CDS 2 2026 Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
Selection Process After the Written Exam
- Written Examination (13 September 2026) at UPSC-designated centres across India.
- SSB Interview / Personality Test for candidates who qualify the written exam, comprising Stage I (screening) and Stage II (psychology tests, Group Testing Officer tasks, interview, and conference).
- Medical Examination for candidates recommended by the SSB.
- Final Merit List, prepared on the combined marks of the written examination and SSB, subject to medical fitness and availability of vacancies.
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Important Instructions for Candidates
- The exam is conducted strictly as per Indian Standard Time (IST); candidates should report to their allotted centre well before the reporting time mentioned on the e-Admit Card.
- OTA-only candidates need to appear for English and General Knowledge papers only; Elementary Mathematics does not apply to them.
- No candidate is permitted entry after the gates close at the exam centre, as per standard UPSC practice for offline exams.
- Candidates should carry a valid photo ID (such as Aadhaar) along with the printed e-Admit Card.
- Exam centre preferences, once submitted in the application, are generally not changed later; candidates should not assume a centre can be altered after submission.
UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 - Important Links
- Official UPSC Website: upsc.gov.in
- Check UPSC CDS 2 Exam date 2026
