🛡️ NDA 2026 Exam Date OUT: 394 Vacancies Announced
The National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) 2026 exam date has been officially announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). As per the UPSC Exam Calendar 2026, NDA 1 Exam 2026 will be conducted on 12 April 2026 (Sunday) for 394 vacancies.
This exam is a golden opportunity for unmarried male and female candidates who aspire to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as commissioned officers.
📌 NDA Exam 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Total Vacancies | 394 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| NDA 1 Exam Date | 12 April 2026 (Sunday) |
| NDA 2 Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Exam Stages | Written Exam + SSB Interview |
| Exam Duration | 5 Hours |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
📅 NDA 2026 Important Dates
| Event | NDA 1 2026 | NDA 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10 Dec 2025 | 20 May 2026 |
| Application Start | 10 Dec 2025 | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 Dec 2025 | 9 June 2026 |
| Admit Card | 2 April 2026 | September 2026 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 | 13 Sept 2026 |
🧑✈️ UPSC NDA 1 Vacancy 2026 (Total: 394)
| Academy | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Defence Academy (Army) | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| NDA (Navy) | 90 | 02 | 92 |
| NDA (Air Force) | 37 | 05 | 42 |
| NDA (Other branches) | 24 | 06 | 30 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Entry) | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| Grand Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
🎓 NDA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
✔️ Educational Qualification
Army Wing: 12th pass (any stream)
Navy & Air Force Wings: 12th pass with Physics & Mathematics
Appearing candidates are also eligible
✔️ Age Limit
Born not earlier than 01 July 2007 and not later than 01 July 2010
Must be unmarried (male/female)
✔️ Nationality
Citizen of India / Nepal / Bhutan
Tibetan refugee (before 1 Jan 1962)
Person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries
🏃 Physical Standards (Key Requirements)
Running: 2.4 km in 15 minutes
Push-ups & Sit-ups: Minimum 20 each
Chin-ups: Minimum 8
Rope Climbing: 3.4 meters
Height (Ground Duty)
Minimum: 157.5 cm
Gorkhas / NE / Hill regions: 152.5 cm
📝 NDA Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 300 | 2.5 Hours |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test (GAT) | 600 | 2.5 Hours |
| Total | 900 | 5 Hours |
Negative Marking
Maths: –0.83
GAT (English/GK): –1.33
📚 NDA 2026 Syllabus (Brief)
Mathematics
Algebra, Trigonometry
Calculus
Matrices & Determinants
Statistics & Probability
General Ability Test (GAT)
English: Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension
GK: Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Current Affairs
💰 NDA 1 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹100 |
| SC/ST/Female/JCO–NCO–OR wards | Exempted |
🎯 NDA Selection Process 2026
Written Examination
SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test)
Final merit list is prepared based on Written + SSB marks.
🎫 NDA Admit Card, Result & Answer Key
Admit Card: Around 10 days before exam
Answer Key: After exam (provisional + final)
Result: About 1 month after written exam
