UPSC begins registration for 451 CDS, 394 NDA vacancies 2026; apply by Dec 30

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has started accepting applications for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) 1 and National Defence Academy and Naval Academy 1 Examinations 2026. Eligible candidates can apply for the UPSC CDS, NDA exams 2026 on the official website, upsconline.nic.in, by December 30.

A total of 394 vacancies are available for UPSC NDA 2026 and 451 for UPSC CDS exam 2026 for recruitment.

UPSC will conduct the NDA exam 2026 for the 157th course of Army, Navy and Air Force wings on April 12 and the 119th course of Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) starting from January 1. The UPSC CDS 2026 exam will be held on April 12.

To apply for UPSC CDS 2026, candidates except female, Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST), have to pay Rs 200 as the applicable fee. The application fee for the UPSC NDA 2026 exam is Rs 100.

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UPSC CDS, NDA 2026 selection process

UPSC CDS 2026 selection process includes a written examination comprising English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, followed by an interview for a personality test. Each paper will contain 100 marks, and candidates will be given 2 hours to complete the exam.

For the UPSC NDA 2026 selection, the written test for Mathematics will comprise 300 marks, and the general ability tests will contain 600 marks. The SSB test or interview will be conducted for 900 marks. There will be a negative marking for all objection-type questions in both UPSC CDS and NDA exams 2026.

As per the UPSC exam guidelines, candidates are advised to reach their respective exam centres atleast 30 minutes before the exam begins, as no latecomers will be allowed to sit for the exam. All candidates shall be issued an e-admit card on the last working day of the preceding week of the exam date, which will be made available on the UPSC website.