National Defence and Naval Academy Examination

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued Examination Notice No.10/2026-NDA-II for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy (NDA) for the 158th Course, and the 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). 

• Online Application Closing Date: June 9, 2026.
• Date of Written Examination: September 13, 2026.
• No. of Posts: 394

Details of the Notification

UPSC - National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II) - 2026

1. National Defence Academy (NDA): 370 Posts

• Army Wing: 208 (198 Men, 10 Women)
• Navy Wing: 42 (Executive Branch) (37 Men, 05 Women)
• Air Force Wing: 120
• Flying Branch: 92 (including 02 for Women)
• Ground Duties (Tech): 18 (including 02 for Women)
• Ground Duties (Non-Tech): 10 (including 02 for Women)

2. Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme): 24 Posts (including 03 for Women)

Eligibility: Candidates must be unmarried citizens of India (or meet specific nationality criteria regarding subjects of Nepal or persons of Indian origin). Educationally, applicants for the Army wing must have passed the 12th Class of the 10+2 pattern or equivalent. For the Air Force, Naval wings, and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have passed the 12th Class with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Candidates currently appearing in their 12th Class examination are also provisionally eligible to apply. Applicants must also satisfy the prescribed physical and medical fitness standards.

Age Limit: Only unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than January 1, 2008, and not later than January 1, 2011, are eligible to apply. The Commission accepts the date of birth recorded only in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent. 

Salary: Stipend During Training: Cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month (starting at Pay Level 10) during their entire duration of training in the service academies. Upon successful completion of training and commissioning into the rank of Lieutenant (Army), Sub Lieutenant (Navy), or Flying Officer (Air Force), the regular pay starts at Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 - Rs. 1,77,500) plus Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500/- per month, Dearness Allowance (DA), and multiple location-based or hazard allowances (such as Flying Allowance.

Selection Procedure: The selection procedure is carried out in two distinct stages: Written Examination: Conducted by the UPSC, comprising objective-type papers in Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) marked on OMR sheets. There is a penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers. SSB Interview / Personality Test: Candidates who successfully pass the written standard are called by the Services Selection Board (SSB) for intelligence and personality tests, which include group tests, psychological evaluations, and personal interviews. Candidates opting for the Air Force Flying Branch must additionally qualify the Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS).

Exam Fee: General / OBC / EWS Candidates: Rs. 100.SC/ST candidates, female candidates, and wards of serving/ex-JCOs/NCOs/ORs studying in Military or Sainik Schools are exempted from paying the fee.