The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the recruitment notification for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2026. This presents a prestigious opportunity for young aspirants aspiring to serve as officers in the Indian Armed Forces. With the announcement of a total of 394 vacancies, including positions for both male and female candidates, the race to join the 158th NDA Course and the 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) has officially begun.

In this comprehensive guide, we provide a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know regarding the UPSC NDA 2 2026 recruitment, from eligibility criteria and the examination pattern to the application procedure and training details.

1. UPSC NDA 2 2026 Notification Overview

2. Important Dates to Remember

3. Detailed Vacancy Breakdown

4. Eligibility Criteria: Age, Gender, and Education

5. UPSC NDA 2 2026 Selection Process

6. Examination Scheme and Syllabus

7. How to Apply Online for NDA 2 2026

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying

9. Training, Career, and Stipend Details

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

11. Important Links

UPSC NDA 2 2026 Notification Overview

The UPSC NDA & NA (II) 2026 is a national-level entrance examination conducted twice a year for recruitment into the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA and the Indian Naval Academy. According to the Examination Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II dated May 20, 2026, the commission aims to fill 394 provisional vacancies. Successful candidates will commence their training on July 1, 2027.

Feature	Details
Organization	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Total Vacancies	394 (370 Male + 24 Female)
Academy Courses	158th NDA & 120th INAC
Application Mode	Online Only
Stipend During Training	Rs. 56,100/- per month
Job Location	All India (Training at Pune/Ezhimala)

Important Dates to Remember

Aspirants must keep a close watch on the timeline to ensure they do not miss critical deadlines. The application window is open for a limited period.

Date of Official Notification: May 20, 2026
Commencement of Online Applications: May 20, 2026
Last Date to Apply Online: June 9, 2026 (up to 6:00 PM)
Download of e-Admit Card: Last working day of the week preceding the exam
UPSC NDA 2 2026 Exam Date: September 13, 2026
Written Result Declaration (Tentative): October 2026
SSB Interview Dates (Tentative): December 2026 - January 2027
Commencement of Course: July 1, 2027

Detailed Vacancy Breakdown

The vacancies are distributed across different wings of the armed forces. It is important to note that female candidates have a dedicated quota of 24 seats across all branches.

Academy	Branch/Service	Male	Female	Total
NDA	Army	198	10	208
NDA	Navy (Executive Branch)	37	05	42
NDA	Air Force (Flying)	90	02	92
NDA	Air Force (Ground Duties - Tech)	16	02	18
NDA	Air Force (Ground Duties - Non-Tech)	08	02	10
Naval Academy	10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme	21	3	24
Grand Total		370	24	394

Eligibility Criteria: Are You Eligible?

Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the strict eligibility standards set by the UPSC. There is no upper age relaxation for any category (SC/ST/OBC) for this entry.

1. Age Limit and Marital Status

Age Range: Candidates must be born between January 2, 2008, and January 1, 2011 (both days inclusive).
Marital Status: Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible.
Undertaking: Candidates must promise not to marry until they complete their full training cycle.

2. Educational Qualifications

For the Army Wing (NDA): Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 of the 10+2 pattern from a recognised board.
For Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy: Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).
Important Note: Candidates currently in Class 11 are not eligible to apply.

3. Physical Standards

Candidates must be physically and mentally fit in accordance with the specific standards of the Armed Forces. Permanent body tattoos are strictly restricted to the inner forearm or the dorsal side of the palm.

UPSC NDA 2 2026 Selection Process

The selection process is designed to filter for candidates with strong Officer-Like Qualities (OLQ). It involves three distinct stages:

Stage 1: Written Examination

This is an objective-type test consisting of two papers.

Paper I: Mathematics (300 Marks)
Paper II: General Ability Test (GAT) (600 Marks)
Negative Marking: 1/3rd (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer.

Stage 2: SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test)

Candidates who clear the written cut-off will be invited for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. This is a 5-day process involving:

Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OTR) and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
State II: Interview, Group Tasks (GTO), psychology tests, and the final conference.
For the Air Force Flying Branch, candidates must also pass the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).

Stage 3: Medical Examination

The final step is a rigorous medical check-up by a board of service medical officers. Only those declared medically fit are considered for the final merit list.

Examination Scheme and Syllabus

To succeed, candidates must master the syllabus, which covers Class 12 topics and general awareness.

Paper	Duration	Max Marks	Key Topics
Mathematics	2.5 Hours	300	Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics, Vector Analysis
General Ability Test	2.5 Hours	600	English (200), Physics, Chemistry, Science, History, Geography, Current Events (400)

How to Apply Online for NDA 2 2026

The application process is entirely digital and hosted on the UPSC's online portal.

1. Universal Registration: Visit upsconline.nic.in and create a Universal Registration Number (URN) if you haven't already.

2. Fill in the Application: Complete the Common Application Form (CAF) and the Examination Specific Module.

3. Upload Documents: You will need a scanned photograph, a live webcam photo, and a signature (signed three times in black ink on white paper).

4. Service Preferences: Clearly indicate your preference (1 to 4) for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy.

5. Pay the Fee:

o General/OBC Male Candidates: Rs. 100/-.

o Female/SC/ST/Sainik School Wards: Exempted (NIL).

6. Submit: Finalise the application before June 9, 2026, 6:00 PM.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying

Incorrect Date of Birth: Once submitted, the DOB cannot be changed under any circumstances.
Signature Quality: The signature must be done three times, one below the other, in black ink.
Centre Selection: Centres are allotted on a "first-apply-first-allot" basis. Apply early to get your preferred city.
Mobile Phones: Do not bring any electronic gadgets, including smart watches, to the exam hall; possession can lead to a permanent ban.

Training, Career, and Stipend Details

Selected cadets undergo a rigorous transformation into leaders.

NDA Training: 3 years at Khadakwasla, Pune, leading to a degree (B.Sc./B.A./B.Tech) from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Specialised Training: After NDA, cadets move to their respective academies (IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, or AFA Hyderabad) for 1 to 1.5 years of pre-commission training.
Financial Security: Cadets receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 56,100/- throughout their training.
Insurance: An insurance cover of Rs. 30 lakh is provided from the date of joining.