UPSC NDA & NA II 2026
Recruitment for 394 Posts
Official recruitment notification released for Union Public Service Commission National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Exam (II) 2026. Your golden opportunity to become a commissioned officer in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
394
Total Posts
13 Sept
Exam Date
โน56K+
Monthly Stipend
Recruitment Overview
| Examination Name | UPSC National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notice Number | 10/2026-NDA-II |
| Total Vacancies | 394 Posts (370 Male & 24 Female) |
| Course Name | NDA 158th Course & 120th INAC Course |
| Course Commencement | From 01 July, 2027 |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Official Portal | upsconline.nic.in |
Important Dates
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Closing Date | 09 June 2026 (Until 06:00 PM) |
| UPSC NDA II Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| e-Admit Card Release | Last working day of the week preceding the exam week |
| Written Exam Result Date | Expected in October 2026 |
Application Fees
| General / OBC / EWS Candidates | โน 100/- |
|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST Candidates | Exempted (No Fee) |
| Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs (Military/Sainik School) | Exempted (No Fee) |
| Payment Mode | Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, or UPI Payment |
Age Limit & Birthdate Criteria
| Eligible Date of Birth Range | Only unmarried candidates born not earlier than 01 January 2008 and not later than 01 January 2011 are eligible. |
|---|---|
| Acceptable Age Proof | The Commission accepts only the date of birth recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary School Leaving Certificate. No other documents like affidavits or horoscopes will be accepted. |
| Marriage Restriction During Training | Cadets must undertake not to marry until they complete their training. Marrying during training will lead to discharge, and training costs will be recovered. |
Post-Wise Vacancy Details
๐๏ธ NDA โ Army Wing
โ NDA โ Navy Wing
โ๏ธ NDA โ Air Force Flying Wing
๐ ๏ธ NDA โ Air Force Ground Duty (Tech)
๐ NDA โ Air Force Ground Duty (Non-Tech)
๐ Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry)
๐ฏ Grand Total โ 394 Vacancies
Educational Eligibility
| For NDA Army Wing | Passed Class 12th standard (10+2 pattern) or equivalent examination from a recognized State Education Board or University. |
|---|---|
| For Air Force, Navy & 10+2 INAC | Passed Class 12th standard under the 10+2 school education system with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as mandatory subjects. |
| Appearing (Final Year) Students | Candidates currently appearing in Class 12th standard are also eligible to apply. They must submit proof of passing by 10 June 2027. Class 11th students are not eligible. |
Selection Process
Stage 1 โ Written Examination
An OMR-based objective examination carrying a total of 900 marks. It features two papers: Mathematics (300 marks, 2.5 hours) and General Ability Test (600 marks, 2.5 hours). A negative marking of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question applies for wrong answers.
Stage 2 โ SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test)
Candidates clearing the written cut-off are evaluated across a 900-mark Service Selection Board (SSB) testing phase. Stage-I testing (OIR & PP&DT) occurs on Day 1. Successful candidates move onto Stage-II (Interview, GTO Group Tasks, Psychological Tests, and Conference) spanning the next 4 days. Air Force Flying Wing candidates must additionally clear the CPSS test.
Stage 3 โ Medical Examination
SSB-recommended candidates undergo exhaustive medical profiling by Service Medical Boards. Fulfilling rigorous military fitness metrics is mandatory. Permanent body tattoos are strictly restricted, permitted only on the inner forearm or the back of the palm.
Stage 4 โ Final Merit List & Joining
A final merit list is prepared by compiling cumulative marks from the Written Exam and SSB Interview. Seat allocations are done based on merit ranking and medical fitness clear status. Successful candidates graduate with degrees (B.Sc / B.A / B.Tech) conferred by JNU.
NDA Journey Tracker
About UPSC NDA II 2026
The National Defence Academy (NDA) stands as the world\’s pioneer tri-service military training institution, where Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets train collectively before advancing to specialized academies. Conducted bi-annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the NDA exam is widely regarded as the most prestigious gateway to command direct officer commissions right after finishing high school. Upon finishing three rigorous years at NDA Khadakwasla, cadets proceed to respective pre-commissioning academies (IMA/INA/AFA) for their final year of advanced service instruction.
The government bears all expenditures for cadets during training, covering accommodation, food, uniforms, and medical care. Throughout their training tenure at the service academies, cadets draw a fixed stipend of โน56,100/- per month. On receiving their commissions, officers enter the lucrative Pay Level 10 matrix (โน56,100 – โน1,77,500), alongside a Military Service Pay (MSP) of โน15,500 monthly, field allowances, comprehensive free medical aid, and specialized CSD canteen privileges.
Challenge Your Knowledge
According to the official exam notification regulations, there will be a penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that objective question for every wrong answer recorded by a candidate. Marking multiple options for a single question is also treated as an incorrect response.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Important Links
| Online Application Link | ๐ Click Here to Apply Online Now |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification PDF | ๐ Download Notification PDF |
| UPSC Official Portal Home | ๐ Visit upsc.gov.in |
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