Every year, lakhs of 12th-pass students dream of wearing the uniform of India’s Army, Navy or Air Force. The NDA exam is the most prestigious gateway — and for those who missed the deadline, this guide is still essential for NDA II 2026. Here is everything about the UPSC NDA & NA (I) 2026 in one place.
NDA NA I 2026 — Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I) 2026 |
| Notification Released | December 10, 2025 |
| Application Window | December 10 – December 30, 2025 |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (General); SC/ST/Female/Wards of JCOs/NCOs exempted |
| Written Exam Date | April 12, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Total Vacancies | 394 (Army + Navy + Air Force + Naval Academy) |
| Course Starting | January 2027 (157th NDA Course & 119th INAC) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Application Portal | upsconline.nic.in |
Complete Timeline — Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Released | December 10, 2025 |
| Application Form Open | December 10, 2025 |
| Application Last Date | December 30, 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Admit Card Released | April 2, 2026 |
| Written Exam — Paper I (Mathematics) | April 12, 2026 (10:30 AM – 1:00 PM) |
| Written Exam — Paper II (GAT) | April 12, 2026 (2:00 PM – 4:30 PM) |
| Provisional Answer Key | April 16, 2026 |
| Written Exam Result | Within 4–6 weeks of exam |
| SSB Interview | After written result (2–3 months) |
| NDA II 2026 Exam | September 13, 2026 |
Vacancies — 394 Posts Across Wings
| Wing | Vacancies |
| Army Wing (157th NDA Course) | ~208 |
| Navy Wing (157th NDA Course) | ~42 |
| Air Force — Flying Branch | ~92 |
| Air Force — Ground Duties (Technical) | ~18 |
| Air Force — Ground Duties (Non-Technical) | ~10 |
| Naval Academy (119th INAC — 10+2 Cadet Entry) | ~24 |
| Total | ~394 |
Note: Exact vacancy split may vary slightly from the official notification. Confirm at upsc.gov.in.
Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply?
Nationality:
- Indian citizens
- Subjects of Nepal and Bhutan
- Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962
- People of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, etc.) with intention to settle permanently in India
Age Limit (NDA I 2026):
- Born between: July 2, 2007 and July 1, 2010
- Age range at time of exam: 16.5 to 19.5 years
- Both male and female candidates are eligible
Unmarried candidates only. Candidates who marry during training will be dismissed.
Educational Qualification:
| Wing | Requirement |
| Army Wing | 10+2 (Class 12) passed or appearing — any stream |
| Air Force & Navy Wings | 10+2 (Class 12) passed or appearing with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (PCM) |
| Naval Academy (INAC) | 10+2 (Class 12) passed or appearing with Physics & Mathematics |
Students currently in Class 12 (appearing for board exams) can also apply — they are provisionally eligible.
Exam Pattern — Complete Breakdown
The NDA written exam is a pen-and-paper (offline) test conducted in two sessions on a single day:
Paper I — Mathematics (Morning Session):
| Parameter | Details |
| Time | 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Duration | 2.5 hours |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Maximum Marks | 300 |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +2.5 |
| Negative Marking | -0.83 per wrong answer |
Paper II — General Ability Test / GAT (Afternoon Session):
| Parameter | Details |
| Time | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Duration | 2.5 hours |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Maximum Marks | 600 |
| Part A (English) | 200 marks |
| Part B (General Knowledge) | 400 marks |
| Negative Marking | -1.33 per wrong answer |
Total Written Exam Marks: 900
SSB Interview: 900 marks
Grand Total: 1800 marks
NDA 2026 Syllabus — What You Need to Study
Mathematics (Paper I — 300 Marks):
- Algebra — Sets, binary operations, complex numbers, quadratic equations, permutations & combinations
- Matrices & Determinants
- Trigonometry — Angles, identities, inverse trig functions
- Analytical Geometry (2D and 3D)
- Differential Calculus — Limits, continuity, derivatives
- Integral Calculus & Differential Equations
- Vector Algebra
- Statistics & Probability
General Ability Test (Paper II — 600 Marks):
Part A — English (200 marks):
- Grammar and usage
- Vocabulary
- Reading comprehension
- Writing ability
Part B — General Knowledge (400 marks):
| Section | Topics |
| Physics | Mechanics, heat, sound, optics, electricity, magnetism |
| Chemistry | States of matter, chemical reactions, acids/bases/salts, materials |
| General Science | Living world, human biology, food & nutrition, disease |
| History & Freedom Movement | Indian history, world history, national movement |
| Geography | Physical geography, climate, India geography, resources |
| Current Events | National & international importance, sports, personalities |
SSB Interview — The Crucial Second Stage
Candidates who clear the NDA written exam are called for the Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview — a 5-day assessment process. This is where personality, leadership potential and aptitude are evaluated.
