The wait is finally over for NDA aspirants. UPSC has released the NDA 2 2026 Admit Card for candidates appearing in the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 on its official website,
The NDA 2 2026 exam will be conducted on 13 September 2026 (Sunday). If you have applied for the examination, now is the time to download your admit card, check your examination centre, and make sure everything is ready for exam day.
But remember, the NDA journey doesn't end with the written examination. Candidates who qualify the written exam will have to appear for the SSB Interview. So, while your immediate focus should be on the written exam, it is also a good idea to understand the SSB process and start preparing for it early.
NDA 2 2026 Admit Card – Important Details
Here are the important details related to the NDA 2 Admit Card 2026:
|
Particular |
Details |
|
Exam Name |
NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026 |
|
Conducting Body |
UPSC |
|
Advertisement No. |
10/2026-NDA-II |
|
Admit Card Release Date |
3 August 2026 |
|
Exam Date |
13 September 2026 |
|
Exam Day |
Sunday |
|
Total Vacancies |
394 |
|
Selection Process |
Written Exam + SSB Interview |
The application process for NDA 2 2026 started on 20 May 2026, and the last date to apply was 11 June 2026.
NDA 2 2026 Admit Card Released
The NDA 2 2026 Admit Card was released on 3 August 2026.
Candidates who successfully submitted their application form can download their e-Admit Card through the official UPSC website.
Once you download the admit card, don't simply save it and forget about it. Check every detail carefully, especially your name, roll number, photograph, examination centre, exam date, timings and instructions.
Your examination centre is particularly important. If you have been allotted a centre in another city, plan your travel well in advance. It is always better to reach the city early rather than risk reaching the examination centre late.
How to Download NDA 2 2026 Admit Card?
Candidates can follow these simple steps to download the NDA 2 2026 Admit Card:
- Visit the official UPSC website.
- Go to the Admit Cards section.
- Find the link for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026.
- Enter the required login details.
- Submit the details and open your e-Admit Card.
- Download and save the admit card.
- Take a clear printout for the examination day.
Keep the printed copy safely with you. Don't depend only on a digital copy stored on your phone.
NDA 2 2026 Exam Date and Timings
The NDA 2 2026 exam date is 13 September 2026.
The written examination will be conducted in two sessions:
- Mathematics: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- General Ability Test (GAT): 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Candidates should reach their examination centre well before the reporting time mentioned on their admit card.
If you haven't visited the centre before, check the route beforehand. A little planning can save you from unnecessary stress on exam day.
NDA 2 2026 Exam Pattern
The NDA written examination consists of two papers:
|
Paper |
Subject |
Marks |
Duration |
|
Paper I |
Mathematics |
300 |
2½ Hours |
|
Paper II |
GAT |
600 |
2½ Hours |
|
Total |
900 |
5 Hours |
The Mathematics paper carries 300 marks, while the General Ability Test carries 600 marks.
The GAT covers English and General Knowledge, including areas such as Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and Current Affairs.
At this stage, don't try to study everything from scratch. Focus on revision, previous year papers and mock tests.
NDA 2 2026 Vacancy Details
UPSC has announced a total of 394 vacancies for NDA & NA II 2026.
The vacancy distribution is:
|
Wing |
Vacancies |
|
Army |
208 |
|
Navy |
42 |
|
Air Force |
120 |
|
Naval Academy |
24 |
The immediate goal should be to perform well in the written examination and qualify for the next stage of selection.
What Happens After the NDA Written Exam?
This is where many aspirants need to change their approach.
The NDA selection process does not end with the written exam.
Candidates who qualify the written examination are called for the SSB Interview.
Unlike the written exam, SSB is not about simply remembering facts or solving multiple-choice questions. It assesses different aspects of your personality, communication, reasoning, leadership qualities, decision-making ability and group behaviour.
The SSB process includes activities such as:
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)
- Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT)
- Psychology Tests
- Group Discussions
- Group Planning Exercise
- GTO Tasks
- Lecturette
- Personal Interview
- Conference
This is why NDA SSB preparation should not be left until after the written result.
Why Start SSB Preparation Early?
Many NDA aspirants wait for their written result before thinking about SSB. That can leave very little time for proper preparation.
Think of it this way: the written examination mainly tests your knowledge and problem-solving ability, while SSB looks at how you think, communicate, react and work with others.
These qualities cannot be developed overnight.
Starting SSB preparation early gives you time to work on communication, confidence, general awareness, group participation and personality development.
You also get time to become familiar with OIR, PPDT, Psychology, GTO, Interview and Conference.
NDA 2 2026 Preparation Tips
With the exam approaching, keep your preparation focused.
- Revise important topics: Go through Mathematics formulas, concepts and important GAT topics.
- Solve previous years' papers: NDA previous years' papers help you understand the question pattern and improve speed.
- Attempt mock tests: Take full-length NDA mock tests and analyse your mistakes after every test.
- Revise current affairs: Focus on important national, international and defence-related developments.
- Improve time management: Practise solving questions accurately within the given time.
- Stay physically active: Regular running, sports and basic fitness can help you feel more comfortable during the SSB process.
NDA 2 2026 Exam Day Checklist
Before leaving for the examination centre, make sure you have:
- Printed NDA 2 2026 admit card
- Required photo ID
- Permitted stationery
- Checked your examination centre
- Checked reporting time
- Planned your travel
- Read all instructions on the admit card
Keep everything ready the night before so you can reach the centre without unnecessary stress.
Final Words
The NDA 2 2026 Admit Card is out, and the written examination will be conducted on 13 September 2026.
If you are appearing for the exam, download your admit card, verify all the details and plan your journey to the examination centre.
For the remaining preparation time, focus on revision, mock tests, previous year questions, current affairs and time management.
At the same time, don't forget about the next stage.
If you qualify the written exam, the SSB Interview will be your next major challenge. Starting your NDA SSB preparation early can help you understand the process and work on your weak areas.
For aspirants looking for structured SSB coaching, NDA SSB coaching and SSB interview preparation, Centurion Defence Academy's SSB Course offers dedicated training across Psychology, GTO, Interview, Conference, OIR and PPDT, along with practice, feedback and guidance.
Download your NDA 2 2026 admit card today, give your written preparation a final push and start preparing for the SSB stage. Your journey towards the uniform is one step closer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I carry on NDA 2 2026 exam day?
Candidates should carry their printed NDA 2 2026 Admit Card, required photo ID and permitted stationery. They should also carefully follow all instructions mentioned on the admit card.
2. How should I prepare for NDA 2 2026 in the final days?
Focus on revision, previous year question papers, mock tests, current affairs and time management. Avoid starting too many new topics at the last moment and concentrate on improving accuracy and speed.
3. What is the total marks of the NDA written examination?
The NDA written examination carries a total of 900 marks. Mathematics is worth 300 marks, while the General Ability Test carries 600 marks.
4. What subjects are included in the NDA GAT paper?
The GAT paper includes English and General Knowledge. The General Knowledge section covers areas such as Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and Current Affairs.
5. What should I do after downloading the NDA 2 2026 Admit Card?
After downloading your admit card, check your name, roll number, photograph, examination centre, exam date, timings and instructions. Also, plan your travel to the examination centre and continue your final revision.
Read more:
Top 100 GAT Questions for NDA 2 2026: Preparation Tips & Free PDF
Top 100 Most Expected Questions for NDA 2 2026 Mathematics: Free PDF & Preparation Tips








