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NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026

UPSC Service Commission

Domain: Defense & Security
Employment Type: Full time
Stage: Announcement - Detailed Notification

Posted: 9 months ago

Posts: 394

Location: CENTRAL

Closed: 30 Dec 2025

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Job Details

The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I) 2026 is a prestigious examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA and the Indian Naval Academy. This examination provides a gateway for young aspirants to join the Indian Armed Forces and serve the nation. The selection process includes a written examination followed by an SSB interview, assessing candidates on academic knowledge, physical fitness, and leadership qualities.

Level:
central
Cities:
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Ahmedabad
Other Information:
  • Service Allocation: Candidates may be posted in any state or union territory of India as per the service requirements.
Exam Centers:
  • Centres of Examination: AGARTALA, AGRA, AJMER, AHMEDABAD, AIZAWL, ALIGARH, ALMORA (UTTARAKHAND), ANANTPUR (ANDHRA PRADESH), CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR [AURANGABAD (MAHARASHTRA)], BENGALURU, BAREILLY, BHOPAL, BHUBANESWAR, BILASPUR (CHHATTISGARH), CHANDIGARH, CHENNAI, COIMBATORE, CUTTACK, DEHRADUN, DELHI, DHARAMSHALA, DHARWAD, DISPUR, FARIDABAD, GANGTOK, GAYA, GAUTAM BUDDH NAGAR, GHAZIABAD, GORAKHPUR, GURUGRAM, GWALIOR, HYDERABAD, IMPHAL, INDORE, ITANAGAR, JABALPUR, JAIPUR, JAMMU, JODHPUR, JORHAT, KARGIL, KOCHI, KOHIMA, KOLKATA, KOZHIKODE (CALICUT), LEH, LUCKNOW, LUDHIANA, MADURAI, MANDI, MUMBAI, MYSORE, NAGPUR, NASHIK, NAVI MUMBAI, PANAJI (GOA), PATNA, SRI VIJAYA PURAM (PORT BLAIR), PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD), PUDUCHERRY, PUNE, RAIPUR, RAJKOT, RANCHI, SAMBALPUR, SHILLONG, SHIMLA, SILIGUDI, SRINAGAR, SRINAGAR (UTTARAKHAND), SURAT, THANE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, TIRUCHIRAPALLI, TIRUPATI, UDAIPUR, VARANASI, VELLORE, VIJAYAVADA, VISHAKHAPATNAM, HANUMAKONDA (WARANGAL URBAN)

Job Summary

The NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 offers a pathway for young aspirants to join the Indian Armed Forces. The examination process involves a written test and an SSB interview, with applications open until December 30, 2025. The exam was conducted on April 12, 2026, and the results have been declared. Candidates must register for the SSB interview and submit original certificates during the interview process.

Important Dates

  1. Notification Release Date

  2. Last date to apply · Application End Date

  3. Last date to apply · Online application closing time

  4. Helpdesk operational window

  5. Examination · Examination Date

  6. Result · Provisional Answer Keys Release Date

  7. Representation Window

  8. Result · Result Announcement Date

  9. Interview · SSB interview (likely)

  10. Document verification · Deadline to submit Matric/10+2 proof (if not produced at SSB)Next

Dates not announced

  • E‑Admit Card availability
  • Online Question Paper Representation (QPRep)

Fee Structure

Application Fee

1. Examination fee:
Rs. 100/- (Rupees one hundred only).
2. SC/ST/Female:
No fee.
3. Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs (studying in specified schools):
No fee if studying in Military Schools (formerly King George’s) or Sainik Schools run by Sainik Schools Society, on production of certificate from the Principal.

Payment Methods

1. Modes:
Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, UPI Payment or Internet Banking of any Bank.

Other Information

1. No refund:
Fee once paid shall not be refunded nor held in reserve for any other examination.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Educational Qualifications

CriteriaDetails
12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.Required

2. Other Educational Qualifications

CriteriaDetails
Army Wing12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent.
Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA & 10+2 Cadet Entry (INA)12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent.
Appearing candidatesCandidates appearing in the 12th class under 10+2 pattern can apply; proof of passing must be submitted by 10th December 2026.

