The official UPSC NDA 2 Notification 2026 PDF has been released on May 20, 2026, announcing 394 vacancies. These positions are for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA for the 158th Course and the 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC), commencing July 1, 2027. The online application portal is now open for both unmarried boys and girls seeking to join the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy. Comprehensive exam details are available within this article.
Interested and eligible candidates can register online via the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) from May 20 to June 9, 2026. Following successful registration, the NDA 2 Exam is scheduled for September 13, 2026.
UPSC NDA Exam 2026
The National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) serves as the primary gateway for aspiring officers to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This national-level defence examination is conducted biannually to select suitable candidates for admission to the NDA's Army, Navy, and Air Force wings, as well as for Indian Naval Academy Courses (INAC). Unmarried male and female candidates who have passed the 12th grade, born between January 1, 2006, and January 1, 2011, are eligible to apply for the NDA Exam 2026.
NDA 2 Notification 2026 PDF Out
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the NDA exam twice annually to facilitate admissions into the Army, Navy, and Air Force branches of the Indian Defence Forces. The official notification PDF for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination-II, 2026, was released by UPSC on May 20, 2026. Prospective applicants for the NDA 2 exam are urged to carefully review the advertisement PDF to confirm their eligibility and understand all the requirements. Download the NDA 2 2026 Notification PDF using the direct link provided here.
NDA 2 Notification 2026 (Official PDF)
UPSC NDA 2 Exam 2026- Summary
This presents a significant opportunity for 12th-pass candidates aspiring to wear the uniform and serve in the Indian Armed Forces. Selection for eligible male and female candidates will be based on a written examination followed by SSB interviews.
| UPSC NDA Exam 2026 Overview | |
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) |
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Total vacancies | 394 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Registration Dates | 20th May to 9th June 2026 |
| Frequency of exam | Twice a year |
| Exam stages | Written Test and SSB Interview |
| Exam mode | Offline |
| Exam duration | Five hours (Mathematics: 2½ hours, General Ability Test (GAT): 2½ hours) |
| Exam pattern |
|
| Eligibility | Unmarried Boys & Girls |
| Language of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Official website | www.upsc.gov.in |
NDA 2 Notification 2026 - Important Dates
The complete schedule, including application and exam dates for the NDA 2 exams, has been announced alongside the NDA 2 Notification 2026 PDF. Candidates can commence submitting their NDA 2 applications from May 20, 2026, with the application window closing on June 9, 2026.
| Events | Dates |
| NDA Notification 2026 | 20th May 2026 |
| NDA Application Form 2026 | 20th May 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 9th June 2026 |
| NDA 2 Admit Card 2026 | 3rd September 2026 |
| NDA Exam Date 2026 | 13th September 2026 |
UPSC NDA 2 Vacancy 2026
A total of 394 vacancies are available through the NDA 2 2026 examination for entry into the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA (158th Course) and the 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC), with an anticipated commencement date of July 1, 2027.
| Academy | Vacancies (Male) | Vacancies (Female) | Total |
| National Defence Academy | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| 37 | 05 | 42 | |
| 90 | 02 | 92 | |
| 16 | 02 | 18 | |
| 08 | 02 | 10 | |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
NDA 2 Exam Date 2026 Out
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially declared the exam date for the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA- II) in conjunction with the UPSC Calendar 2026. The NDA 2 Exam 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026. The examination will consist of two papers: Paper 1 (Mathematics) from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and Paper 2 (General Ability Test - GAT) from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
UPSC NDA 2 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Defence jobs, candidates must meet the minimum qualification criteria. The detailed requirements for Education Qualification, Age Limit, Nationality, and Physical Standards are outlined below.
Education Qualification
For the Army Wing of the National Defence Academy: Candidates must have passed the 12th grade/HSC or an equivalent examination from a recognized State Education Board or University.
For the Air Force and Naval Wings of the National Defence Academy and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: Candidates must have successfully completed their 12th Class/HSC or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics, as certified by a State Education Board or a recognized University.
NOTE: Candidates currently appearing for their 12th Class examination under the 10+2 School Education system or an equivalent examination are also eligible to apply for the UPSC NDA examination.
Age Limit
Only unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than January 1, 2008, and not later than January 1, 2011, are eligible to apply.
