NDA & CDS Exam on September 13, 2026: Everything Aspirants Need to Know
For thousands of defence aspirants, September 13, 2026, is an important date. The UPSC National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 and the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 are both scheduled to be conducted on this date.
According to the official UPSC examination notification, both examinations were notified on May 20, 2026, with the last date for applications being June 11, 2026.
With the examination approaching, candidates should now focus on revision, previous-year questions, mock tests, current affairs and effective time management instead of trying to cover completely new topics.
NDA 2 & CDS 2 2026: Important Dates
Event | Date |
Notification | May 20, 2026 |
Last Date to Apply | June 11, 2026 |
NDA 2 2026 Exam | September 13, 2026 |
CDS 2 2026 Exam | September 13, 2026 |
Candidates should always verify examination-related updates through the official UPSC website. The UPSC examination archive confirms September 13, 2026, as the examination date for both NDA & NA II and CDS II.
NDA 2 2026 Exam
The NDA examination is conducted for admission to the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy.
Candidates appearing for NDA should focus on Mathematics as well as the General Ability Test, which covers English, General Knowledge, science, history, geography and current affairs.
For additional preparation, aspirants can also use our SSB preparation resources to start working on their preparation beyond the written examination.
CDS 2 2026 Exam
The Combined Defence Services Examination is conducted by UPSC for entry into various defence academies.
Candidates preparing for CDS should give particular attention to English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, depending on the academy/course they are applying for.
The official UPSC page confirms that CDS II 2026 will be conducted on September 13, 2026.
NDA & CDS Admit Card
Candidates should regularly check the UPSC website for their e-Admit Card and examination-related instructions.
Do not rely solely on social media posts or unofficial websites for important examination updates. Check the UPSC official website for the latest information regarding admit cards, examination centres and instructions.
Last-Minute Preparation Tips for NDA & CDS
1. Focus on Revision
At this stage, revision should be your priority.
Go through:
Important formulas
Current affairs
Defence-related news
Static GK
Important historical and geographical facts
Previous-year questions
Topics where you frequently make mistakes
Avoid collecting too many new books or resources during the final days.
2. Solve Previous-Year Papers
Previous-year question papers help you understand the examination pattern and identify frequently tested areas.
The UPSC Previous Year Question Papers section provides official question papers for previous examinations.
Try solving papers under timed conditions and analyse your mistakes afterwards.
3. Take Full-Length Mock Tests
Mock tests can help you improve:
Speed
Accuracy
Time management
Question selection
Exam temperament
Don't just focus on your score. Analyse which questions consumed too much time and which topics need additional revision.
4. Revise Current Affairs
Current affairs are important for defence aspirants.
Pay attention to:
Defence developments
National events
International relations
Government initiatives
Important appointments
Awards
Sports
Science and technology
Major defence exercises
For official defence-related information, aspirants can also refer to the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Army.
5. Practice Smart Time Management
Don't spend too much time on one difficult question.
During your mock tests, develop a strategy for:
Attempt → Skip → Return → Review
Your goal should be to maximise accurate attempts while avoiding unnecessary negative marking.
Don't Stop Your Preparation After the Written Exam
Clearing the NDA or CDS written examination is an important milestone, but it is not the end of the selection process.
Candidates who qualify may have to appear for the Services Selection Board (SSB) process.
This is why it is better to start SSB preparation before the written examination results are announced.
You can start with:
OIR practice
PPDT practice
Psychology preparation
GTO preparation
Personal Interview preparation
Communication and group-task practice
For structured practice, explore our OIR and PPDT preparation resources and SSB preparation modules.
NDA & CDS Exam-Day Checklist
Before leaving for the examination centre, make sure you have checked all the instructions mentioned on your admit card.
Keep ready:
e-Admit Card
Valid photo ID as required
Permitted stationery
Other items specifically mentioned in the examination instructions
Also:
Check your examination centre and route beforehand.
Reach the centre well before the reporting time mentioned on your admit card.
Avoid last-minute revision of completely new topics.
Stay calm and follow the instructions given by the examination authorities.
What Should Aspirants Do After the Exam?
Once the written examination is over, don't spend all your time worrying about the expected cut-off.
Instead, use the waiting period productively.
If you're aiming for the SSB stage, start familiarising yourself with the complete process:
Screening → Psychology → GTO → Interview → Conference
Regular practice can help you become more comfortable with the different stages of SSB.
You can also explore 3D GTO obstacle practice to understand and practise different GTO-related tasks.
Final Takeaway
The NDA 2 and CDS 2 2026 examinations are scheduled for September 13, 2026, according to the official UPSC schedule.
With the exam approaching, focus on what matters most: revision, previous-year questions, mock tests, current affairs and time management.
And remember, your preparation should not stop at the written examination.
If you're serious about joining the armed forces, start preparing for the next stage early.
Explore more SSB preparation resources and continue building your confidence, awareness and practical preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is NDA 2 2026?
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 is scheduled for September 13, 2026.
When is CDS 2 2026?
The Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 is also scheduled for September 13, 2026.
Where can I check official NDA and CDS updates?
Candidates should check the official UPSC website for examination notifications, admit cards, timetables and other official updates.
Should I start SSB preparation before the written result?
Yes. Starting early gives you more time to understand the SSB process and practise OIR, PPDT, Psychology, GTO and Interview preparation.
Where can I find previous-year NDA and CDS papers?
Official previous-year question papers are available through the UPSC Previous Year Question Papers section.
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