3. Experience Requirements

CriteriaDetails
Experience RangeN/A - N/A years

4. Age Limit

CriteriaDetails
Age Range16 - 19 years
Age Limit As On1 Jul 2026
Age Criteria (as per notice)Only unmarried male/female candidates born not earlier than 01st Jul 2007 and not later than 01st July 2010 are eligible.

5. Citizenship

CriteriaDetails
NationalityA 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.

6. Physical Requirements

CriteriaDetails
Physical StandardsCandidates must be physically fit as per Appendix‑III of the notice for NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026.

7. Other Eligibility

CriteriaDetails
Marital conditionCandidates must be unmarried and must undertake not to marry until completion of training; marriage during training leads to discharge and recovery of training cost.
Not eligibleA candidate who has resigned or withdrawn on disciplinary grounds from any of the training academies of the Armed Forces is not eligible to apply.
DebarmentCandidates debarred by the Ministry of Defence from holding any type of commission are not eligible.

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Post Details

Total Posts: 394

1. Army Wing of National Defence Academy

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent.

Age Limitations:

  • Age Criteria: Candidates must be born not earlier than 01st Jul 2007 and not later than 01st July 2010.

Category Wise Vacancy:

CategoryReserved SeatsOther Eligibility
Male198N/A
Female10N/A

2. Navy Wing of National Defence Academy

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent.

Age Limitations:

  • Age Criteria: Candidates must be born not earlier than 01st Jul 2007 and not later than 01st July 2010.

Category Wise Vacancy:

CategoryReserved SeatsOther Eligibility
Male37N/A
Female5N/A

3. Air Force Wing of National Defence Academy

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent.

Age Limitations:

  • Age Criteria: Candidates must be born not earlier than 01st Jul 2007 and not later than 01st July 2010.

Category Wise Vacancy:

CategoryReserved SeatsOther Eligibility
Flying92N/A
Ground Duties (Tech)18N/A
Ground Duties (Non-Tech)10N/A

4. Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme)

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent.

Age Limitations:

  • Age Criteria: Candidates must be born not earlier than 01st Jul 2007 and not later than 01st July 2010.

Category Wise Vacancy:

CategoryReserved SeatsOther Eligibility
Male21N/A
Female3N/A

Cut Off Marks

1. Cut-off Marks Announcement:
Cut-off marks will be uploaded on the UPSC website after the final result declaration.

How to Apply

1. Application mode:
Apply online only at https://upsconline.nic.in using URN, Common Application Form and the examination-specific module.
2. Live photo capture:
Applicants must upload a photograph and also capture a live photograph while filling the CAF as per instructions on the portal.
3. Photo ID:
Provide details of one photo ID (Aadhaar/EPIC/PAN/Passport/Driving License/School ID/other Govt ID) in URN; carry the same ID for exam/SSB.
4. Edits/withdrawal:
Applications cannot be withdrawn; no correction/alteration is permitted after submission and closure of the application window.
5. Aadhaar advised:
Applicants are strongly advised to use Aadhaar as ID for seamless verification.

Exam Pattern

1. Scheme:
Two objective-type papers: Mathematics (300 marks, 2½ hours, Code 01) and General Ability Test (600 marks, 2½ hours, Code 02); total 900 marks.
2. SSB:
SSB Test/Interview carries 900 marks.
3. Language:
Mathematics and Part ‘B’ of GAT will be set bilingually in Hindi and English.
4. Answering & tools:
OMR based; use black ball pen only; no calculators/tables allowed.
5. Negative marking:
Penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to the question for each wrong answer.

Syllabus Details

1. Mathematics:
Algebra; Matrices & Determinants; Trigonometry; Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D); Differential & Integral Calculus; Differential Equations; Vector Algebra; Statistics & Probability.
2. General Ability Test – Part A (English):
Grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension and cohesion.
3. General Ability Test – Part B (General Knowledge):
Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History/Freedom Movement/Civics, Geography, Current Events (weightages approx. Physics 25%, Chemistry 15%, General Science 10%, History 20%, Geography 20%, Current Events 10%).