Nationality
Candidates must be unmarried males/females and meet the following nationality criteria:
a) A citizen of India, or
b) A subject of Bhutan, or
c) A subject of Nepal, or
d) A Tibetan refugee who entered India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
e) A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia), or Vietnam, with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Physical Standards
Candidates must meet the prescribed physical standards for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy. This includes the following:
(a) Running: 2.4 km in 15 minutes.
(b) Skipping.
(c) Push-ups & Sit-ups: Minimum of 20 repetitions each.
(d) Chin-ups: Minimum of 08 repetitions.
(e) Rope Climbing: 3.4 meters.
Height Requirements
| For Ground Duty | ||
| Height Requirement | Minimum height | Maximum height |
| Except states mentioned below | 157.5 cm | -- |
| Height for Gorkhas and individuals belonging to North Eastern regions of India and hilly regions of Uttarakhand | 152.5 cm | --- |
| Candidates from Lakshadweep | 155.5 cm | --- |
| For Flying Duty | ||
| Height Requirement | Minimum height | Maximum height |
| Sitting Height | 81.5 cm | 96 cm |
| Leg Length | 99 cm | 120 cm |
| Thigh Length | --- | 64 cm |
Click for Detailed NDA Eligibility 2026
UPSC NDA 2 Apply Online 2026
The online registration process for the NDA 2 Exam commenced on the official website (upsc.gov.in) on May 20, 2026. The deadline for submitting the application form is June 9, 2026. Candidates are strongly advised to complete their online applications well before the closing date to avoid any last-minute technical issues.
Click for NDA Application Form 2026 Details
NDA 2 2026 Application Fee
The application fee for General Category candidates is ₹100.
The fee can be paid in cash at any SBI branch, or through net banking via the State Bank of India, or directly using Visa/MasterCard/Rupay Credit/Debit Cards.
Candidates belonging to SC/ST categories and Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from paying the application fee.
| Categories | Application Fee |
| General | Rs. 100/- |
| SC/ST candidates/female candidates/Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs | Exempted |
UPSC NDA Selection Process 2026
The UPSC NDA 2 examination process is meticulously conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to provide a platform for the nation's youth to pursue a career in the defence services. The NDA selection process involves two primary stages:
- Written examination
- Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB)
Candidates who successfully clear the written examination will be invited for a personality test designed to assess their intelligence and overall demeanor. Clearing both stages is mandatory to be considered for the merit list. The final merit list, compiled by UPSC, will be based on the cumulative scores from the Written Exam and the SSB interview.
UPSC NDA 2 2026 Exam Pattern
Candidates preparing for the NDA Exam 2026 should thoroughly familiarize themselves with the exam pattern followed by UPSC. The details for the NDA Exam Pattern 2026 are elaborated below:
1. The examination will be conducted in offline mode.
2. All questions will be in a multiple-choice format.
3. The exam will be administered in bilingual languages (English & Hindi).
4. There will be a negative marking system: 0.83 marks deducted for incorrect answers in Mathematics, and 1.33 marks for incorrect answers in English and General Knowledge (GK).
5. Review the detailed exam pattern for the NDA 2 Examination for comprehensive understanding.
| NDA-NA 2026 Exam Pattern | |||
| Code | Subject | Max. Marks | Duration |
| 1 | Mathematics | 300 | 2.5 hours |
| 2 | General Ability Test | 600 | 2.5 hours |
| Total | 900 | 5 hours | |
NDA 2 Exam 2026 Syllabus
The exam comprises two subjects: Mathematics & General Ability Test (GAT). Candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly for all topics. The GAT will include questions from English (carrying 200 marks) and General Knowledge (carrying 400 marks).
Topics covered under Mathematics
| Algebra |
| Calculus |
| Matrices and Determinants |
| Integral Calculus and Differential Equations |
| Trigonometry |
| Vector Algebra |
| Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension |
| Statistics and Probability |
Topics covered under the General Ability Test
Questions in this paper will cover English language and General Knowledge.
Topics covered under English
| Spotting Errors |
| Comprehension |
| Selecting Words |
| Ordering of Words in a Sentence |
| Sentence Improvement |
| Antonyms |
| Synonyms |
Topics covered under General Knowledge
| Physics |
| Chemistry |
| General Science |
| History & Freedom Movement |
| Geography |
| Current Affairs/ Events |
Check Detailed NDA Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026
NDA Previous Year Question Paper PDFs - Click to Download
NDA SSB Interview 2026
The SSB Interview stage is designed to assess candidates' intelligence and personality. Those who qualify in the written exam must participate in this interview round conducted by the selection board. Candidates who successfully clear the interview are required to submit a birth certificate and a pass certificate. The final merit list will be compiled based on the combined performance in both the written examination and the SSB interview rounds.
