CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 (Out): Download Written Exam Hall Ticket, Shift Timings, Guidelines

The CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 has been released by UPSC on September 3, 2026, for candidates appearing in the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026, scheduled for September 13, 2026 (Sunday). The written examination consists of three papers, namely, English (100 marks), General Knowledge (100 marks), and Elementary Mathematics (100 marks), with 2 hours allotted to each paper. The e-Admit Card is now available online, and the Commission will not send any admit card by post. Candidates must download their written exam hall ticket, take a printout, and keep it safe until the declaration of the final result. Applicants are required to produce the printed e-Admit Card along with the Photo ID proof mentioned on it at the allotted examination venue for each session.

Candidates should carefully verify the name, photograph, QR code, and other details printed on the CDS 2 hall ticket 2026 and report to UPSC for any kind of error immediately. They are advised to reach their allotted exam venue at least 1 hour and 15 minutes before the commencement of each session for face authentication, identity verification, and frisking. Entry to the CDS 2 exam 2026 will be closed 30 minutes before each paper, at 8:30 AM for English, 12:00 PM for General Knowledge, and 3:30 PM for Elementary Mathematics. Candidates should also carry three recent passport-size photographs and a black ball-point pen, wherever applicable, and avoid carrying mobile phones, smart or digital watches, AI-enabled devices, bags, books, or other prohibited items to the examination venue.

CDS Admit Card 2026: Important Dates

The Union Public Service Commission has issued the CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 on September 3, 2026, ahead of the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), scheduled for September 13, 2026. For CDS 1, the admit card was released for the written examination held on April 12, 2026, ahead of the CDS Exam 2026 scheduled for September 13, 2026.

CDS 2 Exam 2026 Shift Timings

The CDS 2 Exam 2026 will be conducted on September 13, 2026 (Sunday) in three shifts. As per the UPSC timetable, candidates will appear for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics papers at different timings. UPSC has also advised candidates to reach the examination venue preferably 1 hour and 15 minutes before the commencement of their respective session for face authentication, identity verification, and frisking. Entry to the venue will close 30 minutes before the scheduled start of each paper.

Note: Candidates must report only to the examination venue mentioned on their e-Admit Card. No candidate will be allowed to enter the venue after the mentioned entry-closing time.

How to Download CDS Admit Card 2026?

To download the CDS Admit Card 2026, visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in and click on the admit card link. Log in using the candidate's Registration ID or Roll Number with Date of Birth, enter the captcha, and download and print the admit card for exam day.

Step 1: Visit the official website-upsc.gov.in

Step 2: Go to the 'What's New' Section and Click on the 'E-Admit Card CDS Exam 2025' link

Step 3: After reading the instructions, click on the 'Yes' button to proceed with downloading the admit card

Step 4: Enter the following details on the login page:

• Registration Number and date of birth, or
• Roll Number and Date of Birth, Or
• Name, Father’s Name, and Date of Birth

Step 5: After filling in the details, click on the ‘Submit’ tab

Step 6: The CDS 2025 admit card appears on the screen

Step 7: Download the admit card and take its printout

Check: CDS 2026 Application Process

CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 Download Link

The link to download the CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 is now active, as UPSC has released the e-Admit Card on September 3, 2026, for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. Candidates appearing for the written examination on September 13, 2026, can access the UPSC CDS Admit Card online through the official examination portal. To download the CDS 2 Admit Card 2026, candidates need to log in using their Registration ID or Roll Number and Date of Birth and take a printout of the e-Admit Card, as UPSC will not send any admit card via post or mail. The CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 contains important details such as the candidate's name, photograph, roll number, examination venue, paper-wise exam timings, reporting instructions, and other exam-day guidelines. Candidates can use the direct download link below to access their CDS 2 Admit Card 2026.

Direct Link to download CDS 2 Admit Card 2026

Details Mentioned on CDS Admit Card 2026

Candidates must carefully check all the details printed on the admit card. The following information is mentioned:

• Candidate’s Name
• Roll Number
• Registration ID
• Date of Birth
• Photograph and Signature
• Examination Date
• Exam Time
• Exam Centre Address
• Reporting Time
• Exam Day Instructions

CDS Admit Card 2026: Important Instructions

UPSC releases important exam day instructions along with the admit card. Key instructions include:

• Reach the exam centre at least 1 hour and 15 minutes before the scheduled start of each session.
• Entry to the examination venue will close 30 minutes before the scheduled commencement of each paper.
• Electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, or Bluetooth devices are strictly prohibited
• Carry only the allowed items inside the exam hall
• Follow COVID or other safety guidelines, if applicable

Documents to Carry Along with the CDS Admit Card 2026

Along with the admit card, candidates must carry a valid photo ID proof. Accepted ID proofs include:

• Aadhaar Card
• Voter ID
• Passport
• Driving Licence
• PAN Card

CDS Admit Card 2026: Discrepancies

Candidates should carefully check their name, category, date of birth, photograph, and signature on the admit card. If any mistake is found, they should immediately contact the examination authority with the required details

• Exam name and year
• Registration number
• Roll number
• Postal address (Candidates need to mention the application number)

CDS Exam Pattern 2026 for IMA, INA, IFA

Candidates appearing for the CDS exam for IMA, INA, and AFA should be familiar with the exam pattern. The UPSC CDS exam includes English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, helping candidates understand the structure and prepare better.

• The CDS exam for INA, IMA, and AFA is taken for three subjects - English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Maths
• The exam duration for each paper is 2 hours (120 minutes)
• Each subject will have 100 MCQs
• The maximum mark in each subject is 100 marks
• The questions will be available in English and Hindi language

CDS Exam Pattern 2026 for OTA

The OTA exam pattern is different from IMA, INA, and AFA. UPSC has shared the CDS OTA exam pattern, and candidates should review it carefully to understand the exam structure and prepare better.

• The OTA exam is taken for two subjects: English and the General Ability Test
• The total time duration for the OTA exam is 4 hours (2 hours for each paper)
• Total number of questions: 100 MCQs
• The maximum marks in each subject are 100 marks
• The questions will be available in English and Hindi

Check: CDS Exam Pattern 2026

CDS Admit Card 2026 FAQs