UPSC NDA 2026 Exam: NDA & NA I Analysis (Soon), Exam (April 12), Admit Card, Question Papers & FAQs

National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2026 ( NDA )

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NDA 2 2026 application

20 May '26 - 9 Jun '26

Shikha
Shikha Goyal
Assistant Manager
Updated on Apr 12, 2026 03:48 IST
UPSC released NDA 1 2026 admit card on the official website at upsc.gov.in. The NDA 1 exam will be held on April 12, 2026. Notification was out of December 10. The last date to apply was December 30. Analysis will be provided soon after the exam. Read here to check important dates, application process, selection criteria, exam pattern & syllabus

NDA 2026: UPSC released NDA 1 2026 admit card at upsc.gov.in. The NDA 1 2026 exam is schedule to be conducted on April 12 at various centres across the country. After the completion of each shift, analysis will be provided here. The application dates were December 10 to December 30. Read here for more details on NDA 2026 exam. 

NDA 2026

NDA 2026

The NDA 1 2026 exam will be conducted on April 12. The exam will be conducted in two shifts. After the completion of each shift, exam analysis will be provided here based on the feedback received from the students that will consists of the overall difficulty level of the exam, questions asked, Weightage of the topics, good attempts, etc. National Defence Academy (NDA) released NDA I 2026 e-admit card on the official website at upsc.gov.in. Candidates can download their admit card by using their credentials including registration ID or roll number and date of birth. The NDA admit card is a mandatory document that is required by the candidates to carry at the examination centre. Without it, candidates will not be allowed to take the exam. NDA 1 2026 exam dates were announced.  The NDA 1 notification was out on December 10. The application link was also activated along with the notification. The last date to fill NDA 1 application form was December 30. Candidates fulfilling the eligibility could apply for the NDA 1 exam

NDA 2 notification 2026 will be released on May 20. The application form will be available from May 20 to June 9. NDA 2 exam will be conducted on September 14.  Read below for more details on NDA 2026.

Table of contents
  • NDA 2026 Important Dates
  • NDA Exam Analysis 2026 Soon
  • NDA Admit Card 2026 OUT
  • NDA Notification 2026
  • NDA Application Form 2026
  • NDA Eligibility 2026
  • NDA Exam Pattern 2026
  • NDA Syllabus
  • How to Prepare for NDA Exam?
  • NDA Vacancies 2026
  • NDA Result 2026
  • NDA Cut off 2026
  • NDA Selection Process
View More

NDA 2026 Important Dates

NDA important dates comprises the list of events related to the exam are given below.

Events Dates

NDA 1 notification

10-Dec-2025

NDA I application form

10-Dec-2025 to 30-Dec-2025

NDA 1 Exam Dates

12-Apr-2026

NDA 2 notification

20-May-2026

NDA & NA II application form

20-May-2026 to 09-Jun-2026

NDA II 2026 exam

14-Sept-2026

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What was the distribution of questions in the Maths paper of NDA 1 2025?
A: 

The distribution of questions in the Maths paper of NDA 1 2025 is given below.

Topic

No of Questions

Difficulty Level 

Trigonometry

9

Easy

Height & Distance

2

Easy

Sequence & Series

8

Normal

Complex number

5

Hard

Inequality and Logarithms

1

Easy

Permutation and combination

7

Easy

Quadratic equation and cube roots

4

Easy

Binomial theorem

3

Normal

Matrices and Determinants

7

Normal

Probability

7

Normal

Binary

1

Easy

Sets Relations and Functions

7

Easy

Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

6

Normal

Differentiation & its application

6

Hard

Integration & its application

9

Easy

Differential Equation

6

Easy

Vector

6

Hard

Conic Section

2

Hard

Lines & Angle

7

Normal

3D Geometry

4

Hard

Static & DI

11

Normal

Circle

2

Easy

Q:   Is it useful to solve NDA question papers?
A: 

Yes, solving NDA question papers is an important part of preparation. Solving the question papers helps candidates to assess their level of preparation for the exam. Candidates will also be able to find out their strengths and weakness and plan for the exam accordingly. Candidates must solve NDA question papers after completing the syllabus. They should fix a timetable for solving the question papers. Candidates at least one question paper regularly while preparing for NDA exam. Besides solving NDA question papers, you need to attempt mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy. Practising NDA question papers and solving mock tests should go hand in hand.

Q:   What questions are asked in an NDA SSB interview?
A: 

The questions that are asked in an NDA SSB interview are related to educational background, current affairs, hobbies, etc. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks. Candidates need to secure the qualifying marks in this test.

 

NDA Exam Analysis 2026 Soon

The NDA 1 exam is heldon April 12 at various centres across the country. After the completion of each shift, analysis will be provided here based on the feedback received from the students. Analysis of an examination plays a crucial role in the preparation. With the help of NDA analysis candidates will come to know the difficulty level of the NDA exam, topics asked in the exam, good attempts, candidates' feedback and more. Several coaching institutes will also release the NDA 1 answer key for Set A, B, C, D along with the NDA exam analysis after the conclusion of an exam.

