How to download NDA admit card?

UPSC releases NDA admit card one week before the exam. It can be downloaded by logging with the required credentials. The hard copy of the same is not sent by post.

Is it compulsory to take the colour print of an NDA admit card to the exam center?

No, it is not compulsory to take the colour printout of NDA admit card to the exam centre. According to the official notice, candidates need to bring the printout of the admit along with the (original) Photo Identity Card, whose number is mentioned in the admit card. They need to bring the admit card in each session to secure admission to exam centre. Candidates need to preserve the admit card till the declaration of the final result as it is required for the SSB Interview.

What are the details printed on NDA admit card?

NDA admit card is released online by the Union Public Service Commission. The admit card is released on the official website-upsc.gov.in. To download the admit card, candidates need to enter registration number or roll number, date of birth and captcha code. The hard copy of the admit card is not sent to candidates by post. Candidates need to carry the printed copy of the admit card along with one photo-identity proof to the exam centre. The following details are printed on the admit card: Candidate’s Name Date of birth Roll number Photograph and signature Exam Date Exam time Reporting time Name of exam centre Address of exam centre City Centre code (if any)

Do I need to carry a printed copy of the NDA admit card at the exam centre?

Candidates need to carry the printed copy of their NDA admit cards to the exam centre.Enter registration number or roll number and date of birth or password to download the admit card.

Who can apply for an NDA exam?

The eligibility criteria for the NDA exam is given below: The age limit is 16.5 to 19.5 years Candidates who have passed Class 12 can apply

Where will I get NDA apply online link?

NDA apply online link is acrivated on the official website of the exam conducting body. However, we will provide the direct link to register online for the exam. Only online applications are accepted for the exam.

Is NDA application process revised?

Union Public Service Commission has revised NDA application process. As per the new process, online form comprises Account Creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form and Examinations. All applicants are required to fill up the application and upload their documents in the newly introduced portal afresh. The old One Time Registration (OTR) module will not be applicable.

What details are mentioned in NDA notification?

NDA official notification is released by UPSC. The PDF is made available on this page after it is released. The notification PDF comprises the important details related to the exam.

What are the benefits of NDA answer key?

NDA answer key is released separately for Maths and GAT. The answer key is released online. It is used to compare the answers marked in the exam. This also help in calculating the probable score.

When NDA question papers are released?

NDA question papers are released by UPSC within two to three days after the question papers are released. NDA question papers are made available on the official website of UPSC in PDF. Candidates can download NDA question papers for different subjects-Maths and GAT. Practising the question papers, candidates can know the type of questions asked in the exam.

How do I use previous years' question papers to prepare for NDA?

NDA exam consists of two papers- Maths and GAT. Total marks allotted to the The following tips help candidates to prepare for NDA exam. Understand the exam Know the syllabus Solve the previous years question papers Prepare a timetable Follow the study routine Attempt mock tests

How to Download NDA answer key?

NDA answer key is released online by UPSC separately for Maths and GAT. Candidates can download the answer keys for all Sets of test booklets such as A, B, C and D. The steps to download NDA answer key are given below: Visit the official website of UPSC From the 'Examination' tab on the home page, candidates need to go to the 'Answer Keys' tab Click the NDA answer key' links Clicking the links, the answer keys for different subjects appears on the screen Download the answer key and save the file.

How many vacancies were announced for NDA 1 2026 exam?

A total of 394 vacancies were announced for NDA 1 2026 exam. The break-up is given below. Academy Wings No. of Vacancies NDA Army 208 (including 10 for female candidates) Navy 42 (including 05 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch) Air Force (i) Flying –92 (including 02 for female candidates) (ii) Ground Duties (Tech) –18 (including 02 for female candidates) (iii) Ground Duties (Non Tech) –10 (including 02 for female candidates) Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) - 24 (including 03 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch) Total 394

Can women candidates apply for Indian Naval Academy courses for NDA exam?

Women candidates can apply for Indian Naval Academy courses for NDA exam. In 2024, vacancies were released for women candidates for admission to Indian Naval Academy courses.

What are the important points related to NDA vacancies?

