NDA Notification 2026: Download UPSC NDA/NA Official Notification PDF Here

NDA exam is conducted in two stages: written and SSB Interview. Candidates qualifying the written exam of NDA by securing the required cut off marks are called for the SSB interview. The SSB Interview is divided into two stages. Candidates qualifying theStage 1 are called for the Stage 2 exam. Stage 1 of the SSB Interview comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Stage 2 comprises Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. This stage carries 900 marks.

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.

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.

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 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.

A total of 404 vacancies were announced for NDA 2 2024 exam. The vacancy break-up is given below.

A total of 395 vacancies were announced for NDA 2 2023 exam. Out of total vacancies, 208 vacancies were announced for Army, 42 for Navy, 120 for Air Force and 25 for Indian Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). A total of 35 vacancies were announced for women candidates.

According to the NDA Exam Pattern, the NDA Exam will be conducted in offline mode, and all questions will be MCQ type. The exam is given in both English and Hindi. The question paper will consist of two sections: Mathematics and GAT. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks.

The questions that are asked in an NDA SSB interview are given below: How did your GTO and Psychology go, how many individual obstacles could you do, were you able to answer all the questions in psychology. 
Why IAF over the Army and Navy?
Tell me about your education backgroun
Tell me about the extracurricular and sport activities 
What are your weaknesses
Tell me national and international news 

SSB Interview is held in two stages. Stage 1 comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Stage 2 comprises Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. The total marks allotted to SSB interview are 900. The performance in the SSB interview is also considered for final merit list.

The salary that candidates will get after completing their course in NDA is given below. Lt to Major: Lt: Level 10 (56100-177500) Capt: Level 10 B (61,300-193900) Maj: Level 11 (69400-207200) Lt Colonel to Major General: Lt Col: Level 12A (121200-212400) Col: Level 13 (130600-215900) Brig: Level 13A (139600-217600) Maj Gen: Level 14 (144200-218200) Lt Gen AG Scale: Level 15 (182200-224100) HAG + Scale: Level 16 (205400 224400) VCOAS/ Army Cdr/ Lt Gen (NFSG): Level 17 (225000) (fixed) COAS: Level 18 (250000) (fixed). .

Aspirants are always interested in knowing NDA salary while preparing for the exam. The salary provides details regarding the compensation that employees get after joining NDA. The stipend given to the Gentlemen Cadets during training is INR 56,100. After the successful training, the NDA salary of the Officer Commissioned will be fixed in the first Cell of Level 10.

The highest NDA salary of an Officer is Level 18 which is INR 2,50,000. This salary is offered to Chief of Army Staff. The highest salary varies for different posts. The salary for the post of Lieutenant is INR 1,77,500 per month. The salary for Major General is INR 2,18,200 per month.

There are negative marks for wrong answers, 1/3 of the marks allotted to each question are deducted for the incorrect answer. There is no deduction in marks for unanswered questions. The marking scheme of NDA is given below. GAT For correct answer, four marks are awarded while 1.33 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Maths For correct answer, 2.5 marks are awarded while 0.83 marks are deducted for wrong answers. The marks of candidates are calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers. The marking scheme of NDA exam is given below:

The ideal time required for NDA preparation is one year to six months. candidates must focus on all subjects and topics relevant to the exam. 

The question paper of NDA is set in both English and Hindi. All the questions in the exam are objective type. There are a total of 150 questions in GAT while the Mathematics part carry a total of 120 questions.