The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the UPSC NDA II Recruitment 2026 under Advertisement No. 10/2026-NDA-II, inviting online applications for 394 vacancies in the National Defence Academy (Army, Navy, Air Force Wings) and Naval Academy. Notably, the application window opened on 20 May 2026 and closes on 09 June 2026, with the written examination scheduled for 13 September 2026. Furthermore, candidates who have passed or are currently appearing in Class 12th (10+2) from a recognised board and are born between 01 January 2008 and 01 January 2011 are eligible to apply for this outstanding opportunity to join India’s elite defence forces as an officer cadet.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Advertisement Number | Advt. No. 10/2026-NDA-II |
| Post Name(s) | NDA — Army Wing, Navy Wing, Air Force Wing; Naval Academy |
| Total Vacancies | 394 |
Vacancy Breakdown
| Academy / Wing | No. of Posts |
|---|---|
| Army Wing (NDA) | 208 |
| Air Force Wing (NDA) | 120 |
| Naval Academy | 24 |
| Navy Wing (NDA) | 42 |
| Total | 394 |
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
- Candidates must be born not earlier than 01 January 2008 and not later than 01 January 2011 (both dates inclusive)
- Specifically, this means only candidates born within this exact date range qualify — candidates born before or after these dates are not eligible under any circumstances
- Additionally, UPSC provides age relaxation as per applicable NDA examination regulations — candidates must verify wing-specific conditions from the official notification
Educational Qualification
- Army Wing (NDA): Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12th (10+2) in any stream from a recognised board in India — no specific subject combination is mandatory for the Army Wing
- Air Force Wing (NDA) & Navy Wing (NDA): Specifically, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12th (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as compulsory subjects from a recognised board
- Naval Academy: Furthermore, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics — the same PCM requirement applies as for the Air Force and Navy Wings
- Consequently, candidates appearing in Class 12th in 2026 are also eligible to apply provisionally — however, they must produce the passing certificate at the time of SSB interview and joining
Nationality
- Candidates must be Indian citizens, or subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who came to India before 01 January 1962, as per the standard eligibility conditions that UPSC prescribes for the National Defence Academy examination
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 June 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 09 June 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Admit Card | Before the examination date |
| Result Date | To be updated |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹ 100/- |
| SC / ST / All Female Candidates | ₹ 00/- (Fully Exempt) |
Accepted Payment Modes: Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Card / Mobile Wallet.
Exam Pattern
- Stage 1 — Written Examination: Firstly, UPSC conducts the NDA II Written Examination on 13 September 2026 covering two papers — Mathematics (300 marks, 2.5 hours) and General Ability Test — GAT (600 marks, 2.5 hours). Notably, the GAT paper covers English, General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Events. Moreover, the examination follows a strict negative marking scheme where one-third of marks are deducted for each incorrect answer — consequently, candidates must approach each question carefully and avoid random attempts.
- Stage 2 — SSB Interview: Subsequently, candidates who clear the written examination receive a call for a 5-day SSB Interview at designated Services Selection Board centres. Specifically, the SSB evaluates Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) through Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, Personal Interview, and a final Conference round. Consequently, personality development, leadership skills, and mental agility carry as much importance as academic preparation.
- Final Selection: Additionally, UPSC prepares the Final Merit List on the basis of combined written exam and SSB interview performance. Furthermore, all finally selected candidates undergo a rigorous Medical Examination before joining the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla for a 3-year integrated training programme leading to a degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in on or after 20 May 2026.
- Locate and click the “Apply Online” link for UPSC NDA II Recruitment 2026 (Advt. No. 10/2026-NDA-II).
- Register through the UPSC One-Time Registration (OTR) portal using a valid email address and mobile number.
- Fill in the online application form carefully with all required personal, educational, and wing-preference details.
- Upload your recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format and within the permitted file size.
- Pay the application fee of ₹ 100/- (General / OBC male candidates) through any accepted online payment mode before 09 June 2026; SC / ST and all female candidates proceed without payment.
- Submit the form and download or print the confirmation receipt — preserve it carefully for future reference during written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination stages.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| UPSC Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When does the UPSC NDA II Recruitment 2026 application open and close?
Applications opened on 20 May 2026 and the last date is 09 June 2026.
Q2. What is the application fee for General category male candidates?
General / OBC male candidates pay ₹ 100/-; SC / ST and all female candidates are fully exempt.
Q3. Can Class 12th appearing candidates apply for UPSC NDA II 2026?
Yes – candidates currently appearing in Class 12th can apply provisionally and must produce the passing certificate at SSB and joining time.
Q4. Is PCM mandatory for Army Wing candidates in NDA II 2026?
No – Army Wing candidates only need Class 12th pass in any stream; PCM is mandatory only for Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy wings.
Q5. What is the official website for UPSC?
The official website is upsc.gov.in.