Few important points related to NDA vacancies are given below: NDA vacancies are provisional and may change depending on the availability of training capacity of the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy Candidates are required to specify clearly in the online NDA application form, the services for which they wish to be considered in the order of their preferences Candidates are also advised to indicate as many preferences as they wish for NDA recruitment so that while offering appointments due consideration can be given to the preferences as per their ranks in the merit list Candidates should note that they will be considered under NDA recruitment 2022 for appointment to those services only for which they have expressed their preferences UPSC will not entertain any request for addition/alteration in the preferences indicated in the NDA Recruitment application Admission will be offered to candidates on the basis of NDA results of the written exam and SSB Interview

Does NDA select cadet according to academy vacancy or service vacancy?

NDA select cadet based on service vacancy. It is according to the number of officers required at that time. But the academy accommodation also plays a role. The existing infrastructure at the academy can accommodate a certain number of cadets each term. If it is extended or the intake is greater than the capacity, the training standards will drop.

When NDA 2026 exam will be held?

NDA exam dates 2026 ere announced through the annual calendar. NDA 1 exam will be held on April 12. The exam for UPSC NDA II will be held on September 13. Candidates can apply for both the sessions. The total marks allotted to the test are 900.

What is the full form of NDA?

NDA stands for National Defence Academy. NDA is situated at Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra and it is one of the most prestigious military training institutions in the world. NDA trains cadets for Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The cadets are trained to become officers in the Indian Armed Forces upon graduation. Cadets are received a Bachelor's degree in the field of engineering or technology or any other field. NDA exam is conducted for two courses every year, one starting in January and the other starting in July. The courses are of three years duration and cadets are trained in various aspects of military and academic education. NDA exam comprises written exam and SSB interview.

How much time is required for NDA Exam Preparation?

NDA preparation requires one year to six months. Candidates must focus on all subjects and topics relevant to the exam. They should attempt mock tests. Candidates must know the exam pattern and syllabus. They should also solve the previous years question papers.

How do I use previous years' question papers to prepare for NDA?

NDA exam consists of two papers- Maths and GAT. Total marks allotted to the The following tips help candidates to prepare for NDA exam. Understand the exam Know the syllabus Solve the previous years question papers Prepare a timetable Follow the study routine Attempt mock tests

How to prepare for NDA exam in three months?

Candidates must prepare a proper study plan for NDA exam. Besides, they must solve previous years question papers. Attempt mock tests to know the strong and weak areas.To crack the exam, the preparation should be good.

How many hours should be given to study for NDA?

Candidates should study for two to three hours. Practice previous year question paper. Candidates must know the syllabus and exam pattern. They should prepare study routine. Candidates must also solve mock test to improve speed.

Is NDA exam tough to crack?

NDA exam is highly competitive. Candidates can crack the exam with proper preparation and practice.

How many questions are asked in NDA exam?

GAT paper of NDA comprises a total of 150 questions. The GAT section is divided into two parts. Part A comprises English while Part B consists of General Knowledge. The number of questions in the Maths section of NDA exam is 120. Questions in the Maths section are asked from Algebra Calculus, Matrices and Determinants Integral Calculus and Differential Equations Trigonometry Vector Algebra Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability. NDA question papers are framed in both English and Hindi by the examination authority.

What are the passing marks in NDA?

Candidates are required to score a minimum of around 25 per cent marks in each subject to clear the NDA written exam. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. Besides the subject-wise cut off marks, the examination authority also decides overall cut off marks for different defence services. Candidates are required to secure both section-wise and overall cut off marks. To be in the final merit list, candidates are required to secure separate qualifying marks in the written exam and SSB interview.

What is the difficulty level of NDA exam?

The difficulty level of NDA Maths paper is usually moderate while GAT was easy. The English Language paper of NDA is usually easy where questions are asked on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. The General Awareness section of NDA is moderate. Candidates need to keep themselves updated with the latest events in India and the world. To ace the exam, candidates need to understand the exam pattern and syllabus, practice mock test, solve previous years' question papers, etc. With hard work and dedication, candidates can crack the exam easily. The total marks allotted to the written exam of NDA are 900. Candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject to qualify the exam. Candidates qualifying the written exam of NDA are called for SSB Interview.

