UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 - Check Combined Defence Services (II) Time-Table, Shift Timings and Subject Codes

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

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.

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.

Selection Process After the Written Exam

1. Written Examination (13 September 2026) at UPSC-designated centres across India.
2. 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).
3. Medical Examination for candidates recommended by the SSB.
4. 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