UPSC opens registrations for NDA, CDS II 2026 exams; over 840 vacancies announced

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notifications for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination II 2026 and Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination II 2026 examinations, opening applications for admission into various defence training academies across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The online application process for both examinations began on May 20 and will remain open till 6:00 pm on June 9, 2026. Both examinations are scheduled to be conducted on September 13, 2026.

NDA II 2026: 394 vacancies announced

According to the official notification, UPSC has announced a total of 394 vacancies under NDA and Naval Academy Examination II 2026.

The vacancies include:

• Army: 208

• Navy: 42

• Air Force Flying Branch: 92

• Air Force Ground Duties (Tech): 18

• Air Force Ground Duties (Non-Tech): 10

• Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme): 24

The courses are scheduled to commence from July 1, 2027.

NDA II 2026 eligibility criteria

Candidates applying for NDA II 2026 must be unmarried male or female candidates born between January 1, 2008 and January 1, 2011.

Educational qualifications differ depending on the course:

• For Army Wing: Class 12 pass or equivalent

• For Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics

• Students currently appearing for Class 12 examinations are also eligible to apply.

CDS II 2026: 451 vacancies across defence academies

UPSC has also announced 451 vacancies through the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026.

The vacancies are distributed as follows:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun: 100

• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala: 26

• Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad: 32

• Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men): 275

• Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women): 18

The respective courses are scheduled to begin between July and October 2027.

CDS II 2026 eligibility criteria

For CDS II 2026, eligibility conditions vary depending on the academy.

Age limits include:

• IMA and INA: 19 to 24 years

• Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 years

• OTA (Men and Women): 19 to 25 years

Educational qualifications include:

• Graduation degree for IMA and OTA

• Engineering degree or BSc with Physics for INA

• Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at Class 12 level or Engineering degree for AFA

• Final-year degree students are also eligible to apply provisionally.

Important instructions for candidates

UPSC has introduced several application-related requirements for both examinations.

Candidates must apply online through upsconline.nic.in.

• Candidates must also  ensure the following:

• Upload live photographs during registration.

• Upload signatures in the prescribed format.

• Carry valid photo ID proof during the examination and SSB process.

The Commission has also clarified that no correction facility will be available after final submission. 

Mobile phones and electronic devices are strictly prohibited, and face authentication will also be conducted at examination centres.

Candidates are also being advised to apply early, as exam centres will be allotted on a “first-apply-first-allot” basis and several centres have limited capacity.

Application fee

For both NDA and CDS examinations, candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), female category, and certain defence wards are exempted from fee payment.

All other candidates are required to pay Rs 100 as examination fee.

Candidates can apply through the official UPSC websites, upsconline.nic.in or upsc.gov.in.