
NDA Recruitment 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted NDA 2 exam on September 13, 2026, followed by a recruitment notice published on December 10, 2025. Cadidates are advised to fill NDA 2 application form in given time.
NDA recruitment notification was out in PDF format and consists of details like eligibility criteria, vacancies, reservation policy, admit card, stages of exam, etc. NDA recruitment is a direct way to take admission into Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC).
Read below for more details on NDA recruitment.
- NDA Registration 2026
- NDA Exam Schedule 2026
- NDA Eligibility
- Details of NDA Exam Pattern and Syllabus
- NDA Salary
- NDA Vacancies 2026
- NDA Selection Process
- NDA Recruitment 2026 FAQs
NDA Registration 2026
Interested candidates need to fill NDA application form online by paying a fee of INR 100. Candidates must note that application form is free for SC/ST candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs. Only unmarried male and female candidates who have completed Class 12 can apply.
To fill application form, candidates need to first complete one-time registration. After generation of one-time registration ID, they will be able to fill application form. Check below to get full steps on filling NDA application form.
- Visit UPSC
- Create One Time Registration Password
- Login to fill detailed application form
- Recheck all details properly
- Submit fees
Also Read: NDA vacancy
🚀 Boost NDA Score in Written Exam
Download free PDF of NDA previous year question papers with solutions and practice real Maths and GAT paper to boost your score.
Commonly asked questions
You can abbreviate your name within 30 characters and fill it in the name column of NDA application form. You need to send a signed written request to Joint Secretary (Examination), UPSC Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi 110069 by speed-post or fax by giving details of the full name and reasons for abbreviation in this regard. Applicants need to fill NDA application form online. Candidates are not required to sent the hard copy of the NDA application form. The application form can be filled in two parts. In Part 1 of NDA application form, candidates need to fill register for the exam, choose the preferred branch, verify the details and generate the registration ID. In Part 2, candidates need to select the exam centre, upload scanned images of photograph and signature. Before filling the application form, candidates need to complete the one time registration.
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.
NDA Exam Schedule 2026
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NDA 2026 exam
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 09 Oct ' 26 | NDA 2 Result 2026 |
| 16 Sep ' 26 | NDA 2 Provisional Answer Key 2026 |
| 13 Sep ' 26 | NDA 2 2026 Exam |
NDA Eligibility
NDA eligibility is fixed by Union Public Service Commission. To know your eligibility status, read the points given below
- Candidate should be a citizen of India
- Candidate should be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age
- Only unmarried male & female candidates can apply
- Candidate should have passed or be appearing for 10+2 from recognized board
- Candidates should meet prescribed medical fitness, height, weight and vision criteria of Armed force.
Commonly asked questions
The Account Creation details and CAF details including mobile number, email ID, password, URN number are permanent record and will be required every time the candidates fill any application. These may be retained and carefully preserved.
Candidate should also have details of one photo ID such as Aadhar Card/ Voter Card/ PAN Card/ Passport/ Driving License/School Photo ID/Any other photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government while filling the application form. Besides photo-identity proof, candidates are also required to upload their scanned photographs and signatures. Candidates need to bring the same photo-identity proof along with the admit card to the exam centre for appearing the written exam and SSB interview. The photo-identity proof that candidates upload during registration is used for all future reference by UPSC.The application form needs to be filled online only. Candidates must have their photographs and signatures duly scanned in the .jpg format in such a manner that each file should not exceed 300 KB each and must not be less than 20 KB in size for the photograph and signature. Candidates scan their photo-identity proof in PDF only. The size of the PDF file should not exceed 300 KB and must not be less than 20 KB.
URN is the Universal Registration Number which is generated after filling the Personal Details which once created forms the permanent record of the applicant using which he/she can fill all future applications of the Commission.
Details of NDA Exam Pattern and Syllabus
NDA exam is divided into two: written and SSB Interview. Written exam as per NDA exam pattern comprises of two sections: GAT and Maths. Total marks allotted to for written exam are 900 and then SSB Interview takes place for other 900 marks. You can check the check marks pattern below.
| Papers | Subject | Maximum marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 |
Mathematics |
300 |
2.5 |
| Paper 2 |
GAT |
600 |
2.5 |
| Total |
900 |
5 hours |
|
NDA syllabus is simple and combines topics that candidates have studied in Class 10, 11, and 12 standards. Mathematics section comprises topics from Algebra, Matrices, Determinants, Trigonometry, Integral Calculus, Differential Equation etc. GAT combines topics from General Knowledge and English.
