UPSC NDA & NA II 2026 Exam Date Confirmed: September 13, 2026!
Mathematics (10 AM-12:30 PM) & GAT (2 PM-4:30 PM) timings announced for 394 vacancies.
Prepare for your defence career with the full exam schedule here.
NDA & NA (II) 2026 Exam Timetable Released: Your Path to a Defence Career
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the examination timetable for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026. This crucial update confirms the exam date and specific timings for both papers, allowing you to finalize your preparation strategies. With the exam scheduled for September 13, 2026, you have a clear roadmap for the coming weeks, focusing on intensive revision and mock tests.
Key Dates for NDA & NA (II) 2026
The journey to a career in the Indian Armed Forces through the NDA & NA (II) 2026 began with the notification, and the examination is now approaching. Here's a quick recap of the important dates:
- Notification Date: 2026-05-20
- Application Last Date: 2026-06-11 (The application window has now closed.)
- Exam Date: 2026-09-13
- Age Crucial Date: 2027-01-01
NDA & NA (II) 2026 Exam Timings
The written examination will be conducted on September 13, 2026 (Sunday), across two sessions:
- Mathematics (Paper I): 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM (2.5 hours)
- General Ability Test (GAT) (Paper II): 02:00 PM to 04:30 PM (2.5 hours)
Both papers carry significant weightage, with Mathematics accounting for 300 marks and the General Ability Test for 600 marks, totaling 900 marks for the written examination. Remember, negative marking is applicable for incorrect answers.
Total Vacancies and Breakdown
This year, the UPSC NDA & NA (II) examination aims to fill a total of 394 vacancies across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). The breakdown of vacancies is as follows:
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| NDA Army | 208 |
| NDA Navy | 42 |
| NDA Air Force (Flying) | 92 |
| NDA Air Force (Ground Duties Tech) | 18 |
| NDA Air Force (Ground Duties Non Tech) | 10 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 24 |
| Total | 394 |
Please note that the official notification does not provide a category-wise vacancy breakdown (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD) for these posts.
Eligibility Criteria: Are You Qualified?
To be eligible for the NDA & NA (II) 2026 examination, you must meet specific educational and age requirements. For more details on eligibility and other 12th Pass Jobs, you can explore our dedicated section.
Educational Qualification:
- For Army Wing of National Defence Academy: You must have passed the 12th Class under the 10+2 pattern of School Education or an equivalent examination.
- For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: You must have passed the 12th Class with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics under the 10+2 pattern of School Education or an equivalent examination.
Age Limit:
You must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age. Specifically, you must have been born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010 (inclusive of both dates). The crucial date for age calculation is January 1, 2027. There are no age relaxations mentioned in the notification.
Application Fee Details
The application fee structure for the NDA & NA (II) 2026 examination was as follows:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General | 100/- |
| SC/ST/Female | 0/- |
Female candidates and those belonging to SC/ST categories were fully exempt from paying the application fee. You can find more information on UPSC Applications on our site.
Selection Process: A Multi-Stage Journey
The selection process for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy is rigorous and designed to identify the most suitable candidates for a career in the armed forces. It comprises several stages:
- Written Examination: This is the first stage, consisting of Mathematics and General Ability Test papers, totaling 900 marks. Qualifying this stage is mandatory for proceeding further.
- SSB Interview: Candidates who clear the written exam are called for a 5-day Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview, which assesses intelligence and personality. This stage also carries 900 marks and includes Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests, Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT), Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Psychology Tests, and a Conference.
- Medical Examination: Successful SSB candidates undergo a comprehensive medical examination to ensure they meet the prescribed physical and mental fitness standards.
- Document Verification: Original documents are verified, likely during the SSB Interview or post-medical examination, to confirm eligibility.
- Training: Finally, selected candidates undergo 3 years of training at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune. This is followed by pre-commissioning training at respective academies (IMA for Army, AFA for Air Force, INA for Navy) for 1 year. For the Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme), training involves a 4-year B.Tech course at INA. The entire process from notification to final selection list is estimated to take approximately 6-9 months, followed by 3-4 years of training.
Salary and Career Progression
Upon successful completion of training and commissioning, officers in the Indian Armed Forces are placed at Pay Level 10, with a basic pay of Rs. 56,100. This is in addition to various allowances and benefits, ensuring a respectable and secure career.
Year-over-Year Comparison: NDA & NA (II)
Comparing the NDA & NA (II) 2026 examination with the previous year (2025) reveals a consistent pattern with minor adjustments.
Overall, the examination maintains remarkable consistency in most aspects. The primary change is a slight decrease in total vacancies, specifically in the Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). The age limit criteria remain consistent, but always double-check the crucial date for age calculation. Qualification requirements, application fees, and the exam pattern are unchanged, meaning your preparation strategies from previous years remain highly relevant. The notification and exam dates are slightly earlier this year, so plan your final revision accordingly.
What You Need to Do Now
With the NDA & NA (II) 2026 exam date just around the corner on September 13, 2026, your focus should be on intensive revision and mock tests. Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, including the negative marking scheme. Ensure you are well-rested and prepared for the two demanding papers. For more updates on UPSC examinations, keep an eye on our portal.
Important Links
- Official UPSC Website: upsc.gov.in
- Examination Time Table: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026