NDA Exam 2026, Application Form, Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Date

NDA Exam 2026 is a national-level entrance test conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Naval Academy (INA). The exam is held twice a year, typically in April and September. For 2026, NDA 1 is scheduled on 12 April, and NDA 2 will be held on 13 September.

Students who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 from a recognized board are eligible to apply. However, for the Air Force and Naval wings, candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics in Class 12.

The application form has released on 10 December 2025, with the last date to apply being 30 December 2025. The registration fee ranges from INR 1200 to INR 2400, depending on the candidate’s category. For complete details and to apply online, students must visit the official UPSC website: https://upsc.gov.in.

NDA Exam 2026 Latest Update

• NDA 1 2026 Application form is going to start on 10 December 2025, with the last date to submit the application form being 30 December 2025.

NDA Exam 2026 Key Highlights

NDA Exam 2026

The NDA Exam in India is held to select candidates for the National Defence Academy in Pune, Maharashtra. The NDA is a training academy for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. At the academy, cadets of all three services train together before moving on to their specific service academies. The main purpose of the NDA Exam is to find talented and dedicated young candidates who are ready to serve the Indian Armed Forces.

The selection process involves a written exam followed by an SSB interview, which assesses intelligence, personality, and leadership skills. The written test includes two papers: Mathematics and the General Ability Test. Both male and female candidates can apply if they meet the age and physical fitness criteria. NDA 2026 is a great opportunity for students to serve the nation as officers in the Armed Forces.

NDA 2026 Exam Important Dates 

Eligibility Criteria  for NDA Exam 2026 

The NDA 2026 examination has specific eligibility criteria set by UPSC. Candidates must be unmarried and should fall within the prescribed age limit, generally between 16.5 and 19.5 years. Both male and female candidates can apply. Educational qualification varies according to the wing: for the Army wing, candidates must have passed or appeared in Class 12 from a recognized board, while for the Air Force and Naval wings, they must have studied Physics and Mathematics in Class 12. Candidates appearing in their final year of Class 12 can also apply.

In addition, applicants must meet physical and medical fitness standards prescribed by the armed forces. Nationality is also important, as only Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, or certain categories of Tibetan refugees and migrants are eligible.

• Nationality: For NDA 2026, a candidate must be an Indian citizen. However, candidates who are subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1st January 1962, or persons of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or certain East African countries are also eligible.
• Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible.
• Age Limit: Between 16.5 to 19.5 years (exact dates as per UPSC notification).
• Educational Qualification: For NDA 2026, candidates applying for the Army Wing must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 from any stream. For the Air Force and Naval Wings, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
• Gender: Both male and female candidates are eligible.
• Physical Standards: Candidates must be physically and medically fit as per UPSC and Armed Forces guidelines.

NDA Exam 2026 Application Form

Step 1: Go to the official UPSC website to start the NDA 2026 registration.

Step 2: Click on the “Apply Online” option available for NDA 2026.

Step 3: Read the official notification and all instructions carefully before filling out the form.

Step 4: Begin registration by entering your name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, and security code.

Step 5: After registration, you will get your registration ID and password on the given email and mobile number.

Step 6: Use these login details to open the application form.

Step 7: Fill in personal details, academic information, choice of exam centre, and other required fields.

Step 8: Upload scanned images of your recent photograph, signature, and valid photo ID proof in the correct format.

Step 9: Pay the application fee online through debit card, credit card, net banking, or offline by challan.

Step 10: Check all the information carefully before submitting the form.

Step 11: Submit the application form to complete the process.

Step 12: Download and print the confirmation page for future use.

