All Upcoming Defence Exams and Applications
Here is the most accurate, up-to-date informational guide on the best defence exams in India for 2026 cycles.
As of being a defence exams guide ,we have focused on the prestigious officer-level entries (UPSC/IAF) and the largest-scale Agniveer soldier entries under the Agnipath scheme. All dates are directly from official UPSC notifications, IAF portals, and Indian Army/Navy websites, cross-verified across multiple reliable sources.
Quick Comparison Table (2026 Upcoming Defence Exams)
| Exam | Level | For Whom | Vacancies (2026) | Application Window | Exam Date | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDA & NA (I) | Officer (12th) | NDA/NA (Army/Navy/AF) | ~394+ | 10 Dec – 30 Dec 2025 | 12 Apr 2026 | upsc.gov.in |
| CDS (I) | Officer (Grad) | IMA/INA/AFA/OTA | 451 | 10 Dec – 30 Dec 2025 | 12 Apr 2026 | upsc.gov.in |
| AFCAT 1 | Officer | IAF Flying/Ground Duty | ~340 | Nov–Dec 2025 (closed) | 31 Jan 2026 (done) | afcat.cdac.in |
| CAPF AC | Officer | Paramilitary (BSF/CRPF etc.) | 349 | 20 Feb – 12 Mar 2026 | 19 Jul 2026 | upsc.gov.in |
| Indian Army Agniveer | Soldier | GD/Tech/Clerk/Tradesman | 25,000+ | 13 Feb – 1 Apr 2026 | Jun 2026 (tentative) | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| NDA & NA (II) / CDS (II) | Officer | Same as above | To be announced | May–Jun 2026 | 13 Sep 2026 | upsc.gov.in |
1. UPSC NDA & NA Examination (I) & (II) 2026 – Most Prestigious After 12th
- Purpose: Direct entry to National Defence Academy (tri-services) + Naval Academy.
- Eligibility: Age 16½–19½ years (unmarried males & females), 12th pass/appearing (PCM for Navy/Air Force).
- Selection: Written exam (Maths + GAT) → SSB Interview → Medical.
- Why Best? Gateway to becoming an officer at the youngest age; highest prestige.
Exact 2026 Dates
- NDA-I: Notification 10 Dec 2025 | Last apply 30 Dec 2025 (6 PM) | Exam 12 Apr 2026
- NDA-II: Notification ~20 May 2026 | Last apply ~9 Jun 2026 | Exam 13 Sep 2026
2. UPSC CDS Examination (I) & (II) 2026 – Top Graduate Officer Entry
- Purpose: Officers in Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), Officers Training Academy (OTA).
- Eligibility: Age 19–24/25 years (branch-wise), Bachelor’s degree (final-year appearing allowed for some).
- Vacancies (I): 451 confirmed.
- Selection: Written (English + GK + Maths) → SSB → Medical.
Exact 2026 Dates
- CDS-I: Notification 10 Dec 2025 | Last apply 30 Dec 2025 | Exam 12 Apr 2026 (same day as NDA, different shifts)
- CDS-II: Notification 20 May 2026 | Last apply 9 Jun 2026 | Exam 13 Sep 2026
Note: Both NDA-I & CDS-I are on 12 April 2026 — many candidates appear for both on the same day.
3. AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) 2026
- Purpose: Commissioned Officers in Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical), NCC Special Entry.
- Eligibility: Age 20–24/26 years, Graduation min 60% marks + specific subjects for Technical.
- Selection: AFCAT written + EKT (for Tech) → AFSB Interview → Medical.
2026 Status
- AFCAT 1/2026: Already conducted on 31 Jan 2026 (results/SSB in progress).
- AFCAT 2/2026: Notification expected May–June 2026 | Exam expected August 2026. (Exact dates will be released on afcat.cdac.in — keep checking every week from April 2026.)
4. UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant 2026 – Best Paramilitary Officer Entry
- Purpose: Assistant Commandant in BSF (108), CRPF (106), CISF (70), ITBP (12), SSB (53) — total 349 vacancies.
- Eligibility: Age 20–25 years (as on 1 Aug 2026), Bachelor’s degree in any stream.
- Selection: Written (Paper-I & II) → Physical Efficiency Test → Medical → Interview/Personality Test.
Exact 2026 Dates
- Notification: 20 February 2026
- Application window: 20 Feb – 12 March 2026 (6:00 PM) ← Apply NOW if eligible!
- Written Exam: 19 July 2026
Official link: upsconline.nic.in (One-Time Registration mandatory first).
5. Indian Army Agniveer Recruitment 2026 – Largest Soldier Entry (Agnipath Scheme)
- Purpose: 4-year service as Agniveer (GD, Technical, Clerk, Tradesman, Nursing Assistant, Women Military Police, etc.).
- Vacancies: 25,000+ across India.
- Eligibility: Age 17½–21/23 years (category-wise), Class 8/10/12 pass (trade-specific).
- Selection: Online Common Entrance Exam (CEE) → Recruitment Rally (Physical + Medical).
Exact 2026 Dates
- Online Registration: 13 February 2026 – 1 April 2026 (open right now)
- Online Exam: 1–15 June 2026 (tentative; exact centre-wise dates will be announced on website)
Apply at: joinindianarmy.nic.in
Indian Navy Agniveer (SSR/MR) & Other Sailor Entries
New cycles for 2026 batches are released in phases. Some 02/2025 & 02/2026 batches had applications in March–April 2025. Fresh notifications expected March–May 2026. Keep checking joinindiannavy.gov.in regularly.
Quick Action Plan (Feb–Apr 2026)
- Apply immediately → CAPF AC (deadline 12 Mar) + Army Agniveer (deadline 1 Apr).
- Prepare for 12 April 2026 double exam (NDA + CDS) if you are eligible for both.
- Monitor afcat.cdac.in daily from April for AFCAT-2.
- Bookmark UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 for any revisions.
Official & Most Reliable Sources (Always Verify Here)
- UPSC: https://upsc.gov.in & https://upsconline.nic.in
- IAF AFCAT: https://afcat.cdac.in
- Indian Army: https://joinindianarmy.nic.in
- Indian Navy: https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in
All information above is 100% accurate for upcoming Defence Exams as on 24 February 2026 and taken directly from official notifications and UPSC/IAF calendars. Dates can have minor revisions only on official portals
Start applying and preparing today — 2026 is your year to wear the uniform!
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