UPSC NDA 2026 - Notification (Dec 10, 2025), Application form, Exam Dates, Syllabus

UPSC NDA 2026 - Notification (Dec 10, 2025), Application form, Exam Dates, Syllabus

Edited By Meghana Mohana Krishnan | Updated on Jun 27, 2025 12:04 PM IST | #NDA
Upcoming Event
NDA  Exam Date : 14 Sep' 2025 - 14 Sep' 2025

UPSC NDA 2026 - The Union Public Service Commission will release the UPSC NDA 1 notification 2026 on December 10, 2025 on the official website, upsc.gov.in. The UPSC NDA 2026 application form link will also be activated at the same time. The UPSC NDA application form 2026 last date is December 30, 2025. The NDA 1 exam 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on April 12, 2026.

This Story also Contains
  1. UPSC NDA 2026 - Overview
  2. UPSC NDA 2026 Exam Dates
  3. UPSC NDA 2026 Application Form
  4. UPSC NDA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
  5. UPSC NDA 2026 Exam Pattern
  6. UPSC NDA 2026 Exam Centres
  7. UPSC NDA 2026 Syllabus
  8. UPSC NDA 2026 Admit Card
  9. UPSC NDA 2026 Question Paper
  10. UPSC NDA 2026 Answer Key
  11. UPSC NDA 2026 Result
  12. UPSC NDA 2026 Cut Off
  13. UPSC NDA 2026 Selection Process
  14. UPSC NDA 2026 Salary
UPSC NDA 2026 - Notification (Dec 10, 2025), Application form, Exam Dates, Syllabus
UPSC NDA 2026 - Notification (Dec 10, 2025), Application form, Exam Dates, Syllabus

The UPSC NDA exam will be conducted twice every year in offline mode. Candidates who clear the UPSC NDA exam will be selected for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy. Check the article below to know more about the UPSC NDA 2026 exam.

UPSC NDA 2026 - Overview

Full name of the exam

UPSC National Defence Academy exam

Short Name

UPSC NDA

Conducting Authority

Union Publish Service Commission

Website

upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in.

Exam mode

Offline

Application mode

Online

Application fee

Rs 100

Number of vacancies

TBA

Exam level

National

Stages of the exam

  • Written exam.

  • SSB Interview.

UPSC NDA 2026 Exam Dates

The UPSC NDA exam dates 2026 have been announced by the commission well in advance. The UPSC NDA exam date was announced through the Annual Calendar. By knowing the NDA 1 2026 exam dates, candidates will be able to plan their preparation accordingly. Check the table below to know all the UPSC NDA exam dates 2026.

NDA 1 Exam Date 2026

Event

NDA 1 Dates

UPSC NDA notification date

December 10, 2025

NDA 1 application form date 2026

December 10, 2025

NDA application form last date

December 30, 2025

NDA 1 application correction facility

To be announced

NDA 2026 admit card date

To be announced

NDA 1 exam date 2026

April 12, 2026

NDA result date

To be announced

SSC Interview date

To be announced

Final result date

To be announced

NDA 2 Exam Date 2026

Event

NDA 2 Dates

UPSC NDA notification date

May 20, 2026

NDA 1 application form date 2026

May 20, 2026

NDA application form last date

June 9, 2026

NDA 1 application correction facility

To be announced

NDA 2026 admit card date

To be announced

NDA 1 exam date 2026

September 13, 2026

NDA result date

To be announced

SSC Interview date

To be announced

Final Result date

To be announced

UPSC NDA 2026 Application Form

Candidates have to fill the UPSC NDA application form 2026 online in order to appear in the exam. The UPSC NDA 2026 application form will be released on December 10, 2025. Candidates will be able to fill the UPSC NDA 1 application form 2025 until December 30. Candidates have to provide valid documents and information while filling the UPSC NDA application form 2026. Check the steps below to fill the NDA application form -

How to apply for NDA 2026?

Candidates can follow the steps below to fill the NDA form 2026.

  • Visit the UPSC website - upsc.gov.in/upsconline.nic.in

  • Complete the account creation process.

  • Login using your credentials.

  • Fill out the UPSC NDA application form as prompted.

  • Upload all the necessary documents.

  • Pay the NDA application fee.

  • Submit the NDA form.

