UPSC NDA II Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 394 Officer Posts

UPSC has officially released the NDA II 2026 Notification for 394 vacancies! Check the age limit brackets, eligibility criteria, and fees.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the detailed notification for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 (Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II). This highly anticipated national-level recruitment drive offers a premier gateway for unmarried male and female candidates who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers straight after Class 12.

The online application window went live on May 20, 2026, and candidates can submit their forms via the official UPSC portal until June 9, 2026. With 394 tentative vacancies spread across the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA (158th Course) and the Indian Naval Academy (120th INAC), this recruitment is the ultimate opportunity to step into a life of honor, discipline, and adventure.

UPSC NDA 2 2026: Critical Dates & Timeline

To ensure your application transitions smoothly through the commission’s screening pipeline, track the official schedule detailed below:

UPSC NDA II Vacancy Distribution 2026

The 394 vacancies are strictly distributed across branches, with dedicated seat allocations for female candidates matching modern organizational policies:

Are You Eligible? Age Limits & Academic Criteria

UPSC enforces exact age brackets and educational guidelines. Ensure you meet the following baseline filters before launching your registration session:

1. Age Limit & Marital Status

• Marital Status: Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
• Target DOB Range: Candidates must have been born not earlier than January 2, 2008, and not later than January 1, 2011 (both dates inclusive).

2. Educational Qualifications

• For NDA Army Wing: Passed or appearing in the Class 12 (10+2) examination or equivalent from a recognized state education board or university (Any stream—Arts, Commerce, or Science).
• For NDA Air Force, Naval Wings & 10+2 Naval Academy: Passed or appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as mandatory subjects.

The Selection Roadmap & Exam Pattern

The recruitment journey is split into a competitive written testing phase, a multi-day intelligence screening, and a medical check:

[Written Exam (Offline MCQ)] ➔ [SSB Interview (5-Day Testing)] ➔ [Medical Board Clearance] ➔ [Final Merit Allotment]

Phase I: Written Examination (900 Marks)

The exam is conducted in an offline, pen-and-paper setting using OMR sheets on September 13, 2026. It consists of two objective papers held on the same day:

1. Paper 1: Mathematics (300 Marks | 2.5 Hours): Contains 120 questions evaluating core areas like Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Vector Algebra, and Probability.
2. Paper 2: General Ability Test – GAT (600 Marks | 2.5 Hours): Contains 150 questions split between English Language proficiency (200 marks) and General Knowledge covering Physics, Chemistry, Science, History, Geography, and Current Affairs (400 marks).

• Negative Marking: A standard penalty deduction applies for every wrong response.

Phase II: SSB Interview (900 Marks)

Candidates who clear the written cut-off marks are summoned for a rigorous 5-day assessment by the Services Selection Board (SSB). This evaluates Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) across two distinct stages:

• Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
• Stage II: Psychological Testing, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, Personal Interview, and the Final Conference.

Application Processing Fee

• General / OBC Category Candidates: ₹100/-
• Exempted Categories: Female candidates, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are completely exempt from paying the application fee.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online for UPSC NDA II

Candidates must process their applications through the commission’s unified application infrastructure:

1. Navigate to the Desk: Go directly to the official UPSC application portal at upsconline.nic.in.
2. One-Time Registration (OTR): If you haven’t completed this previously, click on “New Registration” to build your unique permanent OTR profile using your Aadhaar number, mobile, and email.
3. Fill the Application Fields: Log in with your OTR parameters. Navigate to the “Latest Notifications” tab and click on “National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026.”
4. Academic & Service Preferences: Fill in your educational qualification details and rank your service branch preferences (Army, Navy, Air Force, Naval Academy) from 1 to 4.
5. Live Photo Capture & Upload: Important System Rule: Along with uploading a scanned signature (JPG format, 20 to 300 KB) and a photo ID card (PDF format), candidates must capture a live photograph on the portal using a webcam or front-facing mobile camera against a well-lit, plain background.
6. Fee Settlement & Center Lock: Pay the ₹100 registration fee online (if applicable) and select your preferred exam center location. Review your configuration carefully and hit submit. Save a printed copy of the confirmation page for your records.