Upcoming Defence Exams 2026: Army, Air Force, Navy Exam Calendar & List

Preparing for defence exams is not just about hard work it’s about timely information. Every year, thousands of aspirants miss opportunities simply because they don’t track the defence calendar properly. If you are searching for upcoming defence exams 2026, army exams, armed forces exams, or the complete defence exam list, this guide is built for you.

This detailed blog covers the defence calendar 2026, including Indian Army exams, Indian Air Force calendar 2026, CAPF calendar 2026, SSB calendar 2026, and all major defence examinations conducted in India. Whether you are looking for defence exams after 12th, army exam after 12th, or latest defence recruitment, you’ll find everything here.

Reviewed by the OnJob Editorial Team — career researchers covering jobs, salaries and hiring across India. Questions? editorial@onjob.io

Defence Exams in India Overview

Defence exams (also called armed forces exams or military exams) are conducted to recruit candidates into the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, CAPF, and other defence services. These exams are managed by UPSC, Indian Army, Ministry of Defence, and other authorities.

Why Defence Exams Matter

• Prestigious defense jobs in India

• Secure government careers

• Respect, discipline, and leadership

• Opportunities after 12th, graduation, and post  graduation

Upcoming Defence Exams 2026 Quick Calendar Overview

Below is a high  intent defence calendar 2026 that covers all major armed forces exams.

Defence Exam Calendar 2026 (Tentative)

Defence Exam	Conducting Body	Exam Level	Expected Exam Date
NDA 1 2026	UPSC	After 12th	April 2026
NDA 2 2026	UPSC	After 12th	September 2026
CDS 1 2026	UPSC	Graduate	February 2026
CDS 2 2026	UPSC	Graduate	November 2026
AFCAT 1 2026	Indian Air Force	Graduate	February 2026
AFCAT 2 2026	Indian Air Force	Graduate	August 2026
CAPF AC 2026	UPSC	Graduate	August 2026
Agniveer Recruitment 2026	Indian Army	10+2	Multiple Phases

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Indian Army Exams 2026 Complete Army Exam List

If you are targeting Indian Army exams, the 2026 army calendar is crucial.

Indian Army Exam List

• NDA (National Defence Academy)

• CDS (Combined Defence Services)

• Agniveer GD, Technical, Clerk

• Territorial Army

• SSC Tech Entry

• JAG Entry

These are the most searched army exams and military exams in India.

NDA Exam 2026 Upcoming NDA Exam Details

The NDA upcoming exam is the most popular defence exam after 12th.

NDA Exam Dates (Expected)

NDA Exam	Notification	Exam Date
NDA 1 2026	Dec 2025	April 2026
NDA 2 2026	May 2026	September 2026

Why NDA is Important

• Entry into Army, Navy & Air Force

• Available after 12th

• Best option for army exam after 12th

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CDS Exam 2026  Defence Services Exam for Graduates

CDS exam is a key defence services exam for officer  level entries.

CDS 2026 Overview

CDS Exam	Entry Type
CDS 1 2026	IMA, INA, AFA, OTA
CDS 2 2026	IMA, INA, AFA, OTA

CDS is ideal if you are searching for:

• exams for defence services

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Indian Air Force Calendar 2026 AFCAT & Air Force Exams

The Indian Air Force calendar 2026 includes AFCAT and other technical entries.

AFCAT 2026 Exam Schedule

AFCAT Exam	Exam Date
AFCAT 1 2026	Feb 2026
AFCAT 2 2026	Aug 2026

This section ranks for:

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CAPF Calendar 2026 Central Armed Police Forces

The CAPF calendar 2026 is important for candidates seeking armed forces exams outside the army.

CAPF Exam 2026

Stage	Timeline
Written Exam	Aug 2026
SSB Interview	2026 27
Medical	2027

SSB Calendar 2026     Interview & Selection Process

The SSB calendar 2026 applies to NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and other defence examinations.

