NDA Exam 2026: NDA 2 Admit Card, Exam Date (Sep 13), Analysis, Answer Key, Pattern & Syllabus

NDA exam is highly competitive. Candidates can crack the exam with proper preparation and practice.

The selected candidates for the three services-Army,  Navy and Air Force are given preliminary training both academic and physical for a period of three years at the National Defence Academy which is an Inter-Service Institution. The training during
the first two and half years is common to the cadets of three wings. All the cadets on passing out are awarded degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi as under:
(a) Army Cadets: BSc/ BSc (Computer)/ BA
(b) Naval Cadets: B Tech Degree
(c) Air Force Cadets: B Tech Degree /B Sc/BSc  (Computer)
All the cadets undergoing B.Sc/B.Sc (Computer)/BA Degree programme are awarded the degree on the successful completion of Academics, Physical and Service Training at NDA.
All the cadets undergoing B Tech programme are awarded the B Tech degree on the subsequent Pre Commissioning Training
Academies/ Institutions/ Ships/ Air Craft
The selected candidates of the Naval Academy are given preliminary training both academic and physical, for a period of four years at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. The cadets of 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme are awarded a B Tech Degree on successful completion of training.

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) (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

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.

There is no difference between UPSC NDA 1 and 2 exams. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the January batch. Whereas, NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to July batch.

National Defence Academy or NDA exam is conducted twice a year by Union Public Service Commission for admission to  Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). It is the most sought-after defence entrance exams in the country where both male and female candidates can apply.

The exam is conducted in two stages: written exam and SSB Interview. In 2020, a total of 5.3 Lacs candidates had applied for the exam, out of which 2.4 Lacs candidates appeared for the exam. UPSC prepares a list of candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. Such candidates are called for SSB Interview for Intelligence and Personality Test.

Also Read: Know the difference between NDA & NA I and II Exams

NDA exam dates 2026 were announced through the annual calendar. NDA 1 exam was held on April 12. The exam for UPSC NDA II will be held on September 13. The total marks allotted to the test are 900.

NDA exam is conducted every year twice in a year. The exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy courses. The selection process comprises written exam and SSB Interview. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. The SSB interview carries 900 marks. 

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.

NDA 2 application form was released on May 20, 2026. The last date to fill application form was June 11. 

NDA admit card has been released. The direct link to download the admit card is provided on this page. It can be downloaded by logging with the required credentials. They need to carry the printed copy of their admit cards along with one photo-identity proof to the exam centre.

NDA question paper is framed in both English and Hindi. The written exam is conducted for 900 marks. The test carries two papers-Maths and GAT. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview. 

No, it is not compulsory to take the colour printout of NDA admit card to the exam centre. According to the official notice, candidates need to bring the printout of the admit along with the (original) Photo Identity Card, whose number is mentioned in the admit card. They need to bring the admit card in each session to secure admission to exam centre. Candidates need to preserve the admit card till the declaration of the final result as it is required for the SSB Interview.

NDA admit card is released online by the Union Public Service Commission. The admit card is released on the official website-upsc.gov.in. To download the admit card, candidates need to enter registration number or roll number, date of birth and captcha code. The hard copy of the admit card is not sent to candidates by post. Candidates need to carry the printed copy of the admit card along with one photo-identity proof to the exam centre. The following details are printed on the admit card:

• Candidate’s Name
• Date of birth
• Roll number
• Photograph and signature
• Exam Date
• Exam time
• Reporting time
• Name of exam centre
• Address of exam centre
• City
• Centre code (if any)

Candidates need to carry the printed copy of their NDA admit cards to the exam centre.Enter registration number or roll number and date of birth or password to download the admit card. 

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.

NDA marking scheme is prescribed by UPSC. Candidates for correct answers are given 2.5 marks in Maths. 0.83 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Four marks are given for correct answers in GAT. 1.33 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Total marks allotted to the written exam are 900.

Candidates are judged based on their Psychological Aptitude and Intelligence in the SSB Interview of NDA exam. The Ministry of Defence establishes NDA SSB (Service Selection Board). NDA SSB is the body that schedule, organise and conduct SSB interview for the aspirants applying for Indian Military Forces. SSB Interview is conducted at the NDA SSB Centres. The NDA SSB interview is conducted for Intelligence and Personality Test. Aspirants applying for the Air Force have to separately qualify for the CPSS (Computerized Pilot Selection System) & PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test).

NDA question paper is framed in both English and Hindi. The written exam is conducted for 900 marks. The test carries two papers-Maths and GAT. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview. 

