The National Defence Academy (NDA) 2026 examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is one of the most prestigious defence entrance exams in India. Through NDA, candidates are selected for training in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as commissioned officers.
This detailed article covers NDA 2026 notification details, important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, selection process, and FAQs, making it a complete one-stop guide for aspirants.
NDA 2026 Notification Overview
UPSC conducts the NDA exam twice a year:
NDA I 2026
NDA II 2026
The official notification includes information on vacancies, eligibility conditions, exam schedule, syllabus, and application guidelines.
NDA 1 2026 Important Dates (Official)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10 December 2025 |
| Online Application Start | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 December 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | January 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | March 2026 |
| NDA 1 Exam Date | 12 April 2026 (Sunday) |
| Written Result | May 2026 |
| SSB Interview | May – June 2026 |
| Final Merit List | August – September 2026 |
NDA 2 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Window | 20 May – 09 June 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | August 2026 |
| NDA 2 Exam Date | 13 September 2026 (Sunday) |
| Written Result | September 2026 |
| SSB Interview | October – November 2026 |
NDA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy nationality, age, educational qualification, and physical standards to apply for NDA 2026.
Nationality
A candidate must be:
A citizen of India, or
A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962, or
A person of Indian origin migrated from select countries with eligibility certificate.
Age Limit (Important)
NDA I 2026: Born between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2010
NDA II 2026: Born between 2 January 2008 and 1 July 2011
✔️ Candidates must be unmarried
✔️ Marriage during training is not permitted
Educational Qualification
| Wing | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Army Wing | 12th pass (any stream) |
| Air Force & Naval Wings | 12th pass with Physics & Mathematics |
| Naval Academy | 12th pass with Physics & Mathematics |
Candidates appearing in Class 12 are also eligible to apply.
Physical & Medical Standards
Candidates must be physically fit as per NDA medical standards
Height, weight, vision, and hearing standards apply
Final medical examination is conducted after SSB Interview
NDA 2026 Application Process
Steps to Apply Online
Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on UPSC portal
Fill the NDA online application form
Upload photograph and signature
Pay application fee (₹100)
Submit the form and download confirmation
Application Fee
₹100 for General / OBC candidates
No fee for SC / ST / Female candidates
NDA 2026 Exam Pattern
The NDA written examination consists of two objective-type papers.
Written Examination Structure
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics | 300 | 2.5 Hours |
| Paper II | General Ability Test (GAT) | 600 | 2.5 Hours |
| Total | 900 |
✔️ Mode: Offline (Pen & Paper)
✔️ Type: Multiple Choice Questions
✔️ Negative Marking applicable
GAT Paper Distribution
English: 200 Marks
General Knowledge: 400 Marks
Physics
Chemistry
History
Geography
Current Affairs
General Science
NDA 2026 Selection Process
The NDA selection process has four stages:
Written Examination
SSB Interview (5 Days)
Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)
Psychology Tests
Group Tasks
Personal Interview
Medical Examination
Final Merit List
Final selection is based on combined marks of Written Exam + SSB Interview.
NDA 2026 Syllabus Overview
Mathematics
Algebra
Trigonometry
Geometry
Mensuration
Statistics
Probability
Differential & Integral Calculus
General Ability Test
English Grammar & Comprehension
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
History & Freedom Movement
Geography
Current Affairs
NDA 2026 Vacancies (Expected)
Approximately 390–400 vacancies are expected across:
Indian Army
Indian Navy
Indian Air Force
Exact vacancies are announced in the official notification.
NDA 2026 Preparation Tips
Start preparation from Class 11 fundamentals
Focus on Mathematics accuracy & speed
Improve English grammar and vocabulary
Read newspapers daily for current affairs
Practice previous year question papers
Maintain physical fitness for SSB rounds
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the full form of NDA?
A: National Defence Academy
Q2. Can girls apply for NDA 2026?
A: Yes, female candidates are eligible.
Q3. What is the NDA 1 2026 exam date?
A: 12 April 2026
Q4. Is Mathematics compulsory for NDA?
A: Yes, Mathematics is compulsory for all candidates.
Q5. Is there negative marking in NDA exam?
A: Yes, negative marking is applicable.
Q6. How many attempts are allowed for NDA?
A: There is no fixed limit, as long as age criteria is satisfied.
Q7. What happens after clearing the written exam?
A: Candidates are called for the SSB Interview.
