The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the exam schedule for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I), 2026. Candidates preparing for UPSC NDA NA 2026 can now check the detailed timetable on the official website upsc.gov.in. Along with NDA and NA, the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2026 will also be conducted on the same day, April 12, 2026.
UPSC NDA & NA Exam (I) 2026 Date and Timing
As per the official UPSC notification, the NDA and NA Examination (I), 2026 will be conducted in two shifts on April 12, 2026:
- Mathematics Paper: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- General Ability Test (GAT): 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Both papers will be objective-type and conducted in English and Hindi.
UPSC CDS Examination (I) 2026 Schedule
The CDS (I) 2026 exam will also be held on April 12, 2026, in three shifts:
- English: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- General Knowledge: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Elementary Mathematics: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Candidates applying for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) are exempted from the Mathematics paper.
NDA & NA Exam Pattern 2026
The NDA and NA written examination consists of two papers with a total of 900 marks:
- Mathematics: 300 marks
- General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks
Both papers include objective-type questions, and negative marking is applicable for incorrect answers as per UPSC rules. No marks are awarded for unanswered questions.
CDS Exam Pattern 2026
The CDS written examination includes three objective-type papers, each carrying 100 marks:
- English
- General Knowledge
- Elementary Mathematics (not applicable for OTA candidates)
Candidates qualifying the written exam will be called for the Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview.
Admit Card and Exam Day Instructions
UPSC will release the NDA, NA and CDS admit cards on its official website prior to the examination. Candidates must:
- Check reporting time and gate closing time carefully
- Reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before reporting time
- Carry a printed admit card and valid photo ID
- Note that late entry will not be permitted after gate closure
Vacancy Details
Through the NDA and NA Examination (I), 2026, UPSC aims to fill approximately 390 vacancies across the Army, Navy and Air Force wings. The CDS Examination (I), 2026 is expected to fill around 450 vacancies in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA). Final vacancy numbers may vary based on service requirements.
Quick Reference Summary
| Exam | Date & Timings |
| NDA & NA (I) 2026 | April 12, 2026 |
| Maths Paper | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
| GAT Paper | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
| CDS (I) 2026 | April 12, 2026 |
| English | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
| GK | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Elementary Maths | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Key Points for Aspirants
- Both NDA and CDS exams have negative marking.
- Questions are bilingual (English & Hindi) for NDA/NA.
- Only candidates qualifying the written exam will proceed to the SSB interview stage.
- Follow all instructions on the admit card strictly to avoid disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| When will NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 be held? |
| April 12, 2026. |
| What are the NDA exam paper timings? |
| Maths: 10 AM–12:30 PM; GAT: 2 PM–4:30 PM. |
| Is CDS (I) 2026 conducted on the same day? |
| Yes, CDS (I) 2026 will also be held on April 12, 2026. |
| How many marks is the NDA written exam? |
| A total of 900 marks. |
| Is there negative marking in NDA and CDS exams? |
| Yes, marks are deducted for incorrect answers. |
| When will UPSC release admit cards? |
| Admit cards will be released before the exam on upsc.gov.in. |
| How many vacancies are expected in NDA & NA (I) 2026? |
| Around 390 vacancies. |
| What is the next stage after the written exam? |
| Qualified candidates will appear for the SSB Interview. |
The release of the UPSC NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 schedule provides candidates a clear roadmap for preparation. With the exam scheduled for April 12, 2026, aspirants should focus on structured revision and mock tests while keeping track of official updates. For accurate and timely information, candidates are advised to regularly visit upsc.gov.in and bookmark this page for future reference, for more details CLICK HERE
