UPSC NDA & NA II Exam 2026: Dates, Vacancies, Syllabus & Guidelines

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC Calendar 2026 Out- Click to Check) conducts national-level recruitment drives twice a year for aspiring defense personnel. The upcoming National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) II 2026 serves as a golden gateway for candidates wishing to join the prestigious defense forces. Courses are set to commence on 1st July 2027, covering the 158th NDA Course and the 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC).

UPSC NDA Exam 2026 Overview Details

Before proceeding, review the structural snapshot of the recruitment drive below:

NDA 2 Exam - Important Dates & Schedule

Staying updated with the event timeline ensures you do not miss vital deadlines. Check out the official schedule and review the Click for NDA Application Form 2026 Details for registration procedures.

You can also review the official notification document available via NDA 2 Notification 2026 (Official PDF).

NDA 2 Exam Schedule & Timings

The written examination takes place on 13th September 2026 (Sunday) across two shifts in bilingual (English and Hindi) mode:

UPSC NDA 2 Vacancy Breakdown

A total of 394 vacancies are released for the NDA 2 2026 recruitment drive, consisting of 370 male vacancies and 24 female vacancies.

Eligibility Criteria & Requirements

Candidates must fulfill strict nationality, age, educational, and physical qualifications. For comprehensive guidelines, check Click for Detailed NDA Eligibility 2026.

Nationality Eligibility Criteria

• A Citizen of India, or
• A Subject of Bhutan, or
• A Subject of Nepal, or
• A Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement, or
• A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam to settle permanently in India.

Age Limit & Educational Qualification

Unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than 1st January 2008 and not later than 1st January 2011 are eligible.

• Army Wing: Passed 12th Class (HSC) or equivalent from a recognized board/university.
• Air Force, Naval Wings, and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme: Passed 12th Class (HSC) or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics.
• Students appearing in 12th Class under the 10+2 system are also eligible to apply.

Application Fee Details

Physical Fitness Standards & Height Requirements

• Running: 2.4 km in 15 minutes
• Skipping
• Pushups & Sit-ups: Minimum 20 each
• Chin-ups: Minimum 08
• Rope Climbing: 3.4 meters

Height Requirements For Ground Duty

Height Requirements For Flying Duty

NDA-NA 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The selection process consists of a Written Test (maximum 900 marks) followed by an SSB Interview (maximum 900 marks), summing up to a total selection score of 1800 marks. Candidates must achieve a mandatory minimum qualifying threshold of 25% for each subject.

For complete details, visit Check Detailed NDA Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026, download papers via NDA Previous Year Question Paper PDFs- Click to Download, and check historical benchmarks using UPSC NDA Cut Off [Previous Year]- Click to Check.

Negative Marking Scheme: 0.83 marks for Mathematics, 1.33 marks for English, and 1.33 marks for General Knowledge.

Topics Covered Under Mathematics (120 Questions)

• 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 English

• Spotting Errors
• Comprehension
• Selecting Words
• Ordering of Words in a Sentence
• Sentence Improvement
• Antonyms
• Synonyms

Topics Covered Under General Knowledge & Current Affairs (150 GAT Questions Total)

• Physics
• Chemistry
• General Science
• History & Freedom Movement
• Geography
• Current Affairs/ Events

NDA 2026 Exam Centres

The written examination will be held across multiple designated centers nationwide:

Next, candidates must download their hall tickets using the NDA 2 Admit Card 2026- Click to Download link as soon as they are released in September 2026, and prepare their travel plans ahead of the test date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is UPSC NDA 2 Exam Date 2026?

The UPSC NDA 2 2026 exam is scheduled to be conducted on 13th September 2026.

Q2. What are the stages conducted for NDA Exam 2026?

The commission administers a written examination followed by an SSB interview round to select suitable candidates for career positions through the NDA 2 Exam.

Q3. Is it necessary to secure the minimum qualifying marks in each subject of NDA exam?

Yes, candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks in each individual subject of the NDA Exam 2026.

Q4. Which subjects are included in NDA 2 Exam?

The NDA 2 Exam comprises two primary subjects: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (incorporating English and General Knowledge).