UPSC NDA 2026: Notification, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Salary
UPSC NDA & NA exam selects Class 12 candidates for Army, Navy and Air Force training. See age limit, subjects, written exam pattern, SSB and dates.
By JobAlertCentral Editorial Team · Checked against official sources on 25 Oct 2026
UPSC NDA at a glance
| Conducted by | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), twice a year |
|---|---|
| Full name | National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination |
| Wings | NDA Army, Navy and Air Force wings; Indian Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) |
| Qualification | Class 12 pass (Army wing); Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (Navy, Air Force, Naval Academy). Class 12 students can apply |
| Age limit | Unmarried candidates born between 01.01.2008 and 01.01.2011 (NDA II 2026) |
| Application fee | ₹100; SC, ST, women and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempt |
| Stages | Written exam (900 marks) → SSB interview (900 marks) → medical exam |
| NDA II 2026 vacancies | 394 (370 male, 24 female) |
| Training stipend | ₹56,100 per month (Level 10) during training at the service academies |
| NDA I 2027 | Notification 02.12.2026; last date 22.12.2026; exam 11.04.2027 (UPSC calendar) |
Latest UPSC NDA updates
No UPSC NDA notification is open right now. This page is updated as soon as the next official notice is released.
What is the NDA exam?
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA & NA) Examination is how young Class 12 candidates enter the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force as officer cadets. UPSC holds it twice a year: NDA (I) in April and NDA (II) in September. Successful candidates train at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune, or at the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, and are then commissioned as officers.
Eligibility
Education: Class 12 (10+2) pass for the Army wing. For the Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Naval Academy, Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates who are appearing in Class 12 can apply and show the certificate later.
Age and status: only unmarried male and female candidates can apply. For NDA (II) 2026, candidates must have been born between 01.01.2008 and 01.01.2011. Each cycle moves this window forward by six months.
Physical standards: candidates must meet the physical and medical standards in Appendix-III of the notification.
Exam pattern
| Paper | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 2½ hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test (English and General Knowledge) | 2½ hours | 600 |
| Written total | 900 | |
| SSB Test / Interview | 900 |
All papers are objective. Each wrong answer costs one-third of the marks for that question. Candidates who clear the written exam are called to the Services Selection Board (SSB) for a two-stage intelligence and personality test spread over several days, followed by a medical exam.
Vacancies (NDA II 2026)
| Wing | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| Navy | 37 | 5 | 42 |
| Air Force – Flying | 90 | 2 | 92 |
| Air Force – Ground Duties (Tech) | 16 | 2 | 18 |
| Air Force – Ground Duties (Non-Tech) | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry) | 21 | 3 | 24 |
| Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
Stipend and pay
Cadets get a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 a month (the starting pay of Level 10) during training at the service academies. On commissioning, pay is fixed in the officer's pay matrix with military service pay and other allowances.
Next exam
The UPSC calendar for 2027 lists NDA (I) 2027 with the notification on 02.12.2026, the last date on 22.12.2026 and the exam on Sunday, 11.04.2027.
UPSC NDA: FAQs
Who can apply for NDA?
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Unmarried male and female candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12, within the birth-date window given in each notification.
Is PCM compulsory for NDA?
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Only for the Air Force and Naval wings and the Naval Academy. Class 12 in any stream is enough for the Army wing.
Is there negative marking in NDA?
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Yes. One-third of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer.
When is NDA 1 2027?
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Sunday, 11.04.2027, according to the UPSC calendar. Applications are due from 02.12.2026 to 22.12.2026.
How many vacancies were there in NDA II 2026?
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394 in total: 370 for male and 24 for female candidates.
Official sources
Rules can change with each notification. Always confirm eligibility, dates and fees in the latest official notice.