The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the National Defence Academy (NDA), Naval Academy (NA), and Combined Defence Services (CDS) 1 examinations for 2026 on April 12 . This single date will host both sets of critical recruitment tests. The NDA 2026 drive aims to fill 391 vacancies. The CDS drive seeks to fill 451 vacancies across various defence services.
Exam Schedules and Timings
Candidates appearing for the NDA and NA 2026 examination will follow a specific schedule on April 12. The Mathematics paper will take place in the morning session. The General Ability Test will be held in the afternoon.
NDA & NA 2026 Exam Schedule
| Paper | Time |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
| General Ability Test | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
The CDS 1 2026 examination on April 12 features three distinct papers. These papers cover English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each paper has a dedicated two-hour slot.
CDS 1 2026 Exam Schedule
| Paper | Time |
|---|---|
| English | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
| General Knowledge | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Elementary Mathematics | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
Vacancy Details
The recruitment drives target a total of 842 positions. The NDA 2026 examination aims to select candidates for 391 roles. The CDS 2026 examination will fill 451 positions. These vacancies contribute to personnel requirements in the National Defence Academy, Naval Academy, and Combined Defence Services.
Examination Pattern and Scoring
Both NDA and CDS exams feature objective-type questions. Negative marking applies to all incorrect answers. This penalizes inaccurate responses.
UPSC NDA 2026 Exam Pattern
The NDA 2026 examination consists of two papers. The Mathematics paper carries 300 marks. The General Ability Test accounts for 600 marks. The total written examination score is 900 marks.
UPSC CDS 2026 Exam Pattern
The CDS 2026 examination includes three papers. Each paper holds a weightage of 100 marks. The papers are English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The total written examination score is 300 marks.
Selection Process
Candidates must qualify the written examination stage. Successful candidates then proceed to the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. The SSB interview evaluates personality and aptitude. This interview stage carries a total of 900 marks. The final selection depends on combined scores from the written exam and the SSB interview.
Candidate Instructions
UPSC mandates strict adherence to exam day guidelines. Candidates must arrive at their designated exam centres at least 30 minutes before the exam starts. Late entry into the examination hall is not permitted under any circumstances.
The UPSC will issue e-admit cards for all candidates. These cards will be available on the official UPSC website. Admit cards will be released on the last working day of the week preceding the examination date. Candidates must download and print their e-admit cards for entry to the exam centre.