UPSC Publishes Official 2026 NDA and CDS Exam Timetable; Check Date, Shift and Timings

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the NDA, NA and CDS 2026 exam timetable. As per the notification, examinations will be conducted on 12 April 2026. The exams will be for:

• National Defence Academy (NDA)
• Naval Academy (NA)
• Combined Defence Services (CDS)

Candidates who have registered for these defence entrance exams can now check the exam timings, shifts and subject-wise schedule online on the official websites.

Candidates are also advised to keep track of other national-level entrance exams scheduled in 2026.

NDA, NA and CDS 2026 Exams to Be Held on April 12

According to the official communication by UPSC:

• The NDA and NA exams 2026 will be conducted on the same day in two shifts. 
• The CDS exam 2026 will take place in three separate shifts.

NDA & NA Exam 2026: Shift-wise Timings

The table below depicts the NDA and NA exam 2026 dates:

CDS Exam 2026: Complete Time Table

The following table mentions CDS 2026 exam dates:

UPSC NDA, NA and CDS 2026 Admit Card Update

The NDA, NA and CDS 2026 admit card will be released a few days prior to the exam. Aspirants can download the admit card from the official website. Candidates will not be able to enter the exam hall without it.

NDA and NA Exam Pattern 2026

The NDA and NA exam patterns are written below:

• Objective-type questions only
• Question paper in English and Hindi
• Mathematics: 300 marks
• General Ability Test: 600 marks
• Total Marks (Written Exam): 900

CDS Exam Pattern 2026

The CDS exam 2026 has three papers:

• English
• General Knowledge
• Elementary Mathematics
• All papers are objective type and carry 100 marks each. 
• The General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are bilingual.
• Candidates who qualified the written exam will be called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.

What Candidates Should Do Next?

Here are the points to remember:

• Check the UPSC NDA, NA and CDS 2026 exam timetable 
• Plan travel and reporting time in advance
• Keep track of admit card updates
• Revise according to exam order

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: Has the exam pattern changed for NDA, NA exams?

Ans: No major changes has ben made. 

• There is negative marking in both NDA and CDS exams. 
• Marks will be reduced for wrong answers.
• For more details about UPSC NDA, NA, or CDS, candidates must visit the official UPSC website.

Ques: What are the exam dates?

Ans: UPSC NDA, NA, and CDS exams are scheduled on 12 April 2026. 

Ques: Will the CDS exam be in a single shift?

Ans: No. The exam is divided into three shifts: