UPSC NDA Exam Centres 2026: Test Cities List and Locations

NDA exam is conducted across multiple test centres in more than 70 cities. The exam is conducted in two shifts-morning and afternoon. Candidates are required to appear in both shifts. The details regarding the NDA exam centre are mentioned on the admit card. There is a ceiling on the number of candidates allotted to each of the centres except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Nagpur. Allotment of NDA centres is done on the first-apply-firstallot basis and once the capacity of a particular centre is attained, the same is frozen. Applicants who cannot get a centre of their choice due to ceiling, are required to choose a NDA exam centre from the remaining ones. Applicants should apply early so that they get their preferred exam centre.

NDA test centres are allotted to candidates as per the preferences given by them in the application form. The exam centres are allotted to candidates on the first-cum-first-apply basis. Candidates should apply early in order to get the preferred test cities. The examination authority reserves the right to allot test cities to candidates.

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)

UPSC releases the list of test cities along with the notification. Candidates are required to choose one test city as per their preferences while filling the application form. One test city can have multiple exam centres. The details regarding the NDA exam centres are mentioned on the admit card. Candidates need to appear for the exam at the allotted test centre or else their answer scripts are not evaluated. While appearing for the exam, candidates need to carry the printed copy of their admit cards along with one photo-identity proof to the allotted NDA exam centre.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Candidates are judged based on their Psychological Aptitude and Intelligence in the SSB Interview of NDA exam. The Ministry of Defence establishes NDA SSB (Service Selection Board). NDA SSB is the body that schedule, organise and conduct SSB interview for the aspirants applying for Indian Military Forces. SSB Interview is conducted at the NDA SSB Centres. The NDA SSB interview is conducted for Intelligence and Personality Test. Aspirants applying for the Air Force have to separately qualify for the CPSS (Computerized Pilot Selection System) & PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test).

NDA marking scheme is prescribed by UPSC. Candidates for correct answers are given 2.5 marks in Maths. 0.83 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Four marks are given for correct answers in GAT. 1.33 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Total marks allotted to the written exam are 900.

NDA exam centres are released along with the notification. The details related to the test cities are to be filled while filling the application form. The examination authority allots test cities as per their preferences. 

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.

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. 

Few exam day guidelines for NDA exam are given below: 
The entry gate closes 10 minutes before the exam begins
For the morning session, the entry closes at 9.50 am while for the afternoon session, the entry closes at 1.50 pm 
Candidates need to preserve their admit cards till the exam day 
Mobile phones, calculators, or any other electronic devices are banned inside the exam centre 
Candidates should bring a black point 
Candidates whose photograph is not clearly printed on NDA admit card should bring photo-identity proof and three passport-sized photographs 

Candidates can select one city for NDA exam while filling the application form. The preferences of exam cities are required to be entered in Part 2 of NDA application form. The exam centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis. Once the capacity of a particular centre is filled, the same is frozen. Therefore, to get the preferred exam centre, candidates need to apply early. The examination authority reserves the right to allot exam centres to candidates.