Selection Process

1. Stages:
Written examination followed by Intelligence and Personality Test at Services Selection Board (SSB).
2. SSB procedure:
Two-stage process: Stage I (OIR tests and PP&DT); Stage II (Interview, Group Testing Officer tasks, Psychology tests, Conference).
3. Air Force CPSS:
Candidates opting Air Force and qualifying SSB must undergo CPSS; CPSS is conducted only once in a lifetime.
4. Qualifying marks:
Minimum qualifying marks in written exam (UPSC) and Officer Potentiality (SSB) are fixed at the discretion of the respective bodies.
5. Tie-breaking:
If final marks are equal: higher written total; then higher GAT; then senior in age; if still tied, as per Commission’s discretion.

Admit Card Details

1. Availability:
E‑Admit Card will be made available on the last working day of the preceding week of the date of the examination on the UPSC website for download; not sent by post/email.
2. At venue:
Face authentication/identity verification will be carried out; candidates must report well in time.
3. Carry:
Printed e‑Admit Card and the same valid Photo ID used in URN; black ball pen is mandatory for OMR.

Reservation Details

1. Men and women selections:
Though notified together and tested through a common written exam, NDA/NA men and women are separate entries; written results and final merit lists are prepared separately as per notified vacancies.

Document Requirements

1. Originals at SSB:
All candidates called for SSB must carry original Matriculation/10th certificate (age proof) and original 10+2 pass certificate/marksheet; originals will be verified and returned.
2. For candidates not producing originals at SSB:
Self‑attested photocopies must be forwarded by 10th December 2026 to the specified Army/Navy addresses.
3. Photo ID:
Carry the same Photo ID declared in URN for examination and SSB.

Preparation Tips

1. OMR practice:
Practice marking answers with a black ball pen on OMR and manage time across two 2½‑hour papers.

Important Instructions

1. Banned items:
Mobile phones, smart/digital watches, calculators, Bluetooth devices, cameras, storage media, bags and valuables are strictly prohibited inside the exam venue.
2. Reporting time:
Reach the venue at least 30 minutes prior to each session; no late entry permitted.
3. OMR care:
Use only black ball pen; ensure correct encoding of Roll Number and Test Booklet Series to avoid rejection.
4. QPRep:
Question paper representation window is open for 7 days from the next day of the exam to 6:00 PM of the 7th day via the online QPRep portal only.

Interview Details

1. Likely schedule:
SSB interview for qualified candidates is likely during June 2026 to July 2026 (or as suitable to Recruiting Directorate).
2. Travel allowance:
First‑time SSB candidates for a particular type of commission are entitled to AC III Tier/bus fare including reservation/sleeper charges within Indian limits.
3. Service HQ contacts:
Army (AG’s Branch, Rtg NDA Entry), Navy (DMPR, OI&R), Air HQ (Dte of Personnel-Officers) – as per addresses and phones given in the notice.

Training Details

1. Training:
Three years’ training at National Defence Academy (inter‑service) followed by pre‑commission training at respective academies; INA 10+2 Cadet Entry undergoes four years’ training at INA, Ezhimala.

Bond or Service Agreement

1. Bond:
Parent/guardian and cadet must execute a bond to refund training expenses and pay/allowances if the cadet leaves training voluntarily, is discharged on disciplinary grounds, or does not accept commission when offered.

Disqualification Criteria

1. Unfair means/misconduct:
Impersonation, fabricating/tampering documents, uploading incorrect photos/signatures, influencing examiners, possession/use of prohibited electronic devices, or violating e‑Admit instructions may lead to cancellation, debarment and criminal action.
2. Incorrect claims:
If any claim regarding age, qualifications or category is found incorrect upon verification, candidature is liable to cancellation.

Other Information

1. Helpline:
Additional information and FAQs are available on the official UPSC website.

Contact Details

Address: UPSC Facilitation Counter, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi - 110069

Other Information

  • Helpdesk hours: Operational 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on all working days during the application window (10.12.2025 to 30.12.2025).

FAQ

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