
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 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 are announced for NDA 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 20 May ' 26 - 09 Jun ' 26 | NDA 2 2026 application ONGOING |
| 13 Sep ' 26 | NDA 2 2026 Exam |
| Dates | Past 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 |
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).
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 Vacancy 2026 FAQs
Candidates can check below NDA vacancies FAQs.
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 |
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.
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 |
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 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.
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 |
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 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 Exam
Student Forum
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
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
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
G
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
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
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
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
K
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
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
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
Contributor-Level 7
I am 18 years old (DOB: 26 Oct 2007) and passed Class 12 with 83%. Am I eligible to apply for the NDA exam?