UPSC Extends NDA II and CDS II 2026 Application Deadline; Candidates Get One More Chance to Apply
Candidates aspiring to join India's armed forces through the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Combined Defence Services (CDS) examinations have received a major relief from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The commission has extended the application deadline for both NDA II 2026 and CDS II 2026 recruitment examinations, giving eligible candidates additional time to complete their registration.
Those who have not yet submitted their applications can now apply online until June 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM through the official UPSC online application portal.
The extension is expected to benefit thousands of candidates who were unable to complete their applications before the original deadline.
Application Window Extended Until June 11
According to the latest notification issued by UPSC, the registration process for both the NDA & Naval Academy Examination (NDA II) and the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS II) will remain open until June 11, 2026.
Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements can complete the application process online before the extended deadline expires.
UPSC has clarified that the application portal will close at 6:00 PM on June 11, and no further submissions will be accepted after that time.
Total Vacancies Available
Through these recruitment examinations, UPSC aims to fill hundreds of vacancies across various defence academies.
NDA II 2026
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Total Vacancies: 394 Posts
CDS II 2026
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Total Vacancies: 451 Posts
Both examinations are scheduled to be conducted on September 13, 2026, at examination centres across the country.
How to Apply Online
Candidates can submit their applications through the official UPSC online portal.
Application Process
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Visit the official UPSC online application website.
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Create a new account if not already registered.
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Complete the registration process by entering the required personal details.
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Log in using the generated credentials.
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Fill out the application form carefully.
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Upload the required documents and photographs.
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Pay the applicable examination fee.
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Submit the form before the deadline.
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Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
Candidates are advised to verify all information before final submission to avoid errors.
Application Fee Details
NDA II 2026
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Application Fee: ₹100
CDS II 2026
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Application Fee: ₹200
The fee can be paid through online payment modes available on the portal.
Fee Exemption
Candidates belonging to the following categories are exempt from paying the application fee:
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Scheduled Caste (SC)
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Scheduled Tribe (ST)
Eligible candidates can complete the registration process without any application charge.
Educational Qualification for CDS II 2026
Educational requirements vary depending on the academy for which candidates are applying.
Indian Military Academy (IMA) & Officers Training Academy (OTA)
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Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
Indian Naval Academy (INA)
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Engineering degree from a recognized institution.
Air Force Academy (AFA)
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Bachelor's degree with Physics and Mathematics studied at the 10+2 level.
Educational Qualification for NDA II 2026
Army Wing
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Candidates must have passed Class 12 or be appearing for the qualifying examination.
Air Force and Naval Wings
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Candidates must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).
These academic requirements must be fulfilled before admission to the respective academies.
Age Limit Criteria
CDS II 2026
Candidates must be born:
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Not earlier than July 1, 2003
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Not later than July 1, 2008
The exact eligibility may vary depending on the academy selected.
NDA II 2026
Candidates should be born between:
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January 1, 2008
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January 1, 2011
Both dates are inclusive as per the eligibility conditions prescribed by UPSC.
Why Candidates Should Not Wait Until the Last Minute
With the application deadline now extended by a limited period, candidates are advised to complete their registration as early as possible.
Waiting until the final hours may result in:
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Website traffic issues
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Payment failures
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Upload errors
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Technical glitches
Submitting the application well before the deadline ensures sufficient time to correct any mistakes.
Final Takeaway
UPSC has provided a valuable opportunity for candidates who missed the original application deadline for NDA II and CDS II 2026. Interested applicants can now submit their forms until June 11, 2026, at 6 PM. With 394 vacancies under NDA II and 451 vacancies under CDS II, the examinations offer an excellent pathway for candidates seeking a career in the Indian Armed Forces. Aspirants should complete the online application process without delay and begin preparing for the examinations scheduled for September 13, 2026.