NDA Admit Card 2026
UPSC will release the NDA Admit Card approximately 10 days prior to the exam dates, which are April 12, 2026, and September 13, 2026. Candidates who register for the exam can download their UPSC NDA Admit Card from the official website @upsc.gov.in by using their login credentials.
NDA Answer Key 2026
The answer key for the UPSC NDA 2 Exam will be officially released after the written examination has been conducted. Initially, the commission will publish a provisional answer key, allowing candidates to submit their objections. Following the review of the provisional key and submitted objections, the final answer key will be issued.
NDA Exam Result 2026
The results of the written test are typically declared about a month after the NDA 2026 Exam. This will be followed by the announcement of candidates shortlisted for the interview round. The commission will then release the final merit list of candidates selected for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA and Indian Naval Academy Courses (INAC) for the 155th Course and 117th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) after the completion of the SSB Interview process.
UPSC NDA 2026 Cut Off
The cutoff marks for both the written exam and the final selection are announced after the declaration of the final results. The cutoff for the NDA written exam will be calculated out of 900 marks. The final cutoff marks are determined based on the scores of the last recommended candidates out of a total of 1800 marks (900 for the written exam and 900 for the SSB Interview). A minimum qualifying mark of 25% is required for each subject. Candidates can refer to the previous year's cutoff marks for the NDA Exam provided below.
UPSC NDA Cut Off [Previous Year] - Click to Check
UPSC NDA 2026 Exam Centres
Candidates were given the option to select their preferred exam centers while filling out their application forms. The list of cities where the UPSC NDA 2 & 2 Exam 2026 will be conducted is provided below.
| NDA 2026 Exam Centres | |
| Agartala | Bilaspur |
| Agra | Chandigarh |
| Ahmedabad | Chennai |
| Aizwal | Coimbatore |
| Aligarh | Cuttack |
| Almora | Delhi |
| Ananthapur | Dharwad |
| Aurangabad | Dispur |
| Bareilly | Faridabad |
| Bengaluru | Gangtok |
| Jorhat | Garwhal (Srinagar) |
| Bhopal | Gautam Budh Nagar |
| Ghaziabad | Gurgaon |
| Gorakhpur | Gwalior |
| Hyderabad | Imphal |
| Indore | Itanagar |
| Jabalpur | Jaipur |
| Jammu | Jodhpur |
| Kochi | Kohima |
| Kolkata | Kozhikode |
| Leh | Lucknow |
| Ludhiana | Madhurai |
| Mysuru | Mumbai |
| Nagpur | Sambalpur |
| Navi Mumbai | Shillong |
| Panaji (Goa) | Shimla |
| Patna | Siliguri |
| Port Blair | Srinagar |
| Prayagraj (Allahabad) | Thane |
| Puducherry | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Pune | Tiruchirapalli |
| Raipur | Tirupati |
| Rajkot | Udaipur |
| Ranchi | Varanasi |
| Vellore | Vijayawada |
| Vishakhapatnam | Warangal |
UPSC Calendar 2026 Out - Click to Check
NDA 2 Exam 2026: FAQs
As per the UPSC Exam Calendar 2026, the UPSC NDA 2 2026 exam is scheduled to be conducted on September 13, 2026.
The NDA 2 Notification 2026 PDF was released on May 20, 2026, on the official website www.upsc.gov.in.
The commission conducts a written examination followed by an interview round to select candidates for defence jobs through the NDA 2 Exam.
Yes, candidates must achieve the minimum qualifying marks in each subject of the NDA Exam 2026.
The NDA 2 Exam consists of two subjects: Mathematics & the General Ability Test (comprising English & General Knowledge).
Yes, unmarried female candidates are now eligible to appear for the NDA Exam.
Candidates appearing for the SSB interview for the first time for a specific commission type (Permanent or Short Service) are entitled to AC III Tier railway or bus fare reimbursement for their to-and-fro journey within Indian limits, including reservation and sleeper charges.
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