NDA Vacancy 2026 OUT: NDA (1) Vacancies for Male & Female Candidates
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2026 ( NDA )
Exam On - 12 Apr '26
NDA Vacancies 2026: The Union Public Service Commission releases the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Vacancies in the official notification. These numbers are always remain tentative till the declaration of final result. As per the official notification, the total number of NDA 2026 vacancies are 394. The Commission will select the candidates separately against the NDA and NA vacancies. The UPSC receives the requisition from the Ministry of Defence regarding the vacancies in different forces.
The candidates should note that the number of vacancies have a direct relation with the NDA cutoff. Higher the number of vacancies implies low cutoff for the exam. The Commission will conduct the NDA exam on April 12, 2026 for such vacancies. NDA exam is conducted for admission to Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Courses. The selection process of NDA comprises the written exam and SSB Interview.
Also Read:
- NDA 1 Vacancies 2026
- NDA Exam Schedule 2026
- Previous Years' NDA Vacancies
- NDA Selection Process
- NDA Vacancy 2026 FAQs
NDA 1 Vacancies 2026
NDA 1 2026 vacancies are available now. The vacancy break-up is given below.
| Academy | Wings | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| NDA |
Army |
208 (including 10 for female candidates) |
| Navy |
42 (including 05 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch) |
|
| Air Force |
(i) Flying –92 (including 02 for female candidates) |
|
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) |
- |
24 (including 03 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch) |
| Total |
|
394 |
Commonly asked questions
A total of 394 vacancies were announced for NDA 1 2026 exam. The break-up is given below.
| Academy | Wings | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
NDA | Army | 208 (including 10 for female candidates) |
Navy | 42 (including 05 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch) | |
Air Force | (i) Flying –92 (including 02 for female candidates) | |
Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | - | 24 (including 03 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch) |
Total |
| 394 |
NDA Exam Schedule 2026
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NDA 2026 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Apr ' 26 | NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 TENTATIVE |
| 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 |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 10 Dec ' 25 | NDA 1 Notification 2026 |
| 10 Dec ' 25 - 30 Dec ' 25 | NDA 1 Application Form 2026 |
| 14 Sep ' 25 | NDA 2 2025 exam |
Previous Years' NDA Vacancies
The table below provides NDA 1 & 2 vacancies for the last five years.
| Year | NDA I | NDA II |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 406 | 406 |
| 2024 | 400 | 404 |
| 2023 | 395 | 395 |
| 2021 | 400 | 400 |
| 2020 | 418 | 413 |
| 2019 | 415 | 415 |
| 2018 | 415 | 383 |
| 2017 | 390 | 390 |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
Women candidates can apply for Indian Naval Academy courses for NDA exam. In 2024, vacancies were released for women candidates for admission to Indian Naval Academy courses.
Few important points related to NDA vacancies are given below:
- NDA vacancies are provisional and may change depending on the availability of training capacity of the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy
- Candidates are required to specify clearly in the online NDA application form, the services for which they wish to be considered in the order of their preferences
- Candidates are also advised to indicate as many preferences as they wish for NDA recruitment so that while offering appointments due consideration can be given to the preferences as per their ranks in the merit list
- Candidates should note that they will be considered under NDA recruitment 2022 for appointment to those services only for which they have expressed their preferences
- UPSC will not entertain any request for addition/alteration in the preferences indicated in the NDA Recruitment application
- Admission will be offered to candidates on the basis of NDA results of the written exam and SSB Interview
NDA Selection Process
NDA selection process comprises written exam and SSB interview. The written exam is held for 900 marks. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks. Candidates are selected based on their merits. They need to be medically fit inorder to inorder to carry on their responsibilities.
Commonly asked questions
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).
NDA Vacancy 2026 FAQs
Candidates can check below NDA vacancies FAQs.
Commonly asked questions
A total of 120 vacancies are announced for Air Force wing of NDA. Out of the total vacancies, 92 are Flying Branch (two for female candidates), 18 for Ground Duties (Tech) (two for female candidates) and 10 for Ground Duties (Non-Tech) (two for female candidates).. .
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.
Following NDA 1 vacancies 2024 for women were announced in 2024.
| Academy | Wings | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| NDA | Army | 10 |
| Navy | 12 | |
| Air Force | (i) Flying-2 (ii) Ground Duties (Tech)-18 (iii) Ground Duties (Non-Tech)-10 | |
| Indian Naval Academy | - | 9 |
The following NDA 2 vacancies in 2024 for females were announced.
| Academy | Wings | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| NDA | Army | 10 |
| Navy | 6 | |
| Air Force | (i) Flying-2 (ii) Ground Duties (Tech)-2 (iii) Ground Duties (Non-Tech)-2 | |
| Indian Naval Academy | - | 5 |
Candidates for NDA exam are selected as per the vacancies. The written exam is held for 900 marks. The SSB interview is conducted for 900 marks. The final selection of candidates is done based on both the stages.
A total of 42 vacancies (three for female candidates) have been announced for the Navy wing of the NDA. For admission to the Navy wing of NDA. Candidates must have passed Class 12/HSC with Physics Chemistry and Mathematics.
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 404 vacancies were announced for NDA 2 2025 exam. The vacancy break-up is given below.
Academy | Wings | No. of Vacancies |
NDA | Army | 208 (including 10 for female candidates) |
Navy | 42 (including 05 for female candidates) | |
Air Force | (i) Flying: 92 (including 02 for female candidates) | |
Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | - | 36 (including 04 for female candidates) |
Total |
| 404 |
A total of 208 vacancies are announced for the Army wing of NDA. A total of 10 vacancies are earmarked for female candidates. Those who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 can apply.
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