UPSC NDA & NA Admit Card 2026
UPSC NDA & Naval Academy Examination (II) 2026
Conducted by: Union Public Service Commission
UPSC NDA & Naval Academy (II) Examination 2026 Admit Card
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 |
| Organising body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam cycle/year | NDA & NA (II) 2026 — first written stage for NDA 160 / NA 122 course entries (as per notification) |
| Post(s) | Cadet entry into the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy (including Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) |
| Total vacancies (indicative) | As per NDA & NA (II) 2026 notification of the Government of India; service-wise allocation notified with the result |
| Admit card status | Expected — e-admit cards are normally available around two to three weeks before the written exam |
| Admit card release date | Expected a few weeks before the exam; exact date to be confirmed by the Commission |
| Exam date(s) | September 2026 (as per the UPSC Annual Examination Calendar 2026) |
| Selection stages | Written Exam (Mathematics + GAT) → SSB Interview → Medical Examination → Merit list → Joining |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice every year for entry of unmarried candidates into the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA, and the Naval Academy under the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme. The second cycle, NDA & NA (II) 2026, is expected to be held in September 2026 as per the UPSC examination calendar, and the online application window for the same runs shortly after the notification is published. Every registered candidate must download the NDA (II) 2026 e-admit card from the official UPSC website before the written examination, because entry into the examination hall is strictly restricted to candidates carrying a printed e-admit card along with a valid photo identity proof. This page provides the indicative admit card schedule, the exact download procedure using roll number and date of birth, the written exam pattern and the exam-day checklist for aspirants.
Admit card release timeline — NDA & NA (II) 2026
| Event | Indicative date |
|---|---|
| NDA & NA (II) 2026 notification released | As per examination calendar (notification issued some months before the exam) |
| Last date for online application | As per notification (approximately 20 to 25 days after notification) |
| Withdrawal window for applications | As per notification |
| NDA & NA (II) 2026 e-admit card release | Expected: about 2 to 3 weeks before the written exam |
| Written examination — NDA & NA (II) 2026 | September 2026 (as per examination calendar) |
| Written result / shortlisting for SSB | Tentative: within 2 to 3 months of the exam |
| SSB Interviews | Tentative: after written result, as per service headquarters schedule |
| Medical examination and final merit | As per SSB and medical board schedule |
Dates given above are indicative and based on the UPSC Annual Examination Calendar 2026 and the usual twin-cycle pattern of the NDA exam. The official exam notice published with or after the notification is the final reference for the exact written exam date.
How to download the NDA & NA (II) 2026 admit card
The NDA admit card is issued only as an e-admit card in the Admit Card section of the official website. It is a direct download page requiring your registration / roll number and date of birth (candidates who registered get their roll number with the admit card, and status of the roll number can also be checked from the same section). Steps:
- Go to the official website upsc.gov.in and open the Admit Card link, or use the consolidated listing at upsc.gov.in/admit-card.
- Open the link for NDA & NA (II) Examination, 2026 — Admit Card.
- Read the instructions and tick the declaration where prompted.
- Enter your registration ID (RID) generated during online application, and your date of birth as filled in the form.
- Where the page asks for a roll number instead, use the roll number allotted to you; if you do not know it, use the roll number search option provided in the Admit Card section.
- Submit the details to display your e-admit card.
- Carefully verify name, date of birth, category, exam centre, reporting time and session timings.
- Download the PDF and keep a printout plus a digital backup.
- For issue resolution or roll number recovery, your application was registered through the portal at upsconline.gov.in, so keep the registration email, mobile number and RID handy while contacting the Commission.
