Last Updated: 19 August 2026 | Source: UPSC Official Examination Notice for CDS (II) 2026 and NDA (II) 2026
UPSC CDS 2 & NDA 2 Admit Card 2026: Download e-Admit Card for 13 September Exam, 3-Shift Timings, Gate Rules & OMR Instructions
Authority: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) | Exam Date: 13 September 2026 (Sunday) | Portal: upsconline.nic.in
Definition: UPSC CDS 2 and NDA 2 Admit Card 2026 is the official e-Admission certificate that UPSC releases on upsconline.nic.in for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II) and the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II). It admits eligible candidates to the nationwide offline written examination scheduled on Sunday, 13 September 2026.
UPSC CDS 2 NDA 2 Admit Card 2026 hasn't been officially confirmed as released just yet. UPSC published the detailed exam timetable on 12 August 2026 for both exams. The e-Admit Card itself follows separately, typically 7 to 14 days before the test date. Based on that pattern, expect it in the first or second week of September, directly on upsconline.nic.in.
Notice this strict UPSC rule: test center gates close exactly 10 minutes before each shift begins; late entry is prohibited. That single line trips up more candidates every cycle than any actual exam question does. Plan your travel around it, not around the shift start time printed on your card.
UPSC CDS 2 NDA 2 Admit Card 2026 — Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exams Covered | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 & National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | 13 September 2026 (Sunday) |
| Admit Card Status | Not yet officially confirmed; expected 1st-2nd week of September |
| NDA 2 Vacancies | 394, across Army, Navy, Air Force, and Indian Naval Academy |
| Official Portal | upsconline.nic.in |
One exam day. Two separate exams. Two separate admit cards.
Here's What the CDS 2 Shift Schedule Looks Like
| Shift | Paper | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 | English (Code 11) | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Shift 2 | General Knowledge (Code 12) | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Shift 3 | Elementary Mathematics (Code 13) | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
NDA 2 Shift Schedule: Just Two Sessions
| Shift | Paper | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Mathematics | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Afternoon | General Ability Test (GAT) | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
Three papers for CDS. Two for NDA. Both land on the same Sunday.
CDS IMA/INA/AFA vs CDS OTA: What Actually Changes
Comparison: Candidates applying for IMA, INA, or AFA sit all three papers — English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics — for 300 total marks. Candidates applying only for OTA skip Elementary Mathematics entirely, writing just English and General Knowledge for 200 total marks.
Math paper not applicable for candidates appearing for OTA only. If that's your track, you get one fewer shift to sit through on exam day — but don't mistake that for an easier paper overall, since GK and English still carry the full weight of your OTA score.
How to Download UPSC CDS 2 NDA 2 Admit Card 2026
How-To:
- Visit upsconline.nic.in once the download link goes live.
- Choose the e-Admit Card link for CDS (II) 2026 or NDA & NA (II) 2026, as applicable.
- Log in with your Registration ID or Roll Number.
- Enter your date of birth and the on-screen captcha.
- Click Submit — your admit card displays on screen.
- Download the PDF and print it on plain white paper.
Gate Closing Time & Exam-Day Rules
UPSC enforces a strict 10-minute gate closure before every shift starts. Arrive with margin, not exactly on time. Reach your allotted center at least 60-90 minutes ahead of your shift, since biometric and document checks at large defence-exam centers routinely take longer than candidates expect.
OMR Sheet & Photo Undertaking Instructions
Or rather, looking at the OMR darkening guidelines specifically: use only a black ball-point pen, fill each bubble completely and darkly, and never use whitener or overwriting on the sheet. A partially shaded or double-marked response gets rejected by the scanning machine regardless of your intent.
If your admit card's photo is unclear, don't panic; carry 2 passport photos matching your application photograph, along with a signed undertaking, if your center invigilator requests one for verification. This is a routine protocol at UPSC centers, not a sign something's wrong with your application.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Admit Card | upsconline.nic.in |
| CDS 2 & NDA 2 Free Mock Test | Attempt Mock Test |
| Latest Defence Admit Cards 2026 | View All Admit Cards |
Keep checking upsconline.nic.in over the coming days rather than relying on a secondhand release date, and plan your exam-day arrival around the strict 10-minute gate closure, not the printed shift time. Whether you're sitting CDS or NDA, both exams share one Sunday and zero tolerance for late entry.
