UPSC Releases Detailed Timetable for NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 and CDS (I) 2026

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the examination timetable for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I), 2026 and the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2026, both scheduled for April 12, 2026. According to the official timetable published on upsc.gov.in on January 12, 2026, the NDA & NA exam will be conducted in two shifts, while the CDS exam will take place in three shifts, applying to candidates across India aspiring for admission to defence academies for courses commencing in 2027.

For the NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026, candidates will appear for two objective-type papers: the Mathematics paper (300 marks) from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm in the first shift, and the General Ability Test (GAT, 600 marks) from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm in the second shift, totalling 900 marks. Both papers are bilingual (English and Hindi), with negative marking for incorrect answers as per UPSC guidelines and no penalty for unanswered questions.

Simultaneously, the CDS Examination (I), 2026 features three objective-type papers: English (100 marks) from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, General Knowledge (100 marks) from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, and Elementary Mathematics (100 marks) from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Candidates applying for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) are exempted from the Mathematics paper. The same negative marking system applies, with no marks deducted for unanswered questions.

NDA & CDS Examination Timetable and Paper Details

The following is the detailed examination timetable for the NDA and CDS exams:

Download the Official NDA Timetable Released by UPSC

Official NDA Exam Timeline

NDA Application and Vacancy Overview

As per the official notification, around 390 vacancies are available for NDA (Army: 208, Navy: 42, Air Force: 120) and NA (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme: 24). Final vacancy numbers may vary based on service requirements. CDS (I), 2026, targets around 450 posts across the Indian Military Academy, the Indian Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Officers Training Academy.

NDA & CDS Selection Process

The recruitment and selection process for both exams includes:

1. Written examination as per the above schedule.
2. Service Selection Board (SSB) interview for candidates who qualify for the written test.
3. Medical examination post-SSB.
4. Final merit list based on combined performance.

Eligibility requires candidates to be between 16.5 to 19.5 years (NDA) or as specified for NA/CDS, with 10+2 or equivalent qualifications. Detailed criteria are outlined in the UPSC Information Brochure on upsc.gov.in.

NDA Admit Cards and Next Steps

The authority has not announced further details yet on the admit card release date, but UPSC typically makes them available on upsc.gov.in a few weeks before the exam. Candidates should download from the official portal using their registration number and date of birth, verifying centre details, reporting instructions, and paper timings.

Aspirants are advised to monitor the UPSC website regularly for updates on city intimation slips, answer keys, and results. The exams will be conducted in offline mode at centres across India.

Written by Abhijeet Chatterjee

Abhijeet Chatterjee is a professional Content and Copy specialist with over five years of experience in crafting compelling content around the Edtech domain. His portfolio includes notable work for companies such as PhysicsWallah, Roar Media, Jagran Josh, etc. Academically, Abhijeet holds a Master's in Mass Communication, where he was awarded a gold medal for his outstanding performance. He has also qualified for the UGC NET in Mass Communication, demonstrating his expertise and a deep understanding of the field. His academic foundation is built on a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. Beyond his professional work, Abhijeet is an avid writer and a cinephile. His personal interests include scriptwriting, film criticism, and reading novels.

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