UPSC NDA 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates have to check the UPSC NDA eligibility criteria 2026 before filling the application form. Candidates have to meet the NDA 2026 eligibility at every stage of the selection process. The UPSC NDA eligibility criteria are the minimum requirements which a candidate must meet to appear in the exam. Check the below table to know the NDA eligibility 2026 -

NDA 1 Eligibility Criteria 2026

Particulars

Details

Nationality

  • a citizen of India, or

  • a subject of Nepal, or

  • a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

NDA age limit

Candidates must be between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5

NDA Educational Qualification

  • Army wing - Class 12/HSC in any stream

  • Air Force/ Indian Naval Academy- Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Physical Measurement

  • For Army, Navy and Naval Academy - 157 cm (minimum)

  • For Air Force - 162.5 cm (minimum)

UPSC NDA 2026 Exam Pattern

The UPSC NDA exam pattern 2026 will be given in the official notification. The exam pattern of UPSC NDA 2026 consists of 2 stages. The first stage is the written test and the second stage is the SSB interview (Intelligence and personality test).

NDA Exam Pattern 2026

Subject

Duration

Maximum marks

Mathematics

2 ½ hours

300

General Ability Test

2 ½ hours

600

Total

900

SSB Interview

900

UPSC NDA 2026 Exam Centres

Candidates appearing for the exam will be given an UPSC NDA 2026 exam centre to which they need to appear and give the exam. The allotment of UPSC NDA 2026 exam centres is based on ‘first apply- first allot’. Candidates are advised to apply early for the exam so that they would get the NDA exam centre of their choice. The NDA exam centres 2026 are situated in almost 75 cities in India. Candidates must note that the UPSC ND exam centres, once allotted, cannot be changed.

UPSC NDA 2026 Syllabus

The UPSC NDA syllabus 2026 will be available in the official notification. The NDA 2026 syllabus and topics and sub-topics will be available for the candidates to start their preparation.

NDA Mathematics Syllabus 2026 -

  • Algebra.
  • Matrices and determinants.
  • Trigonometry.
  • Analytical geometry of two and three dimensions.
  • Differential Calculus.
  • Integral Calculus and Differential Equations.
  • Vector Algebra.
  • Statistics and Probability.

NDA General Ability Test Syllabus 2026 -

  • Part A - English.
  • Part B - General knowledge.
    • Physics.
    • Chemistry.
    • General Science.
    • History, freedom, movement, etc.
    • Geography.
    • Current events

How to prepare for UPSC NDA 2026?

Cracking the UPSC NDA exam requires dedication and a proper strategy. Some of the UPSC NDA 2026 preparation tips which are beneficial to the candidates are -.

  • Understand the syllabus and exam pattern.
  • Build a strong foundation of the basics by gathering the NDA best books (NCERT books provide a good foundation).
  • Revise concepts regularly.
  • Enhance vocabulary skills and stay updated with current affairs.
  • Develop time management, reasoning and problem-solving skills( helps in sharpening the mind)
  • Practice NDA sample papers and previous year question papers.
  • Stay focused.
  • Maintain physical fitness and eat healthy.

UPSC NDA 2026 Admit Card

The NDA admit card 2026 will be released 7 days before the examination. Candidates can download the UPSC NDA 2026 admit card from the official website, upsc.gov.in. The UPSC NDA admit card is like an entry pass into the exam centre. Candidates must note that the NDA admit card 2026 will not be sent by post and can only be downloaded.

UPSC NDA 2026 Question Paper

The UPSC NDA question paper 2026 will be released on the official website a few days after the examination. Candidates will also be able to view the UPSC NDA previous year question papers on the official website. Practicing UPSC NDA question papers makes a huge impact in the candidate’s preparation.

UPSC NDA 2026 Answer Key

The NDA answer key 2026 is crucial for candidates who have appeared in the examination. The NDA 2026 answer key will be released by UPSC after the examination in a few weeks. The NDA answer key will help candidates in resolving any doubts regarding the answers and helps in evaluating their score.

UPSC NDA 2026 Result

The UPSC NDA result 2026 will be released on the official website. Candidates may expect the NDA 2026 result within a month after the exam is conducted. The UPSC NDA result will be released in PDF format. Those who clear the NDA written exam will have to appear in the SSB interview.

UPSC NDA 2026 Cut Off

The UPSC NDA cut off 2026 will be released after the final results are released. All the NDA cut off marks will be released together at once. The UPSC NDA 2026 cut off is the same for all categories. Candidates can check the previous years' NDA 1 cut off marks to get an idea of how many marks are required to qualify the exam.

