The wait is finally over for every defence aspirant in India. The NDA 2 2026 notification has been officially released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on 20th May 2026, opening the doors for young and passionate candidates who dream of serving the nation in uniform. This is your golden opportunity to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC).
The NDA 2 2026 notification has been released for a total of 394 vacancies for the 158th NDA Course and the 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC), both commencing from 1st July 2027. The written examination is scheduled to be held on 13th September 2026 across 86 exam centres all over India. The online application process started from 20th May 2026 and the last date to submit the application form is 9th June 2026 (up to 6:00 PM). The application fee is just ₹100, with exemptions for SC/ST candidates and sons of JCOs, NCOs, and ORs.
NDA 2 2026 Important Dates
One of the most critical aspects of the NDA 2 2026 notification is keeping track of all important dates. Missing even a single deadline can cost you a full six months before the next cycle. Every serious aspirant must save these dates right away and plan their preparation schedule accordingly.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 20th May 2026 |
| Application Form Opens | 20th May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 9th June 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 6th September 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | 13th September 2026 |
| SSB Interview | After Written Exam Result |
| Course Commencement | 1st July 2027 |
Note that the admit card for the NDA 2 2026 exam will be released approximately one week before the exam, i.e., around 6th September 2026. Candidates must download it from the official UPSC website and carry it to the exam centre along with a valid photo ID.
Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply?
Age Limit & Nationality
Before filling out the NDA 2 2026 notification application form, every candidate must carefully check the eligibility criteria. Applying without meeting the eligibility requirements will lead to rejection of the candidature at a later stage.
Age Limit: Only unmarried male and female candidates born between 1st January 2008 and 1st January 2011 are eligible to apply. This means candidates must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years of age as on the date of commencement of the course.
Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention to permanently settle in India.
Educational Qualification
- For Army Wing: Candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 under the 10+2 pattern from a recognised State Education Board or University are eligible.
- For Navy, Air Force & Naval Academy (INAC): Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
Marital Status: The candidate must be unmarried at the time of applying. Marriage during training leads to discharge from the academy.
Physical & Medical Standards
Candidates must meet UPSC’s prescribed physical and medical fitness standards. Height requirements vary for Army (Ground Duty) and Air Force (Flying Duty). Candidates who fail to meet these standards will not be allowed to proceed further in the selection process.
Vacancy Details & Exam Pattern
Wing-wise Vacancy Breakdown
The NDA 2 2026 notification has announced a total of 394 vacancies distributed across different wings. Here is the wing-wise vacancy breakdown:
| Wing | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Army | 208 |
| Navy | 42 |
| Air Force (Flying + Ground Duty) | 120 |
| Naval Academy (INAC 10+2 Cadet Entry) | 24 |
| Total | 394 |
Written Exam Structure
The NDA written exam consists of two papers held on the same day in offline (pen-and-paper) mode:
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2.5 Hours |
| Paper II | General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | 2.5 Hours |
| Total | 270 | 900 |
Marking Scheme
Paper I (Mathematics) covers topics like Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Matrices, Statistics, and Analytical Geometry. Paper II (GAT) is divided into two parts — Part A tests English language skills, and Part B covers General Knowledge including Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Events.
The minimum qualifying mark in each subject is 25%. There is a negative marking of one-third of the marks assigned for each wrong answer. The SSB Interview carries an additional 900 marks, making the total selection score 1800 marks.
How to Apply for NDA 2 2026?
Registration on upsconline.nic.in
The application process for the NDA 2 2026 notification is entirely online and must be completed before the deadline. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you fill the form without any errors:
- Visit the official UPSC online application portal at upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) if you are a new user by entering your email ID, mobile number, and other basic details.
- Verify your email and mobile number, create a password, and submit.
- Log in using your registered email ID/mobile number and password/OTP.
- Select the NDA & NA Examination II, 2026 and fill in your personal, educational, and other details carefully.
- Upload your recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee of ₹100 via Debit/Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking.
- Review the application form thoroughly before final submission.
- Download and save the Confirmation Page for future reference.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering incorrect date of birth or name mismatching with Class 10 certificates.
- Uploading low-resolution or incorrect format photographs or signature.
- Not selecting the correct branch/wing as per your educational qualification.
- Submitting the form after the deadline — UPSC does not accept late applications under any circumstances.