What is the training process after joining NDA?

The selected candidates for the three services-Army, Navy and Air Force are given preliminary training both academic and physical for a period of three years at the National Defence Academy which is an Inter-Service Institution. The training during the first two and half years is common to the cadets of three wings. All the cadets on passing out are awarded degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi as under: (a) Army Cadets: BSc/ BSc (Computer)/ BA (b) Naval Cadets: B Tech Degree (c) Air Force Cadets: B Tech Degree /B Sc/BSc (Computer) All the cadets undergoing B.Sc/B.Sc (Computer)/BA Degree programme are awarded the degree on the successful completion of Academics, Physical and Service Training at NDA. All the cadets undergoing B Tech programme are awarded the B Tech degree on the subsequent Pre Commissioning Training Academies/ Institutions/ Ships/ Air Craft The selected candidates of the Naval Academy are given preliminary training both academic and physical, for a period of four years at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. The cadets of 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme are awarded a B Tech Degree on successful completion of training.

Will NDA exam be affected by Agneepath Scheme?

Agnipath scheme is conducted for JCO entry whereas NDA exam is conducted for Officer entry. Agnipath scheme is restricted to the recruitment of soldiers. This is just a four-year scheme. NDA exam is conducted for permanent service commission. Therefore, NDA exam is not affected by Agneepath scheme. NDA exam is conducted by UPSC to select eligible candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy courses. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the exam. Through NDA exam, candidates are selected as Commissioned Officers in armed forces. The selection process of NDA comprises written exam and SSB interview. The written exam is conducted for 900 marks and SSB interview carries 900 marks. The final merit list is prepared out of 1800.

How many times can a candidate appear for the NDA exam, and what is the minimum qualifying marks required to pass?

NDA exam is conducted twice a year by UPSC. Candidates can appear for both the sessions of NDA exam. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in January. NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in July. To qualify each section of the NDA exam, candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject. NDA exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Fotce wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy.

How many vacancies were announced for NDA 2 2025 exam?

A total of 404 vacancies were announced for NDA 2 2025 exam. The vacancy break-up is given below. Academy Wings No. of Vacancies NDA Army 208 (including 10 for female candidates) Navy 42 (including 05 for female candidates) Air Force (i) Flying: 92 (including 02 for female candidates) (ii) Ground Duties (Tech):18 (including 02 for female candidates) (iii) Ground Duties (Non Tech): 10 (including 02 for female candidates) Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) - 36 (including 04 for female candidates) Total 404

NDA cut off is the minimum qualifying marks that candidates need to secure in the written exam and SSB interview. UPSC prescribes cut off marks for written exam and final selection. Candidates need to secure separate qualifying marks in written exam and SSB interview. Candidates securing the NDA cut off marks are called for subsequent rounds of selection process. NDA exam is conducted to select eligible candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy course. NDA selection process comprises written exa and SSB interview. Candidates qualifying the written exam by securing the required cut off are called for the SSB interview. Candidates need to secure the cut off marks in the SSB interview also.

when NDA cut off is released?

NDA cut off is released after the completion of the exam. The cut off is released separately for the written exam and final selection. There are also sectional cut off marks for the exam. Candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject of NDA exam. Based on the cut off marks of the written exam, candidates are selected for the SSB Interview. The final cut off is decided based on the written exam and SSB interview.

Where can I check the NDA cutoff scores?

NDA cutoffs are released on the official website in PDF form after the declaration of the final result. The cutoff marks are also provided on this page after it is announced by the examination authority. The cut off are released separately for written exam and final selection. Candidates need to secure the cut off marks inorder to get selected in the exam. The steps to check NDA cut off marks are given below: Visit the official website of UPSC From the 'Examination' tab, candidates need to go to the 'Cut off' tab In the cut off page, candidates will find the NDA cut off marks Check the cut off marks

What is the impact of NDA cut off in tie-breaking policy?

