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    UPSC NDA Selection Process 2026 - Step wise process, Written Exam, SSB Interview

    UPSC NDA Selection Process 2026 - Step wise process, Written Exam, SSB Interview

    Meghana Mohana KrishnanUpdated on 11 Dec 2025, 12:11 PM IST

    UPSC mentioned the NDA selection process 2026 in the official notification. The NDA 2026 notification contains the details that is available for download on their official website, upsc.gov.in/upsconline.nic.in. Candidates are encouraged to go through the NDA 2026 selection process to get an idea of how the NDA exam will take place.

    UPSC NDA Selection Process 2026 - Step wise process, Written Exam, SSB Interview
    NDA selection process

    There are 3 Main stages in the NDA selection process 2026. First, Candidates must appear for the NDA 2026 written exam followed by the SSB interview and medical examination. According to the NDA admission process, only candidates who have cleared the written exam will be called for the SSB interview. Hence, it is important for candidates to prepare well for the NDA 2026. Candidates can prepare effectively using NDA question papers, the exam pattern, and the syllabus. The NDA final merit list 2026 will be prepared based on how candidates perform in both the written exam and interview. Candidates can go through the material below for more information about the NDA Joining Process 2026.

    NDA Selection Process 2026 - Stages

    • NDA Written Exam 2026

    • NDA SSB Interview

    • Medical Examination

    Know about:

    NDA Selection Process 2026 - Written Exam

    The first stage in the NDA selection process is the written exam. The NDA 2026 written exam comprises two papers - Elementary Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The total marks allotted to the NDA written exam is 900. Candidates have to clear both papers separately.

    NDA Paper 1 comprises 120 questions for 300 marks while paper 1 comprises 150 questions for 600 marks. As per the NDA exam pattern 2026, there is a negative marking of one-third marks in both papers. Candidates who score marks equal to or more than the NDA 2026 cut-off marks will be called for the SSB interview.

    NDA 2026 Selection Process - SSB Interview

    Candidates who clear the NDA exam 2026 are called for the SSB interview at various selection centres. NDA SSB Interview is a five day process held at Indian Armed Force selection centres. NDA SSB day 1 comprises a Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT) and an Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR). Shortlisted candidates on day 1 are retained at the selection centre for the next four days.

    The further NDA interview process comprises Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officers Task (GTO), Personal Interviews and a Conference of the NDA selection process. There is no specific syllabus of 2026 NDA for the interview round. For more details, candidates can check the table provided below.

    NDA Selection Process 2026: Stepwise Selection Process

    Stages

    Tests

    Screening

    • Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT)

    • Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR)

    Psychological Tests

    • Thematic Apperception Test

    • Word Association Test

    • Situation Reaction Test

    • Self Description Test

    Group Testing Officers Task (GTO)

    • Group Discussion

    • Group Planning Exercise

    • Progressive Group Task

    • Half Group Task

    • Individual Obstacles Task

    • Command Task

    • Snake Race and Group Obstacle Race

    Personal Interview

    Personal Interview with Officers

    Conference

    It comprises interaction with all board members including GTO, psychologist, board president and others

    Quick Links:

    NDA SSB Selection Centres 2026

    Candidates appearing for NDA 2026 must check selection centres from the table mentioned below.

    List of SSB Interview Centres

    Branch

    SSC Centres

    Indian Air Force (IAF)

    • 1 AFSB Dehradun

    • 2 AFSB Mysore

    • 3 AFSB Gandhi Nagar

    • 4 AFSB Varanasi

    Indian Navy

    • NSB Coimbatore

    • 12 SSB Bangalore

    • 33 SSB Bhopal

    Indian Army

    • Selection Center East Allahabad

    • Selection Center Central Bhopal

    • Selection Center South Bangalore

    NDA Selection Process 2026 - Medical Examination

    Recommended candidates from the SSB interview of the NDA selection process are called for medical examination. In the SSB medical exam, candidates are tested on various factors like height, weight, physical fitness and others. Candidates declared physically fit in all respects will be commissioned as Cadets in various academies of the Indian Army Forces.

    Documents Required for NDA Selection Process 2026

    Candidates appearing for the NDA interview process at SCN have to carry the below-mentioned documents.

    • Original 10th pass certificate or equivalent in support of date of birth

    • Original 10+2 pass certificate or equivalent in support of educational qualification

    • Valid Photo ID proof

    • Caste certificate if belonging to SC, ST, OBC etc

    • SSB call letter

    NDA Selection Process 2026 - Final Merit List

    • To get acquainted with the Indian Armed Forces, candidates need to secure a minimum NDA cut off 2026 to get an SSB call letter.

    • Candidates appearing for the Indian Air Force have to qualify Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).

    • The final result of the NDA 2026 selection process is prepared on the basis of performance in the written exam and SSB interview.

    NDA Selection Process 2026 - Final Call

    The exam authorities will issue the NDA final call letter to join the course. The final call letter of the NDA 2026 is issued after the entire selection process is over. UPSC issues the final call letter to the candidates who cleared all the levels of the NDA selection process.

    NDA Selection Process 2026 - Reasons for candidate’s disqualification

    • Candidates previously rejected on the basis of medical standards are not allowed to attend the SSB interview of the NDA selection process.

    • Candidates who were withdrawn previously from NDA/NA on medical grounds or left the training voluntarily are eligible for admission only if they qualify for the medical fitness test.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: What are the different stages of the NDA selection procedure 2025?
    A:

    As per the selection procedure of NDA 2025, the stages include written examination, SSB interview, medical examination, and the final merit list.

    Q: What is the minimum age limit to apply for NDA 2025?
    A:

    The minimum age limit for NDA 1 is 16.5 years.

    Q: Is the medical examination compulsory for NDA selection 2025?
    A:

    Yes, the medical examination is one of the important stages of the NDA Selection procedure 2025.

    Q: Is the NDA selection procedure for the IAF, Indian Army and Indian Navy the same?
    A:

    Yes, the selection procedure of NDA 2025 for all the branches is the same.

    Q: What are the documents required in the NDA selection procedure 2025?
    A:

    Candidates need to submit class 10th and 12th certificates, valid photo ID, SSB call letter and caste certificate (if applicable) during the NDA selection procedure 2025.

    Q: I am medically not physically fit. Can I apply for NDA 2025?
    A:

    If a candidate is not physically fit as per the NDA selection parameters, they cannot apply for NDA.

    Q: What are the different stages of an SSB interview?
    A:

    The different stages of the NDA SSB interview are screening. psychological Tests, Group Testing Officers Task (GTO), Personal Interview and conference.

    Q: Who conducts the NDA exam?
    A:

    The NDA exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

    Q: What are the different branches of NDA?
    A:

    The different branches of NDA include the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.

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    Questions related to NDA

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to NDA ?

    HI Student

    If you are a candidates with the birth date December 13, 2007, you are generally eligible for NDA 1. You are likely not eligible for NDA 2 exam 2026 . To learn more about the eligibility criteria, click on the link below.

    Hi !

    You must be between the 16. 5 years and 19. 5 years when you apply for those exams. So, you are eligble to apply NDA 1 exam in 2027 and TES. You can check the NDA eligibility criteria in the link below.

    NDA eligibility criteria

    There are also

    Yes, you can join the army without NDA and without NCC. You can join through the CDS Exam, SSC Tech entry, ACFAT, Agniveer Entry, and others with the necessary qualifications.

    Hello Student,

    Yes, you can give NDA 2 2026. For further understanding and clarification, you can read the article given in the link below.

    Link - NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026