UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026: Apply for 394 Vacancies
Short Information: If you are a 12th-pass student with the ambition to serve the nation in uniform, UPSC NDA & NA II 2026 is the most direct pathway to a Permanent Commission in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force — straight after school. The Union Public Service Commission has announced 394 vacancies across six categories: Army (208), Navy Executive Branch (42), Air Force Flying (92), Air Force Ground Duties Technical (18), Air Force Ground Duties Non-Technical (10), and Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (24). The application window is open from 20 May 2026 to 09 June 2026, with the written exam on 13 September 2026. Both male and female unmarried candidates born between 01 January 2008 and 01 January 2011 are eligible. Even students currently appearing in 12th class can apply — final results are required only at the SSB interview stage. During the 3-year training at NDA, cadets receive a stipend of ₹56,100 per month. After commissioning as a Lieutenant, the basic pay is Level-10 (₹56,100–₹1,77,500) plus Military Service Pay of ₹15,500/month fixed, DA, Transport Allowance, Dress Allowance, free ration, and field area allowances — making this one of the most comprehensive pay-and-perks packages available straight out of school. For Navy and Air Force wings, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at 12th level are mandatory. Army wing needs only a 12th pass in any stream.
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UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026 2026Important Dates
| Notification Released | 20/05/2026 |
| Application Begin | 20/05/2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 09/06/2026 (06:00 PM) |
| Pay Exam Fee Last Date | 09/06/2026 |
| Date of Written Examination | 13/09/2026 |
| Written Result Declaration (Expected) | October 2026 (Tentative) |
| SSB Interview (Expected) | December 2026 – January 2027 (Tentative) |
| Course Commencement — NDA (158th Course) | 01/07/2027 |
| 12th Certificate Submission Deadline (for those not passed at SSB) | 10/06/2027 |
UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026 2026Application Fee
| Gen / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST | ₹0 |
| All Female Candidates | ₹0 |
| Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs studying in Military/Sainik Schools | ₹0 |
UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026: Apply for 394 VacanciesVacancy Details & Age Limit
Age Limit: Born between 01/01/2008 and 01/01/2011 (Unmarried Male / Female only)
(No age relaxation for any category — exact birth date window is 01/01/2008 to 01/01/2011, No age relaxation for OBC / EWS candidates, Marriage is not permitted until full training is completed — violation leads to discharge and cost recovery)
| Wing / Course | Male | Female | Total Vacancy | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDA — Army Wing (158th Course) | 198 | 10 | 208 | 12th Pass (any stream). Unmarried. Age: Born 01/01/2008 to 01/01/2011. |
| NDA — Navy Wing (158th Course) — All Executive Branch | 37 | 05 | 42 | 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics. Unmarried. Age: Born 01/01/2008 to 01/01/2011. |
| NDA — Air Force Wing (Flying) (158th Course) | 90 | 02 | 92 | 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics. Unmarried. Age: Born 01/01/2008 to 01/01/2011. |
| NDA — Air Force Wing (Ground Duties Technical) (158th Course) | 16 | 02 | 18 | 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics. Unmarried. Age: Born 01/01/2008 to 01/01/2011. |
| NDA — Air Force Wing (Ground Duties Non-Technical) (158th Course) | 08 | 02 | 10 | 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics. Unmarried. Age: Born 01/01/2008 to 01/01/2011. |
| Indian Naval Academy — 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (120th INAC) — All Executive Branch | 21 | 03 | 24 | 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics. Unmarried. Age: Born 01/01/2008 to 01/01/2011. |
| Total Vacancy | 370 | 24 | 394 | |
| Note: Vacancies are provisional and may change depending on training capacity availability. Men and women are separate entries; merit lists are prepared gender-wise. | ||||
UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Must be a citizen of India, or subject of Nepal, or person of Indian origin from specified countries with Government of India eligibility certificate. Gorkha subjects of Nepal do not require certificate.
- Marital Status: Candidate MUST be unmarried at the time of application. Marriage is not permitted during training — violation leads to discharge and full cost recovery by Government.
- Age: Born not earlier than 01/01/2008 and not later than 01/01/2011 (both male and female).
- NDA — Army Wing: 12th Class pass in any stream from a recognised State Education Board or University. Candidates currently appearing in 12th class are also eligible.