Wherever two or more candidates have secured equal aggregate marks in NDA & NA exam, the ties are resolved in accordance with the following principles approved by the Commission: In case of equal marks in aggregate, the candidate senior in age may be placed at higher rank and In case of the candidates having same age and same aggregate marks, the candidate getting higher aggregate score in written papers may be placed at higher rank

NDA Exam 2026: NDA 1 Admit Card (Soon), Exam Dates, Pattern, Syllabus & Prep Tips

2.1K Students Q&A

Exam On - 12 Apr '26

Updated on Mar 26, 2026 12:36 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

NDA 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will shortly release the NDA 1 admit card 2026 prior ten days of the examination date. The NDA 1 exam 2026 will be conducted on April 12, 2026 at various centres across the country. Candidates need to carry their NDA admit card to the examination hall. It is a mandatory document. Without it, candidate will not be able to take the exam. The UPSC allot the NDA exam centre on the first apply first allot basis. There will be no option to change the exam centre. The NDA 2026 exam will be conducted offline.

The application form filling process for NDA 1 2026 closed on December 30. NDA 1 notification was released in PDF form. The exam will be conducted for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA for the 157th Course and for the 119th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from January 1, 2027.

NDA 2 2026 notification will be released on May 20. The last date to fill the application form is June 9, 2026. The exam will be held on September 14. Read below for more details on the exam.

Table of contents

What is NDA exam?
NDA Exam Schedule 2026
NDA Admit Card 2026
NDA Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026
NDA Exam Analysis 2026
NDA Application Form 2026
NDA Vacancies 2026
NDA Selection Process 2026
NDA Result 2026
NDA Cutoff 2026
NDA Answer Key 2026
NDA Preparation Tips
NDA Salary
NDA 2026 FAQs

What is NDA exam?

UPSC National Defence Academy examination is one of the most sought-after defence exams in the country to select candidates for admission to the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy courses. NDA & NA exam is conducted twice a year to select eligible male and female candidates. NDA selection process comprises written exam and SSB interview. Candidates can check about NDA below.

NDA Full Form

Full Form of NDA stands for National Defence Academy. The exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy. The National Defence Academy & Naval Academy examination is a prestigious defence entrance exam. Another NDA full form also stands for the National Democratic Alliance. One is the defence entrance exam, and the other is the political party.

Location

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is located in Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra, India. It is the first tri-colour academy that trains male and female cadets together for NDA Army, Navy and Air Force. After passing out from the organisation, candidates are trained in the respective service academies-Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Indian Military Academy.

NDA Training

NDA provides comprehensive training to the cadets to prepare them to face the challenges of the armed forces. Life at NDA includes academic education, physical fitness, and leadership development. The cadets undergo a rigorous curriculum that covers various subjects and undergo physical training to enhance their endurance and strength.

Also Read: NDA Interview Questions

NDA Exam Highlights

The details regarding NDA Exam Recruitment are summarised below.

Exam Particulars	Exam Details
Exam Name	National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA)
Conducting Body	UPSC
Exam Level	National
Exam Frequency	Two times a year (April & September)
Mode of Exam	Offline
Exam Stages	Written exam and SSB Interview
Total Registrations	5.3 lakh (As per 2020 data)
Total Test Takers	2.4 lakh (As per 2020 data)
Exam Purpose	For admission to National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC)
Exam Fees	INR 100 for male candidates belonging to the General and OBC categories. However, SC/ST/Women candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from paying the fees.
Exam Duration	GAT: 2 ½ hours Mathematics: 2 ½ hours
No. of Papers and Total Marks	Paper 1: GAT Paper 2: Maths
Total Questions	GAT: 150 Mathematics: 120
Marking Scheme	GAT: Four marks for correct answers and 1.33 marks for wrong answers Maths: 2.5 marks for correct answers and 0.83 marks for wrong answers
Total Marks	Written Exam: 900 SSB Interview: 900
Language/Medium of Exam	English and Hindi
No. of Test Cities	More than 70 test cities
Official Website	upsc.gov.in
Contact Details	011-23385271/011-23381125/011- 23098543

NDA Exam Schedule 2026

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NDA 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
Apr ' 26	NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 TENTATIVE
12 Apr ' 26	NDA 1 2026 Exam Date
Apr ' 26	NDA 1 2026 Result TENTATIVE
20 May ' 26	NDA 2 2026 notification
20 May ' 26 - 09 Jun ' 26	NDA 2 2026 application
13 Sep ' 26	NDA 2 2026 Exam

