NEW DELHI: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially commenced the online registration process for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA/NA) Examination II, 2026, alongside the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination II, 2026. Interested and eligible candidates aiming for a career in the Indian Armed Forces can submit their applications through the official portal at upsconline.nic.in.
The nationwide written examinations for both entry schemes are scheduled to take place on September 13, 2026.
Important registration dates:
- Application Window Starts: May 28, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: June 9, 2026
- Helpdesk Availability: Candidates facing technical problems while completing the application can contact the official helpline at
011-24041001or via email atupscsoap@nic.infrom 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all working days until the registration deadline.
Key eligibility criteria:
- Marital Status & Nationality: Applicants must be unmarried and should be citizens of India, subjects of Nepal, or persons of Indian origin migrated from designated countries with the intent of permanently settling in India.
- Age Limit: Only candidates born between January 1, 2008, and January 1, 2011, are eligible to apply for this cycle.
- Educational Qualification for NDA Army Wing: Candidates must have passed or be appearing in the Class 12 (10+2 pattern) examination from a recognized state education board or university.
- Educational Qualification for NDA Air Force, Naval Wings & 10+2 Cadet Entry: Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core subjects.
Steps to apply online:
- Visit Official Site: Go to the centralized application portal at
upsconline.nic.in. - Access Exam Link: Navigate to the examinations section and click on the respective link for either “NDA II 2026” or “CDS II 2026”.
- Log In / Register: Log in using your existing One Time Registration (OTR) credentials or create a new profile if applying for the first time.
- Fill Application Form: Complete the comprehensive application fields ensuring all personal, academic, and communication details are accurate.
- Photo Capture Facility: Upload your pre-scanned signature and photograph, and capture a mandatory clear, live photograph directly through the Common Application Form (CAF) interface.
- Fee Payment & Submission: Remit the necessary application fee through the provided online channels, verify the compiled details, and submit the final form.
The commission has explicitly reminded applicants that all objective-type question papers will feature a penalty (negative marking) for incorrect choices. Furthermore, candidates are advised to verify that their uploaded and live-captured photographs match the prescribed structural standards outlined on the website to avoid immediate application rejection.
