UPSC NDA & NA II Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 394 Posts | Army, Navy & Air Force | Last Date 9 June 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination-II, 2026 notification. This is a golden opportunity for young, unmarried male and female candidates who dream of serving the nation in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. A total of 394 vacancies are available across NDA (Army, Navy, Air Force) and Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). The written exam is scheduled for 13 September 2026, and the last date to apply online is 9 June 2026. Don’t miss this prestigious chance to begin your defence career!
🏢 Organization Details
- Recruiting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Exam Name: National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination-II, 2026
- Advertisement No.: Examination Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II
- Job Location: All India (Pan-India Posting after selection)
- Official Website: https://upsc.gov.in
The UPSC is the top recruiting body of India, which organizes competitive examinations like NDA and IAS. The NDA examination is among the most popular examinations held to recruit candidates into the Indian Armed Forces. Joining the Indian Armed Forces through the NDA Examination ensures the candidate a bright future ahead as an officer.
📊 Number of Vacancies & Reservation
Total Posts: 394
| Academy | Service | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Defence Academy | Army | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| National Defence Academy | Navy (Executive) | 37 | 05 | 42 |
| National Defence Academy | Air Force – Flying | 90 | 02 | 92 |
| National Defence Academy | Air Force – Ground Duty (Tech) | 16 | 02 | 18 |
| National Defence Academy | Air Force – Ground Duty (Non-Tech) | 08 | 02 | 10 |
| Naval Academy | 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (Executive) | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
Important Note: Selection for male and female candidates is done separately in a gender-pure manner as per notified vacancies. Merit lists are also prepared separately for each gender category.
However, vacancies mentioned above may vary according to training capability of NDA & INA. With only 394 vacancies being there in India, the level of competition will be extremely tough. Moreover, female candidates are welcome to apply for these positions as Indian Government is always keen on ensuring gender equality in its armed forces.
🎓 Educational Qualification
| Wing | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Army Wing (NDA) | 12th Class pass (10+2 pattern) from any recognized State Board or University |
| Navy Wing (NDA) | 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics |
| Air Force Wing (NDA) | 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics |
Appearing candidates: Students currently appearing in Class 12 are also eligible to apply. However, they must submit proof of passing by 10 June 2027, failing which their candidature will be cancelled.
Note: Candidates appearing in Class 11 are NOT eligible. Those who have previously failed CPSS/PABT are eligible for Air Force Ground Duty branches only.
This makes it necessary that your educational stream is considered very much here; those who study PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) may take advantage of all the four wings whereas other streams may consider themselves for only the Army wing.
📉 Minimum Qualifying Marks
The Commission has the discretion to fix minimum qualifying marks in any or all papers. Specific cutoff marks are not pre-declared and are determined after the examination based on overall performance.
- Written Exam: Qualifying marks fixed at UPSC’s discretion
- SSB/Interview: Minimum marks for Officer Potentiality Test fixed by Services Selection Board
- Air Force Flying: Additional qualification in CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System) required
As the cut-off percentage is not known in advance, students should try to score as much as they can in both the subjects of Mathematics and GAT. According to historical evidence, the cut-off for the written test has been around 25-35% in most cases, but the cut-off of SSB holds equal importance.
🎂 Age Limit
- Minimum Age: Born not later than 01 January 2011 (i.e., must be at least 15 years old)
- Maximum Age: Born not earlier than 01 January 2008 (i.e., not older than 18.5 years)
- Eligible Birth Date Range: Between 01 January 2008 and 01 January 2011 (both dates inclusive)
- Marital Status: Only unmarried male/female candidates are eligible
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | As per government norms |
| OBC | No specific relaxation mentioned |
| General | No relaxation beyond standard limits |
Note: Age is verified only through Matriculation / Secondary School Leaving Certificate. No other documents like horoscopes or birth extracts will be accepted.
As far as the age range for the NDA test goes, it is quite limited and specific, which means that it is extremely important for the candidates to choose an appropriate time to apply. The candidates’ date of birth cannot be altered once they provide this information to UPSC.
💰 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100/- (Rupees One Hundred Only) |
| SC / ST | Exempt (No Fee) |
| Female Candidates | Exempt (No Fee) |
| Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs studying in Military/Sainik Schools | Exempt (No Fee) |
Payment Mode: Net Banking / Visa / MasterCard / RuPay Credit or Debit Card / UPI
Fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to any other exam. Applications submitted without the required fee (unless exempt) will be summarily rejected.
