UPSC CDS 2026 notice, explained

The main rules of the official notice in plain words. Each point gives the page or para, so you can check it in the notice yourself.

In short

Age	19 to 25 years, depending on the post on 01-07-2027
Education	A bachelor’s degree in any subject (more for some posts)
Final-year students	Can apply (p.9, para 3(c); p.10 NOTE I)

Who can apply

Age limit (counted on 01-07-2027)

Education

• IMA and OTA (SSC Men / Women): Degree of a recognised University or equivalent (p.9, para 3(c)(i))
• Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering, or B.Sc. with Physics, with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 (p.9, para 3(c)(ii))
• Air Force Academy: Any degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, or Bachelor of Engineering (p.9, para 3(c)(iii))

Final-year students: can apply, if the qualification is complete by the date the notice sets (p.9, para 3(c); p.10 NOTE I)

Other conditions

• IMA, INA, AFA and OTA (SSC Men) are for male candidates only; women may apply only for OTA (SSC Women Non-Technical) (p.5, N.B.(I)(b)(ii); p.8, para 3(b))
• Marital status: unmarried (AFA: under-25s must be unmarried; OTA women: unmarried, or issueless widows/divorcees not remarried); no marriage during training (p.8, para 3(b); p.17-18, para 10)
• Nationality: citizen of India, subject of Nepal, or specified persons of Indian origin (certificate of eligibility needed for Nepal/PIO, except Gorkhas) (p.8, para 3(a))
• Air Force: those who habitually wear spectacles, or failed CPSS/PABT earlier, are not eligible (p.16, para 8 NOTE-1)
• NCC 'C' Certificate needed only for the reserved NCC vacancies (IMA 13, INA 6, AFA 3) (p.6, NOTE 1)

Syllabus

• Paper 1 - English (Code 11): English (p.20, Appendix I)
• Paper 2 - General Knowledge (Code 12): General Knowledge (p.20, Appendix I)
• Paper 3 - Elementary Mathematics (Code 13; IMA/INA/AFA only): Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics (p.20, Appendix I)
• SSB - Intelligence and Personality Test: Stage I, Stage II (p.20-21, Appendix I)

Every topic, with a tick list

Documents

To upload with the form

• Photograph (JPG) and live photo captured in the Common Application Form (p.2 NOTE 2, p.11 NOTE 2)
• Triple signature on white paper in black ink (JPG) (p.2 NOTE 3, p.11 NOTE 3)
• Photo ID card details (Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN / Passport / Driving Licence / other government photo ID) (p.2, para 2.2)
• Caste / OBC / EWS / disability certificate PDF if claimed (CAF portal) (upsconline.nic.in CAF instructions)

Plus 5 documents to bring for verification. See them as a tick list

Photo and signature sizes, with resizers

Source: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 - Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II, dated 20.05.2026. Always confirm in the current notice.

This page sums up the notice; it does not replace it. If anything here differs from the notice, the notice is right — and please tell us.

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