UPSC NDA & NA Exam II 2026: Notification, Vacancies, Eligibility & Online Apply
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination-II, 2026 notification. This is a golden opportunity for unmarried male and female candidates aged 15–18 years to join the prestigious Indian Armed Forces. Below is a complete, SEO-optimized guide covering vacancies, eligibility, syllabus, salary, and step-by-step application process.
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📊 Overview & Key Highlights (Summary Table)
| Exam Name | NDA & NA Examination-II, 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 394 (Male: 370 | Female: 24) |
| Application Window | 20 May 2026 to 09 June 2026 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Official Portal | upsconline.nic.in |
🎖️ Detailed Vacancy Distribution (2026)
Selection for male and female candidates will be done separately through a gender-pure merit list. Below is the service-wise breakup:
| Academy & Wing | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army Wing (NDA) | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| Navy Wing (Executive) | 37 | 05 | 42 |
| Air Force - Flying | 90 | 02 | 92 |
| Air Force - Ground Duty (Tech) | 16 | 02 | 18 |
| Air Force - Ground Duty (Non-Tech) | 08 | 02 | 10 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry) | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 370 | 24 | 394 |
📅 Eligibility: Age Limit & Marital Status
- Date of Birth: Must be born not earlier than 01 January 2008 and not later than 01 January 2011.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried male/female candidates are eligible. Candidates must not marry until the completion of full training.
- Nationality: Citizen of India, Subject of Nepal, or Person of Indian Origin from specified countries (with COE if applicable).
🎓 Educational Qualifications
12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern or equivalent conducted by a State Board/University.
12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (PCM) under 10+2 pattern.
📌 Note: Candidates appearing in 12th class can apply. Those who fail CPSS/PABT earlier are eligible for Air Force Ground Duty branches. 11th class students are NOT eligible.
💰 Application Fee & Payment Details
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 (Rupees One Hundred) |
| SC / ST / Female Candidates | Exempted (₹0) |
| Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs | Exempted (if studying in Military/Sainik Schools) |
🔹 Payment modes: Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Debit/Credit Card, UPI. Fee is non-refundable.
📝 Step-by-Step: How to Apply Online
- Visit the official portal: upsconline.nic.in
- Account Creation: Register with valid email & mobile. Note: URN is lifetime and generated once.
- Universal Registration (URN) & CAF: Fill personal details, upload photo, capture live photo, and upload signature (3 times on white paper, black ink).
- Exam Specific Module: Select exam, choose preferences (1 to 4), pick examination centre (first-apply-first-allot), upload required documents.
- Pay Fee & Submit: Complete payment via prescribed modes. Download & save the final confirmation page.
⚠️ Important: No withdrawal, correction, or modification allowed after submission. Double-check all entries before final submit.
🎯 Selection Process & Exam Pattern
Step 1: Written Examination (900 Marks)
- Mathematics: 300 Marks | 2.5 Hours
- General Ability Test (GAT): 600 Marks | 2.5 Hours (English 200 + GK 400)
🔻 Negative Marking: 1/3rd (0.33) of allotted marks deducted for each wrong answer. No penalty for unattempted questions.
Step 2: SSB Interview (900 Marks) - Two Stage Process
- Stage I: OIR Tests + PP&DT (Shortlisting)
- Stage II: Psychology Tests, GTO Tasks, Personal Interview, Conference (4 Days)
Step 3: Medical Examination & Final Merit
Air Force Flying branch candidates must clear CPSS (one-time test). Final allocation is based on Written + SSB scores, medical fitness, merit rank, and preference order.
💼 NDA Salary, Allowances & Career Perks
Successful candidates undergo 3-year training at NDA with full government sponsorship. Post-commissioning benefits include:
| Training Stipend | ₹56,100/- per month (Level 10 starting pay) |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹15,500/- per month (Lt. to Brig.) |
| Key Allowances | Field Area Allowance, Para Allowance (₹10,500), Tech Allowance, Transport Allowance, CEA (₹2,250/child), Hostel Subsidy |
| Insurance & Medical | Army Group Insurance (₹1.25 Cr cover), Free Ration, Full Medical Coverage |
🔍 Important Instructions & Physical Standards
- 📱 Mobile Phones Banned: Strictly prohibited inside exam halls. Even switched-off devices will lead to disciplinary action.
- 🖊️ OMR Sheet Rules: Use only Black Ball Pen. No pencils, gel pens, or ink pens. Incorrect encoding of Roll No./Series Code leads to rejection.
- 👤 Face Authentication: Mandatory at exam centres. Report well in advance.
- 🏥 Physical Standards: Candidates must meet strict medical & physical fitness norms. Permanent tattoos allowed only on inner forearm/reverse hand. Tribal tattoos on face/body evaluated case-by-case.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No. Only candidates who have passed or are appearing in the 12th class are eligible. 11th class students are strictly ineligible.
Yes. 1/3rd (0.33) marks are deducted for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry zero penalty.
No. Centre allotment is on a first-apply-first-allot basis. No requests for change will be entertained after submission.
CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System) is mandatory for Air Force Flying branch. It is a one-time lifetime test. If you fail CPSS or are declared HWG, you can only opt for Ground Duty branches.
Expected in October 2026. Qualified candidates must register on joinindianarmy.nic.in for SSB centre allotment.
🚀 Ready to Serve the Nation?
Applications close on 09 June 2026 at 6:00 PM. Don't miss the deadline. Prepare strategically, stay updated, and apply before the portal closes.
Apply Now on UPSC PortalDisclaimer: Information sourced from UPSC Notification No. 10/2026-NDA-II. Candidates must verify details on the official UPSC website before applying. Subject to change as per official notifications.
