The National Defence Academy (NDA) II 2026 examination is a prestigious national-level defence entrance exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force after Class 12. NDA II 2026 offers a golden opportunity for young candidates to build a respected career in the armed forces and serve the nation with pride.
Click Here To Download UPSC NDA II 2026 Notification
According to the latest notification, UPSC has announced 394 vacancies for admission to the Army, Navy, Air Force wings, and Naval Academy. The online application process started from 20 May 2026, while the written examination is scheduled to be conducted on 13 September 2026. Eligible unmarried male and female candidates can apply through the official UPSC website. The selection process includes a written examination, SSB interview, and medical test. Candidates preparing for NDA II 2026 should focus on Mathematics, General Ability, physical fitness, and personality development for better success.
UPSC NDA II Notification 2026 Out: Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Organisation Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post | Admission to Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA & Indian Naval Academy (INAC) |
| Vacancy | 394 |
| Age Limit | Born not earlier than 01st January 2008 and not later than 01st January 2011 |
| Application Fee | Rs. 100/- (Exemptions apply for SC/ST, Female candidates, and specified wards) |
| 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 | - GAT: 150 Objective type questions
- Mathematics: 120 Objective-type questions
|
| Selection Process Phases | - Written Examination
- Intelligence Test
- Personality Test (SSB Interview)
|
UPSC NDA II Notification 2026 Out: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Date of Notification | 20.05.2026 |
| Last Date for Application Submission | 09.06.2026 (Upto 6:00 P.M.) |
| Date of Examination | 13.09.2026 |
| Written Result Declaration | Likely in October 2026 |
| SSB Interview Dates | Likely between December 2026 to January 2027 |
UPSC NDA II Notification 2026 Out: Vacancy in Detail
| Academy / Service | Total Vacancies |
| National Defence Academy (Army) | 208 (Includes 10 Female vacancies) |
| National Defence Academy (Navy) | 42 (All Executive branch) |
| National Defence Academy (Air Force – Flying) | 92 |
| National Defence Academy (Air Force – Ground Tech) | 18 |
| National Defence Academy (Air Force – Ground Non-Tech) | 10 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 24 (All Executive Branch) |
| Total Vacancies | 394 |
UPSC NDA II Notification 2026 Out: Eligibility
| Criteria | Requirement |
| Army Wing of NDA | 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University |
| Air Force & Naval Wings of NDA & 10+2 Cadet Entry (INAC) | 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent |
| Gender & Marital Status | Unmarried male and female candidates only |
| Nationality | A citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a specified person of Indian origin with the intention of permanently settling in India |
UPSC NDA II Notification 2026 Out: Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Limit / Relaxation Criteria |
| General / All Candidates | Must be born not earlier than 01st January 2008 and not later than 01st January 2011 |
| SC / ST / OBC / EWS | No age relaxation is provided. The standard age limits universally apply to all candidates. |
UPSC NDA II Notification 2026 Out: Exam Pattern
The NDA II written examination consists exclusively of Objective Type Questions. The question papers (Test Booklets) for Mathematics and Part ‘B’ of the General Ability Test will be set bilingually in Hindi as well as English.
- Negative Marking: Be strategic with your guesses! There is a penalty for wrong answers; one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for an incorrect response.
- Answering Mode: Candidates must use a black ball pen only to mark their answers on the OMR sheet.
| Subject | Subject Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Mathematics | 01 | 2.5 Hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 02 | 2.5 Hours | 600 |
| Total Written Marks | | | 900 |
UPSC NDA II Notification 2026 Out: PET/PST Details
| Sr. No. | Physical Activity | Minimum Requirement / Standard |
| (a) | Running | 2.4 km in 15 minutes |
| (b) | Skipping | Required (As per standards) |
| (c) | Push-ups | Minimum 20 |
| (d) | Sit-ups | Minimum 20 |
| (e) | Chin-ups | Minimum 08 |
| (f) | Rope Climbing | 3.4 meters |
| Category / Duty Type | Height Parameter / Region | Minimum Height | Maximum Height |
| Ground Duty | Except specific states/regions | 157.5 cm | — |
| Ground Duty | Gorkhas, North Eastern regions, and Hilly regions of Uttarakhand | 152.5 cm | — |
| Ground Duty | Candidates from Lakshadweep | 155.5 cm | — |
| Flying Duty | Sitting Height | 81.5 cm | 96 cm |
| Flying Duty | Leg Length | 99 cm | 120 cm |
| Flying Duty | Thigh Length | — | 64 cm |
UPSC NDA II Notification 2026 Out: Application Process
- Visit the Official Portal: Applications must be submitted online exclusively through the UPSC website at https://upsconline.nic.in. No other mode of submission is allowed.
- Universal Registration Number (URN): Register on the Online Application Portal to generate your URN. This is a one-time registration valid for your lifetime.
- Fill the Application Form: Complete the Common Application Form (CAF) along with the examination-specific module.
- Upload Documents & Live Photo: You are required to upload a clear photograph, capture a live photograph of yourself during the process, and upload your signature (signed three times on plain white paper using black ink).
- Identity Verification: Provide details of a valid Photo ID (such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter Card, PAN Card, etc.). The UPSC strongly advises using your Aadhaar Card for easy and seamless verification.
- Pay the Application Fee: Pay the fee of Rs. 100/- via Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, or UPI. Note: SC/ST candidates, female candidates, and Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs studying in military schools are exempted from paying the fee.
- Final Submission: Double-check your details! Candidates are not allowed to withdraw their applications or make any modifications after the final submission
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