- NDA — Navy Wing & Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry): 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates appearing in 12th with PCM may also apply.
- NDA — Air Force Wing (Flying, Ground Duties Technical & Non-Technical): 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates appearing in 12th with PCM may also apply.
- Candidates who have failed CPSS/PABT earlier are eligible ONLY for Air Force Ground Duty branches (not Flying branch) — they must indicate willingness in Exam Specific Form.
- Candidates debarred by Ministry of Defence from holding any commission are NOT eligible.
- Candidates removed from any training academy on disciplinary grounds are NOT eligible.
- Candidates withdrawn from NDA/INA on MEDICAL grounds or who left voluntarily ARE eligible, provided they satisfy current medical and other conditions.
- 11th class appearing candidates are NOT eligible.
- Final-year 12th students allowed provisionally — must produce 12th certificate by 10/06/2027 failing which candidature is cancelled.
UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026Pay Scale / Salary Structure
| Post Name | Salary Level |
|---|---|
| Stipend during NDA Training (3 years) | ₹56,100/month (Level-10 starting pay) |
| Stipend during IMA/INA/AFA training (post-NDA) | ₹56,100/month (Level-10 starting pay) |
| Lieutenant (on commissioning) | Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) + MSP ₹15,500/month |
| Captain | Level-10B (₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900) + MSP ₹15,500/month |
| Major | Level-11 (₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200) + MSP ₹15,500/month |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level-12A (₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400) + MSP ₹15,500/month |
| Colonel | Level-13 (₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900) |
| Brigadier | Level-13A (₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600) |
| Major General | Level-14 (₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200) |
UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026Selection Process Steps
- Stage 1: Written Examination by UPSC on 13/09/2026 — Objective Type OMR-based (Mathematics + General Ability Test)
- Stage 2: SSB (Services Selection Board) — Two-stage Intelligence & Personality Test
- SSB Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test + Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT) — held on Day 1
- SSB Stage II (Stage I qualifiers only): Interview + Group Testing Officer Tasks + Psychology Tests + Conference (4 days)
- Air Force Flying candidates: CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System / Pilot Aptitude Battery Test) — given ONLY ONCE in lifetime
- Medical Examination by Board of Service Medical Officers (after SSB recommendation)
- Final allocation based on written + SSB marks (equal weightage), medical fitness, and candidate's order of preferences
UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026Detailed Exam Pattern
Recruitment Details: Exam Overview
- Mode: Offline — OMR (Objective Type only). Candidates must use Black Ball Pen.
- Negative Marking: Yes — 1/3 (0.33) marks deducted for each wrong answer. (Explicitly stated in Appendix-II, Para 3 of the official notification).
- Unattempted Questions: No penalty for leaving a question blank.
- Multiple Answers Marked: Treated as wrong — same 0.33 penalty applies.
- Calculator / Log Tables: Strictly prohibited inside examination hall.
- Language: Mathematics paper and Part B of GAT (General Knowledge) are set bilingually in Hindi and English. English paper in English only.
- Scribe: Not allowed under any circumstances.
- Metric System: Questions on weights and measures use metric system only.
Recruitment Table: Written Examination — Paper Details
| Paper | Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics | 01 | 2½ Hours | 300 |
| Paper II | General Ability Test (English + General Knowledge) | 02 | 2½ Hours | 600 |
| Total | 900 |
Recruitment Table: General Ability Test — Part-Wise Marks Breakdown
| Part | Subject | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | English | 200 |
| Part B | General Knowledge (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events) | 400 |
| Total | 600 |
Recruitment Table: Written vs SSB Marks — Total Score
| Stage | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Written Examination | 900 |
| SSB Test / Interview | 900 |
| Grand Total | 1800 |
Recruitment Details: General Knowledge — Section-Wise Weightage (Part B)
- Section A (Physics): ~25% of Part B marks (approx. 100 marks)
- Section B (Chemistry): ~15% of Part B marks (approx. 60 marks)
- Section C (General Science): ~10% of Part B marks (approx. 40 marks)
- Section D (History / Freedom Movement): ~20% of Part B marks (approx. 80 marks)
- Section E (Geography): ~20% of Part B marks (approx. 80 marks)
- Section F (Current Events): ~10% of Part B marks (approx. 40 marks)
Recruitment Details: Tie-Breaking Rules
- Step 1: Higher aggregate Final Marks ranks first.
- Step 2 (if tie persists): Candidate securing more marks in Written Total ranks higher.
- Step 3 (if still tied): Candidate securing more marks in Paper II — General Ability Test ranks higher.
- Step 4 (if still tied): Candidate senior in age ranks higher.
- Step 5: Persistent ties resolved at the Commission's discretion.
- Marks rounded to two decimal places at all stages using standard rounding.
Recruitment Details: Physical Standards — Advisory & Common Defects
- Candidates must be physically and mentally fit as per the 'Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces (1st Edition)' — available at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- Pre-screening advice: UPSC strongly recommends candidates get a medical check-up BEFORE applying to avoid last-stage rejection.
- Common defects found and often correctable before Medical Board: Wax (Ears), Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS), Hydrocele/Phimosis, Overweight/Underweight, Undersized Chest, Piles, Gynaecomastia, Tonsillitis, Varicocele.
- Tattoo Policy: Permanent body tattoos permitted ONLY on inner forearm (inside of elbow to wrist) and dorsal (back) side of hand. Tattoos anywhere else = disqualification. Tribal tattoos on face/body permitted case-by-case — Commandant Selection Centre is the competent authority.
- Air Force Flying Branch: Habitual Wearers of Glasses (HWG) cannot undergo CPSS — they are automatically considered for Ground Duty branches if otherwise eligible.
- CPSS is a ONE-TIME test: Grade from first CPSS attempt is final for all future Air Force attempts through any entry (NDA/AFCAT/NCC). Failure in CPSS bars candidate from Flying Branch permanently.
Recruitment Table: SSB Medical Treatment Entitlement
| Situation | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Injury sustained during SSB tests | Out-patient treatment from service sources at public expense |
| Disease contracted during SSB + no suitable civil hospital | In-patient treatment in Officer's ward at public expense |
| Medical Board requires admission for observation | In-patient treatment at public expense |
| Special nursing | NOT entitled |
| Note:Civilian candidates appearing for SSB are entitled to medical care at Government expense under the following conditions only. | |
Recruitment Table: Job Profile by Wing — Nature of Training, Degree & First Rank
| Wing / Entry | Training Duration & Academy | Degree Awarded | First Rank on Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army Wing (NDA) | 3 years at NDA + 1 year at IMA Dehradun | B.Sc. / B.Sc. (Computer) / B.A. from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | Lieutenant (Permanent Commission) |
| Navy Wing (NDA) | 3 years at NDA + 1 year at INA Ezhimala | B.Tech from JNU (awarded at subsequent training establishment) | Sub-Lieutenant (Permanent Commission) |
| Air Force Flying Branch (NDA) | 3 years at NDA + 1.5 years at AFA Hyderabad | B.Tech from JNU (awarded at subsequent training establishment) | Flying Officer (Permanent Commission — on probation 6 months) |
| Air Force Ground Duties Tech (NDA) | 3 years at NDA + training at Air Force Technical College Bengaluru | B.Tech from JNU | Flying Officer (Permanent Commission — on probation 6 months) |
| Air Force Ground Duties Non-Tech (NDA) | 3 years at NDA + training at AFA Hyderabad | B.Sc. / B.Sc. (Computer) from JNU | Flying Officer (Permanent Commission — on probation 6 months) |
