The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has confirmed the UPSC NDA 2 2026 exam date as September 13, 2026 (Sunday). The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 will be held at various centres across India for candidates seeking entry into the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA, as well as the Indian Naval Academy. This article covers the confirmed exam date, shift timings, admit card status, and everything else candidates need to know before the exam.
Direct link to Check UPSC NDA 2 Exam Date 2026
UPSC NDA 2 Exam Date 2026 - Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 |
| Course | 158th NDA Course and 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) |
| Notification Release Date | May 20, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | May 20, 2026 |
| Application Last Date | June 11, 2026 (extended from June 9, 2026) |
| NDA 2 Exam Date 2026 | September 13, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Total Vacancies | 394 posts (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Total Marks | 900 (Mathematics: 300, GAT: 600) |
| Selection Process | Written Exam followed by SSB Interview |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC NDA 2 2026 Important Dates
Candidates preparing for the NDA 2 exam should keep track of the following confirmed dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NDA 2 2026 Notification Release | May 20, 2026 |
| Application Form Start Date | May 20, 2026 |
| Application Form Last Date | June 11, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | Not Yet Announced (expected in early September 2026) |
| NDA 2 Exam Date | September 13, 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | Not Yet Announced |
| Result Declaration | Not Yet Announced |
UPSC has not officially confirmed the exact admit card release date at the time of writing. Based on UPSC's usual pattern of releasing NDA admit cards 10 to 14 days before the exam, the NDA 2 2026 admit card is expected in the first or second week of September 2026. Candidates are advised to check upsc.gov.in directly from September 1, 2026 onwards for the confirmed release.
UPSC NDA 2 2026 Exam Day Shift Timings
The NDA 2 exam will be conducted in two shifts on the same day, September 13, 2026. Mathematics will be held in the morning session, followed by the General Ability Test (GAT) in the afternoon session.
| Paper | Shift | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Morning | 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | Afternoon | 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM |
Note on timing accuracy: Most recent reports citing UPSC's official exam timetable (released around August 12, 2026) list the Mathematics paper from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and GAT from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. A small number of earlier secondary reports listed slightly shorter windows (10:00 AM–12:00 PM and 2:00 PM–4:00 PM). Since this detail affects exam-day planning, candidates should confirm exact shift timings from their individual admit card or the official timetable PDF on upsc.gov.in once released, rather than relying on secondary sources alone.
UPSC NDA 2 2026 Vacancy Details
UPSC has notified a total of 394 vacancies for the NDA 2 2026 exam, spread across the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA, along with the Indian Naval Academy. The selected candidates will join the 158th NDA Course and the 120th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC), commencing from July 1, 2027.
How to Download UPSC NDA 2 Admit Card 2026 (Once Released)
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
- Look for the link titled "Admit Card for National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026" under the e-Admit Card section.
- Enter your Registration ID or Roll Number along with your Date of Birth.
- Download and save the admit card PDF.
- Take a clear printout to carry to the exam centre.
UPSC does not send admit cards by post or email. Downloading from the official website is the only valid mode.
Documents Required at the NDA 2 2026 Exam Centre
- Printed copy of the NDA 2 admit card
- One valid original photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License)
- Passport-size photograph (as specified on the admit card)
Important Instructions for UPSC NDA 2 2026 Exam Day
- Reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
- Carry only the items permitted by UPSC; electronic devices, including mobile phones, are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall.
- Check the exam centre address in advance, since UPSC does not allow centre changes on the exam day.
- The question paper will be bilingual (English and Hindi).
- Candidates should carefully verify all details printed on the admit card as soon as it is released and report discrepancies to UPSC immediately.
UPSC NDA 2 2026 Selection Process
Selection for NDA 2 2026 happens in two stages:
- Written Examination: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks), totalling 900 marks.
- SSB Interview: Candidates who clear the written exam cut-off are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, which includes intelligence and personality tests.
UPSC NDA 2 Exam Date 2026 - Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| Official UPSC Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Check Exam Date PDF | Check Exam date |
