NEW DELHI: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has opened the application process for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) I and the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (NDA/NA) I Exams 2026.
Candidates can submit their applications on the official website, upsconline.nic.in. The last date of submitting the application forms is December 30.
The UPSC has announced 394 vacancies for the NDA 2026 exam and 451 vacancies for the CDS 2026 exam.
The NDA 2026 examination for admission to the 157th course of the Army, Navy and Air Force wings, along with the 119th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing January 1, will be held on April 12.
Vacancy details
| Category | Total Vacancies |
| Army | 208 |
| Navy (Executive Branch) | 42 |
| Air Force – Flying | 92 |
| Air Force – Ground Duties (Technical) | 18 |
| Air Force – Ground Duties (Non-Technical) | 10 |
Eligibility criteria
Only unmarried male and female candidates born between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 201,0 are eligible to apply.
Candidates must fulfil the required educational qualifications and meet the physical standards specified for the respective wings of the NDA and NA.
The UPSC CDS 2026 exam is scheduled for April 12. For CDS 2026, candidates — except women, SC and ST applicants — must pay an application fee of Rs 200, while the NDA 2026 application fee is Rs 100.
How to apply for UPSC NDA/NA & CDS Exam II
Step 1: Visit the official website, upsconline.nic.in or upsc.gov.in
Step 2: Click on the ‘One Time Registration of examination’ link
Step 3: Register by filling in your details such as name, date of birth, gender, category, parents’ names and more
Step 4: Once registered, log in using your login ID, OTP and verification code
Step 5: Verify the information submitted before and fill out the application form
Step 6: Once the application form is filled, save, submit and pay the fees
Step 7: Download the application form with the fee payment status for future reference from the dashboard
Once the application procedure is completed, candidates will be issued an e-Admit Card on the last working day of the preceding week of the date of examination.
Details regarding eligibility, medical fitness, and educational qualifications are mentioned in detail in the notification available on the official website.
Selection process
The UPSC CDS 2026 selection process consists of a written exam in English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, followed by an interview for the personality test.
Each paper carries 100 marks, and candidates will have two hours to complete each section.
For the UPSC NDA 2026 exam, the written test includes a 300‑mark Mathematics paper and a 600‑mark General Ability Test. The SSB interview will carry 900 marks. Both CDS and NDA exams will include negative marking for all objective‑type questions.
According to UPSC guidelines, candidates must reach their exam centres at least 30 minutes before the exam begins.