SSB Selection Stages

1. Screening Test

2. Psychological Test

3. GTO Tasks

4. Personal Interview

5. Conference

Search visibility:

• ssb calendar 2026

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Defence Exams After 12th     Full List

If you’re searching for defence exams after 12th, here are the top options:

• NDA

• Agniveer Army

• Navy SSR

• Air Force Group X & Y

• Indian Army Technical Entry

This section supports:

• defence exam after 12th

• defence exams after 12th

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Defence Exam List 2026     All Armed Forces Exams

Complete Defence Exam List

• NDA

• CDS

• AFCAT

• CAPF

• Territorial Army

• SSC Tech

• JAG Entry

• Agniveer

• INET (Navy)

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Latest Defence Recruitment & Ministry Exams

Most defence examinations fall under the Ministry of Defence.

Latest Defence Recruitment Includes:

• Army Agniveer

• Air Force Agnipath

• Navy MR / SSR

• CAPF AC

This improves rankings for:

• latest defence recruitment

• ministry exams

• defense jobs india

Exams Coming Soon     How to Track Defence Exams

To stay updated on exams coming soon, candidates should:

• Follow official defence portals

• Bookmark this page

• Track notifications monthly

All Defence Jobs & Career Opportunities

Searching for all defence jobs or defense jobs India? Apart from exams, many aspirants explore parallel government job options.

Job Platforms for Defence Aspirants

If you want to explore government & private job opportunities alongside defence preparation, these platforms are useful:

🔹 OnJob.io https://onjob.io OnJob.io helps aspirants track job openings, exam alerts, and career opportunities relevant to defence and government job seekers.

🔹 OnJob.io https://onjob.io/jobs OnJob.io offers curated job listings for freshers and experienced candidates, making it a smart option for those preparing for defence services exams while keeping backup career options open.

All Defence Full Form List

Term	Full Form
NDA	National Defence Academy
CDS	Combined Defence Services
AFCAT	Air Force Common Admission Test
CAPF	Central Armed Police Forces
SSB	Services Selection Board
OTA	Officers Training Academy
IMA	Indian Military Academy

What Are the Top Institutes for NDA Exam Preparation Near Me?

Choosing the right coaching institute is crucial for cracking the upcoming NDA exam. Top NDA institutes usually offer:

• Experienced defence faculty

• Daily physical training

• SSB interview preparation

• Updated NDA exam pattern coverage

When searching for NDA exam preparation near me, always check:

• Past selection results

• Faculty background

• Hostel & training facilities

Which Academy Offers the Best CDS Exam Training in My Area?

The best CDS exam training academy focuses on:

• UPSC  oriented preparation

• Written + SSB training

• Regular mock tests

• Personality development

For candidates preparing for defence services exam like CDS, choosing a reputed local academy with national  level results gives a strong advantage.

FAQs     Upcoming Defence Exams 2026

Q1. What are the upcoming defence exams 2026?

NDA, CDS, AFCAT, CAPF, Agniveer, and Territorial Army are the main upcoming defence exams 2026.

Q2. Which defence exam is after 12th?

NDA and Agniveer are the most popular defence exams after 12th.

Q3. What is the Indian Army exam date for 2026?

Indian Army exam dates vary by entry, with NDA and Agniveer being the earliest.

Q4. Where can I find the defence calendar 2026?

This page provides a complete defence calendar 2026 covering all major exams.

Q5. Are defence examinations conducted every year?

Yes, most defence examinations are conducted annually.

Conclusion

The competition for defence exams is increasing every year. With thousands of aspirants targeting limited vacancies, staying updated with the upcoming defence exams 2026, army exams, armed forces exams, and the complete defence exam list is non  negotiable.

Whether you’re preparing for defence exams after 12th, tracking the Indian Army calendar 2026, or planning for Indian Air Force calendar 2026, this guide gives you a one  stop, SEO  optimized reference.

Bookmark this page and revisit it regularly defence notifications change, but preparation consistency wins wars.