SSB Stage I (Day 1 — Screening):
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) — verbal and non-verbal intelligence tests
- Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT) — group story narration
Candidates who pass Stage I proceed to Stage II.
SSB Stage II (Days 2–5):
- Psychology Tests — Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), Self Description Test (SD)
- Group Testing Officer Tasks — Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Military Planning Exercise, outdoor group tasks
- Conference — Final board interview to confirm fitness for commission
Medical Examination:
After SSB, selected candidates undergo a comprehensive medical examination to ensure physical fitness for the Armed Forces.
NDA Stipend & Salary — What You Will Earn
| Stage | Amount |
| During Training at NDA | ₹56,100 per month (fixed stipend) |
| After Commission — Lieutenant (Army/AF)/Sub-Lieutenant (Navy) | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10 pay matrix) |
| Military Service Pay | ₹15,500/month additional |
| Allowances | DA, HRA, transport, kit, rations and more |
After the training period and commissioning as an officer, the salary increases significantly. Military officers in India also receive free medical, housing, rations, and a pension — making the total compensation package among the best in public service.
Life After NDA — What the 3-Year Course Looks Like
The National Defence Academy is located in Khadakwasla, Pune. It is a tri-services institution that trains cadets from all three wings together for the first three years.
After completing the NDA course, cadets proceed to their respective service academies for pre-commissioning training:
- Army wing → Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
- Navy wing → Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Kerala
- Air Force wing → Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad
After pre-commissioning training, cadets are commissioned as Second Lieutenants (Army), Sub-Lieutenants (Navy) or Flying Officers (Air Force).
How to Prepare for NDA 2026 (II) — For Aspirants Who Missed NDA I
NDA II 2026 is scheduled for September 13, 2026. If you missed NDA I, here is your preparation roadmap:
Phase 1 (Months 1–3): Foundation
- Complete NCERT Mathematics (Class 11–12) for the Maths paper
- Build English grammar and vocabulary fundamentals
- Start daily newspaper reading for Current Affairs
Phase 2 (Months 4–5): Subject Mastery
- Solve topic-wise practice questions for all GAT sections
- Cover Physics, Chemistry and General Science thoroughly
- Start History, Geography and Polity alongside
Phase 3 (Month 6 onward): Mock Tests
- Attempt 2–3 full-length NDA mock tests per week
- Analyse errors and strengthen weak areas
- Time management practice — each paper must be completed in 150 minutes
Physical Fitness (Ongoing): NDA requires top physical fitness. Running, push-ups, pull-ups, swimming and yoga should be part of your daily routine throughout preparation.
UPSC NDA NA I 2026 — FAQs
Q. When was the UPSC NDA NA I 2026 exam held?
On April 12, 2026 — Paper I (Mathematics) from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM and Paper II (GAT) from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
Q. How many vacancies are there in NDA I 2026?
394 vacancies across Army, Navy, Air Force (Flying + Ground Duties Technical/Non-Technical) and Naval Academy (INAC).
Q. What is the age limit for NDA 2026?
16.5 to 19.5 years — candidates must be born between July 2, 2007 and July 1, 2010 for NDA I 2026.
Q. Can girls apply for NDA?
Yes — both male and female unmarried candidates are eligible for NDA & NA since the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling.
Q. What is the educational qualification for NDA?
For Army: Any stream 12th pass. For Navy, Air Force and Naval Academy: 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM).
Q. Can Class 12 appearing students apply for NDA?
Yes — students currently appearing for their 12th board exams are provisionally eligible.
Q. What is the stipend during NDA training?
₹56,100 per month during the 3-year training period at the National Defence Academy.
Q. What is the application fee for NDA?
₹100 for general category. SC/ST candidates, female candidates and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from the fee.
Q. When is NDA II 2026?
September 13, 2026 — the next opportunity for aspirants who missed NDA I.
Q. How many papers are there in the NDA written exam?
Two papers — Paper I (Mathematics, 300 marks) and Paper II (General Ability Test, 600 marks). Total: 900 marks.
