UPSC NDA 2026 Exam: NDA & NA I Notification (OUT), Apply Online Link, Eligibility & FAQs
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2026 ( NDA )
Exam On - 12 Apr '26
NDA 2026: UPSC released NDA 1 2026 exam notification on Dec 10. The application form is available till Dec 30. The exam will be conducted on Apr 12. Read here for more details on NDA 2026 exam.
NDA 2026
National Defence Academy (NDA) released NDA I 2026 notification on December 10. Along with the notification, the apply online link is also activated. The last date to fill NDA 1 application form is December 30. NDA 1 2026 exam dates have been announced. The exam will be conducted on April 12. Candidates fulfilling the eligibility can 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.
- NDA 2026 Important Dates
- NDA Notification 2026
- NDA Application Form 2026
- NDA Eligibility 2026
- NDA Admit Card 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
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 |
Commonly asked questions
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.
Candidates can apply for the exam within their age. The educational qualification is Class 12 pass. The eligibility is prescribed by the examination authority for candidates. Applications are accepted only who satisfies the eligibility.
NDA test centres are allotted to candidates as per the preferences given by them in the application form. The exam centres are allotted to candidates on the first-cum-first-apply basis. Candidates should apply early in order to get the preferred test cities. The examination authority reserves the right to allot test cities to candidates.
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.
Commonly asked questions
The age limit is 16.5 to 19.5 years
Candidates who have passed Class 12 can apply
NDA exam is conducted twice a year by UPSC. Candidates can appear for both the sessions of NDA exam. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in January. NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in July. To qualify each section of the NDA exam, candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject. NDA exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Fotce wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy.
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.
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 Admit Card 2026
NDA hall ticket is released one week before the exam. 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.
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
| 1 |
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) |
|
| 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.
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
16 Feb '26 - 10 Mar '26
12 Mar '26
CTET
31 Mar '26
12 Apr '26
15 Mar '26 - 15 Apr '26
30 Apr '26 - 31 May '26
21 Jun '26
22 Aug '26 - 23 Aug '26
6 Oct '26 - 5 Nov '26
NDA Selection Process
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.
News & Updates
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Top NDA coaching institutes in India are generally ranked based on selection results, written exam success and strong SSB training support. Some popular names people often consider are Shield Defence Academy, Target Defence Academy, Doon Defence Academy, Baalnoi Academy and Major Kalshi Classes, kno
A
Beginner-Level 2
Answered a week ago
You can check Ground Zero Defence Academy in Dehradun. I've heard they focus on written + physical + SSB preparation together. You may visit and decide as per your comfort
B
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 2 weeks ago
Hi Krishna, NDA preparation and JEE preparation are very different in orientation. The General Studies and English paper in NDA makes all the difference. The General Studies in NDA has a vast syllabus and can not be prepared in one or two months.
JEE preparation need a concentrated effort because th
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 weeks ago
Hi Vaibhav, the NDA applications were open from December 10 to 30, 2025. The Commission also provided the application correction window for one week after that on its official website. Now it is not available.
The NDA exam 2026 will be conducted on April 12.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The 4 new NDA recommendations of Doon Defence Dreamers were reported from multiple SSB and AFSB boards, reflecting performance across different centres rather than a single location. The recommendations came from Army SSB boards such as Allahabad and Bhopal, along with Air Force Selection Boards (AF
d
Beginner-Level 2
Answered a month ago
When I started looking for online NDA coaching programs, my main goal was to find something that went beyond just recorded lectures. I compared multiple online platforms and also visited several coaching institutes in Dehradun to understand how their online and hybrid programs actually support stude
d
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates after joining Navy gets the position of Sub Lieutenant. With promotions, candidates reach to the level of Admiral. The posts offered to candidates in Navy are given below.
Sub Lieutenant |
Lieutenant |
Lt Commander |
Commander |
Captain (Selection) |
Captain (Time Scale) |
Commodore |
Rear Admiral |
Vice Admiral |
Admiral |
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates after clearing NDA and commissioning get the position of Lieutenant. The posts offered to candidates are given below.
Lieutenant |
Captain |
Major |
Lieutenant Colonel |
Colonel (Selection) |
Colonel (Time Scale) |
Brigadier |
Major General |
Lieutenant General |
General |
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
NDA salary from Lt. Col level 12A is between INR 1,21,200 to 2,12,400. The same for Col. level 13 is INR 1,39,600-2,17,600. It is INR 1,44,200-2,18,200 for Maj General Level 14.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
NDA salary for Lt. Level 10 is INR 56, 100 to 1,77,500. The salary for Capt. level 10 B is INR 61,300-1,93,900. NDA Salary for Major Level 11 is INR 69,400-2,07,200.
A
Contributor-Level 10