UPSC NDA 2, CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 OUT: Download Hall Ticket, Check September 13 Exam Timing & Entry Rules
The UPSC NDA 2 and CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 has been released for candidates appearing in the upcoming defence entrance examinations. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued the e-Admit Cards for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 and Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 ahead of the examinations scheduled for September 13, 2026.
Registered candidates can now download their hall tickets online. Candidates must take a printed copy of the e-Admit Card to their allotted examination centre and also carry the photo identity card whose number is mentioned on the admit card.
Official UPSC website:
upsc.gov.in
Candidates should download the admit card well before the examination and carefully verify the examination venue, reporting instructions and personal details.
UPSC NDA 2, CDS 2 Admit Card 2026: Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exams | NDA & NA (II) and CDS (II) 2026 |
| Admit Card Status | Released |
| Admit Card Date | September 2026 |
| Examination Date | September 13, 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline/Written Examination |
| Forenoon Entry Closing Time | 9:30 AM |
| Afternoon Entry Closing Time | 1:30 PM |
| Admit Card Mode | Online |
| Mandatory Documents | Printed e-Admit Card + specified photo ID |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC's official NDA II notification confirms that the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 is scheduled for September 13.
UPSC NDA 2 Admit Card 2026 Released
Candidates registered for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 can now access their e-Admit Cards.
The NDA examination is one of UPSC's major defence entrance examinations for admission to the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy, subject to candidates satisfying the prescribed selection and eligibility requirements.
The NDA II 2026 examination will take place on:
Exam Date: September 13, 2026
The date is confirmed in UPSC's official NDA II examination notice.
Candidates must use the examination venue printed on their individual e-Admit Card.
UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 Released
The Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 e-Admit Card has also been issued.
Candidates registered for CDS II can download their hall ticket online and check the examination-centre details and instructions applicable to them.
Careers360 also confirms that the CDS 2 admit card has been issued for the September 13 examination.
Candidates should not wait until the examination morning to download the document because the e-Admit Card is mandatory for entry.
UPSC NDA, CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 Download Link
Candidates can access the admit-card facility through UPSC's official website.
Official UPSC website:
UPSC Official Website – upsc.gov.in
Candidates should look for the NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026 e-Admit Card or CDS Examination (II), 2026 e-Admit Card link applicable to them.
UPSC has advised candidates to bring a printout of the e-Admit Card to the examination venue.
How to Download UPSC NDA 2, CDS 2 Admit Card 2026
Candidates can follow these steps:
Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
Look for the e-Admit Card/examination section.
Open the NDA II or CDS II 2026 e-Admit Card link.
Read the instructions displayed on the screen.
Proceed to the candidate login.
Enter the requested login credentials.
Submit the information.
The UPSC e-Admit Card will appear on the screen.
Check all personal and examination details.
Download the hall ticket.
Take a clear printout.
Preserve the admit card until completion of the recruitment/examination process.
The same download procedure has been outlined in the latest admit-card announcement.
Official website:
upsc.gov.in – Download UPSC Admit Card
What to Carry on UPSC NDA, CDS Exam Day
UPSC has issued an important instruction regarding documents.
Candidates must carry:
A printed copy of the e-Admit Card
The photo identity card whose number is mentioned on the e-Admit Card
The specified photo ID must be carried in each session of the examination.
A candidate who fails to produce the e-Admit Card for checking at the allotted venue will not be permitted to take the examination.
UPSC NDA, CDS 2 Exam Date 2026
Both examinations are scheduled for:
September 13, 2026
The examinations will be conducted at designated centres across India.
Candidates should check their individual e-Admit Card for:
Examination centre
Complete venue address
Examination sessions
Reporting instructions
Candidate-specific directions
Candidates must appear only at the venue allotted to them.
UPSC NDA, CDS 2 Entry Timings
One of the most important instructions concerns the closure of entry to the examination venue.
According to the latest UPSC admit-card instructions:
| Session | Entry Closes |
|---|---|
| Forenoon Session | 9:30 AM |
| Afternoon Session | 1:30 PM |
Entry closes 30 minutes before the scheduled commencement of the examination session.
Candidates arriving after the entry deadline will not be allowed to enter the examination venue.
Therefore, candidates should not plan to reach the centre at 9:25 AM or 1:25 PM.
UPSC advises candidates to reach sufficiently early to complete:
Face authentication
Identity verification
Frisking
Other entry formalities
Can Candidates Change Their Examination Centre?
Candidates should report only to the examination venue specified on their e-Admit Card.
UPSC has clearly stated that candidates will not be permitted to appear at any examination venue other than the one mentioned on their e-Admit Card.
Candidates should therefore check the location before examination day and plan their travel accordingly.
Details to Check on UPSC Admit Card
After downloading the e-Admit Card, candidates should verify all relevant information, including:
Candidate name
Examination name
Roll number
Registration details
Examination date
Examination venue
Venue address
Session/timing
Candidate photograph, where displayed
Important instructions
If the centre is unfamiliar, candidates should locate it in advance rather than searching for it immediately before the examination.
UPSC NDA 2 Exam Pattern 2026
The NDA & NA written examination consists of two papers:
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 600 |
| Total | 900 |
The examination is objective in nature and wrong answers attract negative marking under UPSC's prescribed rules.
Candidates qualifying the written examination proceed according to the subsequent selection procedure applicable to NDA and NA admissions.
