By the Online Coaching 4u team
Last updated: 10 September 2026.
The Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 and the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 - both conducted by UPSC - are three days away, with e-admit cards for both already live on candidates' logins.
Quick facts
Exams: CDS (II) 2026 and NDA & NA (II) 2026, both conducted by UPSC
Written exam date: Sunday, 13 September 2026
CDS (II) e-Admit Card: released 3 September 2026 on upsc.gov.in
NDA & NA (II) e-Admit Card: released 6 September 2026 on upsc.gov.in
Vacancies: 451 for CDS (II) across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA; 394 for NDA (II) across the 158th NDA Course and 120th Indian Naval Academy Course
Checked today against: upsc.gov.in official What's New notice board
What's confirmed
Per UPSC's official What's New page, e-admit cards for both exams are posted and downloadable from each candidate's own login using their registration number or roll number along with date of birth. CDS (II) 2026 fills 451 posts across the Indian Military Academy (100), Officers' Training Academy (275 men, 18 women), Indian Naval Academy (26) and Air Force Academy (32); it was notified on 20 May 2026 with online applications closing 9 June 2026. NDA & NA (II) 2026 fills 394 posts for the Army, Navy and Air Force wings via the 158th NDA Course and 120th Indian Naval Academy Course, following the same notification and application timeline. UPSC has also flagged, through a standing advisory on its homepage, that all candidates appearing at any UPSC examination - including these two - will undergo Face Authentication at the venue, alongside the usual admit card and photo-ID checks.
What it means for students
Candidates for either exam should download and print their e-admit card now rather than waiting until exam morning - UPSC does not dispatch physical admit cards by post. Both papers are written on the same day, so double-check the exact centre, reporting time and shift printed on your own card, since these can differ from the city you originally chose in the application. Carrying a valid original photo ID that matches the name on the admit card remains essential, since the new Face Authentication step at the gate is in addition to, not instead of, standard document checks. Anyone unable to download their admit card should contact UPSC's facilitation counter or helpline immediately rather than waiting until exam day.
Important pointers
Dated, sourced, standalone facts - 10 September 2026
- UPSC's e-Admit Card for CDS (II) 2026 has been live on upsc.gov.in since 3 September 2026, ahead of the 13 September written exam.
- UPSC's e-Admit Card for NDA & NA (II) 2026 has been live on upsc.gov.in since 6 September 2026, for the same 13 September exam day.
- CDS (II) 2026 carries 451 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA; NDA & NA (II) 2026 carries 394 vacancies across the 158th NDA Course and 120th Naval Academy Course, per UPSC's official notifications.
- UPSC has notified that all candidates appearing at its examinations, including these two, will undergo Face Authentication at the exam venue.
- UPSC does not send admit cards by post for either exam - candidates must download and print the e-admit card themselves from upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
Frequently asked questions
When is the UPSC CDS (II) 2026 exam and is the admit card out?
The Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 is written on 13 September 2026. UPSC released its e-admit card on 3 September 2026, downloadable from upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in using the candidate's registration number/roll number and date of birth.
When is the NDA & NA (II) 2026 exam and when was its admit card released?
NDA & NA (II) 2026 is written on the same day as CDS (II), 13 September 2026. UPSC released its e-admit card on 6 September 2026, also downloadable from the candidate's login on upsc.gov.in.
What is Face Authentication at UPSC exam centres, and is it mandatory?
Per an official advisory posted on upsc.gov.in, all candidates appearing at any UPSC examination - including CDS (II) and NDA & NA (II) 2026 - undergo Face Authentication at the venue, in addition to the standard e-admit card and original photo-ID verification.