| Naval Academy — 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (INAC) | 4 years at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala | B.Tech in Applied Electronics & Communication Engineering from JNU | Sub-Lieutenant |
Recruitment Table: Promotional Avenues — Army, Navy & Air Force
| Army Rank | Navy Rank | Air Force Rank | Minimum Commissioned Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Flying Officer | On Commission |
| Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant | 2 Years |
| Major | Lt. Commander | Squadron Leader | 6 Years |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander | 13 Years |
| Colonel (Selection) | Captain (Selection) | Group Captain (Selection) | On Selection |
| Colonel (Time Scale) | Captain (Time Scale) | Group Captain (Time Scale) | 26 Years |
| Brigadier | Commodore | Air Commodore | On Selection |
| Major General | Rear Admiral | Air Vice Marshal | On Selection |
| Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral | Air Marshal | On Selection |
Recruitment Table: 86 Exam Centres — Pan India
| S. No. | Centre |
|---|---|
| 1 | Agartala |
| 2 | Agra |
| 3 | Ahmedabad |
| 4 | Aizawl |
| 5 | Ajmer |
| 6 | Aligarh |
| 7 | Almora (Uttarakhand) |
| 8 | Alwar |
| 9 | Ananthapuramu (AP) |
| 10 | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) |
| 11 | Bareilly |
| 12 | Bengaluru |
| 13 | Bhopal |
| 14 | Bhubaneswar |
| 15 | Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) |
| 16 | Chandigarh |
| 17 | Chennai |
| 18 | Coimbatore |
| 19 | Cuttack |
| 20 | Dehradun |
| 21 | Delhi |
| 22 | Dharamshala |
| 23 | Dharwad |
| 24 | Dispur |
| 25 | Faridabad |
| 26 | Gangtok |
| 27 | Gautam Buddh Nagar |
| 28 | Gaya |
| 29 | Ghaziabad |
| 30 | Gorakhpur |
| 31 | Gurugram |
| 32 | Gwalior |
| 33 | Hisar |
| 34 | Hyderabad |
| 35 | Imphal |
| 36 | Indore |
| 37 | Itanagar |
| 38 | Jabalpur |
| 39 | Jaipur |
| 40 | Jammu |
| 41 | Jodhpur |
| 42 | Jorhat |
| 43 | Kannur |
| 44 | Kanpur |
| 45 | Kargil |
| 46 | Kochi |
| 47 | Kohima |
| 48 | Kolkata |
| 49 | Kozhikode (Calicut) |
| 50 | Leh |
| 51 | Lucknow |
| 52 | Ludhiana |
| 53 | Madurai |
| 54 | Mandi (HP) |
| 55 | Meerut |
| 56 | Mumbai |
| 57 | Mysuru |
| 58 | Nagpur |
| 59 | Nasik |
| 60 | Navi Mumbai |
| 61 | Panaji (Goa) |
| 62 | Patna |
| 63 | Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) |
| 64 | Prayagraj (Allahabad) |
| 65 | Puducherry |
| 66 | Pune |
| 67 | Raipur |
| 68 | Rajkot |
| 69 | Ranchi |
| 70 | Sambalpur |
| 71 | Shillong |
| 72 | Shimla |
| 73 | Siliguri |
| 74 | Srinagar |
| 75 | Srinagar (Uttarakhand) |
| 76 | Surat |
| 77 | Thane |
| 78 | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 79 | Tiruchirapalli |
| 80 | Tirupati |
| 81 | Udaipur |
| 82 | Varanasi |
| 83 | Vellore |
| 84 | Vijayawada |
| 85 | Visakhapatnam |
| 86 | Hanumakonda (Warangal Urban) |
| Note:Allotment is on first-apply-first-allot basis. Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata, Nagpur have no ceiling. Apply early for preferred centre. | |
UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026Subject-wise Syllabus Topics
Mathematics is at 12th class / pre-degree level. General Ability Test covers English proficiency and General Knowledge across Physics, Chemistry, Science, History, Geography, and Current Events. SSB carries equal marks (900) and tests Officer Like Qualities.
