UPSC NDA & NA (II) Exam 2026 Notification: Apply Online for 394 Vacancies

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially published the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA & NA) Examination II Notification 2026. This prestigious recruitment drive offers an exceptional opportunity to join the Armed Forces as an officer, featuring 394 provisional vacancies across the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA, as well as the Indian Naval Academy (INAC).

Eligible unmarried male and female candidates who have completed or are appearing for their 12th-grade examinations can submit their applications through the official UPSC portal. The application window is open from May 20, 2026, to June 9, 2026.

Below is the complete structural breakdown of the vacancies, eligibility requirements, selection methodology, and application instructions.

Important Dates

The application timeline is strictly enforced by the Commission. No applications, modifications, or withdrawals will be accepted after the closing deadline.

Event	Date / Timeline
Notification Release Date	May 20, 2026
Opening of Online Applications	May 20, 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	June 9, 2026 (Until 6:00 PM sharp)
e-Admit Card Download	Last working day of the preceding week of the exam
UPSC NDA II 2026 Written Exam Date	September 13, 2026
Expected Written Result	October 2026
SSB Interview (Tentative)	December 2026 to January 2027
Course Commencement (NDA & INAC)	July 1, 2027

Vacancy Breakdown

UPSC has announced a total of 394 provisional vacancies for the 158th NDA Course and the 120th INAC (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). Candidates must clearly specify their service preferences (1 to 4) during the application process, as alterations will not be permitted later.

National Defence Academy (NDA)

• Army: 208 vacancies (198 Male, 10 Female)
• Navy (Executive Branch): 42 vacancies (37 Male, 05 Female)
• Air Force (Flying): 92 vacancies (90 Male, 02 Female)
• Air Force (Ground Duties – Tech): 18 vacancies (16 Male, 02 Female)
• Air Force (Ground Duties – Non-Tech): 10 vacancies (08 Male, 02 Female)

Naval Academy (INAC)

• 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme: 24 vacancies (21 Male, 03 Female)

Eligibility Criteria

Before submitting your application, ensure you meet the strict eligibility boundaries set by the Ministry of Defence and UPSC.

Nationality

A candidate must be a Citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specific countries (such as Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African nations) with the intention of permanently settling in India, subject to an eligibility certificate from the Government of India.

Age Limits and Marital Status

• Marital Status: Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible. You must undertake not to marry until the complete training period is finished.
• Age Limit: Candidates must be born not earlier than January 2, 2008, and not later than January 1, 2011 (both days inclusive).
• Note on Relaxations: There is no upper age relaxation for any category (including SC, ST, OBC, or PwBD) in the NDA & NA Examination.

Educational Qualifications

• For the Army Wing of NDA: 12th Class pass (or appearing) of the 10+2 pattern from a recognized State Education Board or University.
• For Navy, Air Force, and INAC: 12th Class pass (or appearing) of the 10+2 pattern with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
• Appearing Candidates: Students currently appearing in their 12th Class exams are eligible to apply. However, they must be able to submit definitive proof of passing by June 10, 2027. Students currently in the 11th Class are entirely ineligible.

The Selection Process and Exam Pattern

The selection process is rigorous and relies on a multi-stage evaluation of academic knowledge, psychological fitness, and physical endurance.

Stage 1: Written Examination

The written tier is an objective-type, offline pen-and-paper test.

• Paper I (Mathematics): 2.5 Hours duration | 300 Maximum Marks
• Paper II (General Ability Test): 2.5 Hours duration | 600 Maximum Marks (Part A: English – 200 marks, Part B: General Knowledge – 400 marks)
• Total Written Marks: 900
• Penalty for Wrong Answers: A deduction of one-third (0.33) of the assigned marks applies to every incorrect answer.

Stage 2: SSB Intelligence and Personality Test

Candidates clearing the written cut-off must register on the Indian Army recruiting website to receive their Services Selection Board (SSB) dates.

• Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
• Stage II: Over four days, candidates face Interviews, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the final Conference. The SSB stage carries a total of 900 marks.
• Special Requirement for Air Force Flying Branch: Candidates opting for the Flying Branch must undergo and pass the Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS).

Stage 3: Medical Examination

Recommended candidates must undergo thorough medical examinations by a Board of Service Medical Officers. You must be physically and mentally fit according to the Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into the Armed Forces.

Pay Scale and Allowances

Selected candidates who join the training academies undergo three years of intensive academic and physical training at NDA, followed by specialized pre-commissioning training at their respective service academies.

• Stipend During Training: Officer Cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month (which equals the starting pay in Level 10) during their entire training period at the academies.
• Degree Awarded: Army cadets earn a B.Sc./B.Sc.(Computer)/B.A. from JNU. Naval and Air Force cadets earn a B.Tech degree.

Application Fee Details

The application fee is to be paid entirely online via Net Banking, UPI, or major Credit/Debit cards.

• General, OBC, and EWS Male Candidates: Rs. 100/- (Non-Refundable)
• Exempted Categories: All Female candidates, SC/ST candidates, and Wards of serving/ex-JCOs/NCOs/ORs currently studying in Military or Sainik Schools are completely exempted from fee payment.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online

The application process must be completed online. Avoid waiting until the June 9 deadline to circumvent potential server issues.

1. Visit the Portal: Go to the official UPSC registration site at https://upsconline.nic.in.
2. Universal Registration (URN): Complete the Account Creation to generate your lifetime Universal Registration Number (URN). If you already have one, simply log in.
3. Fill the Application: Complete the Common Application Form (CAF) and navigate to the Examination Specific Module for NDA-II 2026.
4. Service Preferences: Carefully rank your service preferences (1 to 4). You will only be considered for the services you mark.
5. Photo and Signature Uploads:
   • Upload a standard passport photograph and capture a live photograph via your webcam.
   • Sign three times sequentially (one below the other) on plain white paper using black ink, scan it clearly, and upload the file.
6. Identity Verification: Provide details of a valid Photo ID Card (Aadhaar Card is strongly advised).
7. Fee Payment: Submit the examination fee (if applicable).
8. Final Submission: Review all details and submit. No modifications are permitted after submission. Retain a printout of the final form for your records.

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

• Incorrect Date of Birth: Ensure your date of birth exactly matches your Matriculation certificate. Entering an incorrect date will lead to permanent cancellation.
• Subject Ineligibility: Do not select the Navy or Air Force wings if you do not have Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in your 10+2 curriculum.
• Electronic Gadgets: Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and Bluetooth devices are strictly prohibited inside the examination center. Possession will lead to disqualification and future bans.
• Unregistered Email IDs: Ensure the email ID provided to UPSC remains active. You must use the exact same email to register on the Indian Army website upon clearing the written test to receive your SSB call-up letter.

For technical assistance during the application process, candidates can contact the UPSC Helpdesk at 011-24041001 or 011-40303444, or email upscsoap@nic.in between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM on standard working days.

UPSC NDA 2 2026 – Important Links

• Apply Online: Click here
• Official Notification PDF: Click here
• Indian Army Recruiting Website: Click here