RPSC RAS Recruitment 2026- Apply Online for 607 Lucrative State & Subordinate Vacancies (Advt No. 02/2026-27)
Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC)
📍 Rajasthan
Application Started
03 July 2026
Age
19-25 Years
Min Qualification
Graduation
Location
All India
Stepping into the elite echelons of the Indian Armed Forces is not merely about securing a government job; it is a profound commitment to a lifestyle of honor, courage, and ultimate purpose. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially unveiled the notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026, offering a prestigious gateway for dynamic graduates across the nation to claim their place as commissioned officers. This structural entry point bridges the gap between raw academic potential and the meticulous, grueling transformation that shapes the country's military leadership.
For young aspirants residing in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, this notification represents a level playing field and an unmissable ticket to a lucrative, high-status career. Whether your ambitions draw you toward the thundering skies of military aviation, the uncharted depths of naval strategy, or the frontline grit of infantry tactics, this selection process cuts through regional barriers. It offers an unparalleled trajectory of rapid substantive promotions, complete long-term socio-economic stability, and the immense pride of wearing the uniform.
IMA & OTA Chennai: Applicants must hold a Graduation Degree in any academic discipline from a recognized educational institution.
Indian Naval Academy: Requires an Engineering Degree, or a B.Sc. with Physics or Mathematics as core elements.
Air Force Academy: A Bachelor’s Degree (with Physics and Math at the 10+2 high school tier) or a Bachelor of Engineering.
Female Candidates, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST): Completely Exempted from paying any fee.
General, OBC, and EWS Applicants: A nominal fee of Rs. 200/-. This must be disbursed through integrated online mechanisms such as net banking, UPI, or major debit and credit cards. Cash or alternative off-line drafts are strictly invalid.
Commissioned officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force function as executive military administrators, tactical operational leaders, and technology managers. On any given day, a newly commissioned Lieutenant or Sub-Lieutenant is tasked with leading a platoon or division of highly disciplined personnel, managing cutting-edge defensive systems, and coordinating strategic field exercises.
The job effortlessly balances desk-oriented tactical planning with intense field deployments. Beyond combat readiness, these roles carry an extensive real-world impact; officers head critical disaster relief operations, manage complex international logistics, and fortify national security perimeters. It is a career choice where your structural decisions directly influence the sovereignty of the nation and the lives of the citizens you are sworn to protect.
This path is an ideal match for individuals who thrive under structured discipline, possess inherent leadership traits, and maintain an active interest in physical fitness and sports. If you have a natural aptitude for quick problem-solving under stress, find joy in teamwork, and seek a life beyond the monotony of standard corporate cubicles, this career will feel deeply rewarding.
It is not well-suited for individuals seeking a localized, sedentary career free of geographic transitions, as officers face mandatory country-wide and international postings. Additionally, male applicants who are already married before the age of 25, or those unwilling to comply with strict operational protocols and rigorous physical conditioning, may find the lifestyle incompatible with their personal choices.
Age Window (IMA): Unmarried males born between July 2, 2002, and July 1, 2007.
Age Window (OTA Men): Unmarried males born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2007.
Age Window (OTA Women): Unmarried women, issueless widows, or divorcees born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2007.
Age Window: Unmarried males born between July 2, 2002, and July 1, 2007.
Age Window: Candidates aged 20 to 24 years as of July 1, 2027 (Born between July 2, 2003, and July 1, 2007). Note: Holders of a valid, current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by the DGCA get a relaxation up to 26 years (Born not earlier than July 2, 2001).
The economic security provided by the Armed Forces matches the top tiers of corporate India. Upon successful commissioning, an officer starts at Pay Level 10 with a foundational base pay of Rs. 56,100/- per month. However, this is just the baseline.
Basic Pay (Level 10): Rs. 56,100/-
Military Service Pay (MSP): A mandatory fixed addition of Rs. 15,500/- per month for ranks from Lieutenant to Brigadier.
Dearness Allowance (DA): Fully admissible as per prevailing civilian scales.
Transport Allowance (TPTA): Ranges from Rs. 3,600/- to Rs. 7,200/- + DA depending on whether you are stationed in a major metro city.
Stipend During Cadet Training: A fixed sum of Rs. 56,100/- per month throughout the academy duration.
Free Rations & Subsidized Housing: Provided in both peace and operational field zones.
Dress Allowance: An annual lump sum of Rs. 20,000/-.
Children Education Allowance: Calculated at Rs. 2,250/- per month per child.
Insurance Blanket: Robust group insurance coverage up to Rs. 1.25 Crore for Army and Air Force personnel.
Post-Academy Accoutrements: Graduating from OTA Chennai awards you a specialized Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras.
