UPSC NDA 2 2026 – Notification, Vacancies & Key Details

394 vacancies are now open under the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination-II, 2026, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for the UPSC NDA 2 2026 vacancy category wise breakdown across Army, Navy, and Air Force wings. Male and female candidates are both eligible, though selection is done separately by gender as per notified vacancies. The examination is scheduled for 13 September 2026, covering the 158th NDA Course and 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing July 2027. Notably, SC/ST candidates and female candidates pay zero examination fee – an advantage most competitors fail to highlight.

Based on official notification by Union Public Service Commission (Exam Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II). Verified: May 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check

An important detail specific to this examination: candidates who failed CPSS/PABT earlier are now eligible for Air Force Ground Duty branches – they must indicate willingness in the Exam Specific Form.

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Important Dates

The upsconline.nic.in portal assigns exam centres on a first-apply-first-allot basis – popular cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru fill quickly, so early submission is the only way to secure your preferred centre.

Vacancy and Category Analysis

The Army wing holds the largest share with 208 seats – 52.8% of all vacancies – making it the most accessible entry point for male candidates without the mandatory Physics/Chemistry/Maths requirement. Air Force Flying is the most competitive branch with only 92 seats and an additional CPSS (Pilot Aptitude Test) hurdle beyond the written exam and SSB. Female candidates compete in a completely separate merit list across all wings; with only 24 female vacancies against a nationally growing female applicant base, the female selection ratio is significantly sharper than the male pool. With approximately 394 total vacancies and NDA-II historically attracting 4–5 lakh applicants, the overall selection ratio stands at roughly 1 in 1,000+. Army candidates face comparatively lower competition due to the absence of a PCM stream requirement, while Air Force Flying branch candidates face the highest due to the additional CPSS gate.

Salary and Stipend Details

During the 3-year training period at NDA, cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 per month. On commissioning as Lieutenant, the same Level 10 pay applies but with the addition of Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500 per month – bringing the gross figure to approximately ₹71,600 before allowances. Key allowances include Transport Allowance (₹7,200 + DA for higher TPTA cities; ₹3,600 + DA for other postings), Dearness Allowance at applicable civilian rates, and Dress Allowance of ₹20,000 per year. Officers posted to field areas become eligible for Field Area Allowances ranging from ₹5,300 to ₹25,000 per month depending on hardship category. NPS (National Pension System) deductions apply at the standard rate.

Compared to a Central Government Group A officer entering at Level 10 through UPSC Civil Services who receives similar base pay, an NDA-commissioned officer receives additional Military Service Pay of ₹15,500 per month – a benefit exclusive to uniformed services. Officers posted in X-class cities receive significantly higher Transport Allowance than those in other postings – a difference of approximately ₹43,200 annually (₹3,600 per month × 12) between higher TPTA cities and other locations.

Beyond salary, all training costs including accommodation, books, uniforms, boarding, and medical treatment are borne by the Government. Army Group Insurance Fund provides ₹1.25 crore life cover during pre-commission training.

Application Fee

OBC and EWS candidates are not exempt – they must pay the full ₹100. Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances. A common mistake on upsconline.nic.in: candidates who claim fee exemption as Wards of JCOs/NCOs must carry the principal’s certificate to the SSB interview – failing to produce it can invalidate the exemption claim at the verification stage.

Age Limit

NDA applies a uniform birth-date window for all categories – there is no OBC/SC/ST age relaxation in this examination. Using the last application date of 9 June 2026 as reference: a candidate born on 1 January 2008 will be 18 years 5 months old – within the eligible window. A candidate born on 2 January 2011 would be 15 years 5 months – outside the window and ineligible. Age is accepted only as per Matriculation/Secondary School Leaving Certificate; no other document (horoscope, birth extract, etc.) is valid.

Eligibility Criteria

The most common eligibility mistake: students from Commerce or Arts streams applying for Navy or Air Force wings without PCM. These applications will be rejected at the verification stage. Final year students (Class 12 appearing) are explicitly eligible, but must produce original 10+2 pass certificate by 10 June 2027 or candidature will be cancelled. Class 11 students are not eligible under any circumstances.

Selection Process

Stage 1 – Written Examination (13 September 2026)

Two objective-type papers: Mathematics (300 marks, 2½ hours) and General Ability Test (600 marks, 2½ hours). There is negative marking of 0.33 marks per wrong answer. Qualifying marks in each paper are fixed at UPSC’s discretion. Begin daily Mathematics practice on NDA-specific topics like Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus – these carry the highest density of questions in Paper I.

Stage 2 – SSB Interview (December 2026 – January 2027)

Two-stage SSB process: Stage I comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT); only those who clear Stage I proceed to Stage II. Stage II runs over 4 days covering Interview, Group Testing Officer tasks, Psychology Tests, and a Conference. This is merit-based – there are no minimum qualifying marks published in advance; assessors evaluate holistically across all tests.

