The Union Public Service Commission has released the official notification for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2026 on 20 May 2026. The NDA 2 2026 examination will be conducted on 13 September 2026 across various exam centres in India.
A total of 394 vacancies have been announced for the Army, Navy, Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy. The official notification includes details about eligibility criteria, age limit, educational qualification, selection process, exam pattern, syllabus, application fee, important dates and online application procedure.
Interested candidates are advised to read the full notification carefully before applying online.
UPSC NDA 2 2026 Overview
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Lieutenant |
| Advt. No. | 10/2026-NDA-II |
| Total Vacancies | 394 Posts |
| Examination Name | National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date To Apply | 09 June 2026 |
Academy-Wise Vacancy Details
A total of 394 vacancies have been announced for the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy (158th Course) and the Indian Naval Academy under the 120th INAC (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). The number of vacancies is provisional and may change as per training capacity and administrative requirements.
| Academy | Service / Branch | Male Vacancies | Female Vacancies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Defence Academy (NDA) – 158th Course | Army | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| Navy (All Executive Branch) | 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 (INAC) – 120th Course | 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (All Executive Branch) | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| Total | 370 | 24 | 394 | |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Start Date to Apply Online | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 June 2026 (up to 6:00 PM) |
| Date of Written Examination | 13 September 2026 |
| Course Commencement (NDA & INAC) | 01 July 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfill all eligibility conditions before applying. Admission at every stage will be provisional and subject to document verification after qualifying the SSB/Personality Test.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen, subject of Nepal, or eligible persons of Indian origin as per UPSC rules. |
| Marital Status | Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible. Marriage during training is not permitted. |
| Army Wing Qualification | 12th pass or appearing from a recognized board. |
| Navy, Air Force & INAC Qualification | 12th pass or appearing with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (PCM). |
| Appearing Candidates | 12th appearing candidates can apply. 11th class students are not eligible. |
| Air Force Flying Branch | Candidates previously failed in CPSS/PABT are not eligible for Flying Branch. |
| Disqualification | Candidates removed from defence training academies on disciplinary grounds are not eligible. |
| Physical Standards | Candidates must meet prescribed physical and medical standards. |
Age Limit
Only unmarried male and female candidates born between 02 January 2008 and 01 January 2011 (both dates inclusive) are eligible for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2026. Age will be considered only as per the Matriculation/Secondary School certificate.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹ 100/- Non-Refundable |
| SC / ST / Female Candidates | NIL |
Selection Process
The selection process for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2026 consists of three stages:
Stage 1 – Written Examination
The written exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission in offline mode.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics | 300 | 2½ Hours |
| Paper II | General Ability Test (English + GK) | 600 | 2½ Hours |
| Total | 900 Marks |
- Questions are objective type.
- Negative marking of 0.33 marks for each wrong answer.
- Maths & GK papers are bilingual (Hindi & English).
- Black ball pen is mandatory for OMR marking.
Stage 2 – SSB Interview
Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for the SSB Interview, which includes:
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
- PP&DT Test
- Psychology Tests
- Group Tasks
- Personal Interview
- Conference
The SSB carries 900 marks. Candidates applying for the Air Force Flying Branch must also qualify CPSS.
Stage 3 – Medical Examination
Candidates recommended by SSB undergo a detailed medical examination by military medical boards. Only medically fit candidates are considered for final selection.
NDA 2 2026 Exam Syllabus
| Subject | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics, Probability, Geometry |
| English | Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension |
| General Knowledge | Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Current Affairs |
Training & Salary
Selected candidates undergo training at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune. After successful training, candidates join the Army, Navy, or Air Force as commissioned officers.
- Training Stipend: ₹56,100 per month
- Degree Courses: B.A., B.Sc., B.Sc. (Computer), and B.Tech depending on the wing selected.
Important Points
- Only Class 12 passed/appearing candidates can apply.
- PCM subjects are mandatory for Navy, Air Force & INAC.
- Candidates must meet physical and medical standards.
- Apply early as exam centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
- Mobile phones and electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside the exam centre.
How to Apply
Candidates can apply online only through the official UPSC Online Application Portal. Applications submitted through any other mode will not be accepted.
Documents Required
- Matriculation certificate for Date of Birth proof
- Class 12 marksheet or appearing certificate
- Aadhaar Card or any valid Photo ID
- Passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature in black ink
- Active mobile number and email ID
Important Instructions
- Candidates must complete One-Time Registration (URN).
- Service preferences should be filled carefully.
- Apply early to get preferred exam centre allotment.
- Keep Application Number and URN safe for future use.
After Written Exam
Qualified candidates must register for SSB through official defence portals:
For any application-related queries, candidates can contact the Union Public Service Commission helpdesk during working hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC NDA 2 2026?
👉 Candidates must submit the online application form before the last date mentioned in the official notification released by the Union Public Service Commission.
Q2. How many vacancies are available in UPSC NDA 2 2026?
👉 A total of 394 vacancies have been announced for the Army, Navy, Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy.
Q3. Who can apply for NDA 2 2026?
👉 Unmarried male and female candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 from a recognized board can apply. PCM subjects are mandatory for Navy, Air Force, and INAC entries.
Q4. What is the age limit for UPSC NDA 2 2026?
👉 Candidates born between 02 January 2008 and 01 January 2011 (both dates inclusive) are eligible to apply.
Q5. What is the application fee for NDA 2 2026?
👉 The application fee is ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS male candidates, while Female, SC/ST, and eligible wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from fee payment.
Q6. Is there negative marking in the NDA exam?
👉 Yes, 0.33 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer in the written examination.
Q7. Can Class 12 appearing students apply for NDA 2 2026?
👉 Yes, candidates appearing in Class 12 are eligible to apply, but they must submit proof of passing before the prescribed deadline.
Q8. What is the salary during NDA training?
👉 Selected candidates receive a stipend of ₹56,100 per month during training.
Important Links
| Link | Action |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Apply Now |
| Download Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Indian Army Recruiting Website | Visit Official Website |
| Official Website | Visit Official Website |
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