The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the exam dates and detailed schedule for the NDA, NA and CDS Examination (I), 2026. These prestigious defense examinations will be conducted offline across India on 12 April 2026, as per the UPSC notification. Candidates aspiring to join the National Defense Academy (NDA), Naval Academy (NA) and various wings under the Combined Defense Services (CDS) must carefully note the exam timings, subjects, marking scheme and exam-day instructions to avoid last-minute issues.
UPSC NDA & NA Exam Date and Timings 2026
The NDA and NA Examination (I), 2026 will be conducted in two shifts on the same day. Both papers are objective-type and held in offline mode.
NDA / NA Exam Schedule:
- Mathematics: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- General Ability Test (GAT): 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Candidates must appear for both papers on the same day.
UPSC CDS Exam Date and Timings 2026
The CDS Examination (I), 2026 will also be conducted on 12 April 2026, but in three separate shifts. CDS Exam Schedule:
- English: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- General Knowledge: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
- Elementary Mathematics: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Note: Candidates applying for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) are exempted from the Mathematics paper.
Reporting Time & Exam-Day Instructions
- Candidates should reach the examination centre at least 30 minutes before the reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
- Late entry will not be permitted once the gates are closed.
- Aspirants must follow all instructions printed on the UPSC admit card strictly.
UPSC NDA, NA & CDS Exam Pattern 2026
NDA & NA Written Examination:
- Total Papers: 2
- Mathematics: 300 marks
- General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks
- Total Marks: 900
- Question Type: Objective (MCQs)
- Medium: English and Hindi
CDS Written Examination:
Total Papers: 3
- English – 100 marks
- General Knowledge – 100 marks
- Elementary Mathematics – 100 marks
- OTA Candidates: English & GK only
- Question Type: Objective (MCQs)
Candidates qualifying the written examination will be called for the Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview.
UPSC NDA & CDS Marking Scheme
- Both examinations follow a negative marking system.
- Marks are deducted for incorrect answers, as specified by UPSC.
- No penalty for unattempted questions.
- Candidates are advised to attempt questions cautiously to avoid unnecessary loss of marks.
UPSC NDA, NA & CDS Vacancies 2026 (Expected)
- NDA & NA (I), 2026: Approximately 390 vacancies across the Army, Navy and Air Force.
- CDS (I), 2026: Around 450 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.
Final vacancy numbers may vary depending on service requirements.
Conclusion
The announcement of the UPSC NDA, NA and CDS Exam Date 2026 marks a crucial milestone for defense aspirants. With the exam scheduled for 12 April 2026, candidates should now focus on structured preparation, revision of core subjects, and mock test practice. Keeping track of official notifications and following exam-day guidelines will ensure a smooth examination experience.
