The UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date is officially scheduled for 13 September 2026 (Sunday). The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the detailed timetable for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. The exam will be conducted in three shifts on the same day for English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.

Candidates preparing for CDS 2 2026 should carefully check their applicable papers, examination timings and subject codes. The examination will follow Indian Standard Time (IST).

UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date 2026: Key Details

CDS 2 2026 Shift-Wise Exam Timings

The official UPSC timetable specifies three separate shifts for the CDS 2 examination. Candidates should check their e-Admit Card for centre-specific reporting and entry instructions.

The UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date and paper timings should be noted carefully because candidates may have different papers depending on their selected academy preferences.

Which Candidates Have to Appear for All Three Papers?

Candidates applying for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), or Air Force Academy (AFA) have to appear for all three papers:

• English

• General Knowledge

• Elementary Mathematics

Candidates applying only for Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) have to appear for English and General Knowledge. Elementary Mathematics is not applicable to OTA-only candidates.

Therefore, candidates should confirm their academy preference before finalising their preparation and examination-day plan.

CDS 2 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should regularly check the official UPSC website for further updates regarding the examination and e-Admit Card.

CDS 2 2026 Exam Preparation Tips

With the UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date approaching, candidates should focus on revision, previous-year questions and mock-test practice.

For English, revise grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, comprehension and commonly tested concepts. Reading regularly can also help improve comprehension speed.

For General Knowledge, revise important current affairs along with history, geography, Indian polity, economics, science and defence-related topics. Candidates should maintain short revision notes for quick preparation.

For Elementary Mathematics, practise arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and other important areas included in the syllabus. Solving questions within a fixed time can help improve speed and accuracy.

Candidates should also create a realistic revision schedule instead of trying to cover too many new topics during the final stage of preparation.

CDS 2 2026 Admit Card

The e-Admit Card is an important document for appearing in the examination. Candidates should download it from the official UPSC portal once it is released.

The admit card generally contains important information such as:

• Candidate’s name and roll number

• Examination centre

• Date and paper details

• Reporting instructions

• Important examination guidelines

Candidates should carefully verify all details on the e-Admit Card and follow the instructions provided by UPSC.

Important Links

• Official UPSC Website: upsc.gov.in

• CDS II 2026 Examination Page: Check Here

• CDS II 2026 Notification: Download Notification

• CDS II 2026 Official Time-Table: Download Time-Table

Prepare for CDS with Brigadier Defence Academy

Candidates preparing for CDS can consider structured coaching and regular practice to improve their written examination preparation. Brigadier Defence Academy offers defence-exam preparation programmes, including guidance for candidates targeting CDS and other officer-entry examinations.

A structured preparation approach can help aspirants work on their subject knowledge, mock-test performance, revision strategy and overall defence-exam readiness. Candidates can check the academy’s official website for available courses and programme details.

Visit: Brigadier Defence Academy

UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date 2026 – FAQs

Q1. What is the UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date 2026?

The UPSC CDS 2 Exam Date is 13 September 2026, which falls on Sunday.

Q2. What is the timing of the CDS 2 English paper?

The English paper will be conducted from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on 13 September 2026.

Q3. When will the CDS 2 General Knowledge paper be conducted?

The General Knowledge paper is scheduled from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM on 13 September 2026.

Q4. What is the timing of the Elementary Mathematics paper?

The Elementary Mathematics paper will be conducted from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on 13 September 2026.

Q5. Do OTA candidates have to appear for Mathematics?

No. Candidates applying only for OTA have to appear for English and General Knowledge. Elementary Mathematics is not applicable to OTA-only candidates.

Q6. What are the CDS 2 2026 subject codes?

The subject codes are 11 for English, 12 for General Knowledge and 13 for Elementary Mathematics.

Q7. How many papers are there in CDS 2 2026?

There are three papers: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. However, OTA-only candidates appear for only English and General Knowledge.

Q8. Where can candidates check the official CDS 2 timetable?

Candidates can check the official timetable on the UPSC website. They should rely on the official UPSC notice for the latest examination schedule and instructions.