NDA 1 2024 cut off

Events

NDA written exam cut off

Final NDA cut off

NDA 1 2024 Cut off

291 (With at least 20% marks in each subject)

654 out of 1800

NDA 2 Cut Off 2024

305 (With at least 25% marks in each subject)

673 out of 1800

UPSC NDA 2026 Selection Process

The detailed UPSC NDA selection process will be available in the official notification. The UPSC NDA selection process 2026 consists of a written test and SSB interview (Service Selection Board). Candidates who clear the NDA written exam 2026 will be called for the SSB interview.

Candidates must log in to joinindianarmy.nic.in to know their SSB interview date and time. The SSB interview will be challenging. Those who clear the NDA SSB interview will get selected into the National Defence Academy.

UPSC NDA 2026 Salary

Candidates can find the UPSC NDA salary details 2026 in the official notification. The NDA 2026 stipend which will be offered to the candidates during the cadet training is Rs 56,100. After the completion of the training, candidates will be offered the NDA salary in the pay level 10 which is between Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500. Along with the NDA 1 salary 2026, candidates will also be offered various allowances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can give NDA 1 2026?

Indian citizens between the ages of  16.5 and 19.5 who have passed the 12th class can appear in the UPSC NDA exam.

2. When will the UPSC NDA 2026 application form be released?

The UPSC NDA 1 application form will be released on December 10, 2025.

3. Do 12th marks matter in the NDA exam 2026?

A candidate must have passed the 12th class to be eligible for the UPSC NDA exam. 

4. How much is the NDA 2026 salary?

Candidates will be given an NDA salary of Rs 56,100 during the training period. 

5. What is the UPSC NDA exam date?

The UPSC NDA 1 2026 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026

6. How many NDA vacancies have been announced?

The NDA 2026 vacancy will be given in the official notification. 

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Questions related to NDA

Have a question related to NDA ?

Hello Gautam

A diploma holder is eligible and ineligible for the following:

1. NDA: No, a diploma holder is not eligible for NDA as they require the candidates to be passed or appearing in Class 12th.

2. JEE Main s: Similarly, a diploma holder is not eligible for JEE Mains as it is only for 12th passed/appearing students with PCM.

3. JEE Advance: Yes, a diploma holder is eligible for JEE Advance  and can aim for IITs.

Regarding your second doubt:
No, a diploma holder is not eligible to take admission in NITs on the basis of JEE MAIN marks . A diploma holder can only aim for IITs and that too on the basis of JEE Advance.

Thank you!!!

Hello Aspirant,

Yes, you can appear for the NDA (National Defence Academy) exam in September 2026 to join the Indian Army, even if you are a Class 12 student with a PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) stream. The Indian Army wing of NDA does not require Mathematics or Physics as mandatory subjects in Class 12, unlike the Navy and Air Force wings, which are only open to candidates with a PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) background. As long as you are an Indian citizen, unmarried, and your age falls between 16.5 and 19.5 years as on the date specified in the 2026 notification (likely born between January 2, 2008, and July 1, 2011), you are eligible. You will still be required to attempt both papers in the NDA written exam—Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT)—but selection into the Army wing mainly considers your overall merit. So, with the right preparation, especially for GAT and basic math, you can definitely aim for a career in the Indian Army through NDA.

All the best for your journey.

Hello,

Yes, you can give the NDA exam in September 2026 to join the Indian Army, even if you are from the PCB stream.

For the Army wing, candidates from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) are eligible if they have passed or are appearing in Class 12.

Maths is not compulsory for the Army wing. However, you will still have to attempt the Maths paper in the exam.

Also, make sure your date of birth falls between 2nd January 2008 and 1st July 2011 to be eligible for NDA 2 (September 2026).

Hope it helps !

Dear Candidate ,
- For NDA 1 2026 , you are eligible since your birth date ( 24th Dec 2007 ) lies between 2 Jul 2007 and 1 Jul 2010 .
- For NDA 2 2026 , you are not eligible because the cutoff begins on 2 Jan 2008 .
Because UPSC requires candidates to be at least 16.5 and at most 19.5 years old on exam date ,

Hello Aspirant,

If you erroneously marked "Yes" for the question about studying in Sainik School or being the ward of a JCO/OR in the NDA 2 form when the answer was "No", Since you already mailed about this here is what you can do:

  1. Call UPSC to have it resolved quicker
  2. Wait for correction window (if any) - UPSC sometimes provides correction windows but they do this infrequently. If they have not yet announced the correction window, keep checking their official website.
  3. On exam day and at when SSB comes around, just be honest about what happened. In my past experience, as long as the mistake does not directly impact your eligibility or give you unjust advantage, they are usually okay to be sorted out during the document verification stage.
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