Total Vacancies: 451 Posts
The distribution of these elite openings across the respective training academies is detailed below:
Training Academy & Entry Name | Approximate Vacancies Available | Commencing Term Details |
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 (Includes 13 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Army Wing holders) | Commences July 2027 |
Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 (Includes 06 vacancies for NCC 'C' Naval Wing holders & 01 for Hydro) | Commences July 2027 |
Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 (Includes 03 vacancies for NCC 'C' Air Wing holders) | Commences July 2027 |
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | 275 (126th SSC Non-Technical Course for Men) | Commences October 2027 |
Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai | 18 (126th SSC Non-Technical Course for Women) | Commences October 2027 |
A valid Photo Identity Card (Aadhaar Card is highly recommended for frictionless, automated digital verification).
Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate issued by an authenticated board, as this acts as the sole valid proof of your exact date of birth.
Graduation Degree Certificate or an official provisional mark sheet highlighting explicit completion.
A formal Bonafide Institutional Certificate if you are currently appearing for your final semester examinations.
NCC 'C' Certificate (Army/Navy/Air Wing) if you intend to vie for the designated reserved vacancy pool.
Universal Profile Setup: Click on the Apply Online button and establish your Universal Registration Number (URN) profile by providing your basic personal details. Ensure this permanent record contains zero spelling errors.
Access the Form: Log in using your newly generated URN and navigate to the Examination Specific Module for the Combined Defence Services (II) Examination, 2026.
Prioritize Academy Choices: Carefully specify your service preferences in the dynamic column. Note: If your prime dream is the Air Force Academy, you must record AFA as your absolute first preference, otherwise it becomes invalid.
Live Photo Verification: Upload a scanned formal photograph and seamlessly execute the mandatory live photograph capture inside the application interface. Double-check that both images display high facial clarity.
Upload Signature: Sign exactly three times vertically, one directly beneath the other, on a clean, unlined white sheet using black ink only, scan it precisely, and upload it.
Secure Your Exam Centre: Select your desired test venue early from the extensive city list. Because UPSC operates local centres on a strict "first-apply-first-allot" ceiling model, completing your form early guarantees you won't have to travel far on exam day. Pay the 200/- Rs fee (if applicable) and securely lock your submission.
Written Examination: Objective type papers conducted by UPSC on 13th September 2026.
SSB Interview / Intelligence & Personality Test: Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview by respective Service HQs based on preference.
Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by SSB undergo medical examination as per Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces (1st Edition).
Final Merit List: Based on combined marks in written examination and SSB tests, subject to medical fitness and availability of vacancies.
Director's Prep Blueprint: To ace the written paper, prioritize building a systematic layout for the General Knowledge section by focusing intensely on daily current affairs, conceptual Indian Geography, and fundamental History. For English, read premium editorials daily to easily handle contextual word usage and sentence correction modules. If aiming for the technical academies, practice high-speed arithmetic, geometry theorems, and mensuration formulas from old 10th-grade NCERT textbooks, ensuring you simulate tests without using a calculator to improve your real-time processing speed.
Q1: Can final-year graduation students apply for the UPSC CDS II 2026 exam?
Ans: Yes, final-year or final-semester degree students are fully eligible to apply under a special concession frame, provided they can produce absolute proof of passing their degree examination by the specified academic deadlines in 2027.
Q2: Is there a penalty or negative marking for marking wrong responses in the exam?
Ans: Yes, the objective papers enforce a strict negative marking penalty where one-third (0.33) of the marks allocated to that specific question will be deducted for every incorrect response.
Q3: Can I modify my application details or preferences after submitting the final form?
Ans: No, the Commission does not provide any correction window or permit alterations to any field within an application form once it has been successfully submitted.
Q4: Can married individuals apply for training at the service academies?
Ans: Candidates below 25 years must be strictly unmarried and are prohibited from marrying during their training. Married candidates aged 25 or older can apply for specific terms, but they will not be provided married quarters or allowed to live off-premises with family.
Q5: What happens if I upload an incorrect signature or a blurry photograph?
Ans: Uploading irrelevant, distorted, or blurred visuals can cause the summary rejection of your candidature and may render you liable to institutional disciplinary action under unfair rules.
Q6: Are calculators or digital smartwatches permitted inside the testing hall?
Ans: No, calculators, digital/smartwatches, mobile phones (even in switched-off modes), log tables, or any related electronic storage media are strictly prohibited inside the venue.
Q7: Is the common written question paper available in regional Indian languages?
Ans: The General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics booklets are set bilingually in Hindi and English, while the dedicated English paper is provided strictly in English.
Q8: What is the primary difference between a Permanent Commission and a Short Service Commission?
Ans: A Permanent Commission (offered via IMA, INA, AFA) allows you to serve a full career until retirement. A Short Service Commission (offered via OTA Chennai) grants an initial tenure of 10 years, extendable to 14 years, with options to apply for a Permanent Commission in your 10th year.
Q9: What ink color should be utilized for marking responses on the OMR sheet?
Ans: Candidates must use a black ballpoint pen only for writing details and blackening circles on the OMR sheet. Ink pens, gel pens, or pencils are forbidden.
Q10: Are permanent body tattoos permitted during the selection process?
Ans: Permanent tattoos are permitted only on the inner face of the forearm (from inside the elbow to the wrist) and on the reverse side of the palm/back of the hand. Tattoos on any other part of the body will result in immediate disqualification.