NDA 2026 Notification — Vacancies, Eligibility & How to Apply for NDA/NA
The Union Public Service Commission has released the NDA 2026 Notification for the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA/NA). This examination recruits cadets for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force through the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune. Approximately 400 vacancies are notified for NDA-I 2026.
NDA is the premier tri-service training institution in the world, where cadets undergo 3 years of integrated training followed by 1 year of pre-commissioning training at their respective service academies (IMA for Army, INA for Navy, AFA for Air Force). NDA graduates are commissioned as officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Exam | NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 |
| Vacancies | ~400 (Army: 208, Navy: 42, AF: 120, NA: 30) |
| Eligibility | 12th pass / appearing (age 16.5-19.5) |
| Selection | Written Test → SSB Interview (5 days) |
| Training | NDA Khadakwasla (3 years) + Service Academy (1 year) |
NDA offers one of the most unique career paths in India — candidates enter at 16.5 years of age and emerge as commissioned officers at around 21-22 years. The training is world-class, combining academics (B.Sc/B.A/B.Tech degree from JNU), military training, physical fitness, and character building. Officers start at Pay Level 10 (₹56,100) upon commissioning.
The NDA exam is conducted twice a year (NDA-I in April/June and NDA-II in September/November). Girls are also eligible to apply for NDA since 2022, making it a truly inclusive national institution.
NDA 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 2026-01-10 |
| Application Start | 2026-01-10 |
| Application Last Date | 2026-02-28 |
| Written Exam (NDA-I) | April 2026 |
| SSB Interview | July–September 2026 |
| Course Commencement | January 2027 |
NDA Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Army Wing: 12th pass (Class XII) from a recognized board in any stream
Navy & Air Force Wing: 12th pass with Physics and Mathematics
Age Limit
16.5 to 19.5 years (born between specified dates as per notification)
Gender
Both male and female candidates are eligible (women allowed since 2022)
Marital Status
Must be unmarried
Physical Standards
Must be physically and medically fit as per armed forces standards. Minimum height 157 cm (male), 152 cm (female). Vision standards vary by service — Air Force has strictest requirements (6/6 without correction).
Check Your Age Eligibility
Check if you meet the age requirement for NDA. Our calculator shows your exact age on the cut-off date with category-wise relaxation (OBC, SC/ST, PH, Ex-Servicemen).
- ✓ Enter DOB and cut-off date
- ✓ Category-wise age relaxation
- ✓ Preset cut-off dates for major exams
NDA 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General | ₹100 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | ₹100 |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| Female (all categories) | Exempted |
| PwD / Ex-Servicemen | Exempted |
Payment Modes: Online (Net Banking, UPI, Debit Card)
NDA Selection Process
- Written Examination by UPSC — Mathematics (300 marks) + General Ability Test (600 marks)
- SSB Interview (5 days) — screening, psychological tests, group tasks, personal interview, conference
- Medical Examination at Military Hospital
- Final Merit based on Written + SSB combined score
- Allotment to NDA Khadakwasla for 3-year training
NDA 2026 Exam Pattern
Written Examination
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 150 minutes | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| General Ability Test (English + GK) | 150 | 600 | 150 minutes | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Total | 270 | 900 |
SSB Interview
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screening Test (OIR + PPDT) | 0 | 0 | Day 1 | N/A — Screening |
| Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD) | 0 | 0 | Day 2 | N/A |
| Group Tasks (GD, GPE, HGT, PGT, Command Task) | 0 | 0 | Day 3-4 | N/A |
| Personal Interview + Conference | 0 | 900 | Day 4-5 | N/A |
| Total | 0 | 900 |
NDA 2026 Salary Structure
Pay Levels
Pay Level 10 (upon commissioning)
Gross Salary Range
₹80,000 – ₹2,20,000
In-Hand Salary Range
₹65,000 – ₹1,80,000
Post-wise Basic Pay
| Post Name | Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|
| NDA Stipend (during training) | Stipend | ₹56,100 |
| Lieutenant (upon commissioning) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 |
| Captain (after 2 years) | Level 10B | ₹61,300 |
| Major (after 6 years) | Level 11 | ₹69,400 |
| Colonel (after 15+ years) | Level 13 | ₹1,30,600 |
Allowances & Benefits
- Military Service Pay
- DA
- Transport Allowance
- Kit Maintenance Allowance
- Flying Allowance (AF)
- Submarine Allowance (Navy)
- Free Medical & Housing
- Canteen Facilities
- Pension
Calculate Your In-Hand Salary
Use the 7th CPC Government Salary Calculator to estimate your in-hand salary for NDA 2026 posts — including DA, HRA, and all deductions based on your pay level and city.