Dates	Past Exam Dates
10 Dec ' 25	NDA 1 Notification 2026
10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25	NDA 1 Application Form 2026
14 Sep ' 25	NDA 2 2025 exam
View More Past Events (14)

NDA Admit Card 2026

DeskCalendar Admit Card: Apr ' 26

NDA 1 hall ticket 2026 will be made available Soon. All registered candidates can download their NDA admit cards through the direct link to be provided on this page. The details that candidates need to enter to access the e-admit card of UPSC NDA NA exam either the registration number or roll number. Candidates need to carry the printed copy of their admit cards along with one photo-identity proof to the exam centre of NDA exam 2026.

How To Download the NDA Admit Card 2026?

Visit at upsc.gov.in
Find ‘E-admit card National Defence Academy Examination,’ link on the homepage
In a new tab, a login page will open
Read the instructions carefully before downloading the admit card
Agree to the terms and conditions
Select any of the options-registration number or roll number
Click the ‘Submit’ button
NDA admit card appears on the screen
Download the admit card and take its printout

NDA Exam Centres List

The examination authority releases the list of test cities along with the notification. Candidates are required to select the test at the time of application. The details related to the address of NDA exam centres are mentioned in the admit card. Candidates are required to appear for the exam at the centres allotted by the examination authority. Centres are allotted as per first-cum-first apply basis. In case the number of students at a particular centre is full, the same will be frozen. Candidates need to carry one photo-identity proof to the exam centre. The list of NDA Exam Centres is given below.

Agartala	Ghaziabad	Panaji (Goa)
Agra	Gorakhpur	Patna
Ajmer	Gurgaon	Port Blair
Ahmedabad	Gwalior	Prayagraj (Allahabad)
Aizawl	Hyderabad	Puducherry
Aligarh	Imphal	Pune
Almora (Uttarakhand)	Indore	Raipur
Anantpur (Andhra Pradesh)	Itanagar	Rajkot
Aurangabad	Jabalpur	Ranchi
Bengaluru	Jaipur	Sambalpur
Bareilly	Jammu	Shillong
Bhopal	Jodhpur	Shimla
Bilaspur	Jorhat	Siligudi
Chandigarh	Kochi	Srinagar
Chennai	Kohima	Srinagar (Uttarakhand)
Coimbatore	Kolkata	Thane
Cuttack	Kozhikode (Calicut)	Thiruvananthapuram
Dehradun	Leh	Tiruchirapalli
Delhi	Lucknow	Tirupati
Dharwad	Ludhiana	Udaipur
Dispur	Madurai	Varanasi
Faridabad	Mumbai	Vellore
Gangtok	Mysore	Vijayawada
Gaya	Nagpur	Vishakhapatnam
Gautam Buddh Nagar	Navi Mumbai	Warangal

NDA Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026

NDA syllabus is prescribed by UPSC. The standard of the syllabus is of high school level. UPSC NDA/NA syllabus carries subjects such as Maths and GAT. Candidates need to be thorough with the syllabus to score good in the exam. It is necessary to be thorough with the NDA syllabus. After going through the syllabus, candidates must also refer to the previous years question papers. Candidates can check below the topics included in the syllabus of NDA exam 2026.

NDA Math Syllabus-Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability, Algebra, etc.
NDA English syllabus- Vocabulary, Comprehension, Cohesion, Preposition, etc.
NDA General Knowledge syllabus- Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

NDA Exam Pattern

NDA comprises written exam and SSB Interview. The written exam carries 900 marks. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks. The structure of NDA paper pattern is given below.

Code	Exam Name	Duration	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks
01	Mathematics	2 ½ hours	120	300
02	General Ability Test	2 ½ hours	50	200
02	General Ability Test	2 ½ hours	100	400
-	SSB Interview	-	50	900
Total				1800

SSB Interview: Know its Different Stages

SSB Interview comprises two stages.

Stage 1 comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT).
Stage 2 of SSB interview comprises Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. The SSB interview carries 900 marks.

