UPSC NDA II 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the recruitment notification for the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 (Advt. No. 10/2026-NDA-II). This prestigious All-India examination provides an opportunity for male and female candidates to secure permanent commissions as officers in the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
A total of 394 vacancies have been announced. The online application window is now active and will close on June 09, 2026, at 06:00 PM.
UPSC NDA & NA II 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam (II), 2026 |
| Advt. No. | 10/2026-NDA-II |
| Total Vacancies | 394 Posts |
| Job Location | Across India (Training at Khadakwasla, Pune / Ezhimala, Kerala) |
| Job Type | Permanent Commission (Officer Cadre) |
| Application Mode | Online via UPSC OTR Portal |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Official Notification Released | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 June 2026 (Till 06:00 PM) |
| UPSC NDA II Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | August 2026 (Tentative) |
Also Read:- BPSSC ASI Technical Recruitment 2026
Application Fees
| Category | Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100/- |
| SC / ST / Sons of JCOs / NCOs / ORs | ₹0/- (Exempted) |
| All Category Female Candidates | ₹0/- (Exempted) |
| Payment Mode | Online (Net Banking, Cards, UPI) or Cash deposit at SBI branches |
Age Limit (Strict Criteria)
- Candidates must be born between 01/01/2008 and 01/01/2011 (Both dates inclusive).
- Note: No age relaxation is applicable under any category for this exam.
Educational Qualifications
- Army Wing of NDA: Passed or appearing in Class 12th / Intermediate examination from any recognized board in India (Any stream).
- Air Force & Naval Wings of NDA / Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry): Passed or appearing in Class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as core subjects.
Also Read:- UPSC Annual Exam Calendar 2027
Post-Wise Vacancy Distribution
| Academy / Wing | Service Branch | Male | Female | Total Vacancies |
| National Defence Academy (NDA) | Army | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| Navy | 37 | 05 | 42 | |
| Air Force: Flying | 90 | 02 | 92 | |
| Air Force: Ground Duties (Tech) | 16 | 02 | 18 | |
| Air Force: Ground Duties (Non-Tech) | 08 | 02 | 10 | |
| Naval Academy (NA) | 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| Grand Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
Selection Process
- Written Exam (900 Marks)
- SSB Interview (900 Marks)
- Medical Examination
- Document Verification
Exam Pattern
The offline test utilizes an objective format with a penalty for incorrect answers (1/3rd negative marking).
| Paper | Subject | Maximum Marks | Test Duration | Questions Type |
| Paper-I | Mathematics | 300 Marks | 2.5 Hours | Objective (MCQs) |
| Paper-II | General Ability Test (GAT) * English: 200 Marks * General Knowledge: 400 Marks | 600 Marks | 2.5 Hours | Objective (MCQs) |
| Total | Written Test Matrix | 900 Marks | 5.0 Hours |
Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview
Candidates who score above the minimum qualifying cut-off in the written test are invited to a 5-day residential SSB Interview process evaluating intelligence, personality traits, and psychological alignment (valued at 900 Marks).
Also Read:- Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026
How to Apply for UPSC NDA II Exam 2026
- Visit the official UPSC online registration portal: upsconline.nic.in.
- One Time Registration (OTR): If you are a new applicant, click on “New Registration” to build your OTR profile. If registered previously, log in using your Email ID / Mobile Number and OTP.
- Fill Application (Part-I): Navigate to the “Latest Advertisements” tab, click on NDA & NA (II) 2026, fill in personal parameters, select your branch preferences (Army/Navy/Air Force), and submit to generate your registration number.
- Fee Payment: Complete the ₹100 processing fee phase via online transaction channels (Females/SC/ST categories will automatically skip this).
- Upload Media files: Upload clear, scanned copies of your passport photo and signature, matching the UPSC dimensions layout.
- Select Exam Centre (Part-II): Select your preferred written exam city center and read the declaration checklist frame.
- Final Printout: Submit your application form and save a hard copy printout of the generated application confirmation page.
Important Related Links
| Title | Link |
| Online Application Desk | Apply Online |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Now |
| UPSC Official Website | Visit Now |
FAQs – UPSC NDA II 2026
Ans: Yes. Students currently studying in Class 12th or awaiting their final results can apply. However, they must produce proof of passing the exam at the time of their SSB Interview or joining date.
Ans: No. To join the Air Force, Navy, or the Naval Academy, studying Physics and Mathematics in Class 12th is mandatory. Non-science stream students are only eligible to apply for the Army Wing of the NDA.
Ans: Yes. A penalty of 1/3rd (0.33) of the marks assigned to a specific question is deducted for every incorrect response.
Also Read:- UPSC CDS II Exam 2026: Apply Online for 451 Officer Posts