NDA Marking Scheme for Maths
Candidates will get 2.5 marks for each correct answer and there is also a negative marking of 0.83 marks deducted for each incorrect answer. Candidates can check NDA marking scheme below
| Total Marks |
300 Marks |
|---|---|
| Total No. of Questions |
120 |
| Correct Answer |
2.5 marks |
| Marks deducted for the wrong answer |
- 0.83 |
| Total duration of Mathematics Paper |
2 Hours 30 Minutes |
NDA Marking Scheme for GAT
Candidates will get 150 GAT questions; to check its particular marking scheme, see below.
| Total Marks |
600 Marks |
|---|---|
| Total No. of Questions |
150 |
| Correct Answer |
4 marks |
| Marks deducted for the wrong answer |
1.33 |
| Total duration of Mathematics Paper |
2 Hours 30 Minutes |
Commonly asked questions
A total of 120 questions are asked in the Maths paper of NDA. Questions are usually asked from Algebra Matrices and Determinants Trigonometry Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimensions, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, and Differential Equations Vector Algebra Statistics and Probability. In the GAT part of the NDA exam, a total of 150 questions are asked. This section is divided into parts. Part A comprises questions from English and Part B comprises questions from General Knowledge. In English questions are generally asked from Spotting Errors, Antonyms, Synonyms, Idioms, and Phrases and Fill in the Blanks. In General Knowledge, questions are asked from Physics Chemistry Biology Indian Polity, History, Geography, Economy, Defence Specific, Current Affairs & Static GK, etc.
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 Salary
Gentleman cadets undergoing training at IMA receive INR 56,100. After successful training, NDA salary of an officer commissioned will be fixed in first Cell of Level 10. Besides, candidates are also entitled to various benefits. Rank-wise salary of Officers is given below:
| Ranks | NDA salary (In INR) |
|---|---|
| Lt to Maj |
Lt: Level 10 (56,100-1,77,500) Capt: Level10 B (61,300-1,93,900) Maj: Level 11 (69,400-2,07,200) |
| Lt Col to Maj Gen |
Lt Col: Level 12A (1,21,200-2,12,400) Col: Level 13 (1,30,600-2,15,900) Brig: Level 13A (1,39,600-2,17,600) Maj Gen - Level 14 (1,44,200-2,18,200) |
| Lt Gen to HAG Scale |
Level 15 (1, 82, 200-2,24,100) |
| HAG+Scale |
Level 16 (2,05,400-2,24,400) |
| VCOAS/ArmyCdr/Lt Gen (NFSG) |
Level 17 (2,25,000) (fixed) |
| COAS |
Level 18 (2,50,000) (fixed) |
Commonly asked questions
There are multiple allowances offered to the Officers along with NDA salary such as Uniform Allowance, Dearness and Transport Allowance, Para Reserve Allowance, Technical Allowance, Children Education Allowance, Hostel Subsidy, High Altitude Allowance, etc. The Army Aviators (Pilots) in Lt and above in Level 10 and above serving in the Army Aviation Corps are entitled to flying allowance of INR 25,000 (R1H1 of Risk and Hardship Matrix).. .
NDA Vacancies 2026
NDA vacancy 2026 will be released along with the notification. The vacancies are released for different academies. Candidates can check below the last year vacancy break-up.
NDA 2 Vacancy 2025
| Academy | Wings | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| NDA |
Army |
208 (including 10 for female candidates) |
| National Defence Academy Navy |
42 (including 05 for female candidates are allotted for Navy NDA ) |
|
| Air Force |
(i) Flying: 92 (including 02 for female candidates) |
|
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) |
- |
36 (including 04 for female candidates) |
Commonly asked questions
A total of 404 vacancies were announced for NDA 2 2024 exam. The vacancy break-up is given below.
| Academy | Wings | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
NDA | Army | 208 (including 10 for female candidates) |
Navy | 42 (including 06 for female candidates) | |
Air Force | Flying- 92 (including 02 for female candidates) Ground Duties (Tech)-18 (including 02 for female candidates) Ground Duties (Non Tech)-10 (including 02 for female candidates) | |
Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | - | 34 (including 05 for female candidate) |
Total |
| 404 |
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.
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.
NDA Selection Process
The selection of candidates is done based on the written exam and SSB Interview. UPSC will prepare a list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. Such candidates are required to appear before the Services Selection Board for Intelligence and Personality Test. Candidates need to secure separate qualifying marks for the written exam and SSB Interview. On the basis of candidates' performance in the written exam and SSB Interview NDA selection is done. The final allocation to the Army, Navy, Air Force of the National Defence Academy and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of Indian Naval Academy is done based on the number of NDA vacancies, eligibility criteria, medical fitness, and merit-cum-preference of candidates.
Read More:
Commonly asked questions
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.
NDA Recruitment 2026 FAQs
Candidates can check below NDA recruitment 2026 FAQs.
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.
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
NDA exam carries two papers-Maths and GAT of Class 10, 11 & 12 levels. The GAT paper is further divided into two parts-English and General Awareness. With a good preparation, candidates can crack the exam. Candidates can also refer to the high school level books to clear their concepts of topics asked in the exam.
UPSC announced 395 vacancies for NDA 1 2023. A total of 208 (including 10 for female candidates) were announced for Army, 42 (including 03 for female candidates) for Navy and 120 for Air Force (two vacancies each were earmarked for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical Branches). NDA exam is conducted for admission of candidates to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy courses.
Questions in this section of NDA exam are asked from General Science, Indian history, Physics Geography, Chemistry and Current Events. Candidates must read the newspapers and watch news channels to know about the national and international events. Candidates must refer to the six months Current Affairs for NDA exam.
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.
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