What is the NDA Exam?
The NDA is a national-level entrance exam conducted twice a year by UPSC. Students who clear this exam get admission to the National Defence Academy in Pune, where they train to become officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Why Choose NDA?
The key reasons to choose NDA are:
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Opportunity to serve the nation
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Permanent officer rank in the Armed Forces
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World-class training at NDA, Pune
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Excellent salary, facilities, and career growth
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A respected and prestigious profession
NDA Exam Important Dates 2026
Here are the key dates for the NDA 2026 exam cycle, including notification, application, and exam dates:
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NDA Exam 2026 Important Dates |
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|
Event |
Date |
|
NDA 1 Notification 2026 |
10 Dec ’25 |
|
NDA 1 Application Form 2026 |
10 Dec ’25 – 30 Dec ’25 |
|
NDA 1 2026 Exam Date |
12 Apr ’26 |
|
NDA 2 2026 Notification |
20 May ’26 |
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NDA 2 2026 Application |
20 May ’26 – 09 Jun ’26 |
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NDA 2 2026 Exam |
13 Sep ’26 |
This schedule covers the complete NDA exam date & schedule for both cycles.
NDA Exam Eligibility
As per the National Defence Academy, there are a set of eligibility criteria that need to be satisfied by the candidates while applying for the examination. This includes specifications regarding educational qualification, age limit, nationality, and physical fitness. Candidates can apply, following the detailed NDA age limit and qualification rules.
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NDA Exam Eligibility |
|
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Educational Qualification |
– Army Wing: Class 12 passed/appearing – Navy & Air Force: Class 12 with Physics and Maths |
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Age Limit |
16.5 to 19.5 years (No age relaxation for any category) |
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Gender |
Both Girls and Boys can apply. |
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Marital Status |
Only unmarried candidates can apply. |
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Nationality |
Must be: – Indian citizen – Bhutan/Nepal citizen – Tibetan refugee (before Jan 1, 1962) |
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Physical Standards |
– Must be physically and medically fit. – Minimum height: 157 cm (105 cm for Flying Branch) – No major health issues – Normal vision requirements |
NDA Application Form 2026
The online NDA 1 application form for the year 2026 will be available from December 10, 2025, to December 30, 2025. Candidates will be able to apply from May 20 to June 9, 2026, during the NDA 2 application window. Application Mode: Online Only Application Fee: INR 100 SC/ST/Sons of JCOs, NCOs, ORs-Exempt. The Application Form Process is completely online. After the online generation of the particular Registration Number, candidates must follow the given steps:
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Click the NDA apply online link.
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Complete one-time registration.
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Register for the exam.
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Upload required documents.
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Pay the application fee.
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Submit the application form
UPSC NDA Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The NDA exam is divided into two sections: Mathematics (Maths) and General Ability Test (GAT). The topics that come under each section are as follows:
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Maths: Topics from high school level like Algebra, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Integral Calculus, Probability, etc.
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English: Vocabulary, Comprehension, Prepositions, etc.
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General Knowledge: Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, Geography, Current Affairs, and General Science.
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UPSC NDA Syllabus & Exam Pattern |
||||
|
Code |
Exam Name |
Duration |
No. of Questions |
Max Marks |
|
01 |
Mathematics |
2 ½ hours |
120 |
300 |
|
02 |
General Ability Test (GAT) |
2 ½ hours |
150 |
600 |
|
– |
SSB Interview |
– |
– |
900 |
|
Total |
– | – | – |
1800 |
SSB Interview Stages:
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Stage 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) & Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT)
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Stage 2: Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychological Tests, and Conference
NDA Selection Process
The process of selection into the NDA is multistage, from applying to declaring the final results. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
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Release of Notification & Application Form
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NDA admit card download
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Appear in the Written Exam
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Declaration of Written Exam Results
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Appear in the SSB Interview
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Declaration of Final Result