Documents Required

At the Time of the Application Form

• Recent passport-size photograph (scanned in the given format).
• Signature (scanned in the given format).
• Photo ID proof (Aadhaar card / PAN card / Passport / Driving license / Voter ID).
• Educational certificates (Class 10 and 12 details; scanned copies may be asked for verification).
• Category certificate (if applicable – SC/ST/OBC).
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Payment proof/transaction details (after online fee payment)

At the Time of the SSB Interview

• Original 10th mark sheet or birth certificate (for age proof).
• Original 12th mark sheet and passing certificate.
• Valid photo ID proof (same as used in the application).
• Caste certificate (if claiming reservation under SC/ST/OBC).
• NCC certificate (if applicable, for candidates with NCC background).
• Passport-size photographs (as per instructions in the call letter).

NDA Exam 2026 Admit Card

The NDA 2026 Exam Admit Card will be released online by UPSC on its official website. The expected date to release the NDA 2026 Admit card is the fourth week of March 2025. It is an important document that allows candidates to enter the examination hall. The admit card will contain details like the candidate’s name, roll number, exam date, time, and exam centre.

Candidates must carry the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam hall. Without it, they will not be allowed to appear in the test. To download the NDA 2026 admit card, students need to follow some simple steps.

Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website.

Step 2: Click on the link for the NDA 2026 admit card. 

Step 3: Login using your registration ID or roll number and date of birth. 

Step 4: The admit card will appear on the screen.

Step 5: Check all the details carefully.

Step 6: Download and take a printout of the admit card.

Step 7: Candidates should keep it safe for future use like the SSB interview and document verification.

Syllabus of NDA 2026 Exam

NDA 2026 Exam Pattern 

The NDA Exam Pattern 2026 is designed to test the knowledge and ability of candidates in a simple and structured way. The exam will be conducted in offline mode using pen and paper. It will have 2 sections: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Each section will be of two and a half hours duration. The questions asked will be objective type, meaning candidates have to choose the correct answer from the given options. The Mathematics paper carries 300 marks, while the GAT carries 600 marks, making the total written exam of 900 marks.

The GAT section will test English, General Knowledge, Science, History, Geography, and Current Affairs. The Mathematics paper will be available only in English, whereas the GAT will be in both English and Hindi (except for the English portion). There will be negative marking, where 0.33% of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer.

After the written exam, qualified candidates have to appear for the SSB Interview, which carries 900 marks, making the final selection process highly competitive. This pattern ensures fair testing of academic knowledge, reasoning skills, and overall personality.

NDA 2026 Exam Preparation Tips 

Preparation for the NDA 2026 exam requires dedication, proper planning, and regular practice. The written exam includes Mathematics, English, and General Ability subjects, while the SSB interview tests leadership, communication, and overall personality. To perform well, candidates should focus on building strong basics in Mathematics and Science, improving English grammar and vocabulary, and staying updated with current affairs. Daily study, regular revision, and solving previous year papers help in understanding the exam pattern and managing time effectively.

Apart from academics, physical fitness is very important for clearing the selection process. Candidates should include exercise, running, and sports in their routine to stay fit. Along with this, building self-confidence and a positive attitude is key to success in the SSB interview.

• Prepare a realistic timetable that covers all subjects and stick to it every day.
• Focus on NCERT textbooks of Class 11 and 12, especially Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
• Practice daily problem-solving in Mathematics to improve speed and accuracy.
• Strengthen English grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing skills.
• Read newspapers, magazines, and current affairs updates to stay aware of national and international events.
• Revise topics regularly and make short notes for quick last-minute review.
• Solve mock tests and past NDA papers to understand question patterns and improve time management.
• Practice group discussions, public speaking, and leadership activities to prepare for SSB interviews.
• Stay disciplined, motivated, and consistent, as preparation for NDA is a long-term process.

NDA 2026 Exam Answer Key 

The NDA 2026 answer key will be released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) a few days after the examination is conducted. This answer key will provide the correct answers to all the questions asked in both the Mathematics and General Ability Test papers. Candidates can use it to match their responses and get an idea of their probable score before the official results are declared. The release of the answer key is an important step as it ensures fairness and transparency in the evaluation process.