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NDA Admit Card 2026 OUT

NDA hall ticket was released on the official website by the UPSC. Candidates can download their admit cards by logging with the required credentials. The hard copy of the call letter is not sent to candidates by post. Candidates need to carry the printed copies of their NDA admit cards along with one photo-identity proof to the exam centre.

As per the official notice released, the e-Admit card must be preserved till the declaration of the final result of National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I) 2026. No paper Admit Card will be issued for the Examination. “Important Instructions to the candidates” appended with the e-Admit Card must be read carefully by the candidates. Further, the candidates will have to produce the printout of their e-Admit card at the allotted venue for appearing at the Examination. A candidate, who does not produce his/her NDA 1 e-Admit card for checking at the allotted venue, shall not be allowed to take the Examination. The candidates are also required to carry the photo ID card, whose number is mentioned in the e-Admit Card, in each session.

Direct Link to Download the NDA 1 2026 Admit Card

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many questions are asked in NDA exam?
A: 

A total of 120 questions are asked in the Maths paper of NDA. Questions are usually asked from Algebra Matrices and Determinants Trigonometry Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimensions, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, and Differential Equations Vector Algebra Statistics and Probability. In the GAT part of the NDA exam, a total of 150 questions are asked. This section is divided into parts. Part A comprises questions from English and Part B comprises questions from General Knowledge. In English questions are generally asked from Spotting Errors, Antonyms, Synonyms, Idioms, and Phrases and Fill in the Blanks. In General Knowledge, questions are asked from Physics Chemistry Biology Indian Polity, History, Geography, Economy, Defence Specific, Current Affairs & Static GK, etc.

Q:   Which are the important topics for NDA exam?
A: 

NDA syllabus comprises two papers-GAT and Maths. In GAT, candidates need to prepare well especially the General Awareness section as it is vast and includes physics, chemistry, general science, history, geography and current events. Candidates can check below the suggested subjects.

NDA Syllabus for English

  • List of Synonyms and Antonyms

  • List of One Word Substitutions

  • List of Homophones/Homonyms

NDA Syllabus for Current Affairs

For the current events category, students must be read news related to sports, economics, politics, national and international events.

General Science

  • Common Epidemics, their causes and prevention

  • Difference between the living and nonliving

  • Food—Source of Energy for man

  • Basis of Life—Cells, Protoplasms and Tissues

  • Constituents of food

  • Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals

  • Balanced Diet

  • Elementary knowledge of Human Body and its important organs

Geography

  • The Earth, its shape and size

  • Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition

  • Latitudes and Longitudes

  • Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones and Anticyclones; Humidity; Condensation and Precipitation

  • Concept of time

  • Types of Climate

  • International Date Line

  • Major Natural Regions of the World

  • Movements of Earth and their effects

  • Regional Geography of India

  • Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources; 

  • Location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities

  • Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification

  • Important Sea ports and main sea, land and air routes of India

  • Weathering—Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes

  • Main items of Imports and Exports of India

History

  • Forces shaping the modern world; 

  • Renaissance

  • Exploration and Discovery; 

  • A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation

  • Freedom Movement in India

  • French Revolution, Industrial Revolution and Russian Revolution

  • War of American Independence,

  • Impact of Science and Technology on Society

  • Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration

  • Concept of one World

  • Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India

  • United Nations, 

  • Panchsheel, 

  • Panchayati Raj, Democracy, Socialism and Communism

  • Role of India in the present world

  • Co-operatives and Community Development

  • Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, 

  • National Integration and Welfare State

  • Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi

Chemistry

  • Physical and Chemical Changes

  • Acids, bases and salts

  • Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction

  • Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom

  • Symbols, Formulae and simple Chemical Equations

  • Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights

  • Mixtures and Compounds

  • Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems)

  • Properties of Air and Water

  • Valency

  • Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches and Gunpowder

  • Fertilizers — Natural and Artificial

  • Elements

Physics

  • Static and Current Electricity

  • Newton’s Laws of Motion

  • Earth as a Magnet

  • Force and Momentum

  • Spherical mirrors and Lenses

  • Pressure Barometer

  • Human Eye

  • Reflection and refraction

  • Principle of Archimedes

  • Physical Properties and States of Matter

  • Modes of transference of Heat

  • Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound waves and their properties

  • Simple musical instruments

  • Rectilinear propagation of Light

  • Density and Specific Gravity

  • Parallelogram of Forces

  • Conductors and Non-conductors

  • Stability and Equilibrium of bodies

  • Ohm’s Law

  • Gravitation

  • Simple Electrical Circuits

  • Elementary ideas of work

  • Motion of objects

  • Natural and Artificial Magnets

  • Velocity and Acceleration

  • Properties of a Magnet

  • Heating, Lighting and Magnetic effects of Current

  • Power and Energy

  • Measurement of Electrical Power

  • Effects of Heat

  • Primary and Secondary Cells

  • Measurement of Temperature and Heat

  • Use of X-Rays

  • General Principles in the working of Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass; Lightning Conductors, Safety Fuses

NDA Maths Syllabus

  • Algebra
  • Calculus
  • Matrices and Determinants
  • Integral Calculus and Differential Equations
  • Trigonometry
  • Vector Algebra
  • Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimension
  • Statistics and Probability
Q:   What questions are asked in NDA exam?
A: 
Check NDA syllabus below.
 
Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus,  Matrices and Determinants,  Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry,  Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and  Probability. 
GAT: Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary,  Comprehension, and Cohesion, Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

NDA Notification 2026

UPSC releases NDA notification in PDF form. The PDF comprises the exam details. Candidates planning to fill the application form must read the notification carefully.

NDA Application Form 2026

NDA I application form is available from December 10 to 30. NDA II application form will be released on May 20. Candidates can fill the application form till June 9. To fill the application form, candidates need to first create the one time registration ID. After creating the OTR ID, they can apply for the exam. This is a one time process and the ID is valid for applying to the exams conducted by UPSC. The application fee is INR 100. SC/ST candidates/female candidates / Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from fee payment. Both male and female candidates can apply for NDA & NA 2026.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Do past years' question papers help in clearing the NDA?
A: 
Practising NDA question papers help candidates to know the types of questions asked in the exam. The NDA exam carries 900 marks. The test paper carries questions from Maths and GAT. 
Q:   What level of math questions are asked in NDA?
A: 

NDA Maths section carries 300 marks. The test paper comprises 120 questions. Candidates get 2.5 marks for correct answer. 0.83 marks are deducted for wrong answer. Candidates can crack the exam by preparing well.

NDA Eligibility 2026

NDA eligibility is fixed by the examination authority. This comprises age, qualification and physical standards. Candidates must be aged between 16.5 to 19.5 years. Only unmarried candidates can apply for the exam. Those who have passed Class 12 are eligible. Candidates who are appearing in the Class 12 can also fill the application form. NDA Eligibility is same for both male and female candidates.

NDA Exam Pattern 2026

NDA exam comprises written exam and SSB Interview. The written exam carries 900 marks. The SSB Interview comprises 900 marks. NDA exam pattern is given below.

Written Exam

Papers Subject Maximum marks Duration

Paper 1

Mathematics

300

2 ½

Paper 2

GAT

600

2 ½

Total

900

5 hours

SSB Interview

Screening Test

2

Psychological Test

Group Testing Officers Test

Personal Interview

Conference

NDA Syllabus

NDA exam syllabus is decided by the examination authority. The standard of the syllabus is high school level. NDA syllabus is given below.

Maths-Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and  Probability, Algebra, etc.

English-Vocabulary, Comprehension, Cohesion, Preposition, etc.

General Knowledge-Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

How to Prepare for NDA Exam?

Candidates can clear the exam by following proper NDA preparation strategy. Following prep plan can help them in preparation.

  • Go through the syllabus
  • Know the exam pattern
  • Attempt mock tests
  • Solve the previous years question papers
  • Learn from the mistakes

Also Read: NDA Books

NDA Vacancies 2026

NDA 1 2026 vacancies were announced along with the notification. A total of 394 vacancies were announced for the exam. 

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

Also Read: NDA Salary

NDA Result 2026

NDA result is announced within 10 to 15 days after the exam is conducted. The result is made available in PDF form. It comprises the roll numbers of qualified candidates. NDA result PDF is released name and roll-number wise. Candidates need to secure the qualifying marks.

NDA Cut off 2026

NDA cut off is released after the declaration of final result. Besides overall cut off, candudates are also required to secure the section-wise cut off marks. The cut off for written exam is calculated out of 900 marks. The final cut off is decided out of 1800 marks. 

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NDA selection process comprises written exam and SSB interview. Merit list is prepared based on the performance in both the stages. Medical examination is carried out at the time of SSB interview.

About the Author
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Shikha Goyal
Assistant Manager

Role: Editorial Domain

Education: Mass Com & Journalism, MSC Mathematics

Expertise: Sarkari Exam Expert

About

Shikha Goyal is a double post graduate with more than 12 years of experience in education domain, journal

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Student Forum

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

Answered 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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 a month ago

The NDA 1 admit card was released at upsc.gov.in. Candidates can download their e-hall ticket. The NDA 1 exam is scheduled to be conducted on April 12, 2026.

K

Kritika Sharma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

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

S

Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month 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 6

Answered a month 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 6

Answered a month ago

The NDA final merit list is prepared based on the cumulative marks of both written exam (900) and SSB interview (900) which totals at 1800 marks.

N

Nitesh Pruthi

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

In the written exam of NDA, Maths paper has 120 questions and the General Ability Test has 150 questions. Therefore, total questions asked are 270.

J

Jasleen Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The total marks for the NDA exam is 1800 that is 900 for written exam and 900 for SSB interview. A score between 400 to 500 is considered secure in the written exam to get into the final merit list. Also, candidates need to pass in each subject minimum of 25% marks. There is no sectional-cut off.

S

Shikha Shukla

Contributor-Level 7