- Algebra: Sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, complex numbers, binary system, AP/GP/HP, quadratic equations, permutation & combination, binomial theorem, logarithms
- Matrices & Determinants: Types, operations, determinant, adjoint, inverse, Cramer's rule, matrix method
- Trigonometry: Angles in degrees/radians, identities, sum/difference/multiple angles, inverse trigonometric functions, heights & distances, properties of triangles
- Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D): Cartesian coordinates, distance formula, lines, circles, conics (parabola, ellipse, hyperbola), 3D space, direction cosines, planes, spheres
- Differential Calculus: Functions, limits, continuity, derivatives, maxima & minima, increasing/decreasing functions
- Integral Calculus & Differential Equations: Integration by substitution & parts, definite integrals, area under curves, order/degree of differential equations, first order solutions
- Vector Algebra: Vectors in 2D & 3D, dot product, cross product, applications
- Statistics & Probability: Frequency distribution, mean/median/mode, variance, correlation, regression; probability theorems, conditional probability, Bayes' theorem, binomial distribution
- Part A — English (200 marks): Grammar & usage, vocabulary, comprehension, cohesion in extended text
- Part B — General Knowledge (400 marks): Divided into 6 sections with approximate weightages:
- Section A — Physics (25%): Matter, motion, Newton's laws, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, basic instruments
- Section B — Chemistry (15%): Elements, compounds, acids/bases/salts, common materials (soap, glass, cement, matchstick), atomic structure
- Section C — General Science (10%): Living vs non-living, cells, growth, human body organs, epidemics, food, solar system, eminent scientists
- Section D — History & Freedom Movement (20%): Indian history & civilization, freedom movement, Indian Constitution, Five Year Plans, Panchayati Raj, Gandhi's teachings, world history (Renaissance, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, WWII)
- Section E — Geography (20%): Earth's shape, latitudes/longitudes, earth movements, rocks, earthquakes, ocean currents, atmosphere, climate, Indian geography (mineral/power resources, agriculture, ports, trade routes)
- Section F — Current Events (10%): Recent events in India, international events, prominent personalities in culture and sports
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test + Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT) — held Day 1 of reporting
- Stage II (Stage I qualifiers only): Interview, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Psychology Tests, Conference — conducted over 4 days
- Assessment by three independent assessors: Interviewing Officer (IO), GTO, Psychologist — equal weightage, holistic evaluation
- Air Force Flying Branch additionally: CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System) — given only once in lifetime
- Tests designed to identify presence/absence of Officer Like Qualities (OLQ) and trainability
UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026How to Apply
- Visit the UPSC online portal at https://upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete One-Time Universal Registration (URN) — valid lifetime, common for all UPSC exams. Students can use School Photo ID as Photo ID.
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) with personal details and date of birth — must match Matriculation/10th certificate exactly.
- Upload photograph as per instructions AND capture a live photograph during CAF filling.
- Sign three times on plain white paper with black ink, one below the other — upload this as signature.
- Fill the Examination Specific Module — select wing/service preferences in order (1 to 4). Must indicate at least one preference.
- Pay application fee of ₹100 via Net Banking / Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI. SC/ST/Female/Wards of JCOs in Military or Sainik Schools are fee-exempt (certificate required from Principal at SSB).
- Submit before 09/06/2026 at 6:00 PM. No corrections or withdrawal allowed after submission.
- After written results (October 2026), all qualified candidates must register on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in (same email as UPSC application) to receive SSB allotment details.
- Candidates with Air Force as first choice must also register on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in for AFSB and date selection.
- SSB interview likely December 2026 – January 2027. Carry originals of Matriculation and 10+2 certificates to SSB.
- Helpdesk: 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 or email upscsoap@nic.in (10 AM–5:30 PM on working days during application window).
Recruitment Note: About National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla
Recruitment Note: Job Profile — NDA Officer Cadet (Multi-Wing)
Recruitment Note: Benefits & Perks Beyond Salary
Recruitment Note: State Government Scholarships for NDA Cadets
UPSC NDA NA 2 Examination 2026Important Official Links
| Apply Online Application Window: 20/05/2026 to 09/06/2026 (06:00 PM) | Click Here ↗ |
| Download Notification Advt No. 10/2026-NDA-II | Click Here ↗ |
| Download e-Admit Card Available from last working day of preceding week before 13/09/2026 | Inactive 🔒 |
| SSB Registration & Merit List (Army) Mandatory registration post-written result for Army/Air Force first-choice candidates | Click Here ↗ |
| SSB Call Letters (Navy) Navy first-choice candidates can download SSB call letters from naval website | Click Here ↗ |
| Medical Standards Reference Home Page → Policies → Officer Selection → Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces | Click Here ↗ |
| Official Website | Click Here ↗ |
Quick Overview
🚀 Recruitment Overview
Quick Summary of the Notification
| Organization | |
|---|---|
| Post Name | NDA & NA Officer Cadet |
| Total Vacancy | 394 |
| Salary | Level-10 (₹56,100–₹1,77,500) + MSP ₹15,500/month [Stipend ₹56,100/month during training; Approx. ₹80,000–₹1,00,000+/Month post-commission] |
| Job Location | All India |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 09/06/2026 |
| Official Website | Visit Website ↗ |