NDA Vacancy 2026 OUT: NDA (1) Vacancies for Male & Female Candidates

National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2026 ( NDA )

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NDA 2 2026 application

20 May '26 - 9 Jun '26

Shikha Goyal
Updated on May 12, 2026 00:29 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

Overview

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 2 exam on September 14, 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 Application Form

NDA Notification

Table of contents
  • NDA 1 Vacancies 2026
  • NDA Exam Schedule 2026
  • Previous Years' NDA Vacancies
  • NDA Selection Process
  • NDA Vacancy 2026 FAQs
NDA Logo

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)
(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)

-

 24  (including 03 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch)

Total

 

394

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many vacancies are announced for NDA 2 2026 exam?
A: 

A total of 394 vacancies are announced for NDA 2 2026 exam. The break-up is given below.

AcademyWingsNo. 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)
(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)

-

 24  (including 03 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch)

Total

 

394

Q:   How much time is required for NDA Exam Preparation?
A: 
NDA preparation requires one year to six months. Candidates must focus on all subjects and topics relevant to the exam. They should attempt mock tests. Candidates must know the exam pattern and syllabus. They should also solve the previous years question papers.

NDA Exam Schedule 2026

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NDA 2026 exam

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
20 May ' 26 - 09 Jun ' 26

NDA 2 2026 application

ONGOING
13 Sep ' 26

NDA 2 2026 Exam

DatesPast Exam Dates
20 May ' 26

NDA 2 2026 notification

12 Apr ' 26

NDA 1 2026 Exam Date

02 Apr ' 26

NDA 1 Admit Card 2026

NDA Logo

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:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can women candidates apply for Indian Naval Academy courses for NDA exam?
A: 

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. 

Q:   What are the important points related to NDA vacancies?
A: 

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 Logo

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.

The selection process consists if the written exam, SSB Interview, Medical Examination and Final Merit List. The total marks for the NDA exam allotted is 1800 out of which written exam is of 900 marks and SSB is of 900 marks. The training academy is National Defence Academy. The NDA exam is conducted twice a year. Both male and female candidates can apply for the exam. Candidates between 16.5 to 19.5 years and who have passed Class 12 pass can apply for the exam. NDA 2026 selection process started with the release of notification.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What after final selection in NDA?
A: 
The selected candidates undergo training at NDA. After passing out from NDA, cadets go to the respective defence academies for further training.
Q:   What is the process of training in NDA Pune?
A: 

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).

Q:   What is the complete selection process of NDA exam?
A: 

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.

NDA Logo

NDA Vacancy 2026 FAQs

Candidates can check below NDA vacancies FAQs.

Q:   How many vacancies were announced for NDA 2 2025 exam?
A: 

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)
(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)

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.

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

 

The following NDA 2 vacancies in 2024 for females were announced.

AcademyWingsNo. of Vacancies
NDAArmy 10
Navy 6
Air Force (i) Flying-2
(ii) Ground Duties (Tech)-2
(iii) Ground Duties (Non-Tech)-2
Indian Naval Academy-5
Q:   How the candidates are selected against NDA vacancies?
A: 

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.

 

Q:   How many vacancies have been announced for the Army wing of NDA in 2023?
A: 

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.

Q:   How many NDA 1 vacancies 2024 for women were announced in 2024?
A: 

Following NDA 1 vacancies 2024 for women were announced in 2024.

AcademyWingsNo. of Vacancies
NDAArmy 10
Navy 12
Air Force (i) Flying-2
(ii) Ground Duties (Tech)-18
(iii) Ground Duties (Non-Tech)-10
Indian Naval Academy-9
Q:   How many vacancies were announced for the Navy wing of the NDA in 2023?
A: 

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.

Q:   How many vacancies were announced for the Air Force wing of NDA in 2023?
A: 

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).. .

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NDA Exam

Student Forum

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

Answered Yesterday

Yes, you can give the NDA exam as you have qualified the Class 12 exam. As per the age requirement candidates age should lie between 16.5 to 19.5 years to apply for the NDA exam. However, go through the eligibility criteria properly once before applying for the exam.

S

Satyendra Garg

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 weeks ago

A candidate who want to give the NDA 2 2026 exam, the required birth date range between January 2, 2008 and January 1, 2011.

I

Ishita Kaur

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 weeks ago

This is the right time to start the preparation for the NDA. First understand the NDA exam pattern and check the syllabus. Then, you should focus on NCERT, solve previous year question papers, read news paper daily, maintain a formula book and revise it, start some physical routine of few minutes on

...Read more

G

Gunjan Majumder

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

To know the specific venue in Vijayawada, candidate need to check the admit card released by the UPSC. It has been allotted via first-come, first-served basis during the filling out of the application form.

I

Ishita Kaur

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The NDA 1 2026 notification was released by the UPSC on December 10 at upsc.gov.in. Along with the notification, the application process started. The last date to apply was December 30, 2025. 

J

Jasleen Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The UPSC conducted the NDA 1 exam on April 12, 2026. The official provisional answer key released on the official portal at upsc.gov.in. Candidates can download the answer key PDF for all sets from this page as well.

C

Chanchal Shekhar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

The NDA 2 admit card will be released a few days before the examination date at upsc.gov.in. Candidates will be able to download their e-hall ticket by visiting the official website or via direct link provided on this page once it is released. The NDA 2 exam is scheduled to be conducted on September

...Read more

K

Kritika Sharma

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The Commission released the NDA 2 notification 2026 on the official portal at upsc.gov.in on May 20, 2026. The last date to apply for NDA 2 will be June 9, 2026. 

S

Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The Commission released the NDA 1 notification 2026 on December 10. Along with the notification, the application process was started. The last date to fill the application form online was December 30. 

K

Kritika Sharma

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The Mathematics syllabus of NDA written exam consists of Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Statistics and Probability that is all base on 10+2 level.

G

Gunjan Majumder

Contributor-Level 7

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