UPSC NDA II 2026 – 394 Vacancies in Army, Navy, Air Force
UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Examination II, 2026: 394 Cadet Posts
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) — Ministry of Defence
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released notification No. 10/2026-NDA-II for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 for 394 vacancies. This includes the 158th NDA Course and 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). The written examination will be held on 13 September 2026. Only unmarried male and female candidates who have passed or are appearing in 12th class can apply at upsconline.nic.in from 20 May to 09 June 2026.
Candidates must be born between 01 January 2008 and 01 January 2011. For Army Wing, 12th pass is sufficient. For Air Force and Naval Wings, 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics is required. Selection involves a written exam (900 marks) followed by SSB Interview (900 marks) and medical examination. Monthly stipend during training is Rs. 56,100.
| Examination Name | National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 |
| Advertisement Number | 10/2026-NDA-II |
| Recruiting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Courses | 158th NDA Course & 120th INAC |
| Total Vacancies | 394 Posts (370 Male + 24 Female) |
| Application Start | |
| Last Date to Apply | (06:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | |
| Selection Process | Written Exam (900) + SSB Interview (900) + Medical |
| Application Fee | Rs. 100 (Gen/OBC/EWS) | Nil (SC/ST/Female/Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs) |
| Eligibility | 12th Pass (Army) / 12th with PCM (Air Force & Navy) |
| Age Limit | Born between 01 Jan 2008 and 01 Jan 2011 (unmarried only) |
| Training Stipend | Rs. 56,100 per month |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC NDA II 2026 — Important Dates and Application Fee
Application: 20 May to 09 June 2026 | Exam: 13 September 2026 | 12th Proof: 10 June 2027
The UPSC NDA II 2026 notification was released on 20 May 2026. Applications are open from 20 May to 09 June 2026 until 06:00 PM. The written examination will be conducted on 13 September 2026. Candidates appearing in 12th class must submit proof of passing by 10 June 2027. No correction or withdrawal facility is available after submission.
| Notification Release | |
| Application Start | |
| Last Date to Apply | (06:00 PM) |
| Written Examination | |
| e-Admit Card Release | Last working day of the week before exam |
| 12th Class Proof Submission | |
| Representation Window | 3rd to 7th day after exam (till 06:00 PM) |
The e-Admit Card will be issued on the last working day of the week preceding the examination. It must be downloaded from the UPSC website — no physical copy is sent by post or email. Entry into the examination venue closes 30 minutes before commencement — late entry is NOT permitted.
Centre allocation is on a first-apply-first-allot basis. There is a ceiling on the number of candidates per centre (except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata, and Nagpur). Apply early to get the preferred centre.
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 100 |
| SC / ST | Nil (Exempted) |
| Female (all categories) | Nil (Exempted) |
| Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs (Military/Sainik School) | Nil (Exempted — with Principal's certificate) |
The application fee is Rs. 100 for General, OBC, and EWS male candidates. SC, ST, Female candidates of all categories, and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs studying in Military or Sainik Schools are exempted. Wards claiming exemption must produce a certificate from the Principal at the SSB stage.
Fee once paid is not refunded. Applications without valid fee payment (where applicable) are liable for rejection.
UPSC NDA II 2026 — Vacancy Details and Eligibility
394 Cadet Posts | NDA (Army, Navy, Air Force) + Naval Academy | Unmarried Only
The UPSC NDA II 2026 examination offers 394 vacancies across the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy. The largest intake is in the Army Wing (208), followed by Air Force — Flying (92), Navy (54), Air Force — Ground Duties Tech (21), Air Force — Ground Duties Non-Tech (21), and Naval Academy (24). A total of 370 vacancies are for males and 24 for females.