It is one of the most affordable application fees among all central government exams like NDA II 2026. Fee exemption for females and SC/ST candidates provides an incentive to join the competition. Please note that you must deposit your fee by the prescribed modes; otherwise, it will be rejected.
⚙️ Selection Process
The selection process for NDA II 2026 involves multiple stages:
Stage 1 – Written Examination (Objective Type)
- Mathematics Paper (300 Marks)
- General Ability Test (600 Marks)
- Total Written Marks: 900
Stage 2 – SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview
- Total Marks: 900
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test + Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT)
- Stage II (only for those who clear Stage I): Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, Conference (conducted over 4 days)
Stage 3 – Medical Examination
- Conducted by a Board of Service Medical Officers
- Only medically fit candidates are admitted to the Academy
Stage 4 – Document Verification & Final Merit List
- Combined merit list prepared based on Written Exam + SSB marks
- Final allocation to Army, Navy, Air Force based on merit and preference
For Air Force Flying Branch: Additional CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System / Pilot Aptitude Battery Test) — given only ONCE in a lifetime.
The recruitment procedure of the NDA is one of the toughest ones in India; it examines not only your theoretical knowledge but also psychological attributes, physical attributes, and even leadership skills. The SSB interview itself is a 5-day long test that measures the officer-like attributes in the candidate.
📚 Examination Syllabus
Paper I – Mathematics (Code 01) | 300 Marks | 2.5 Hours
- Algebra (Sets, Complex Numbers, Progressions, Quadratic Equations, Permutation & Combination, Binomial Theorem)
- Matrices & Determinants
- Trigonometry (including Inverse Trigonometric Functions)
- Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D)
- Differential Calculus
- Integral Calculus & Differential Equations
- Vector Algebra
- Statistics & Probability
Paper II – General Ability Test (Code 02) | 600 Marks | 2.5 Hours
- Part A – English (200 Marks): Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Cohesion
- Part B – General Knowledge (400 Marks):
- Section A – Physics (25% weightage)
- Section B – Chemistry (15% weightage)
- Section C – General Science (10% weightage)
- Section D – History & Freedom Movement (20% weightage)
- Section E – Geography (20% weightage)
- Section F – Current Events (10% weightage)
Exam Pattern Key Points:
- All questions are Objective Type (MCQ)
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer
- No calculator or log tables allowed
- Black ball pen must be used for marking OMR sheets
- Mathematics and Part B of GAT are bilingual (Hindi & English)
While preparing for NDA II 2026, aspirants must give equal importance to Mathematics and GK. The paper of GAT has a wide range of topics like science, history, geography, and current affairs. The best way to ace the highly difficult examination is by practicing old and mock papers.
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 09 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Date of Examination | 13 September 2026 |
| Written Result Expected | October 2026 |
| SSB Interviews (Tentative) | December 2026 – January 2027 |
| Course Commencement | 1 July 2027 |
| Helpline Available | 20 May 2026 to 09 June 2026 |
This application window lasts just around 20 days; that’s quite a small period of time. It’s better not to procrastinate until the very last day since seats are distributed in order of the application. The most desired cities will be filled first.
📝 How to Apply
- Visit the official UPSC Online Application Portal: https://upsconline.nic.in
- Create an Account / Log In using your registered credentials
- Complete Universal Registration (URN): Fill in your personal details and upload required documents. The URN is a one-time lifetime registration.
- Fill Common Application Form (CAF): Upload your photograph and capture a live photograph as instructed. Sign three times on white paper in black ink and upload the signature.
- Fill Examination Specific Module: Select NDA II 2026, choose your preferred services in order of preference (at least one preference is mandatory), and select your exam centre.
- Pay the Application Fee: Pay ₹100 via Net Banking / Debit/Credit Card / UPI (SC/ST/Female/eligible Wards are exempt).
- Review & Submit the Form: Double-check all entries — NO correction is allowed after submission.
- Save Application Number: Note your Application Number along with your URN for future reference.
- Download e-Admit Card: Available on https://upsconline.nic.in on the last working day of the week preceding the exam. No admit card sent by post or email.
Important: Aadhaar Card is strongly recommended as the ID document. Applications without the prescribed fee (unless exempt) will be summarily rejected. Withdrawal of application is NOT permitted once submitted.
URN needs to be created prior to filling up the exam-form for first-time applicants. Make sure that all your documents required including proof of date of birth, educational documents, photo identity card, and a photo are handy when filling up the form. The whole procedure will remain on-line only.
