UPSC NDA NA II 2026 Exam Date Confirmed: September 13, 2026!
12th Pass aspirants, prepare now for 394 vacancies in Army, Navy & Air Force.
Get the full NDA & NA (II) 2026 exam schedule and important dates.
UPSC NDA & NA (II) 2026: Examination Time Table Confirmed for September 13
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the examination timetable for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026. The written examination is scheduled for September 13, 2026. This follows the notification released on May 20, 2026, which announced a total of 394 vacancies across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). Aspirants aiming for a career in the Indian Armed Forces should note this key date for their preparation. For more details on similar opportunities, you can explore 12th Pass Jobs.
Important Dates at a Glance
Understanding the timeline is crucial for your preparation. The notification for NDA & NA (II) 2026 was released earlier this year, and the application window has since closed. The upcoming examination is the next critical milestone.
- Notification Release Date: May 20, 2026
- Application Start Date: May 20, 2026
- Application End Date: June 11, 2026
- Exam Date: September 13, 2026 (This is 21 days from today, August 23, 2026)
- Course Commencement Date: July 1, 2027
Vacancy Details: A Breakdown of Opportunities
This year, a total of 394 vacancies are available. These positions are distributed across various wings of the Indian Armed Forces, offering diverse career paths for eligible candidates. The highest number of opportunities are in the Army wing.
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Army | 208 |
| Navy | 42 |
| Air Force (Flying) | 92 |
| Air Force (Ground Duties Tech) | 18 |
| Air Force (Ground Duties Non Tech) | 10 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 24 |
| Total | 394 |
While specific category-wise breakdowns (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD) are not provided in the notification, the overall distribution gives you a clear picture of the opportunities in each service.
Eligibility Criteria: What You Need to Know
Meeting the eligibility requirements is the first step towards joining the NDA or Naval Academy. Pay close attention to both educational qualifications and age limits.
Educational Qualification
- For Army Wing of National Defence Academy: You must have passed the 12th Class or its equivalent examination from a State Education Board or a University.
- For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Naval Academy: You must have passed the 12th Class or its equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from a State Education Board or a University.
A significant change this year is the explicit inclusion of Chemistry as a required subject for Navy, Air Force, and INAC wings. Ensure your 12th-grade curriculum included these subjects if you are applying for these specific branches.
Age Limit
Your age is a critical factor for eligibility. You must be born between January 1, 2008, and July 1, 2027. This means you must be at least 16.5 years old and not older than 19.5 years old as of the crucial date of July 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The application fee structure remains consistent with previous years, offering exemptions for certain categories.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General | 100 |
| SC/ST/Female | 0 |
Payment modes for the application fee were typically online through various banking channels. SC/ST and Female candidates were fully exempted from paying any fee.
Salary and Benefits
Upon successful completion of training and commissioning, you will receive a competitive salary and numerous benefits. The basic pay for officers starts at Rs. 56,100 (Pay Level 10). This is just the basic pay, which increases with rank and experience, along with various allowances and perks associated with serving in the armed forces.
Selection Process: Your Path to Commissioning
The selection process for NDA & NA is rigorous and designed to identify the most suitable candidates. It involves multiple stages:
- Written Examination: This is the first hurdle, consisting of two papers.
- Mathematics: 300 marks, 2.5 hours duration.
- General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks, 2.5 hours duration.
The total marks for the written exam are 900. There is negative marking, with one-third of the marks assigned to a question deducted for every incorrect answer. You must score minimum qualifying marks in each subject as decided by the Commission.
- SSB Interview: Candidates who clear the written exam proceed to a 5-day Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview, also for 900 marks. This is a two-stage process:
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
- Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO), Psychology Tests, and Conference.
You must qualify in both stages.
- Medical Examination: A Board of Service Medical Officers will conduct a thorough medical examination to ensure you meet the prescribed physical and medical standards.
- Document Verification: Original educational certificates, age proof, and other relevant documents will be verified.
- Training: Successful candidates undergo 3 years of training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) for Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets, or the Naval Academy (INAC) for Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) cadets. This is followed by pre-commission training at respective academies.
The entire selection process, from notification to course commencement, is estimated to take approximately one year. For more information on the application process, visit Apply online for UPSC.
Year-over-Year Comparison: Key Trends and Changes
Analyzing changes from the previous year (NDA & NA (II) 2025) provides valuable insights for current aspirants.
- Total Vacancies: A slight decrease from 406 in 2025 to 394 in 2026 (a -2.96% decrease).
- Army Vacancies: Remained constant at 208.
- Navy Vacancies: Remained constant at 42.
- Air Force Vacancies: Total Air Force vacancies remained 120, with a detailed breakdown provided for 2026 (92 Flying + 18 Ground Duties Tech + 10 Ground Duties Non Tech).
- Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) Vacancies: Saw a significant decrease from 34 in 2025 to 24 in 2026 (a -29.41% decrease).
- Age Limit (Crucial Date): The crucial date shifted later by one year, maintaining the 16.5 to 19.5 year range. For 2026, you must not be born before January 1, 2008, and not after July 1, 2027.
- Qualification Required: For Navy, Air Force, and INAC wings, Chemistry is now explicitly listed as a required subject along with Physics and Mathematics, which was previously stated as Physics & Math.
- Application Fee (General): Remained constant at Rs. 100.
- Application Fee (SC/ST/Female): Remained Rs. 0.
- Exam Pattern (Negative Marking): No change; one-third marks deducted for incorrect answers.
- Notification Release Date: May 20, 2026 (8 days earlier than 2025).
- Application End Date: June 11, 2026 (6 days earlier than 2025).
- Exam Date: September 13, 2026 (1 day earlier than 2025).
- Course Commencement Date: July 1, 2027 (1 year later than 2025).
The most crucial changes for you to note are the explicit inclusion of Chemistry for certain wings and the reduction in Naval Academy vacancies. Always verify your age eligibility carefully with the new crucial date.
Important Links
Always refer to official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information. For other important UPSC Exam Dates, keep an eye on the official website.
- Official UPSC Website: https://upsc.gov.in
- Apply Online Link (Application window closed): https://upsconline.nic.in
- Examination Time Table: Available on the official UPSC website.