UPSC NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026: Complete Notification, Eligibility, Vacancies, Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Apply Online
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I) 2026 Notification on 10 December 2025. This prestigious examination offers young aspirants a golden opportunity to join the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force as commissioned officers after completing training at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, and the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala.
The NDA examination is among the most respected defence entrance exams in India. If you have successfully clear the written examination, Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, and medical tests are inducted into the armed forces with world-class training, discipline, leadership exposure, and a secure career with pride and honour.
Overview of NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026
As per the official notification, UPSC will conduct the NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 on 12 April 2026 for admission to:
- 157th Course of National Defence Academy (NDA)
- 119th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC)
The courses will commence from 1 January 2027.
The examination is conducted twice every year (NDA I and NDA II) and serves as the primary entry route for you have wish to join the armed forces immediately after Class 12.
Important Dates – NDA I 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Online Application Start | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 December 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| NDA I 2026 Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Last working day of previous week |
| Written Result (Expected) | May 2026 |
| SSB Interviews | June – July 2026 |
| Course Commencement | 1 January 2027 |
Total Vacancies – NDA & NA (I) 2026
According to the official vacancy table, a total of 394 vacancies are available.
Academy-wise & Gender-wise Vacancy Details
| Academy / Wing | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDA – Army | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| NDA – Navy | 37 | 05 | 42 |
| NDA – Air Force (Flying) | 90 | 02 | 92 |
| NDA – Air Force (Ground Tech) | 16 | 02 | 18 |
| NDA – Air Force (Ground Non-Tech) | 08 | 02 | 10 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Entry) | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| Total Vacancies | 370 | 24 | 394 |
Vacancies are provisional and may change based on training capacity.
Nationality Conditions
You must be:
- A Citizen of India, OR
- A subject of Nepal, OR
- A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, or East African countries with intention to permanently settle in India.
You are belonging to Nepal or Indian origin categories must possess a Government of India eligibility certificate.
Age Limit, Gender & Marital Status
Age Criteria (as per notification)
- You must be born between 01 July 2007 and 01 July 2010 (both dates inclusive).
Gender & Marital Status
- Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible.
- You must not marry during training.
- Marriage during training leads to discharge and recovery of expenses.
Educational Qualification
For NDA – Army Wing
- 12th Class pass (10+2 pattern) from a recognized board or university.
For NDA – Navy & Air Force Wings
- 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).
For Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry)
- 12th Class pass with PCM.
You are appearing in Class 12 are also eligible, but must submit proof of passing by 10 December 2026.
Physical & Medical Standards
You must be physically fit as per standards specified in Appendix III of the notification.
Key highlights:
- Good mental and physical health
- No permanent bodily defects
- Vision standards differ for Army, Navy, and Air Force
- Habitual wearers of glasses have restrictions for flying branch
Medical examination is conducted only after clearing the SSB interview.
NDA & NA Selection Process
The selection process consists of two major stages:
Stage 1 – Written Examination
Conducted by UPSC
Stage 2 – SSB Interview
Conducted by:
- Army Selection Board (SSB)
- Naval Selection Board (NSB)
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB)
Final merit list is prepared based on combined marks of written exam + SSB interview.
NDA Written Examination Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics | 2.5 Hours | 300 |
| Paper II | General Ability Test | 2.5 Hours | 600 |
| Total | 900 |
SSB Interview carries 900 marks.
Negative Marking
- One-third (â…“) marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- No penalty for unattempted questions.
NDA Syllabus
Paper I – Mathematics
Includes:
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Matrices & Determinants
- Analytical Geometry
- Differential & Integral Calculus
- Statistics & Probability
- Vector Algebra
Paper II – General Ability Test
Part A – English (200 Marks)
- Grammar & usage
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Sentence correction
Part B – General Knowledge (400 Marks)
- Physics
- Chemistry
- General Science
- History & Freedom Movement
- Geography
- Current Affairs
SSB Interview Process
Stage I
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)
- Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT)
Stage II
- Psychology Tests
- Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
- Personal Interview
- Conference
If you are clearing Stage I proceed to Stage II.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹100 |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| Female Candidates | Nil |
| Wards of JCO/NCO/OR | Nil |
Fee can be paid via:
- Debit/Credit Card
- UPI
- Net Banking
How to Apply Online – Step by Step
- You can visit UPSC Online Portal
- You can complete Account Creation
- You can generate Universal Registration Number (URN)
- You can fill Common Application Form (CAF)
- You can select NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026
- You can upload photo, signature & ID proof
- You can pay fee (if applicable)
- You can submit application before deadline
No corrections allowed after final submission.
Exam Centres
NDA exam will be conducted at 80+ cities including:
Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kolkata, Patna, Jaipur, Pune, Ahmedabad, and many more.
Travelling Allowance for SSB
You are appearing for SSB for the first time are eligible for AC 3-Tier railway fare reimbursement.
Official Notification & Apply Online Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| SSB Registration (Army) | https://www.joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| Navy Website | https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in |
Why Choose NDA as a Career?
- Prestigious officer rank
- Free world-class training
- Attractive salary & allowances
- Leadership & discipline
- Job security & pension
- Opportunity to serve the nation
Conclusion
The UPSC NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 is a life-changing opportunity for students who aspire to wear the uniform and serve the nation with pride. With 394 vacancies, transparent selection process, and equal opportunities for men and women, NDA remains one of the finest gateways into the Indian Armed Forces.
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