Service-wise & Gender-wise Vacancy Details
| Academy | Service / Branch | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Defence Academy (NDA) | Army | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| Navy | 37 | 0 | 54 | |
| Air Force — Flying | 90 | 0 | 92 | |
| Air Force — Ground Duties (Tech) | 16 | 0 | 21 | |
| Air Force — Ground Duties (Non-Tech) | 08 | 0 | 21 | |
| Naval Academy (INAC) | 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| Total | 370 | 24 | 394 | |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Wing | Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| NDA — Army Wing | 12th Class pass (10+2 pattern) or equivalent |
| NDA — Air Force Wing | 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (10+2 pattern) or equivalent |
| NDA — Naval Wing | 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (10+2 pattern) or equivalent |
| Naval Academy (INAC) | 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (10+2 pattern) or equivalent |
Age Limit & Marital Status
| DOB Not Earlier Than | 01 January 2008 |
| DOB Not Later Than | 01 January 2011 |
| Age Proof | Matriculation / Secondary School Leaving Certificate |
| Marital Status | Unmarried male/female ONLY |
Marriage Rules
- Only unmarried candidates can apply
- Must NOT marry until completion of full training
- Marrying after application but before training completion = disqualification and discharge
- Age limits are fixed — no relaxation for any category
Nationality
A candidate must be an unmarried male/female and must be: (a) a citizen of India, (b) a subject of Nepal, or (c) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia) or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. Gorkha subjects of Nepal do not need a certificate of eligibility.
UPSC NDA II 2026 — Exam Pattern
Written Exam: Mathematics (300) + General Ability Test (600) = 900 Marks | SSB: 900 Marks
The UPSC NDA II 2026 written examination consists of 2 papers — Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks) — totalling 900 marks over 5 hours. All questions are objective type. Negative marking of one-third (1/3) applies for wrong answers. Only black ball pen is allowed for OMR sheet. No calculator or log table permitted.
Written Examination Pattern
| Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 01 | 2½ Hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 02 | 2½ Hours | 600 |
| Total (Written) | 5 Hours | 900 | |
| SSB Test/Interview | 5 Days | 900 | |
| Grand Total | 1800 |
Exam Details
| Question Type | Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Language | Mathematics & Part B of GK — Bilingual (Hindi and English) |
| Negative Marking | Yes — 1/3 (0.33) of marks deducted per wrong answer |
| Pen Required | Black Ball Pen only — no other colour allowed |
| Calculator/Log Table | Not Permitted |
| Face Authentication | Mandatory at examination venue |
| Entry Closing | 30 minutes before exam commencement — late entry NOT permitted |
| Qualifying Marks | Fixed by UPSC at their discretion |
General Ability Test — Part-wise Breakdown
| Part | Section | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A — English | Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Cohesion | 200 |
| Part B — General Knowledge | Section A — Physics | 400 |
| Section B — Chemistry | ||
| Section C — General Science | ||
| Section D — History, Freedom Movement | ||
| Section E — Geography | ||
| Section F — Current Events | ||
| Total General Ability Test | 600 | |
UPSC NDA II 2026 — Salary and Service Benefits
Training Stipend: Rs. 56,100/month | Level 10 Pay | MSP: Rs. 15,500
NDA cadets receive a stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month during training at IMA. On commissioning, officers are placed in Pay Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500). In addition, Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500 per month is admissible from Lieutenant to Brigadier rank. Various allowances including field area, transport, and children education are also applicable.
Pay & Stipend Structure
| Stipend During Training | Rs. 56,100 per month |
| Pay Level (Lt. to Maj.) | Level 10: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Military Service Pay | Rs. 15,500 per month (Lt. to Brig.) |
| Starting Pay (Commissioned) | First Cell of Level 10 |
Allowances & Benefits
| Field Area Allowance | Up to Rs. 42,500 (varies by posting) |
| High Altitude Allowance | As applicable |
| Transport Allowance | Rs. 7,200 + DA (higher cities) / Rs. 3,600 + DA (others) |
| Children Education | Rs. 2,250/month per child (2 children, Nursery to 12th) |
| Hostel Subsidy | Rs. 6,750/month per child (2 children) |
| Financial Assistance | Rs. 2,500/month (if parents' income < Rs. 45,000/month) |
Service Bond & Conditions
- Parent/guardian must sign a bond at the time of joining
- If cadet is dismissed, discharged, withdraws voluntarily, or does not accept commission — guarantors and cadet are jointly liable to refund training expenses, pay, allowances, plus interest
- Marriage during training leads to discharge and refund of government expenditure
- Travelling Allowance: AC III Tier to-and-fro railway fare for first-time SSB candidates
UPSC NDA II 2026 — Syllabus and How to Apply
Online Application at upsconline.nic.in | Mathematics + General Ability Test
The application for UPSC NDA II 2026 must be submitted online at upsconline.nic.in between 20 May and 09 June 2026. The written exam covers Mathematics (Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, etc.) and General Ability Test (English, Physics, Chemistry, GK, Geography, Current Affairs). Candidates must upload a photograph, live photo, signature, and photo ID.
