Exams
UPSC NDA & NA II 2026 Exam on September 13; Check Complete Schedule and Exam Pattern
Published on
14 August 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the examination schedule for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026. The written examination will be conducted on September 13, 2026, at examination centres across India.
The examination will be conducted offline in pen-and-paper mode and will consist of two papers—Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). Candidates who successfully registered for NDA & NA II should now organise their preparation according to the official examination timetable.
The examination will be conducted in two sessions on September 13:
| Paper | Timing | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | 300 |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 600 |
| Total | — | 900 |
The written examination therefore carries a total of 900 marks.
UPSC will conduct NDA & NA II 2026 for a total of 394 notified vacancies.
Of these:
The application process for the examination began on May 20, 2026, and registrations were accepted until June 11, 2026.
Candidates who successfully submitted their applications can appear for the examination subject to meeting the prescribed eligibility requirements.
The written examination consists of two major papers.
The Mathematics paper carries 300 marks and will be conducted from 10 AM to 12:30 PM.
Candidates preparing for this section should focus on conceptual understanding as well as speed and accuracy, particularly because incorrect answers attract negative marks.
The General Ability Test carries 600 marks and will be held from 2 PM to 4 PM.
Together, Mathematics and GAT make the written examination worth 900 marks.
Candidates should attempt questions carefully because the NDA written examination follows a negative-marking system.
For every incorrect response, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. Questions that are not attempted receive zero marks.
This makes accuracy particularly important. Candidates should avoid unnecessary guessing when they cannot confidently eliminate incorrect options.
UPSC will release the NDA & NA II 2026 admit cards online through its official website ahead of the examination.
Once available, candidates should download the admit card and verify details such as:
Candidates should also carefully check which documents and identification proof must be carried to the examination centre.
Clearing the written examination is only the first major stage of the NDA selection process.
Candidates who meet the required cut-off will proceed to the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
The SSB process evaluates candidates across areas including:
Candidates must also satisfy the applicable medical standards before final selection.
UPSC conducts the NDA and NA examinations twice a year for candidates seeking admission to the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy and aspiring to build careers in India's defence services.
For students interested in joining the Armed Forces after Class 12, NDA provides one of the most prominent pathways to officer-level training.
The selection process is highly competitive and evaluates candidates beyond academic knowledge through written testing, SSB assessment and medical standards.
With the examination scheduled for September 13, candidates should shift their preparation towards timed practice and revision.
Aspirants should focus on:
Candidates should also familiarise themselves with examination-day requirements before travelling to their allotted centre.