NDA Exam Analysis 2026

Students can use UPSC NDA exam analysis to know the details, such as the difficulty level of each paper, students' review, types of questions, etc. The overall difficulty level of NDA 2025 exam was moderate. Check below the previous year's exam analysis.

NDA Application Form 2026

DeskCalendar Notification: 20 May ' 26

NDA 2 online form 2026 will be released on May 20. The last date to fill the application form is June 9, 2026. Students need to apply online only for NDA exam 2026. The application fee is INR 100. SC/ST/Sons of JCOs, NCOs, ORs are exempted from fee payment. To register for the exam, candidates need to create the unique registration number. Candidates can follow the process below for filling NDA application form.

Candidates need to visit-upsconline.nic.in
Click the NDA apply online link
Create the one time registration
Register for the exam
Upload the documents
Pay the application fees
Submit the application form

NDA Notification 2026

UPSC NDA 1 official notification PDF was released on December 10, 2025. NDA II notification 2026 will be released on May 20, 2026. The notification is released for the recruitment of male and female candidates to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and INAC. NDA exam notification comprises details such as the number of vacancies, exam dates, exam pattern, syllabus, course name, salary, exam centres, eligibility criteria, medical standards, the process of filling the application form, etc.

Important Link:

UPSC NDA & NA I 2026 Notification PDF

Download Here

NDA Eligibility 2026

Candidates need to fulfil the following NDA eligibility criteria 2026 in order to be eligible for the exam:

NDA Age Limit: Only unmarried male/female candidates born not earlier than 01st Jul 2007 and not later than 01st July 2010 are eligible
NDA Marital Status: Only unmarried male and female candidates can apply for the exam.
NDA Qualification

The educational qualification for NDA exam 2026 is different for different academies. Candidates can check the NDA qualification required for different academies below.

Academy	Educational Qualification
Army Wing of National Defence Academy	Passed Class 12/HSC or equivalent from a recognised board or university
Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy of National Defence Academy	Passed Class 12/HSC with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics

NDA Vacancies 2026

NDA vacancies are mentioned in the official notification PDF. Separate vacancies were announced for male and female candidates for NDA exam 2026. The table below comprises the NDA 1 2026 vacancies.

Academy	Wings	No. of Vacancies
NDA	Army	208 (including 10 for female candidates)
	Navy	42 (including 05 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch)
	Air Force	(i) Flying –92 (including 02 for female candidates) (ii) Ground Duties (Tech) –18 (including 02 for female candidates) (iii) Ground Duties (Non Tech) –10 (including 02 for female candidates)
Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme)	-	24 (including 03 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch)
Total		394

NDA Selection Process 2026

NDA selection process comprises written exam and SSB Interview. Candidates need to qualify both the stages of selection. The recruitment begins after the release of notification. Filling the application form, declaration of result, issue of admit cards comes under the NDA selection process. The complete recruitment process is explained below.

Also Read: NDA salary

NDA Result 2026

DeskCalendar Result: Apr ' 26

The result of NDA is announced online by UPSC. NDA result PDF comprises the roll numbers of qualified candidates.Shortlisted candidates will appear for SSB interview. The process to check the result is given below.

Click the direct link to check NDA result to be provided on this page
Result is made available in PDF form roll-number-wise
Search your roll number
Download result PDF of NDA exam 2026 and save it

NDA Toppers

Candidates can click on the links to check the interviews given by NDA toppers to Shiksha on how to prepare for the exam.

Interviews of NDA Toppers
NDA 2019 Topper Interview, Piyush Thorve, (AIR 16)	NDA Exam 2018 Topper, Interview Sparsh Kankane, (AIR 1)
NDA 2025 Topper Success Story	-

NDA Cutoff 2026

NDA cutoff for the written exam will be released after the completion of recruitment process. The commission releases cutoffs for written exam and SSB Interview. The cutoff for the written exam is calculated out of 900. The final cutoff is calculated based on the marks secured by the last recommended candidates out of 1800 marks (900 marks of written exam and 900 marks of SSB Interview). The qualifying cutoff marks prescribed for each subject are 25 per cent. Candidates are required to qualify the exam by securing separate cutoff marks in the written exam and SSB Interview.

