NDA Recruitment 2026: Check Vacancies, Eligibility, Selection Process & Result

National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2025 ( NDA )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25

Anangsha Patra
Updated on Aug 30, 2025 22:03 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Deputy Manager – Editorial

NDA Recruitment 2026: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the UPSC NDA & NA 1 recruitment notice on December 10, 2025. NDA 1 apply online link will be made available from December 10 to 30, 2025. The NDA 2 official notification PDF will be released on May 20, 2026. NDA II registration form will be available from May 20 to June 9, 2026. NDA exam dates 2026 were announced by the examination authority. The NDA I 2026 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026. NDA II exam will be held on September 13, 2026

NDA recruitment notification is made available in PDF form and contains details such as eligibility criteria, vacancies, reservation policy, admit card, stages of exam, etc. NDA recruitment is done for admission to Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). NDA recruitment is one of the sought-after defence entrance exams in the country. A large number of defence aspirants apply for the exam every year. Read below for more details on NDA recruitment.

Q:   Is NDA exam conducted online or offline?
A: 
NDA exam is conducted in two shifts-morning and afternoon. The Maths paper is held from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM and GAT is held in the afternoon shift from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM. 
Q:   What are the stages of NDA selection process?
A: 

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.

Q:   What is the full form of NDA?
A: 

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.

Table of contents
  • NDA Registration 2026
  • NDA Dates
  • Details of NDA Exam Pattern and Syllabus
  • NDA Salary
  • NDA Vacancies 2026
  • NDA Selection Process
  • NDA Recruitment 2026 FAQs
View More
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NDA Registration 2026

DeskCalendarRegistration: 10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25

Interested candidates need to fill NDA application form online. The application fee can be paid both online and offline which is INR 100. Candidates must note that the application fee is exempted for SC/ST candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs. Only unmarried male and female candidates who have completed Class 12 can apply for the exam. To fill the application form, candidates need to first complete the one time registration. After generation of one time registration ID, candidates will be able to fill the application form.

Also Read: NDA vacancy

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the stages of NDA selection process?
A: 

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.

Q:   Can women candidates apply for NDA exam?
A: 

Yes, women candidates can now apply for NDA exam. In 2021, Supreme Court of India has allowed women candidates to appear for NDA exam. The eligibility criteria of women candidates are same as male candidates. Women candidates aged between 16.5 years to 19.5 years can apply for NDA exam. They must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board. Candidates who are appearing in Class 12 exam can also apply for NDA. Now women candidates are also eligible for applying to the Indian Naval Academy course. Earlier, they were not allowed to apply for Indian Naval Academy. The eligibility for the women candidates are same as their male counterparts. However, there is a difference in the medical standards of women candidates.

Q:   What should I do if my name is more than 30 characters in the NDA form?
A: 

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 Dates

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NDA 2025 exam

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
10 Dec ' 25

NDA 1 Notification 2026

10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25

NDA 1 Application Form 2026

12 Apr ' 26

NDA 1 2026 Exam Date

20 May ' 26

NDA 2 2026 notification

20 May ' 26 - 09 Jun ' 26

NDA 2 2026 application

13 Sep ' 26

NDA 2 2026 Exam

DatesPast Exam Dates
14 Sep ' 25

NDA 2 2025 exam

04 Sep ' 25 - 14 Sep ' 25

NDA 2 Admit Card 2025

28 May ' 25 - 20 Jun ' 25

NDA 2 Application Form 2025

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Details of NDA Exam Pattern and Syllabus

NDA exam is divided into a written exam and SSB Interview. The written as per NDA exam pattern comprises two papers-GAT and Maths. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. The SSB Interview is held for 900 marks.

NDA syllabus is simple and comprises the topics that candidates have studied in Class 10, 11, and 12 standards. The Mathematics section comprises topics from Algebra, Matrices, and Determinants, Trigonometry, Integral Calculus, and Differential Equation, Vector Algebra, etc. GAT comprises topics from General Knowledge and English.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the passing marks in NDA?
A: 

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.

Q:   How many questions are asked in NDA exam?
A: 

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.

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NDA Salary

The Gentleman cadets undergoing training at IMA are INR 56,100. After the successful training, the NDA salary of the Officer Commissioned will be fixed in the first Cell of Level 10. Besides, candidates are also entitled to various benefits. The 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)

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Are there any allowances along with the NDA salary?
A: 

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).. .

View salary details
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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)
(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)

 

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many vacancies were announced for NDA 2 exam in 2023?
A: 

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.

Q:   How many vacancies were announced for NDA 2 2024 exam?
A: 

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

AcademyWingsNo. 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

Q:   Does NDA select cadet according to academy vacancy or service vacancy?
A: 

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.

View Vacancy details
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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:

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NDA Recruitment 2026 FAQs

Candidates can check below NDA recruitment 2026 FAQs.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the standard of questions in the NDA exam?
A: 

 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.

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NDA Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 weeks ago

The NDA application form for 2026 will be released on December 10, 2025. Here's a summary of the key dates ¹ ²:

- *NDA 1 Application Form:*

    - Release Date: December 10, 2025

    - Last Date to Apply: December 30, 2025

    - Exam Date: April 12, 2026

- *NDA 2 Application Form:*

    - Release Date:

...Read more

Y

YUVASRI

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a month ago

NDA 2026 exam dates have been announced. NDA 1 2026 exam will be held on April 12, 2026. The exam for NDA II 2026 will be held on September 13, 2026. 

A

Abhishek Kumar

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

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.

B

Bhumika Arora

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

NDA 1 application form will be released on December 10, 2025. The last date to fill application form is December 30. NDA 2 online form will be available on May 20. Last date to fill the application form is June 8, 2026.

R

Raushan Pradhan

Contributor-Level 7

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