21 September 2026 | Defence Exam Update
The Union Public Service Commission has listed the NDA and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 and Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 e-Admit Cards on its official website.
What happened?
UPSC’s official “What’s New” page lists the e-Admit Card notices for both NDA/NA II and CDS II 2026 along with their examination press notes.
What candidates should check
- Name and roll number/application details.
- Photograph and identity details.
- Examination date and reporting instructions.
- Examination centre and city.
- Instructions on permitted and prohibited items.
Why it matters
NDA and CDS are major national defence-entry examinations. NDA provides an entry route into officer training for the armed forces after school-level eligibility, while CDS is a graduate-level officer-entry examination for specified academies. The exact eligibility and academy allocation must be checked against the relevant UPSC notification.
Data figure
| Examination | Cycle | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| NDA & Naval Academy | II, 2026 | Defence officer entry |
| Combined Defence Services | II, 2026 | Graduate-level defence officer entry |
Static GK connection
- UPSC conducts NDA and CDS.
- National Defence Academy is at Khadakwasla near Pune.
- Defence exams frequently test commands, service chiefs, ranks, military exercises and defence institutions.
Possible MCQ areas
- Body conducting NDA and CDS.
- Full forms of NDA, NA and CDS.
- Location of National Defence Academy.
- Difference between NDA and CDS eligibility.
- Academies associated with CDS.
Candidate checklist
- Download the e-Admit Card from UPSC.
- Read all instructions printed on it.
- Carry the required original identity proof and documents.
- Reach the centre in time for verification.
- Use the official PDF rather than unofficial social-media copies.
Official source
UPSC What’s New – official notices and e-Admit Cards
Related articles
Revise defence commands, service headquarters, military exercises, gallantry awards and defence technology.
NDA/NA II and CDS II: Do Not Mix the Eligibility Rules
Although NDA/NA II and CDS II share an examination date and are both conducted by UPSC, they serve different stages of defence officer entry. Candidates should read the examination-specific notification because age, educational qualification, academy choices and paper structure differ. An admit-card article is therefore best used for examination logistics, while the original notification remains the authority for eligibility.
What to Check on the E-Admit Card
- Candidate name and roll number
- Photograph and identification details
- Examination date and reporting instructions
- Venue and centre address
- Instructions on permitted and prohibited articles
Defence GK Revision Map
Use this update to revise the role of UPSC, the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, the principal service headquarters, military ranks and commands, major joint exercises and important defence institutions. For current-affairs questions, pair these static facts with the latest officially announced defence developments.
Historical Date Context
This article records the September 2026 NDA/NA II and CDS II admit-card cycle. Candidates looking for a later examination must not reuse the 2026 date from this page. Always follow the latest UPSC notice and the e-Admit Card issued for the relevant cycle.
Related Resources
Check the Admit Cards hub, Upcoming Exams and Current Affairs 2026.
