UPSC NDA vs UPSC CDS: salary, eligibility, exam pattern and syllabus

• UPSC
• upsc.gov.in

• UPSC
• upsc.gov.in

• National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II (published 20 May 2026)

• Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (published 20 May 2026)

• Applications closed on 9 June 2026.

• Applications closed on 9 June 2026.

• National Defence Academy — Army wing
• National Defence Academy — Navy wing
• National Defence Academy — Air Force wing (Flying, Ground Duties Tech and Non-Tech)
• Indian Naval Academy — 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme

• Indian Military Academy, Dehradun — 163rd (DE) Course
• Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala — Executive Branch (General Service) / Hydro
• Air Force Academy, Hyderabad — (Pre-Flying) 222 F(P) Course
• Officers' Training Academy, Chennai — 126th SSC (Men) (NT) Course
• Officers' Training Academy, Chennai — 126th SSC Women (NT) Course

• ₹56,100 p.m. stipend during training (starting pay in Level 10)

Pay Level 10 →

• Not printed in the notice data shown here

• Unmarried male and female candidates born between 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2011 (both dates included) (as on Date-of-birth window printed in the notice (para 3(b)))

• IMA and INA: 19–24, unmarried men born 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2008. AFA: 20–24, born 1 July 2003 – 1 July 2007 (up to 26 for DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders: born 1 July 2001 – 1 July 2007). OTA Men: 19–25, unmarried, born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008. OTA Women: born 1 July 2002 – 1 July 2008 (as on Date-of-birth windows printed in the notice (para 3(b)); AFA age counted as on 1 July 2027)

• Army wing of NDA: Class 12 pass of the 10+2 pattern, or equivalent, from a State Education Board or University
• Air Force and Navy wings of NDA, and 10+2 Cadet Entry at the Naval Academy: Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
• Candidates appearing in Class 12 may apply and must submit proof of passing by 10 June 2027; Class 11 candidates are not eligible

• IMA and OTA: degree of a recognised university or equivalent
• INA: degree in Engineering, or B.Sc. with Physics as a core or elective subject, with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2
• AFA: degree of a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, or Bachelor of Engineering
• Final-year students may apply; proof of passing is due by 1 July 2027 (IMA, INA), 13 May 2027 (AFA) and 1 October 2027 (OTA)

• Written examination (2½ hours per paper)
• SSB Test / Interview (Stage I on the first day; Stage II over 4 days)

• Written — IMA, INA and AFA (2 hours per paper)
• Written — OTA (SSC Men and Women) (2 hours per paper)

• Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer; no penalty for unanswered questions.

• Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer.
• Same negative marking.

• 394 (370 male, 24 female): NDA Army 208, Navy 42, Air Force: Flying 92, Ground Duties Tech 18, Ground Duties Non-Tech 10; Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry 24

• 451 (approximate): IMA 100, INA 26, AFA 32, OTA SSC Men 275, OTA SSC Women 18 — including NCC 'C' vacancies at IMA (13), INA (6) and AFA (3)

• ₹100
• SC and ST candidates, female candidates, and wards of serving/ex-JCOs, NCOs and Other Ranks (as specified in Note 2 of the notice, studying in Military Schools or Sainik Schools) are exempted. OBC and EWS candidates get no exemption.

• ₹200
• All female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempted from the fee. OBC and EWS candidates get no exemption.