UPSC NDA 2026 Selection Process, Written Exam & SSB Interview

NDA is the joint training institute for all three services-Army, Navy and Air Force. After joining the NDA cadet undergo training for three years. After graduating from NDA candidates are sent to their respective training academies for one year of training before commissioning. Army cadets are sent to the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), naval cadets to the Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala), and Air Force cadets to the Air Force Academy (Dundigal, Hyderabad).

There are negative marks for wrong answers in NDA exam. 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 step-by-step selection process of NDA exam is explained below:

Filling the Application Form

The application process is completely online. Interested candidates need to apply from the official website. The application fees are INR 100, however, SC/ST candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs were exempted from paying the fees. NDA application form comprises two parts: Part I (Registration) and Part II (Filling the application form).

Release of Admit Card

NDA admit card is released online three weeks before the exam. All registered candidates can download the admit card by logging with either registration number or roll number. The hard copy of the NDA admit card is not sent to candidates by post.

Appearing in Written Exam

The written exam comprises two sections: Mathematics and General Ability Test. The total marks of the written exam are 900.  Each paper is held for  2 ½ hours. Total questions asked in GAT are 150 while it is 120 in Mathematics.

Declaration of Result

NDA result is declared in two stages: written and final. The result of both the stages is declared online. The results are made available in PDF format. NDA resultdisplays the roll numbers of qualified candidates. NDA Cutoff is announced after the completion of selection process.

Appearing in SSB Interview

SSB Interview comprises two stages. Stage I comprise Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on the combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT. Stage II comprises Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over four days.

Final Selection

To be acceptable should secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in written exam and SSB Interview. Subject to these conditions the qualified candidates will be placed in a single combined list on the basis of total marks secured by them in the written exam and SSB Interview.