The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the CDS and NDA exam schedule 2026. Candidates’ months of preparation will be put to test finally, but there is more to it that they must know. If you are appearing for either CDS or NDA, we share all necessary information to make your experience smooth.
What is the UPSC CDS and NDA Exam?
Before we delve into the necessary details, let us understand what each exam is. To begin with, UPSC conducts CDS and NDA each year to shortlist candidates for the Services Selection Board or SSB interview. Lakhs of aspirants sit for these with hopes in their hearts.
The NDA exam is taken by 10+2 candidates who aspire to join the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Pune. Each aspirant gives on order of preference between the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy. This exam is of 900 marks and has two sections:
- General Ability Test or GAT for 600 marks
- Mathematics for 300 marks
Next is the CDS exam, which stands for Combined Defence Services Examination. This exam is for graduates only, who give their order of preference between military academies, that is, IMA and OTA (for Indian Army), AFA, Dundigal and INA, Ezhimala.
However, through CDS, women can only appear for OTA entry to become short service commission officers in the Indian Army. The CDS exam is of 200 marks for OTA and 300 marks for the other three academies:
- English for 100 marks
- General Knowledge for 100 marks
- Mathematics (only for IMA, AFA, and INA) for 100 marks
CDS and NDA Exam Schedule 2026
Now that you know what each exam entails, we look at the exam schedule 2026 as published by UPSC on its official website. Please note that both the examinations will take place of 13th September, 2026 (Sunday) at select exam centres in the country.
NDA Exam Schedule 2026
As per the official NDA exam schedule 2026, the NDA and Naval Academy Examination (2) 2026 will start at 10 AM with Mathematics as the first paper. Candidates will get 2.5 hours to complete this paper and should keep the subject code 01 in mind. This session will end at 12:30 PM.
The exam will happen on OMR sheets but they can do rough work on the extra pages provided in the question paper booklet. After the mathematics exam, there will be a break of another 1.5 hours, which you can use to eat something or revise anything, if required.
At 2 PM on the same day, they will sit for the GAT exam (subject code 02), and get 2.5 hours to answer all 600 questions. The exam will go on till 4:30 PM, after which the candidates can head back home.
CDS Exam Schedule 2026
Just like the NDA exam schedule 2026, CDS candidates also have a time table given by UPSC. It will begin with English at 9 AM, and all candidates will get a maximum of two hours to answer 120 questions. At 11 AM, the first section will end, and candidates will get 1.5 hours to relax after it.
The next section will begin at 12:30 PM sharp and candidates will undergo the General Knowledge paper for another 2 hours. It will comprise 120 questions, where each right answer will earn them 0.83 marks, while a wrong one will give them -0.27 marks.
After the second section is over, all OTA candidates will leave the premises, while those who have applied for IMA, AFA, and INA as their first preference will stay back for the Mathematics paper. This, too, shall go on for 2 hours, after which the CDS (2) 2026 exam will finish.
Essentials After CDS and NDA Exam Schedule 2026
Now that UPSC has released the CDS and NDA exam schedule 2026, it is time to pull up your socks and get working for the final stage. However, please bear in mind these points:
- The admit card is not out yet, hence do not bother about it.
- Do not pick up anything new now; rather maximize revision.
- Give as many mock tests as possible online.
- Note the exact date and time of your exam, and prepare accordingly.
Remember that the CDS and NDA exams are just the first steps to where you want to be in the coming months. Hence, give it your very best and stay tuned for any additional information related to the exams. Best of luck!