UPSC will first publish a provisional answer key, and if candidates find any errors, they can raise objections by submitting proof within the given time limit. After reviewing all the objections, UPSC will release the final answer key. This final version will be used to calculate scores and prepare the result. The NDA 2026 answer key not only helps candidates to assess their performance but also reduces anxiety by giving them an early estimate of their chances of selection for the SSB interview.

NDA 2026 Result 

The NDA 2026 result will be announced by UPSC a few months after the examination. The result is very important for candidates who wish to join the National Defence Academy. It will be released on the official UPSC website in the form of a merit list that contains the roll numbers of qualified candidates. To be selected, candidates must score more than the cutoff marks in both the written test and the SSB interview. The final result is prepared by combining the marks of these two stages.

Candidates are also placed in different categories, such as General, OBC, SC, and ST based on their performance. Once the result is declared, candidates are informed about their selection status and the next steps of the process. For many students, the declaration of the NDA 2026 result is a proud moment as it brings them closer to their goal of joining the Armed Forces and serving the nation.

NDA 2026 Exam Cutoff

The NDA Cut Off 2026 marks are a key factor in the selection process for admission to the National Defence Academy. The cut off represents the minimum marks that a candidate must score in order to qualify for the next stage of the exam. It is decided by UPSC after considering factors such as the difficulty level of the paper, the number of candidates appearing for the exam, and the availability of seats. Although the official cut off has not yet been announced, candidates can check the expected cut off to get an idea of the score they should aim for.

The expected cut off helps students in planning their preparation and setting realistic targets. Once the official cut off is released by UPSC, it will be updated on the official website for all candidates to check. Scoring above the cut off is important because only then will candidates be shortlisted for the SSB interview, which is the next step in the NDA selection process.

NDA 2026 Exam Counselling Process

The NDA 2026 exam counselling process will begin after the declaration of written exam results by UPSC. Qualified candidates will be called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview, which is held in two stages to assess intelligence, personality, and leadership skills. Candidates who clear both stages will have to undergo a thorough medical examination to ensure fitness for defence services.

Finally, a merit list will be prepared based on marks in the written exam and SSB interview, and selected candidates will be offered admission to NDA for training. Here are the steps of the NDA 2026 counselling process in simple points:

• Declaration of Results – UPSC announces the NDA 2026 written exam results.
• SSB Interview Call – Qualified candidates receive a call letter for the SSB interview.
• Stage 1 Interview – Includes Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT).
• Stage 2 Interview – Involves psychological tests, group discussions, and personal interview.
• Medical Examination – Shortlisted candidates undergo a detailed medical fitness test.
• Final Merit List – Prepared based on written exam and SSB interview performance.
• Admission to NDA – Selected candidates join NDA for training.

NDA Exam 2026 FAQ

Q1: What is the NDA 2026 exam syllabus?

Ans: The NDA 2026 syllabus includes Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT), covering algebra, trigonometry, calculus, English, general knowledge, history, geography, and current affairs.

Q2: What is the NDA 2026 exam date?

Ans: The NDA 2026 exam will be conducted twice, in April 2026 (NDA 1) and September 2026 (NDA 2).

Q3: What is the NDA 2026 exam eligibility criteria?

Ans: Candidates must be unmarried males or females, aged 16.5 to 19.5 years, with 10+2 qualification (Physics & Maths required for Air Force and Navy).

Q4: What are the NDA 2026 exam fees?

Ans: The NDA 2026 application fee is expected to be INR 100 for General/OBC candidates, while SC/ST and female candidates are exempted.

Q5: What is the NDA 2026 application form date?

Ans: The NDA 2026 application form for NDA 1 will likely be released in December 2025, and for NDA 2 in May 2026.

Sami

I am a content writer with 7 years of experience in the EdTech industry, specializing in writing about universities, courses, and educational opportunities. I create easy-to-understand, engaging content that helps students make smart decisions about their studies and future careers.