Syllabus — Paper I: Mathematics (300 Marks)
- Algebra: Sets, Venn diagrams, Complex numbers, Binary system, AP/GP/HP, Quadratic equations, Permutation & Combination, Binomial theorem, Logarithms
- Matrices & Determinants: Types, operations, determinant properties, inverse, Cramer's rule
- Trigonometry: Ratios, identities, sum/difference, inverse functions, height & distance
- Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D): Lines, circles, parabola, ellipse, hyperbola, sphere, planes
- Differential Calculus: Limits, continuity, derivatives, maxima & minima
- Integral Calculus: Integration, definite integrals, area under curves, differential equations
- Vector Algebra: Dot/cross product, work done, moment of force
- Statistics & Probability: Mean/median/mode, variance, correlation, Bayes' theorem, binomial distribution
Syllabus — Paper II: General Ability Test (600 Marks)
- Part A — English (200): Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, cohesion
- Part B — GK (400):
- Physics — Motion, heat, light, electricity, X-rays
- Chemistry — Elements, compounds, acids/bases, atomic structure
- General Science — Cells, human body, food, solar system
- History — Indian freedom movement, Constitution, Five Year Plans
- Geography — Earth, climate, India geography, minerals, agriculture
- Current Events — India & world events, personalities, sports
How to Apply
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit upsconline.nic.in |
| Step 2 | Click on "National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026" |
| Step 3 | Complete Part-I Registration (basic details) |
| Step 4 | Complete Part-II Registration (educational, service preference) |
| Step 5 | Upload: Photo, Live Photo, Signature (3 times on white paper with black ink), Photo ID |
| Step 6 | Pay fee online (Rs. 100 for Gen/OBC/EWS males) |
| Step 7 | Submit and download application printout |
Documents Required for Application
- Recent Passport-size Photograph (upload)
- Live Photograph (webcam capture during application)
- Signature — 3 times on white paper using black ink pen (one below the other)
- Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN / Passport / Driving License / School Photo ID)
- Fee exemption certificate from Principal (for wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs in Military/Sainik School)
UPSC NDA II 2026 — Selection Process and Documents
Written Exam (900) → SSB Interview (900, 5 Days) → Medical → Merit List → Joining
The selection process involves a written examination (900 marks) conducted by UPSC, followed by SSB Interview (900 marks) over 5 days, medical examination, and final merit list. The SSB interview has a two-stage process — Stage-I screening on Day 1, and Stage-II psychological/GTO tests on Days 2-4, with Conference on Day 5.