Candidates can check below the previous years' NDA 1 & NDA 2 cut off marks.

NDA Paper	Written Exam Cut off	Final Exam Cut off
2024 (1)	291	654
2024 (2)	305	673
2023 (2)	292	656
2023 (1)	301	664

Prepare for JEE Main Entrance Exam with Question Papers, Syllabus, Pattern and Preparation Tips

Download Question Papers

NDA Answer Key 2026

The answer key of NDA exam 2026 will be released after completion of the test. Answer keys will be provided separately for Maths and GAT. Candidates can download NDA Answer Key for test booklets-A, B, C, D. The answer keys that are released on the exam day are made available by the coaching institiutes. The official keys by UPSC are released after the completion of the recruitment process. The UPSC will not release the official answer key as it will be released after the declaration of final result in October 2026.

NDA Question Papers 2026

The question papers for Maths and GAT are released on the day of the exam. We will provide the NDA 1 question paper PDFs on this page for all sets. Candidates can download these for free. They can also raise challenge against the same through Question Paper Representation Portal.

NDA Preparation Tips

To prepare for a NDA exam, it is important to understand the exam pattern. Concepts should be clear. Candidate should make proper strategy and should not forget to practice previous year question papers. Frequent revision also plays an important role. Go through the syllabus properly. Practice Mock test which will help in improving the speed and accuracy of solving the questions. Check below some of the important NDA preparation strategies.

Go through the exam pattern to know the number of questions, score calculation, time duration, etc.
Revise the topics given in the NDA syllabus
Clear your basics by referring to the high school books
Solve sample papers for NDA exam 2026
Practice mock tests
For current affairs, candidates must read the newspapers
Review your level of preparation
Work on weak areas

Also Read: NDA Books

NDA Salary

Candidates selected through NDA written exam and SSB are given admission to the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy courses. During training, the candidates are given the title of Gentlemen cadets. The stipend given to them is INR 56,100. Once the training is completed, they are offered the Commissioned Officer post and the salary is paid as per Level 10. They are also given various allowances and benefits.

Also Read: NDA Shift Timings

NDA 2026 FAQs

Candidates can check below NDA 2026 FAQs.

Q: Which are the best books for NDA SSB Interview?

Cracking SSB Interview is not easy task. The difficulty level is high and candidates must have sound knowledge of their subjects to clear the interview. The best books for SSB Interview are given below: SSB Interview: The Complete Guide by Dr N. K. Natarajan SSB OIR & PPDT: Complete Guide to Stage 1 SSB Interview by DDE.

Q: What is psychological test in NDA SSB interview?

The pyschological tests in NDA SSB interview comprises the following:

Thematic Apperception Test
Word Association Test
Situation Reaction Test
Self Description Test

Q: How can I improve my Vocabulary for NDA exam?

Candidates can improve their vocabulary for the NDA exam by reading newspapers. They should also practice the previous years papers. Reading editorials of the newspapers is also very useful. Attempt mock tests to know the important vocabulary questions.

Q: What is the per month salary for NDA Officers?

NDA salary per month is INR 56,100 during the training period. After joining NDA, candidates get the starting salary. Over the time, the NDA salary increases based on the experience and performance. NDA salary per month for Lieutenant is between INR 56,100-1,77,500. The highest NDA salary for Officer is INR 2,50,000 per month for the Chief of Army Staff. The month-wise NDA salary is given below:

Captain: INR 61,300-1,93,900
Major: INR 6,94,00-2,07,200
Lieutenant Colonel: INR 1,21,200-2,12,400

Q: Who earns more- NDA officer or IAS officer?

The NDA Cadets receive a fixed stipend of INR 56,100 per month. An IAS Officer earn between INR 56,100 and INR 2,50,000.

Q: What are the ranks given to the candidates on successful commissioning?

On successful commissioning in Army, candidates are given the rank of Lieutenant. In Navy, candidates are given the rank of Sub Lieutenant. In Air Force, candidates are given the rank of Flying Officer. The starting NDA salary of an Officer is INR 56,100. This is the stipend offered to the candidates during the training period and the minimum salary that a Lieutenant gets. It keeps on increasing as per the level of the post.

