UPSC has released the Notification for the National Defence Academy (NDA II) 2026. This is a great news for those students who want to join Indian Army, Navy or Air Force after class 12th. There are 394 vacancies announced and the exam will be held on 13th September 2026.
This is your opportunity to don a uniform and serve your country. In this blog, we will discuss everything regarding NDA eligibility, Important dates, Exam Pattern and Best NDA books 2026 and NDA Exam preparation books to crack this exam.
NDA II 2026 Notification — Key Highlights
A brief overview of all the information on nda notification 2026 is available here:
|
Detail |
Information |
|
Exam Name |
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam II 2026 |
|
Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|
Total Vacancies |
394 |
|
Army Vacancies |
208 |
|
Navy Vacancies |
42 |
|
Air Force Vacancies |
120 (including 10 for Naval Academy) |
|
Exam Date |
September 13, 2026 |
|
Application Mode |
Online at upsc.gov.in |
|
Age Limit |
16.5 to 19.5 years |
|
Gender |
Male and Female (unmarried) |
Regularly visit the official UPSC website for any updates on nda notification 2026. Sometimes dates and details may be subject to changes.
NDA Eligibility — Who Can Apply?
Before filling the form, please ensure that you are eligible for the nda. This is a step that many students overlook and apply without checking.
Educational Qualification: Any student passed or appearing in Class 12 from any recognized board. For Army, any stream is good. Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 are required for Navy and Air Force.
Age: You must be born between July 2, 2007 and July 1, 2010 to be eligible for NDA II 2026. This means your age should be 16.5 to 19.5 years when you take the test.
Nationality: Must be citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan or a Tibetan refugee arrived in India prior to 1st January, 1962.
Physical Standards: Must be physically and medically fit. Specific height, weight and eyesight standards are required for each service (Army, Navy or Air Force). For the complete list refer Official notification of nda 2026.
Read More - NDA 2 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Process to Apply at upsc.gov.in
Important Dates to Remember
|
Event |
Expected Date |
|
Notification Release |
May 2026 |
|
Application Form Start |
May 2026 |
|
Last Date to Apply |
June 2026 (approx.) |
|
Admit Card Release |
August 2026 (approx.) |
|
NDA II Written Exam |
September 13, 2026 |
|
Result Declaration |
October–November 2026 (approx.) |
|
SSB Interview |
After written result |
Please check these dates on the official website of UPSC. The above-mentioned dates are according to the schedule of notification of nda 2026 and previous year's pattern.
NDA Exam Pattern — What Will the Paper Look Like?
The NDA written test consists of 2 papers. They are all objective type (MCQ) and are conducted on the same day.
Paper 1 is Mathematics. It has 120 questions for 300 marks. The topics covered are: Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics and Matrices. Time allowed is 2½ hours.
Paper 2 is General Ability Test (GAT). There are 150 questions with 600 marks. It includes English, General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography and Current Affairs. Time allowed: 2.5 hours.
The written exam is worth 900 marks. One-third marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer. Don't take a wild guess.
Students pass the written test and then sit for the SSB Interview (900 marks). Selection will be made on the basis of total marks of Written Test and SSB interview.
NDA Question Bank — Why It Matters
A good nda question bank provides you hundreds of questions from various topics and subjects to practice. Regularly working through a nda question bank will help you develop your speed, accuracy and help you identify your weaker areas.
Make it a habit to solve at least 50 questions every day from your nda question bank. Question papers of the previous year are also a part of the question bank.
UPSC tests many concepts from year to year, practicing old papers is one of the best things you can do.
Tips to Start Your NDA Preparation Right Now
Don't wait for the admit card to begin studying. You will have a few months until September 13 for the exam. Here are some tips on how to make the best of that time.
First, get your nda books 2026 ready. Begin with Maths and English as these require the most practice time. The daily attention is particularly needed in mathematics.
Second, make a timetable. Assign 2-3 hours of Maths, 1 hour of English and 1 hour of General Knowledge daily. Follow this plan each day, no matter what.
Third, practise your nda question bank daily. Solve practice questions from the chapter after studying it. This assists with memorizing the concept.
Fourth, keep up to date with the latest news. Read a newspaper every day or monthly current affairs magazine. This will be helpful for the General Knowledge section of Paper 2.
Fifth, take full mock tests every week from September onwards. This will give you the confidence to sit the exam and will help you to manage your time better in the exam hall.
Conclusion
The NDA II 2026 notification has been released and the exam date is 13th September 2026. This is a golden opportunity for the students who want to serve in the Indian Armed Forces with 394 vacancies up for grabs. Look at your eligibility for the nda, apply on time, download the correct nda books 2026 and nda exam preparation books, choose a good english book for nda and go through the question bank daily. The journey is tough but the reward is one of the greatest — a life of honour in uniform.
Other Recommended Books | Study Materials
Practice Comprehensively with Oswaal360 Online Courses for NDA 2026 Exams
Practice Now with Free Oswaal360 Online Mock Test for NDA 2026 Exams
Are You a Teacher? Apply for FREE NDA Specimen Books For Teachers from our end.
FAQ
According to the nda notification 2026, there are 394 vacancies available in the Navy, Army, and Air Force (including Naval Academy).
Must be between 16.5 years to 19.5 years of age, passed or in Class 12 and unmarried Indian male/female. Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 is compulsory for Navy and Air Force.
There are two papers — Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks). They are both celebrated on the same day. There are 900 marks available for the written examinations.
Yes, very much. A and D question bank is designed for practising a vast number of questions according to the topics, understanding the pattern of the exam, and enhancing your speed and accuracy. Solve it every day with your nda exam books.
