NDA APPLICATION AND EXAM
NDA (National Defence Academy) Examinations 2026 – Official Information
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the NDA & NA Examination twice a year (NDA I and NDA II) for entry into the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla, Pune) and the Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala, Kerala). Both male and female candidates (unmarried) are eligible. The selection process includes a written examination, SSB (Services Selection Board) interview, medical examination, and merit-based allocation.
All official details are available on the UPSC website: upsc.gov.in and the application portal upsconline.nic.in. Always verify the latest updates there, as dates are subject to change at the Commission’s discretion.
NDA I 2026 (Applications Closed)
- Notification Release: 10 December 2025
- Online Application Period: 10 December 2025 to 30 December 2025 (till 6:00 PM)
- Written Examination Date: 12 April 2026 (Sunday)
- Mathematics Paper: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- General Ability Test (GAT): 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Vacancies (approximate, provisional): 394
- Army: 208 (198 male + 10 female)
- Navy: 42 (37 male + 5 female)
- Air Force (Flying Branch): 92 (90 male + 2 female)
- Air Force (Ground Duties – Tech): 18 (16 male + 2 female)
- Air Force (Ground Duties – Non-Tech): 10 (8 male + 2 female)
- Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme): 24 (21 male + 3 female)
- Admit Card: Expected in the last week of March 2026 (download from upsconline.nic.in). No physical cards are sent.
- Written Result: Expected late April / early May 2026.
- SSB Interviews: May–July 2026 (candidates register at joinindianarmy.nic.in).
NDA II 2026 (Applications Not Yet Open)
These dates are as per the official UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 and consistent notifications from reliable sources:
- Notification Release: 20 May 2026 (expected)
- Online Application Period: 20 May 2026 to 9 June 2026
- Written Examination Date: 13 September 2026 (Sunday)
- Vacancies: To be announced in the notification (typically 300–450).
- Nationality: Indian citizen, or subject of Nepal, or person of Indian origin from specified countries with intention to settle permanently in India.
- Age Limit (for NDA I 2026): Unmarried candidates born not earlier than 1 July 2007 and not later than 1 July 2010 (i.e., 16½ to 19½ years on 1 January 2027).
- For NDA II 2026, the window shifts by 6 months (exact dates will be in the May 2026 notification).
- Marital Status: Must be unmarried. Marriage during training leads to discharge with refund of expenses.
- Educational Qualification:
- Army Wing: 12th Class pass (10+2 pattern) or appearing.
- Navy, Air Force & Naval Academy: 12th Class with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics or appearing.
- Candidates appearing in 12th must submit proof by the specified date (usually December 2026 for NDA I course commencing January 2027). 11th Class students are not eligible.
- Physical & Medical Standards: Candidates must meet strict height, weight, vision, dental (minimum 14 points), and medical criteria (detailed in Appendix III of the notification). Tattoos are restricted. Full medical standards are in the official notification PDF.
Application Process (Online Only)
- One-time registration on upsconline.nic.in to generate URN (Universal Registration Number).
- Fill the Common Application Form + exam-specific module.
- Upload photo, signature, and photo ID (Aadhaar recommended).
- Pay fee (if applicable) and submit.
- No changes allowed after final submission (except limited correction window, if provided).
Application Fee: ₹100 (exempted for SC/ST candidates, female candidates, and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs in the Defence forces).
Examination Pattern (Written Exam – 900 Marks)
- Mathematics (Code 01): 300 marks, 2½ hours, objective type (Algebra, Matrices, Trigonometry, Calculus, etc.).
- General Ability Test (GAT) (Code 02): 600 marks, 2½ hours
- English: 200 marks
- General Knowledge: 400 marks (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events).
- Negative marking: ⅓rd of marks for wrong answers.
- Medium: Bilingual (Hindi/English) except English section.
- Qualifying marks are fixed by UPSC.
SSB Interview: 900 marks (Intelligence + Personality Test, 4–5 days). Final merit = Written + SSB marks.
Important Notes for Candidates
- NDA I 2026 applications are closed. Prepare for the 12 April 2026 exam.
- NDA II 2026 applications will open in May 2026.
- No calculators or electronic devices allowed in the exam hall.
- e-Admit Card is the only valid entry document.
- For NDA I 2026, check the official timetable on upsc.gov.in under “What’s New”.
Official Sources to Bookmark:
- UPSC Website: https://upsc.gov.in
- Application Portal: https://upsconline.nic.in
- NDA I 2026 Notification PDF (direct link available on UPSC site)
For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official UPSC notification and website. Preparation should focus on NCERT Class 11–12 syllabus for Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and current affairs. Good luck to all aspirants!
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