Selection Process & Preparation Tips
Written Exam → SSB Interview → Medical Test Last-Minute Tips
The selection process for candidates who apply through the NDA 2 2026 notification is a three-stage process designed to test both academic knowledge and overall personality.
Stage 1 — Written Examination: Held on 13th September 2026. Candidates who score above the cutoff in both Mathematics and GAT are shortlisted for the SSB.
Stage 2 — SSB Interview (900 Marks): This is a 5-day rigorous assessment process that evaluates Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs). It consists of two stages:
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
- Stage II: Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference.
Stage 3 — Medical Examination: Recommended candidates from SSB must clear a detailed medical fitness test. The final merit list is prepared based on the combined score of the Written Exam (900 marks) + SSB Interview (900 marks) = 1800 marks total.
Best Books for Preparation
| Subject | Recommended Book |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | R.S. Aggarwal — Mathematics for NDA/NA |
| English | Wren & Martin — High School English Grammar |
| General Knowledge | Manohar Pandey — General Knowledge |
| Previous Year Papers | NDA/NA Chapter wise – Section wise Solved Papers |
Why Choose Us for Best NDA Coaching?
When it comes to cracking the NDA 2 2026 exam, choosing the right coaching institute can make all the difference between a dream and a reality. GS Defence Academy has established itself as one of the most trusted and best NDA coaching academies in the India, and the numbers speak for themselves. Over the last two years, GS Defence Academy has recorded some of the best selection rates among all NDA coaching institutes, with a consistently high number of students clearing both the written examination and the SSB Interview in every cycle.
What truly sets GS Defence Academy apart is its highly experienced and dedicated faculty team, comprising ex-defence officers, subject matter experts, and SSB specialists who bring real-world knowledge into the classroom. Every batch at GS Defence Academy is taught with a sharp focus on the NDA syllabus, exam pattern, and the mental conditioning required to ace the SSB Interview. The institute follows a structured study plan that covers Mathematics, General Ability Test (GAT), English, and General Knowledge in a thorough and time-bound manner, ensuring that no student is left behind.
Key Takeaways
- The NDA 2 2026 notification was officially released by UPSC on 20th May 2026 for a total of 394 vacancies across Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy wings.
- The last date to apply is 9th June 2026 (6:00 PM) — do not miss this deadline as no late applications are accepted.
- Only unmarried male and female candidates born between 1st January 2008 and 1st January 2011 are eligible to apply.
- For Navy, Air Force, and INAC, Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics is mandatory; Army wing only requires a basic Class 12 pass.
- The written exam carries 900 marks (Maths 300 + GAT 600) and the SSB Interview carries 900 marks, making the total selection score 1800 marks.
- A minimum of 25% marks must be scored in each paper to qualify the written stage.
- The NDA 2 2026 exam will be conducted on 13th September 2026 in offline mode across 86 centres in India.
- The admit card will be available from 6th September 2026 on upsc.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)?
Q1. When was the NDA 2 2026 notification released and where can I download it?
The NDA 2 2026 notification was officially released on 20th May 2026 by UPSC under Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II. Candidates can download the official PDF directly from the UPSC website at upsc.gov.in or apply online at upsconline.nic.in.
Q2. Can girls apply for NDA 2 2026?
Yes! Both male and female unmarried candidates are eligible to apply for the NDA 2 2026 notification. Female candidates were first admitted to the NDA in 2022 following a Supreme Court directive, and they can now apply for all wings subject to meeting the eligibility and medical standards.
Q3. What is the age limit for NDA 2 2026?
As per the NDA 2 2026 notification, candidates must be born between 1st January 2008 and 1st January 2011. This means the eligible age bracket is 16.5 to 19.5 years. Candidates born before or after these dates are not eligible to apply.
Q4. Is it mandatory to have PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) in Class 12 to apply for NDA 2 2026?
PCM in Class 12 is mandatory only for candidates applying for the Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy (INAC) wings. Candidates applying for the Army wing only need a Class 12 pass from a recognised board, regardless of the stream they studied.
Q5. What is the total marks and selection process for NDA 2 2026?
The total marks for NDA 2 2026 selection is 1800 marks. The written examination is worth 900 marks — Paper I (Mathematics) carries 300 marks and Paper II (GAT) carries 600 marks. Candidates who clear the written cutoff are called for the SSB Interview, which carries the remaining 900 marks. After SSB, shortlisted candidates must clear a Medical Examination. The final merit list is prepared based on the combined score of all stages.