NDA Exam Info 2026 | Exam Details, Important Dates and Eligibility Criteria

The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is the premier gateway for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This article provides the latest updated information for the NDA exams scheduled in 2026.

Exam Overview

Vacancies

The total number of vacancies for the NDA 2026 recruitment drives stands at 394 per session, distributed across the wings as follows:

• National Defence Academy (NDA): 370 vacancies
  • Army: 208 (including 10 for female candidates)
  • Navy: 42 (including 5 for female candidates)
  • Air Force: 120 vacancies
    • Flying: 92 (including 2 for female candidates)
    • Ground Duties (Tech): 18 (including 2 for female candidates)
    • Ground Duties (Non-Tech): 10 (including 2 for female candidates)

Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme): 24 vacancies (including 3 for female candidates)

Eligibility Criteria

A. Nationality

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal, or
• A person of Indian origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries (such as Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia) or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

B. Educational Qualification

• For Army Wing: Passed or appearing in the 10+2 (Class 12th) or equivalent examination from a recognized school board or university.
• For Air Force and Naval Wings (including 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Naval Academy): Passed or appearing in the 10+2 (Class 12th) or equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics as mandatory subjects.

C. Age Limit (For 2026 Exams)

• NDA 1 2026: Candidates must be born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010 (both dates inclusive).
• NDA 2 2026: Candidates must be born between January 2, 2008, and January 1, 2011 (both dates inclusive).

D. Marital Status

Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply. Candidates must undertake not to marry until they complete their full training program.

E. Physical Standards

Candidates must be physically and medically fit according to the strict guidelines set by the UPSC. Common causes for medical disqualification include:

• Deviations in BMI (underweight/overweight relative to height and age)
• Dental conditions or inadequate dental points
• Vision issues (including color blindness or refractive errors exceeding permissible limits)
• Hearing impairments or ear wax accumulation
• Minor conditions like flat feet, knock knees, or kidney stones

Selection Process

The UPSC NDA selection framework consists of a rigorous two-stage process:

Stage 1: Written Examination (900 Marks)

1. Mathematics (Paper I): 300 marks (2.5 Hours)
2. General Ability Test / GAT (Paper II): 600 marks (2.5 Hours)
3. Note: Both papers consist of objective, multiple-choice questions administered offline.

Stage 2: SSB Interview (900 Marks)

1. Conducted over a 5-day period by the Services Selection Board (SSB).
2. Evaluates intelligence, personality traits, psychological profile, and officer-like qualities (OLQs) through group tasks, psychological tests, and a personal interview.

Preparation Tips for Success

• Master the Syllabus: Deeply analyze the weightage of topics in Mathematics and the sub-sections of the GAT (English, Science, and Social Studies).
• Consistent Practice: Regularly solve previous years’ question papers and take timed mock tests to enhance your speed, accuracy, and negative-marking management.
• Maintain Physical Fitness: Engage in running, basic strength training, and cardiovascular exercises daily to comfortably clear the medical and physical assessments.
• Follow Current Affairs: Read newspapers daily and compile standard summaries covering national security, international relations, awards, and sports to score high in the GAT section and excel in the SSB interview.