- ✓ Select pay level (1–18) and basic pay
- ✓ City-wise HRA (X, Y, Z category)
- ✓ DA, TA, NPS deductions included
How to Apply for NDA 2026
- Visit upsconline.nic.in and register for NDA/NA (I) 2026
- Fill Part I — personal details, educational qualification, NDA wing preference
- Fill Part II — upload photograph, signature, and pay fee
- Select Army/Navy/Air Force preference (order of priority)
- Pay application fee (₹100 General/OBC, free for SC/ST/Female)
- Select exam centre from available cities
- Submit and download confirmation with registration number
NDA 2026 Admit Card
Release Date: To Be Announced
- Visit upsc.gov.in and click on "e-Admit Card" link on the home page
- Select "NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026" from the list
- Log in with your Registration ID and Date of Birth
- Download and print the e-Admit Card on A4 paper
- Carry the printed admit card to the examination hall
- Carry one valid photo ID proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card — candidates without both documents will not be permitted to enter
NDA Previous Year Cutoff Marks
| Year | Category | Cutoff Score | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | General | 355 | 900 |
| 2024 | OBC | 335 | 900 |
| 2024 | SC | 312 | 900 |
| 2024 | ST | 303 | 900 |
| 2023 | General | 343 | 900 |
| 2023 | OBC | 325 | 900 |
| 2023 | SC | 305 | 900 |
| 2023 | ST | 296 | 900 |
| 2022 | General | 336 | 900 |
| 2022 | OBC | 319 | 900 |
| 2022 | SC | 300 | 900 |
| 2022 | ST | 291 | 900 |
NDA 2026 Result
Result Date: To Be Announced
Next Steps After Result:
- Check the result on upsc.gov.in — qualified candidates' roll numbers are published in a PDF notification
- NDA written exam does not use normalisation — it is a single-shift OMR-based exam with uniform paper
- Download your marks statement from the UPSC candidate portal after final result declaration
- Written exam qualified candidates will be called for SSB Interview (5-day assessment at Services Selection Board)
- Final merit list is prepared based on Written (900) + SSB (900) = 1800 total marks and published on upsc.gov.in
NDA 2026 – FAQs
Age Limit
The age limit for candidates applying to the National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination is a critical eligibility criterion, strictly enforced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). For the NDA-I 2026 examination, candidates must be born not earlier than 2nd July 2007 and not later than 1st July 2010. This ensures that candidates fall within the age bracket of 16½ to 19½ years at the time of commencement of the course.
Similarly, for the NDA-II 2026 examination, candidates must be born not earlier than 2nd January 2008 and not later than 1st January 2011, adhering to the same age window for the course commencing in July 2027. It is imperative for all applicants to note that there are no relaxations in the upper or lower age limits for any category of candidates, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, or any other special categories. All applicants, irrespective of their background, must strictly conform to these specified birth date ranges.
Preparation Tips
Effective preparation for the National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination requires a structured approach, focusing on both the written test and the subsequent Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. For the written examination, a thorough understanding of the syllabus for Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT) is paramount. Candidates should prioritize mastering concepts from NCERT textbooks for classes 9th to 12th, especially for Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, as these form the foundation.
Regular practice of previous year's question papers is essential to understand the exam pattern, time management, and identify frequently tested topics. For the GAT, focus on improving English grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. For General Knowledge, stay updated with current national and international affairs, and revise fundamental concepts in History, Geography, and General Science. Beyond academics, physical fitness is crucial; incorporate regular exercise, running, and sports into your routine. Simultaneously, cultivate leadership qualities, effective communication skills, and a positive attitude, as these are extensively evaluated during the SSB interview. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to excel in both stages of the selection process.
Application Process
Applying for the National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination in 2026 is an entirely online process, managed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Prospective candidates must visit the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) to access the application portal. The first crucial step is to complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process, which is mandatory for all applicants.
After OTR, candidates can proceed to fill out the detailed application form, typically divided into Part-I and Part-II. Part-I involves basic registration details, while Part-II requires uploading scanned copies of a recent photograph, signature, and a valid photo identity proof. The application fee, which is Rs. 100, must be paid online. However, female candidates, SC/ST candidates, and Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from fee payment. Upon successful submission, candidates must take a printout of the completed application form for their records.
