Candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force as officers can now apply for the NDA (National Defence Academy) and CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026 exams. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notifications, and online applications are open on the UPSC portal upsconline.nic.in from 10 December 2025.
This year, the NDA recruitment has 394 vacancies, while CDS has 451 vacancies. Interested and eligible candidates can apply until 30 December 2025, 6 PM.
NDA 2026: Vacancy Details
| Service | Female | Male | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| Navy | 37 | 5 | 42 |
| Air Force (Flying) | 90 | 2 | 92 |
| Air Force (Ground Duty – Technical) | 16 | 2 | 18 |
| Air Force (Ground Duty – Non-Technical) | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 21 | 3 | 24 |
| Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
Eligibility for NDA:
- Army Wing: 12th pass from a recognized board (10+2 pattern).
- Air Force & Navy Wings: 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Candidates appearing in 12th this year can also apply but must present original documents during the SSB interview.
Exam Date: NDA written examination is scheduled for 12 April 2026, subject to change. UPSC will notify any updates on its official website.
CDS 2026: Vacancy Details
| Academy | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (Dehradun) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala) | 263 |
| Air Force Academy (Hyderabad) | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (Chennai – SSC Men) | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (Chennai – SSC Women) | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
Eligibility for CDS:
- IMA & OTA (Chennai): Graduation from a recognized university.
- Indian Naval Academy: Engineering degree.
- Air Force Academy: Graduation with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level or a Bachelor’s in Engineering.
Exam Date: CDS (I) written examination is also scheduled for 12 April 2026. Candidates should refer to the official notification for full details.
How to Apply:
Candidates can submit their applications online via the UPSC website before the deadline of 30 December 2025. Ensure you check the eligibility criteria and upload all required documents to avoid disqualification.
This recruitment offers an excellent opportunity for young aspirants to fulfill their dream of serving in India’s defence forces as officers.
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