The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026. Through this recruitment drive, eligible unmarried male and female candidates can apply for admission to the Army, Navy, Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Naval Academy (INA).
UPSC NDA 2 Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026 |
| Advertisement Number | 10/2026-NDA-II |
| Total Vacancies | 394 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date to Apply | 09 June 2026 |
| NDA 2 Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| NDA 2 Examination Date | 13 September 2026 |
UPSC NDA 2 Vacancy 2026 Details
UPSC has announced a total of 394 vacancies for various wings of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy.
| Academy | Service | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| National Defence Academy | Army | 208 |
| National Defence Academy | Navy | 42 |
| National Defence Academy | Air Force Flying Branch | 92 |
| National Defence Academy | Air Force Ground Duty (Tech) | 18 |
| National Defence Academy | Air Force Ground Duty (Non-Tech) | 10 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | Executive Branch | 24 |
| Total | 394 |
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC NDA 2 2026
Nationality
Candidates must be:
Citizens of India, or
Subjects of Nepal, or
Persons of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit
Applicants must be born between 01 January 2008 and 01 January 2011. Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
Educational Qualification
For Army Wing of NDA
Passed Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
For Air Force, Navy & Naval Academy
Passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).
Candidates appearing in Class 12 examinations in 2026 are also eligible to apply.
UPSC NDA 2 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹100 |
| SC/ST/Female Candidates | Exempted |
The fee can be paid through:
Debit Card
Credit Card
UPI
Net Banking
How to Apply for UPSC NDA 2 Recruitment 2026
Candidates can follow these steps to apply online:
Visit the official UPSC online portal.
Complete the Universal Registration Number (URN) registration.
Fill out the Common Application Form (CAF).
Upload photograph, live photo, and signature.
Fill the NDA & NA Examination Specific Form.
Pay the application fee, if applicable.
Submit the form and take a printout for future reference.
UPSC NDA 2 Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of the following stages:
Written Examination
Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview
Medical Examination
Final Merit List
Written Exam Pattern
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 300 | 2.5 Hours |
| General Ability Test | 600 | 2.5 Hours |
| Total | 900 |
The SSB Interview will also carry 900 marks.
Negative Marking
Candidates should note that there will be negative marking in the objective-type examination. One-third of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
NDA 2 Exam Centres 2026
The examination will be conducted across multiple cities in India including:
Delhi
Lucknow
Prayagraj
Mumbai
Kolkata
Bengaluru
Chennai
Hyderabad
Jaipur
Patna
Chandigarh
Pune
Bhopal
Ranchi
Guwahati
and many more.
Candidates are advised to apply early as exam centres will be allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
Admit Card Details
UPSC will release the NDA 2 Admit Card 2026 on the last working day of the week preceding the examination date. Candidates will be able to download their admit cards online using their registration credentials.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Only online applications will be accepted.
Mobile phones, smart watches, calculators, and electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall.
Candidates must carry a valid photo ID card during the examination.
Face authentication may be conducted at examination centres.
No correction or withdrawal facility will be available after final submission of the application form.
| UPSC NDA 2 Recruitment 2026: Application Portal | Apply Now |
| UPSC NDA 2 Recruitment 2026: Notification | Read Now |
| (UPSC) Union Public Service Commission: Examination Notices | Visit Now |
| (UPSC) Union Public Service Commission: Official Website | Visit Now |
UPSC NDA 2 Salary and Training
Selected candidates will undergo training at the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy. After successful completion of training, cadets will be commissioned into the Indian Armed Forces with attractive salary packages, allowances, and career growth opportunities.
Conclusion
The UPSC NDA 2 Recruitment 2026 offers an excellent opportunity for candidates aspiring to serve the nation through the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Interested candidates should carefully check the eligibility criteria and complete the application process before the deadline. Since competition is expected to be high, aspirants should begin their preparation early for the written examination and SSB interview.
For complete details, candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully before applying.