The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA & NA) Examination twice every year to recruit young aspirants into the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy as well as the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy. As per the official notification, the NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026 was released on 20 May 2026 with a total of 394 vacancies. Kindly note that the online application window for this cycle has closed (last date 9 June 2026), and the written examination is now scheduled to be held on 13 September 2026.
UPSC NDA & NA Examination 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | NDA & NA Cadet (Army, Navy, Air Force & Naval Academy wings) |
| Category | Defence Jobs |
| Total Vacancies | 394 (as per official notification) |
| Job Location | All India |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 9 June 2026 (closed) |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
Candidates are advised to treat the above as per the official notification. The next cycle, NDA & NA Examination (I), 2027, is generally notified towards the end of the year; the exact dates are expected to be announced on the official website in due course.
Vacancy Details
As per the official notification, a total of 394 vacancies have been announced for the NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026. The seats are distributed across the National Defence Academy (Army, Navy and Air Force wings) and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy. Broadly, around 370 seats are earmarked for male candidates and approximately 24 seats for female candidates. The exact wing-wise and gender-wise distribution is mentioned in the detailed notification, and interested aspirants are requested to verify the same on the official website.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Army Wing of NDA: Candidates must have passed the Class 12 examination of the 10+2 pattern or an equivalent examination conducted by a recognised State Education Board or University.
- Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA, and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: Candidates must have passed Class 12 of the 10+2 pattern (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- Students appearing in their Class 12 examination are also eligible to apply, subject to the conditions laid down in the official notification.
Age Limit
Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply. For the NDA & NA (II), 2026 cycle, candidates should have been born not earlier than 2 January 2008 and not later than 1 January 2011 (i.e. roughly 16.5 to 19.5 years of age), as per the official notification. As this examination follows strict service-entry norms, there is no age relaxation across categories; however, fee relaxations are available as detailed below. SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates are advised to read the eligibility clauses carefully and confirm details on the official website.
Application Fee
- General / OBC (Male) candidates: Rs 100
- SC / ST candidates: Exempted (Nil)
- All Female candidates: Exempted (Nil)
- Sons of JCOs / NCOs / ORs (as specified in the notification): Exempted
The fee can be paid online through net banking, debit card or UPI, or by cash deposit at SBI branches, as per the official instructions.
Salary / Pay Scale
During the training period, cadets are paid a fixed stipend (reported at around Rs 56,100 per month in the final year of training, as per applicable rules). On successful completion of training and commissioning as an officer, candidates are placed in the Defence Services pay structure under the 7th Pay Commission, along with applicable Military Service Pay, allowances and other benefits. Aspirants are advised to refer to the official notification for the exact emoluments.
Selection Process
- Written Examination: Two papers — Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks), for a total of 900 marks. Kindly note that there is negative marking, with one-third of the marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- SSB Interview: Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview, which includes Intelligence & Personality Tests, also carrying 900 marks.
- Medical Examination by the appointed Medical Board.
- Final Merit List prepared on the basis of written exam and SSB performance.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
- Go to the “Examinations” / “Apply Online” section and select the NDA & NA Examination notification.
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR), if not already done.
- Fill in the online application form with your personal, educational and communication details.
- Upload the scanned photograph, signature and photo identity proof as per the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee (where applicable) online or through the offline challan mode.
- Submit the form and download/print the confirmation page for future reference.
- Apply only through the official portal: https://upsc.gov.in
Important Links
Disclaimer: The details provided in this article are for informational purposes only and have been compiled from the official notification and reputable employment-news sources. Dates, vacancies, eligibility conditions, fees and other particulars are subject to change. Candidates are strongly advised to read the complete official notification and verify all information on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) before applying, as notifications can be updated or amended at any time.