Official admit card links
Use only these official sources. UPSC does not send admit cards by post or email, and third-party websites carrying downloaded PDFs are not authorised:
- UPSC Admit Card section for all ongoing examinations
- Official website of the Union Public Service Commission
- UPSC Online Application Registration portal
Exam pattern and exam day instructions
NDA & NA (II) 2026 written exam pattern
The written examination has two objective-type papers of 2.5 hours each, conducted in a single day, and carries negative marking: one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer.
| Section | Subjects / Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics — 120 questions | 300 | 2.5 hours |
| Paper II | General Ability Test — 150 questions (English + General Knowledge: Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events) | 600 | 2.5 hours |
| Total (written) | 270 questions | 900 | 5 hours |
The written stage shortlists roughly 6 to 9 times the number of vacancies for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview of 5 days. Final merit is based on combined written and SSB performance (900 + 900 marks). Candidates must also meet the age, gender-not-restricted-for-Army-wing, educational qualification (Class 12 pass or appearing; Physics and Mathematics at Class 12 for Air Force and Naval wings) and marital status conditions specified in the notification.
Mandatory documents and exam day rules
- Printout of the e-admit card (two copies recommended).
- Original photo identity proof — Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, school / college ID card is usually acceptable as per instructions; name and date of birth must match the admit card.
- One passport-size photograph matching the admit card photo, in case it is required at the helpline counter.
- Black ballpoint pen for marking the OMR sheet; calculators, electronic gadgets and books are strictly prohibited.
- Arrive well before the reporting time; gates close before the commencement of each session.
- Do not bring mobile phones, study material or valuables; cloakroom facility may not be available at all centres.
What to do if the NDA & NA (II) 2026 admit card is not yet released
If the written exam is in September but the admit card has not appeared in mid-August, do not worry — the release window is usually only about two to three weeks before the exam. In the meantime:
- Watch the Admit Card section of the official website and the What's New section for the NDA (II) admit card notice.
- Keep your registration confirmation and RID from the one-time registration at upsconline.gov.in safe; these are needed for login and for help-desk queries.
- Track the official exam notice to confirm that the written exam date has not been brought forward or postponed.
- Plan your exam-day travel in advance once you get the centre details, because many centres are far from the candidate's residence.
- If you applied but your name or roll number does not show in the admit card search even after the link is live, contact the UPSC facilitation counter with your application details and date of birth.
- Do not click on unofficial "admit card PDF download" links circulated on social media; genuine admit cards are only available from upsc.gov.in.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When exactly will the NDA & NA (II) 2026 admit card be released?
A: UPSC usually publishes NDA admit cards around two to three weeks before the written exam, which for NDA (II) 2026 is expected in September 2026 per the examination calendar. The precise date will be visible in the Admit Card section of the official website.
Q: Which credentials are needed to download the NDA admit card?
A: The login asks for the registration ID (RID) created at the time of the one-time registration and date of birth, or for the roll number and date of birth depending on the page configuration. Keep your registration email and RID in hand.
Q: My admit card shows a different exam centre than the city I preferred. Can I request a change?
A: Centres are allotted strictly on first-available-choice basis and capacity per city. Once allotted, UPSC does not normally allow inter-city changes, so report only at the centre given on your admit card.
Q: I have done a correction in my photo / date of birth after the application. Will the admit card reflect the updated details?
A: The e-admit card is generated from the final verified application data. If any mismatch remains even after correction, bring it to the notice of the Commission before the exam through the contacts on the official website.
Q: Is negative marking applicable in the NDA written exam?
A: Yes. Roughly one-third of the marks of a question are deducted for every incorrect answer in both Mathematics and the General Ability Test, so random guessing is risky.
Q: What happens after clearing the written exam?
A: Your roll number is recommended for the SSB interview of the Army / Navy / Air Force, followed by medical examination. The final selection for the NDA or Naval Academy courses is based on the combined merit of the written exam and the SSB.
Disclaimer
The details on this page are indicative and based on the UPSC Annual Examination Calendar 2026 and published norms of the NDA & NA Examination. Actual dates, vacancy numbers, exam pattern details and admit card release timing are governed by the official notification, exam notice and website notifications. Candidates must confirm all information only on the official website of the Union Public Service Commission. This informational page is not affiliated with UPSC, Ministry of Defence or the Services Selection Board.