National Democratic Alliance (NDA)

NDA Exam 2026 Overview

• The National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is held twice a year (NDA I in April and NDA II in September) in offline (pen-and-paper) mode. It serves as the gateway for admission into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force academies after Class 12.

2026 Important Dates (Tentative)

• Release of notification : Session 1 - 10 December 2025, Session 2 - 20 May 2026

• Registration begins : Session 1 (January) -  10 December 2025,  Session 2 (April) -  20 May 2026

• Last date to apply : Session 1 (January) - 30 December 2025, Session 2 (April) - 9 June 2026

• Application Correction Window : Session 1 (January) - 2nd week January 2026, Session 2 (April) -  2nd week June 2026

• Admit Card release : Session 1 (January) - Last week of March 2026, Session 2 (April) -  First week of September 2026

• Exam Dates : Session 1 (January) - 12 April 2026 (Sunday) Session 2 (April) -  Last week September 2026

• Result Announcement : Session 1 (January) - Expected 26 April / 1st week May 2026, Session 2 (April) -  May 2026

• Counselling Process : Session 1- May–June 2026, Session 2 - October 2026

Note: Dates are tentative and subject to change. Always check the official UPSC website for updates.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Indian citizens, certain Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) as permitted.

• Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates can apply.

• Age Limits:

  • NDA I (2026): Born between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2010.

  • NDA II (2026): Born between 2 January 2008 and 1 July 2011.

• Educational Qualification:

  • Army Wing: Passed or appearing in Class 12 (any stream).

  • Naval & Air Force Wings: Must have Class 12 (passed or appearing) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).

Application Process

1. Mode: Online only via UPSC portals (upsconline.nic.in).

2. Steps:

   1. One-Time Registration (OTR) on UPSC site

   2. Fill application form with personal and academic details

   3. Upload photograph and signature

   4. Pay application fee (₹100 for General; exemptions for SC/ST/females/Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs)

   5. Submit and keep a printout

   6. Use correction window if needed

Exam Pattern

• Mode: Pen-and-paper OMR-based test

• Duration: 5 hours total

  • Mathematics: 2½ hours

  • General Ability Test (GAT): 2½ hours

• Subjects:

  • Mathematics

  • General Ability Test (English language, general knowledge, reasoning, etc.)

• Question Type: Objective-type / multiple choice questions.

Syllabus

Mathematics: Entire Class 11–12 syllabus (Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry, Vectors, Probability, etc.)

• General Ability Test:

  • English: Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension

  • General Knowledge: Current events, history, geography, basic science, reasoning, etc.

(Exact syllabus details to be checked in the official notification when released.)

Selection Process

1. Written Examination

2. Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview: Includes intelligence & personality assessments; flying branch candidates must also clear CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System).

3. Medical Examination

4. Final Merit List: Based on written exam + SSB/CPSS scores + medical fitness + candidate preferences.