📜 General Conditions
- Candidates must be unmarried at the time of application and throughout training. Marriage after selection leads to cancellation.
- Nationality: Indian Citizens, subjects of Nepal, or persons of Indian origin from specified countries with Government of India eligibility certificate.
- Mobile phones, smart watches, pagers, Bluetooth devices are strictly prohibited inside examination halls — even in switched-off mode.
- Entry to examination venue is closed 30 minutes before commencement of each session.
- Face Authentication is mandatory at the examination venue.
- Candidates already in government service / armed forces must inform their Head of Office in writing about their application.
- Any form of impersonation, use of unfair means, or submission of fabricated documents will lead to debarment and potential criminal prosecution under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
- Candidates should get a pre-medical check-up done before applying to avoid rejection at the final medical stage.
- Permanent tattoos are only permitted on the inner forearm (elbow to wrist) or back of the palm. Tattoos anywhere else will lead to disqualification.
- First-time SSB attendees are eligible for AC 3-Tier to-and-fro railway / bus fare as travelling allowance.
🔗 Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | https://upsconline.nic.in |
| Official Notification PDF | https://upsc.gov.in |
| UPSC Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| SSB / Army Info (post written result) | https://www.joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| Naval Info | https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in |
| Helpdesk Email | [email protected] |
| Helpline Number | 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The last date to fill and submit the online application for UPSC NDA & NA Examination II 2026 is 9th June 2026 up to 6:00 PM. After this time, the application link will be disabled and no further applications will be accepted under any circumstances.
Unmarried male and female candidates who are Indian citizens (or eligible Nepal subjects/persons of Indian origin) born between 01 January 2008 and 01 January 2011 are eligible. For Army wing, 12th pass (any stream) is required. For Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy wings, 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics is mandatory. Students currently appearing in Class 12 may also apply.
A total of 394 vacancies are available — 370 for male candidates and 24 for female candidates across Army (208), Navy (42), Air Force Flying (92), Air Force Ground Duty Tech (18), Air Force Ground Duty Non-Tech (10), and Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (24). Vacancies are provisional and may change based on training capacity.
During training, cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 per month (Level 10 starting pay). After commissioning as a Lieutenant, the pay ranges from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month plus a Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500 per month. Additional allowances like field area allowance, transport allowance, dress allowance, ration in kind, and children education allowance are also provided depending on rank and posting.
The selection process has four stages: (1) Written Examination — Objective type papers in Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks); (2) SSB Interview (900 marks) — including psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interview over 4–5 days; (3) Medical Examination by a board of Armed Forces medical officers; and (4) Final Merit List based on combined written + SSB scores. Air Force Flying branch candidates also undergo CPSS (Pilot Aptitude Test).
Yes, there is negative marking. For every wrong answer, 1/3rd (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. If a candidate marks more than one answer for a question, it will be treated as a wrong answer. However, unattempted questions carry no penalty. Candidates should attempt questions carefully and avoid random guessing.
The application fee is ₹100/- for General, OBC, and EWS category candidates. SC/ST candidates, all female candidates, and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs studying in Military/Sainik Schools are completely exempt from paying any fee. Payment can be made via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card (Visa/MasterCard/RuPay), or UPI. Fee once paid is non-refundable.
⚠️ Disclaimer
The information provided in this post is based on the official UPSC NDA & NA II 2026 notification. While every effort has been made to present accurate details, CurrentOpenings (https://currentopenings.in/) is not responsible for any discrepancies, errors, or changes made by the official authority after publication. Candidates are strongly advised to visit the official UPSC website (https://upsc.gov.in) and read the official notification carefully before applying. All decisions regarding eligibility, selection, and appointment rest solely with UPSC and the Ministry of Defence.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)| Advertisement No. | 10/2026-NDA-II |
| Total Vacancies | 394 |
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Apply Date | 20 May 2026 — 09 Jun 2026 Live · 13 days left |
| Job Location | 📍 All India |
| Official Advertisement | Download PDF |
| Notification Released | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 09 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Date of Examination | 13 September 2026 |
| Written Result Expected | October 2026 |
| SSB Interviews (Tentative) | December 2026 – January 2027 |
| Course Commencement | 1 July 2027 |
| Career/Recruitment URL | Open Now |
| Department Website | Open Offical Website |
| Join Telegram Channel | |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | |
| Office Address | UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi - 110069 |
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