Q: What is the current NDA salary during the entire duration of training in Service academies?

NDA salary during the entire duration of training is INR 56,100. Candidates starting salary during the training period and in the initial phase of their job. Over time, the post and salary of NDA officers keep increasing based on their performance and experience. The NDA salary per month for the Lieutenant post ranges from INR 56,100 to 1,77,500, while the highest salary for NDA Officer is INR 2,50,000 per month for the Chief of Army Staff.

Q: What is the insurance policy given to the selected cadets in NDA?

Army group insurance fund cover is INR 15 Lakh. An ex-gratia amount of INR 12.5 Lacs or INR 9,000 per month is paid to the NoK.

Q: What is Army Group Insurance policy for NDA Officers?

Army Group Insurance Fund provides insurance cover of INR 15 Lacs on payment of one time non-refundable premium of INR 7,200 (subject to revision from time to time) by cadets from the date of joining for pre-commission training i.e. for 3 years.

Q: What is pre-commissioning stipend for NDA Gentlemen Cadets?

The Lady/Gentlemen Cadets during pre commission trg when in receipt of stipend are insured for INR One Cr as applicable to officers of the regular Army. Monthly AGIF subscription will be deducted directly by PCDA (O), Pune. For those who are invalidated out by Invalidated Medical Board (IMB) on account of disability and not entitled to any pension will be provided INR 25 Lacs for 100 percent disability. This will be proportionately reduced to INR 5 Lacs for 20 percent disability. However, for less than 20 percent disability, an ex-gratia grant of INR 50,000 only will be paid. Disability due to alcoholism, drug addiction
and due to the diseases of pre-enrolment origin will not qualify for disability benefit and ExGratia Grant. In addition, Lady/Gentleman Cadets withdrawn on disciplinary grounds, expelled as an undesirable or leaving the Academy voluntarily will not be eligible for disability benefits and Ex-Gratia.

Q: What is the purpose of the NDA syllabus?

NDA syllabus is prescribed by the examination authority. The syllabus comprises the topics that candidates need to prepare for the exam. The first and foremost step towards preparation is going through the syllabus. Knowing the syllabus helps candidates to plan a strategy to ace the exam, thereby, giving them the right direction for preparation. NDA syllabus has two sections for the written exam, General Ability Test (GAT) and Mathematics. GAT aims to test the candidate's basic knowledge of History, GK, Current Affairs of National and International Events, English, Science, and Geography. On the other hand, the Mathematics paper of NDA comprises questions based on Class 12. The GAT paper holds the maximum weightage in the syllabus.

Q: Are NDA and CDS syllabus same?

NDA exam is conducted for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy Course. CDS exam is conducted to select eligible candidates for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).

The level of NDA syllabus is of Class 10, 11 and 12 levels. Whereas the standard of CDS syllabus is of graduation level. NDA syllabus is divided into Maths and GAT. CDS syllabus is divided into Elementary Maths, English and General Awareness. The total marks allotted to the NDA written exam are 900. The total marks allotted to the written exam of CDS are 300 for IMA, INA and AFA and 200 for OTA.

Q: Is NDA exam conducted every year?

NDA exam is conducted every year twice in a year. The exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy courses. The selection process comprises written exam and SSB Interview. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. The SSB interview carries 900 marks.

Q: What is the difference between NDA 1 and 2 exams?

There is no difference between UPSC NDA 1 and 2 exams. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the January batch. Whereas, NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to July batch.

National Defence Academy or NDA exam is conducted twice a year by Union Public Service Commission for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). It is the most sought-after defence entrance exams in the country where both male and female candidates can apply.

The exam is conducted in two stages: written exam and SSB Interview. In 2020, a total of 5.3 Lacs candidates had applied for the exam, out of which 2.4 Lacs candidates appeared for the exam. UPSC prepares a list of candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. Such candidates are called for SSB Interview for Intelligence and Personality Test.

Also Read: Know the difference between NDA & NA I and II Exams

Q: Is NDA exam conducted in both English and Hindi?

NDA question paper is framed in both English and Hindi. The written exam is conducted for 900 marks. The test carries two papers-Maths and GAT. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview.