UPSC NDA II 2026 Recruitment — 394 Vacancies

UPSC has opened 394 vacancies in the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 for entry into the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy. If you are an unmarried male or female aged 16.5 to 19.5 years and have passed or are appearing in 12th Class, you can apply online. The last date to apply is 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM). The written exam will be held on 13 September 2026.

UPSC NDA II 2026 Recruitment - 394 Posts

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026 notification (Exam Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II) for admission to the 158th Course of NDA and the 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from 1 July 2027. The exam is conducted twice a year and is one of the most respected entry routes into the armed forces for school-leaving candidates. Both male and female candidates can apply for all wings — Army, Navy, Air Force and the Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme.

Vacancy Breakdown

The total of 394 vacancies is split across the academies, services and gender as follows:

NDA/Naval Academy men and women are separate entries. Written results and final merit lists for men and women are prepared separately as per vacancies notified.

Who Can Apply?

Nationality

• You must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of settling in India.
• You must be unmarried at the time of applying. You also have to give an undertaking not to marry until you complete the full training.

Educational Qualification

• For Army Wing of NDA: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern from a recognised Board or University.
• For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at INAC: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics from a recognised Board or University.
• Candidates appearing in the 12th Class exam can also apply, but they must submit proof of passing by 10 June 2027.
• Students still in the 11th Class are not eligible.

Age Limit

• You must be born not earlier than 1 January 2008 and not later than 1 January 2011.
• This means you should be between roughly 16.5 years and 19.5 years on the date of the exam.
• Date of birth will be accepted only as recorded in your Matriculation/Secondary School Leaving Certificate — no other proof is acceptable.
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are not eligible for these posts due to physical and medical standards.

Salary and Allowances

• During training at NDA/INAC, cadets get a monthly stipend of Rs. 56,100 (after commissioning as officer).
• The cost of training including accommodation, books, uniforms, boarding and medical treatment is borne by the Government.
• If a cadet's family cannot meet basic expenses, financial assistance of Rs. 2,500 per month is also available.
• After commissioning, officers get pay as per Defence Pay Matrix Level 10 — Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 per month plus Military Service Pay, DA, HRA, ration, kit allowance and other defence allowances.

Physical Standards

You must be physically and mentally fit as per the standards prescribed in the Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces (1st Edition). Key points:

• Common defects that lead to rejection: ear wax, deviated nasal septum, hydrocele/phimosis, overweight/underweight, under-sized chest, piles, gynaecomastia, tonsillitis and varicocele. Get these rectified before applying.
• Permanent body tattoos are only permitted on the inner face of the forearm and the dorsal side of the hand. Tattoos on the face or any other part of the body will result in rejection (tribal customs are considered separately).
• The medical board's decision is final. Candidates declared unfit can ask for an Appeal Medical Board.

Application Fee

• General / OBC / EWS (male) candidates: Rs. 100
• SC / ST candidates: No fee
• All female candidates: No fee
• Wards of JCOs / NCOs / ORs studying in Sainik School or Military School: No fee (with certificate from Principal)
• Pay through Net Banking, Visa / Master / RuPay Credit or Debit Card or UPI.

Selection Process

Selection is done in two stages:

1. Written Examination (900 marks): Two objective papers — Mathematics (300 marks, 2.5 hours) and General Ability Test (600 marks, 2.5 hours). Question papers are bilingual (English and Hindi). Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks for each wrong answer.
2. SSB Interview / Personality Test (900 marks): Conducted in two stages by the Services Selection Board. Stage I has the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Stage II has Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference, spread over 4 days.
3. Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS): Additional test only for candidates opting for the Flying branch of Air Force.
4. Medical Examination by a Board of Service Medical Officers.

Final merit is based on combined marks of the Written Examination and SSB tests (total 1800 marks). The exam will use face authentication at the venue.

How to Apply

1. Go to the UPSC online portal at upsconline.nic.in.
2. Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) to get your Universal Registration Number (URN). This is one-time only.
3. Fill in the Common Application Form (CAF) with your details.
4. Open the Examination Specific Module for NDA II 2026 and fill in service preferences (1 to 4), exam centre and other details.
5. Upload your photograph, signature and capture a live photo as instructed.
6. Pay the fee of Rs. 100 online (if applicable). Fees once paid are non-refundable.
7. Submit the application before 6:00 PM on 9 June 2026 and take a printout for your records.

No correction or modification is allowed after submission. The application cannot be withdrawn either.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 20 May 2026
• Application Start Date: 20 May 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 9 June 2026 (6:00 PM)
• Date of Written Examination: 13 September 2026
• Result of Written Examination: October 2026 (likely)
• SSB Interviews: December 2026 to January 2027
• NDA 158th Course Commences: 1 July 2027

• Undergo rigorous physical, mental and academic training at the National Defence Academy or Indian Naval Academy
• Complete the joint training programme for the Army, Navy and Air Force wings as per the assigned service
• Develop officer-like qualities, leadership skills and team-work through drills, sports and field exercises
• Maintain top physical fitness and discipline throughout the training period
• Learn weapons handling, navigation, military strategy and service-specific technical subjects
• Participate in academic studies leading to a graduation degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Serve as a Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army, Navy or Air Force after completing training
• Defend the nation and uphold the values of the Armed Forces in all assignments