UPSC CDS 2 Exam Pattern 2026
For admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy, the written CDS examination includes:
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| English | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 |
| Total | 300 |
For Officers' Training Academy, the written examination consists of:
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| English | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 100 |
| Total | 200 |
Candidates should follow the exact paper/session details given for their candidature.
NDA vs CDS: Know the Difference
Candidates should not confuse the two examinations simply because UPSC has released their admit cards together.
| NDA & NA II | CDS II |
|---|---|
| National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination | Combined Defence Services Examination |
| Entry generally after Class 12 under applicable eligibility rules | Graduate-level defence entry under applicable eligibility rules |
| NDA/NA training route | IMA, INA, AFA and OTA routes |
| Separate examination pattern | Separate CDS examination pattern |
| September 13, 2026 | September 13, 2026 |
Candidates must download the hall ticket for the examination for which they successfully registered.
Important Exam-Day Instructions
Candidates should follow the instructions printed on their e-Admit Card carefully.
Particular attention should be given to the following:
Carry a printed e-Admit Card.
Carry the required photo ID.
Reach the examination venue well before entry closes.
Allow sufficient time for face authentication and identity checks.
Report only to the allotted centre.
Follow frisking and security instructions.
Do not carry prohibited items.
Follow invigilator instructions.
Preserve the admit card after the examination.
UPSC specifically advises candidates to reach early enough for face authentication, identity verification and frisking.
Preserve Your UPSC Admit Card After the Exam
Candidates should not discard the e-Admit Card after September 13.
The latest instructions state that candidates should preserve the e-Admit Card until declaration of the final result of the respective NDA & NA II and CDS II 2026 examination processes.
Keeping both a printed copy and a securely saved digital copy can therefore be useful.
What Happens After NDA 2 Written Exam?
After the written examination, UPSC will evaluate candidate responses and subsequently announce the written result.
Candidates who qualify the NDA written examination move to the next stages of the selection process, including the Services Selection Board (SSB) process, subject to the applicable rules.
The final selection process considers the stages prescribed by UPSC and the respective defence authorities.
Candidates should therefore retain their examination-related records even after the written test.
What Happens After CDS 2 Written Exam?
For CDS II, candidates who qualify the written examination move forward according to the selection procedure applicable to their chosen academy.
This may include the SSB interview and associated assessment stages.
Candidates must also satisfy the prescribed eligibility and medical standards before final selection.
The release of the admit card only confirms permission to appear in the written examination; it does not imply qualification or final selection.
What Candidates Should Do Before September 13
With the admit cards now available, candidates should prioritize examination-day preparation.
Before the exam:
Download the e-Admit Card.
Print a clear copy.
Check the examination centre.
Locate the venue in advance.
Verify the reporting and entry times.
Keep the prescribed photo ID ready.
Read the admit-card instructions.
Plan transportation to reach early.
Keep examination materials permitted by UPSC ready.
Avoid carrying prohibited items.
Candidates travelling to another city should make arrangements early rather than waiting until the day before the examination.
UPSC NDA, CDS 2 Admit Card 2026: Current Status
| Update | Status |
|---|---|
| NDA 2 admit card | OUT |
| CDS 2 admit card | OUT |
| Download mode | Online |
| NDA 2 exam | September 13, 2026 |
| CDS 2 exam | September 13, 2026 |
| Printed admit card required | Yes |
| Photo ID required | Yes |
| Morning entry closes | 9:30 AM |
| Afternoon entry closes | 1:30 PM |
| Centre change on exam day | Not permitted |
Key Points
UPSC NDA 2 Admit Card 2026 has been released.
UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 has also been released.
Both examinations will take place on September 13, 2026.
Candidates can download their e-Admit Cards online.
The official UPSC website is upsc.gov.in.
Candidates must bring a printed e-Admit Card.
They must also carry the photo ID whose number appears on the e-Admit Card.
Entry for the forenoon session closes at 9:30 AM.
Entry for the afternoon session closes at 1:30 PM.
Candidates reaching after the entry deadline will not be admitted.
UPSC advises candidates to reach early for face authentication, identity verification and frisking.
Candidates cannot appear at a centre other than the one mentioned on their e-Admit Card.
The hall ticket should be preserved until the final result.
FAQs
Is UPSC NDA 2 Admit Card 2026 released?
Yes. UPSC has released the NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026 e-Admit Card.
Is UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2026 out?
Yes. The CDS Examination (II), 2026 e-Admit Card has also been released.
When will UPSC NDA 2 and CDS 2 exams be held?
Both examinations are scheduled for September 13, 2026.
Where can I download the admit card?
Candidates can access the e-Admit Card through:
UPSC Official Website – upsc.gov.in
What should I carry to the examination centre?
Candidates must carry a printed e-Admit Card and the photo identity card whose number is mentioned on the admit card.
What time does entry close for the morning session?
Entry closes at 9:30 AM for the forenoon session.
What time does entry close for the afternoon session?
Entry closes at 1:30 PM for the afternoon session.
Can I enter after the gate-closing time?
No. Candidates will not be permitted to enter the examination venue after the prescribed entry deadline.
Can I appear at another examination centre?
No. Candidates must appear only at the examination venue mentioned on their e-Admit Card.
Should I keep the admit card after the examination?
Yes. UPSC advises candidates to preserve the e-Admit Card until declaration of the final result.
Important Links
UPSC NDA 2, CDS 2 Admit Card 2026:
upsc.gov.in
UPSC Official Website:
www.upsc.gov.in