Stage 3 – Medical Board

Candidates recommended by SSB undergo a Medical Board of Service Medical Officers. Results are confidential. Candidates are advised to self-check for common rejectable conditions (deviated nasal septum, overweight, gynecomastia, varicocele) before applying to avoid disqualification at the final stage after clearing both earlier hurdles.

Your first 7 days after applying:

1. Save your URN and Application Number – these are needed for all future UPSC communication.
2. Register on joinindianarmy.nic.in with the same email ID used in the UPSC application.
3. Begin timed Mathematics practice using past NDA papers – the 2½-hour window is tighter than it appears.
4. Download and read the physical fitness standards from Appendix-III of the official notification.
5. If you have tattoos, verify they are only on the inner forearm or back of hand – other body tattoos disqualify you regardless of academic performance.

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Exam Syllabus

Exam Pattern

Mathematics Syllabus Topics

• Algebra: Sets, complex numbers, binary system, quadratic equations, permutations, binomial theorem, logarithms
• Matrices and Determinants: Types, operations, Cramer’s rule, matrix method
• Trigonometry: Ratios, identities, inverse functions, heights and distances
• Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D): Lines, circles, conics, planes, spheres
• Differential Calculus: Limits, continuity, derivatives, maxima/minima
• Integral Calculus & Differential Equations: Integration, definite integrals, first-order DEs, growth/decay
• Vector Algebra: Vectors in 2D/3D, dot product, cross product
• Statistics and Probability: Frequency distribution, mean/median/mode, Bayes’ theorem, binomial distribution

General Ability Test Syllabus

• Part A – English (200 marks): Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, cohesion
• Part B – General Knowledge (400 marks): Physics (~25%), History (~20%), Geography (~20%), Chemistry (~15%), General Science (~10%), Current Events (~10%)

How to Apply

1. Visit the official portal at upsconline.nic.in.
2. Create an account if new, or log in with existing credentials to access your Universal Registration Number (URN) profile.
3. Complete the Universal Registration (URN) and Common Application Form (CAF) if not already done – these are one-time steps.
4. Fill the Examination Specific Module for NDA-II 2026 – select your preferred services in order of preference (1 to 4) carefully, as no changes are allowed after submission.
5. Upload your photograph (as per portal instructions), capture a live photograph, and upload your signature (three times on plain white paper in black ink).
6. Select your preferred examination centre – centres fill on first-apply-first-allot basis; apply early to secure preference.
7. Pay the examination fee (₹100 for General/OBC/EWS; Nil for SC/ST/Female/eligible JCO wards) through Net Banking, UPI, or Visa/Master/RuPay card.
8. Submit the form and save both your URN and Application Number for all future communications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the stipend and salary for NDA 2026 cadets after commissioning?

During the 3-year training period, cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 per month at Level 10. On commissioning as Lieutenant, Military Service Pay of ₹15,500 per month is added in addition to Level 10 basic pay, making the approximate gross around ₹71,600 before allowances – plus field area allowances, ration in kind, and free accommodation during posting. As per the official notification, all training costs including boarding, uniforms, and medical are borne by the Government.

What is the last date to apply for UPSC NDA 2 2026?

As per the official notification, the online application closes on 9 June 2026 at 6:00 PM. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances. Since exam centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis, applying in the first week of June risks losing your preferred centre city.

How many total vacancies are there in NDA 2 2026 and which wing has the most seats?

A total of 394 vacancies have been notified – 370 for male candidates and 24 for female candidates. The Army wing has the highest number of seats at 208, followed by Air Force Flying at 92. Male and female candidates are assessed on separate merit lists, and final selection is done as per gender-wise vacancies notified.

Can Class 12 appearing students apply for UPSC NDA 2 2026?

Candidates currently appearing in Class 12 are explicitly eligible to apply and take the examination. If they qualify the SSB but have not yet passed Class 12, they must submit proof of passing by 10 June 2027 – no extension is granted for late board results. Class 11 students are not eligible under any circumstances.

What is the age limit for NDA 2 2026 and is there any relaxation for SC/ST or OBC?

All candidates – regardless of category – must have been born between 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2011. Unlike civil services examinations, NDA does not provide OBC, SC, ST, or EWS age relaxation. This is a hard window applicable uniformly to all applicants.

Is Physics, Chemistry, and Maths compulsory for all NDA wings?

PCM is mandatory only for Navy, Air Force (all branches), and the Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme. Army wing candidates can apply with any stream – Science, Commerce, or Arts. This is the single most important eligibility distinction in this notification and the most common source of wrongly submitted applications.

What happens if a candidate has previously failed the CPSS/Pilot Aptitude Test for Air Force?

Candidates who failed CPSS or were not tested due to wearing glasses (HWG category) are now eligible to apply for Air Force Ground Duty branches (both Tech and Non-Tech). They must indicate their willingness in the Exam Specific Form on the UPSC portal and at the Selection Centre. Flying branch admission requires CPSS clearance, which is conducted only once per candidate – a failed CPSS result is permanent for the Flying branch.