Candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces as officers are preparing for the upcoming entrance examination, as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the detailed schedule for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (II) 2026. The national-level examination will take place on 13 September 2026 at designated test centers across the country. Candidates seeking commission in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force must follow the shift timings and administrative guidelines issued by the commission.
Examination Schedule and Shift Timings
According to the official schedule released by the UPSC, the NDA and NA (II) Exam 2026 will be conducted on a single day across two separate sessions. Appearing in both question papers is mandatory for all candidates appearing for the test.
- First Shift (Mathematics): Scheduled from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, with a total duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes (2.5 hours).
- Second Shift (General Ability Test - GAT): Scheduled from 02:00 PM to 04:30 PM, also lasting for 2 hours and 30 minutes (2.5 hours).
Gate Closure Timing and 30-Minute Entry Rule
The UPSC has enforced strict entry timing rules for all examination centers. As per official regulations, the main gates of each examination venue will be closed exactly 30 minutes prior to the commencement of each shift. No candidate will be permitted entry under any circumstances once the gates are closed.
For the morning shift (Mathematics), the entry gate will close at 09:30 AM for the 10:00 AM exam. For the afternoon shift (General Ability Test - GAT), the gate will close at 01:30 PM for the 02:00 PM exam. Candidates arriving after the cutoff time will be barred from taking the examination, so candidates are advised to reach their respective test centers well ahead of time.
E-Admit Card and Required Identity Documents
The e-Admit Cards for the UPSC NDA & NA (II) Exam 2026 will be made available for download a few days before the exam date on the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in. Candidates must download their hall ticket and take a clear printout to bring to the exam hall.
To gain entry into the examination hall, candidates must present two mandatory items: a printed copy of the e-Admit Card and a valid government-issued photo identity proof. Acceptable identity documents include an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Driving License. Exam invigilators will verify the candidate's credentials against these documents prior to granting admission.
OMR Sheet Instructions and Prohibited Items
Candidates must exercise care when filling out their details and answers on the OMR answer sheets. Only black ballpoint pens are permitted for darkening the circles on the answer sheet. Using pens of any other color, gel pens, or pencils is strictly prohibited and may lead to invalidation of the answer sheet.
Furthermore, to maintain the integrity of the examination, the commission has imposed a complete ban on electronic devices inside the premises. Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, Bluetooth devices, and any other electronic gadgets are strictly banned from the examination hall. Possession of any prohibited item during the exam will result in disciplinary action as per UPSC rules.
