UPSC NDA & NA (II) 2026 Official Notification: 404 Vacancies
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the recruitment notification for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2026. This prestigious exam offers a golden pathway for young, motivated male and female candidates to secure a commission as an officer in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. A total of 404 cadet vacancies have been advertised for the 158th Course of NDA and the 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). Eligible candidates can submit their applications online before the final deadline. This article details the eligibility requirements, physical standards, selection process, examination pattern, and study strategies.
1. UPSC NDA 2 2026 Exam Overview
Refer to this summary table for quick details about the upcoming NDA & NA II recruitment:
| Particulars / Feature | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Board | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Officer Cadet (Army, Navy, Air Force) |
| Total Number of Vacancies | 404 Posts (NDA: 370, Naval Academy: 34) |
| Online Registration Closes | September 10, 2026 |
| NDA II Exam Date | November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Selection Stages | Written Exam (900 Marks) & SSB Interview (900 Marks) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
2. Branch-Wise Vacancy Classification
The 404 vacancies are distributed across the three wings of the armed forces and the Naval Academy as follows:
- Indian Army (NDA GD): 208 Vacancies (including 10 vacancies for female candidates).
- Indian Navy (NDA GD): 42 Vacancies (including 12 vacancies for female candidates).
- Indian Air Force (NDA GD): 120 Vacancies (including 6 vacancies for female candidates across Flying, Ground Duty Tech, and Ground Duty Non-Tech branches).
- Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry): 34 Vacancies (including 5 vacancies for female candidates).
3. Strict Eligibility Criteria & Age Specifications
Candidates must fulfill the eligibility conditions below as of the official cut-off date:
- Educational Qualification:
– **For Army Wing of NDA:** Passed 12th standard (Intermediate) of the 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent from a recognized State Education Board or University.
– **For Navy and Air Force Wings of NDA / Naval Academy:** Passed 12th standard of the 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent with **Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM)**. Candidates appearing in the 12th standard can also apply. - Age Limit and Marital Status: Only unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than January 2, 2008, and not later than January 1, 2011, are eligible. Married candidates cannot apply.
- Physical Standards: Candidates must be physically fit according to the detailed physical standards prescribed in the UPSC notification (Height, Weight, Vision). Visual acuity of 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other is standard for army and navy, while 6/6 in both eyes is mandatory for the flying branch of the Air Force.
4. Examination Scheme & Detailed Syllabus
The UPSC NDA written exam consists of two objective papers, conducted offline on the same day. There is a penalty of 1/3rd (0.33) marks for incorrect answers.
| Subject / Paper | Maximum Marks | Number of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (Paper I) | 300 Marks | 120 Questions | 2.5 Hours |
| General Ability Test – GAT (Paper II) | 600 Marks | 150 Questions | 2.5 Hours |
| Total Assessment | 900 Marks | 270 Questions | 5 Hours |
Paper I (Mathematics): Covers Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Differential Calculus, Vector Algebra, and Probability (11th & 12th CBSE level).
Paper II (GAT): Divided into Part A (English – 200 Marks) testing vocabulary and grammar, and Part B (General Knowledge – 400 Marks) covering Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.
5. Complete SSB Interview Process
Candidates who clear the written exam cut-off are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview, which is a 5-day intelligence and personality evaluation process. It consists of two stages:
– **Stage 1:** Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). Candidates who fail Stage 1 are sent back on Day 1.
– **Stage 2:** Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, Personal Interview, and the Final Conference on Day 5.
6. Strategic Preparation Roadmap (How to Study)
To clear the NDA exam on your first attempt, follow these preparation steps:
- Clear NCERT Concepts: Mathematics is the key. Master Class 11 and 12 NCERT Mathematics textbooks. Solve at least 50 mathematical equations daily.
- Improve English Communication: GAT English has a high weightage. Practice grammar rules from standard reference books and build your vocabulary by reading editorials.
- Practice Speed and Accuracy: Solve mock papers on OMR sheets within the 2.5-hour time limit. This builds the muscle memory needed for the actual offline exam.
- Maintain Physical Stamina: SSB checks physical capacity. Engage in running, push-ups, and pull-ups daily to stay fit and active.
7. Step-by-Step Online Application Guide
Follow these instructions to submit your application form correctly:
- Go to the UPSC official portal at `upsconline.nic.in`.
- Click on **”One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations”** if you are a new applicant.
- Log in with your OTR credentials and select the application link for **NDA & NA (II) 2026**.
- Fill in your educational details, choose your branch preferences (Army/Navy/Air Force/NA), and upload your scanned passport photo and signature (JPEG format, 20-300 KB).
- Pay the application fee (Rs. 100/- for General/OBC, and Exempted for SC/ST/Female candidates) online.
- Submit the form and take a printout of the final confirmation page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Are girls eligible to apply for UPSC NDA 2026?
Yes, female candidates are fully eligible to apply for all wings of the National Defence Academy.
Q2. Can commerce or arts students apply for the Indian Air Force?
No, only candidates with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) in their 12th standard are eligible for the Air Force and Navy wings.
Q3. What is the minimum height required for NDA?
The minimum height required for male candidates is 157 cm (162.5 cm for Flying Branch) and 152 cm for female candidates, with relaxation for Gorkhas and tribal regions.
Q4. Is there negative marking in the NDA written exam?
Yes, there is a penalty of 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question for every incorrect answer.
Q5. How many marks are required to clear the written exam?
Historically, the cut-off ranges between 340 to 360 marks out of 900, with a mandatory sectional cut-off of 25{d1b8cce6490e3931d53f52b3cc471fc0849413b23a52b0b0e2dc99f2bb689b83} in both papers.
Q6. Can final year students of Class 12 apply?
Yes, candidates appearing in the 12th standard exam are eligible to apply and must submit their passing proof during the SSB interview.
Q7. Is SSB conducted in English only?
While English is highly preferred, candidates can respond in Hindi during GTO tasks or the personal interview if they feel stuck.
Q8. What is the basic training duration for NDA cadets?
Selected cadets undergo 3 years of rigorous military and academic training at NDA Khadakwasla, Pune, followed by 1 year of training at their respective service academies.
Q9. What are the passing marks in GAT?
Candidates must secure at least 25{d1b8cce6490e3931d53f52b3cc471fc0849413b23a52b0b0e2dc99f2bb689b83} marks in Paper II (GAT) to qualify the paper.
Q10. Can I pay the application fee offline?
Yes, you can pay cash at any SBI branch through a pay-in-slip generated during the application process, or pay online using Net Banking, Debit Cards, or UPI.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Details are compiled from the official UPSC NDA II 2026 notification. Candidates are advised to verify details and apply through the official portal at upsconline.nic.in.
Ramavtar is a passionate career researcher dedicated to helping job seekers find the latest government job notifications across India. He covers SSC, Railway, Banking, Police, and State PSC recruitments to keep aspirants informed and ahead.