The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the examination calendar for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I), 2026. Aspiring candidates aiming for a career in the armed forces can now access the complete schedule on the Commission's official portal, upsc.gov.in.
Examination Date and Detailed Schedule
The NDA and NA (I) 2026 examination is slated for Saturday, April 12, 2026. The test will be conducted in two distinct sessions across the day. The mathematics paper is scheduled for the morning shift, running from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Subsequently, the General Ability Test (GAT) will be held in the afternoon shift from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
In a significant overlap, the Commission has also scheduled the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2026, for the identical date. The CDS exam will feature three papers. The English paper will commence at 9:00 AM and conclude at 11:00 AM. The General Knowledge paper is set for 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, followed by the Elementary Mathematics paper in the evening from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Applicants for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) are exempted from appearing for the mathematics paper.
Exam Pattern, Admit Cards, and Important Instructions
The written examination for NDA and NA comprises two objective-type papers. The mathematics paper carries a weightage of 300 marks, while the General Ability Test is worth 600 marks, making the total marks for the written stage 900. All questions will be presented in both English and Hindi languages. For the CDS exam, each of the three papers—English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics—carries 100 marks.
The admit cards for these examinations will be made available for download on the UPSC website in the period leading up to the exam date. Candidates must diligently review the reporting times, specific instructions, and paper schedules printed on their admit card. The Commission has mandated that entry to the examination centre will be strictly prohibited after the gate closing time. To avoid any last-minute issues, aspirants are strongly advised to arrive at their designated centre at least 30 minutes before the reporting time.
Next Steps and Enhanced Security Measures
Candidates who successfully qualify the written examination will be called to appear for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview, which is the subsequent stage of the selection process.
In a move to bolster the integrity of its examinations, UPSC has introduced a new facial authentication protocol. The Commission's notice states that all participants in its recruitment examinations will now undergo facial verification at the examination venues. This measure is intended to prevent impersonation and ensure a fair and transparent testing environment for all aspirants.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to regularly monitor the official UPSC website for the latest updates, the exact release date of admit cards, and any further clarifications regarding the examination process.