Selection Stages
| Stage | Description | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Written Examination — Mathematics (300) + General Ability Test (600) | 900 |
| 2 | SSB Interview — Stage-I: OIR Test & Picture Perception (Day 1) | 900 |
| 3 | SSB Interview — Stage-II: Psychology Tests, GTO Tasks, Personal Interview (Days 2-4) | |
| 4 | SSB Interview — Conference (Day 5) | |
| 5 | CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System) — for Air Force candidates | Qualifying |
| 6 | Medical Examination — at Military Hospital | Qualifying |
| 7 | Final Merit List — Written (900) + SSB (900) = 1800 marks | 1800 |
| 8 | Joining Letter — via online portal |
Documents Required for SSB Verification
Mandatory Original Documents
- Original Matriculation pass certificate (proof of date of birth)
- Original 10+2 pass certificate (proof of educational qualification)
- Photocopy of each of the above certificates
- Original Photo ID (same as provided online)
- Fee exemption certificate from Principal (if applicable)
Physical Standards
- Governed by "Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces"
- Common defects to rectify: Wax (ears), deviated nasal septum, hydrocele, overweight/underweight, undersized chest, piles, tonsillitis, varicocele
- Tattoo Policy: Permitted only on inner face of forearm and reverse side of palm/hand. Permanent tattoos on any other part = NOT acceptable
Warnings and Unfair Means
- Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices — strictly prohibited even in switched-off mode
- Impersonation, cheating, obtaining question paper through improper means — permanent debarment + criminal prosecution
- Using any pen other than black ball pen on OMR sheet — grounds for rejection
- Appearing at a centre other than the one on e-Admit Card — rejection
- Submitting fabricated documents, incorrect photos/signatures — rejection
- Debarred candidates from Ministry of Defence are NOT eligible
- Action under Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
UPSC NDA II 2026 — Important Links
Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| UPSC Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Online Application | upsconline.nic.in |
| Notification PDF | Download PDF |
| SSB — Army | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| SSB — Navy | joinindiannavy.gov.in |
| Email (UPSC) | upscsoap@nic.in |
Join Our Job Community
| Platform | Action |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp Channel | Join Channel |
| Telegram Channel | Join Channel |
| Facebook Page | Follow Page |
| Twitter / X | Follow Updates |
Helpline & SSB Enquiry Contacts
| UPSC Helpline | 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 | upscsoap@nic.in (10 AM – 5:30 PM, working days) |
| SSB — Army | Army HQ, AG's Branch, RTG (NDA Entry), West Block-III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066 | Phone: 20862673 (Extn. 201) |
| SSB — Navy | Naval HQ, DMPR, O.I. & R. Section, Sena Bhavan, New Delhi – 110011 | Phone: 23011282/23010151 | officer@navy.gov.in |
| SSB — Air Force | Dte of Personnel (Officers), Air HQ, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi – 110001 | Phone: 23010231 (Extn. 7645/7646/7610) |
UPSC NDA II 2026 — FAQs
UPSC NDA II 2026 is the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) for 394 vacancies. Notification No. 10/2026-NDA-II. Exam on 13 September 2026. 158th NDA Course and 120th INAC. Written exam + SSB interview.
394 total vacancies: Army (208), Navy (54), Air Force Flying (92), Air Force Ground Tech (21), Air Force Ground Non-Tech (21), Naval Academy (24). 370 male + 24 female. Category-wise breakup not available.
12th pass for Army Wing. 12th with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics for Air Force, Naval Wings and Naval Academy. Born between 01 Jan 2008 and 01 Jan 2011. Only unmarried male/female candidates. 12th appearing candidates can apply.
Mathematics (300 marks, 2.5 hours) + General Ability Test (600 marks, 2.5 hours) = 900 marks. Objective type. Negative marking: 1/3 per wrong answer. Black ball pen only. No calculator. SSB: 900 marks over 5 days.
09 June 2026 (06:00 PM). Application started 20 May 2026. Apply at upsconline.nic.in. No correction or withdrawal after submission. Centre allocation on first-apply-first-allot basis.
Rs. 100 for General/OBC/EWS males. SC, ST, Female candidates, and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs (Military/Sainik School) exempted. Online payment only. Non-refundable.
Born between 01 January 2008 and 01 January 2011. Only unmarried male/female candidates. Age proof: Matriculation certificate. No relaxation for any category. Must not marry until training completion.
Rs. 56,100 per month during training at IMA. On commissioning, Pay Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500). MSP Rs. 15,500/month. Plus field area allowance, transport allowance, children education allowance.
Yes. Candidates appearing in 12th class can apply. Must submit proof of passing by 10 June 2027. Candidates appearing in 11th class are NOT eligible. Candidates who failed CPSS/PABT can apply for Air Force Ground Duty only.
5-day process. Day 1 (Stage-I): OIR Test & Picture Perception. Days 2-4 (Stage-II): Psychology Tests, GTO Tasks, Personal Interview. Day 5: Conference. Air Force candidates must also qualify CPSS. Total SSB marks: 900.
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