NDA exam consists of two papers- Maths and GAT. Total marks allotted to the The following tips help candidates to prepare for NDA exam.
Understand the exam
Know the syllabus
Solve the previous years question papers
Prepare a timetable
Follow the study routine
Attempt mock tests

NDA answer key is released separately for Maths and GAT. The answer key is released online. It is used to compare the answers marked in the exam. This also help in calculating the probable score.

NDA answer key is released online by UPSC separately for Maths and GAT. Candidates can download the answer keys for all Sets of test booklets such as A, B, C and D. The steps to download NDA answer key are given below: Visit the official website of UPSC From the 'Examination' tab on the home page, candidates need to go to the 'Answer Keys' tab Click the NDA answer key' links Clicking the links, the answer keys for different subjects appears on the screen Download the answer key and save the file.

NDA question papers are released by UPSC within two to three days after the question papers are released. NDA question papers are made available on the official website of UPSC in PDF. Candidates can download NDA question papers for different subjects-Maths and GAT. Practising the question papers, candidates can know the type of questions asked in the exam.

NDA result is announced online by UPSC. The link to check the result is made available on the official website in PDF form. The result PDF displays the roll numbers of qualified candidates. The steps given below will help candidates to check the result:

Candidates need to visit the official website of UPSC

Candidates need to click on the NDA result link on the home page

 Clicking the link, the result PDF opens in a new page

Candidates need to Search their roll numbers in the result PDF

Download the result PDF and save it

UPSC also releases NDA result name-wise. The name-wise result PDF displays the names of candidates qualified for the next round of selection process. NDA marks for the written exam is calculated out of 900. The final merit list is prepared based on the marks secured in the written exam and SSB interview. The marks of the SSB interview is calculated out of 900. Selection of candidates is done based on merit-cum-preference.

The hard copy of NDA scorecard is not sent to candidates by post. Candidates need to download it online only. The scorecard is made available after the completion of the recruitment process. Candidates can download their scorecards by logging with the required credentials.

NDA result name-wise comprises the names of the candidates in result PDF. NDA result is announced online on the official website. The total marks allotted to the written exam of NDA are 900. Based on NDA result for written exam, candidates are called for SSB Interview. The final result is based on the performance in the written exam and SSB Interview.

NDA result is announced separately for written exam and SSB interview. After the result for the written exam is announced, candidates are called for SSB Interview. After completion of the SSB Interview, UPSC prepares a merit list based on the performance in the written exam and SSB interview. Allotment of candidates are done based on the written exam and SSB interview.

NDA cut off is released after the completion of the exam. The cut off is released separately for the written exam and final selection. There are also sectional cut off marks for the exam. Candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject of NDA exam. Based on the cut off marks of the written exam, candidates are selected for the SSB Interview. The final cut off is decided based on the written exam and SSB interview. 

NDA cut off is the minimum qualifying marks that candidates need to secure in the written exam and SSB interview. UPSC prescribes cut off marks for written exam and final selection. Candidates need to secure separate qualifying marks in written exam and SSB interview. Candidates securing the NDA cut off marks are called for subsequent rounds of selection process. NDA exam is conducted to select eligible candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy course. NDA selection process comprises written exa and SSB interview. Candidates qualifying the written exam by securing the required cut off are called for the SSB interview. Candidates need to secure the cut off marks in the SSB interview also. 

Wherever two or more candidates have secured equal aggregate marks in NDA & NA exam, the ties are resolved in accordance with the following principles approved by the Commission:

• In case of equal marks in aggregate, the candidate senior in age may be placed at higher rank and
• In case of the candidates having same age and same aggregate marks, the candidate getting higher aggregate score in written papers may be placed at higher rank

NDA cutoffs are released on the official website in PDF form after the declaration of the final result. The cutoff marks are also provided on this page after it is announced by the examination authority. The cut off are released separately for written exam and final selection. Candidates need to secure the cut off marks inorder to get selected in the exam. The steps to check NDA cut off marks are given below:

• Visit the official website of UPSC 
• From the 'Examination' tab, candidates need to go to the 'Cut off' tab
• In the cut off page, candidates will find the NDA cut off marks
• Check the cut off marks 

Union Public Service Commission has revised NDA application process. As per the new process, online form comprises Account Creation, Universal Registration,  Common Application Form and Examinations. All applicants are required to fill up the application and upload their documents in the newly introduced portal afresh. The old One Time Registration (OTR) module will not be applicable. 

NDA apply online link is activated 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.

NDA official notification is released by UPSC. The PDF is made available on this page after it is released. The notification PDF comprises the important details related to the exam.