UPSC NDA Exam 2026: Here’s All You Need to Know

00 PM) . The written examination will be conducted on 12 April 2026 , and successful candidates will join the 157th NDA Course and 119th Indian Naval Academy Course , commencing from 1 January 2027 .

According to the notification, a total of 394 vacancies have been notified, including 24 vacancies for female candidates , reflecting the growing participation of women in the armed forces. The vacancies include posts in the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA, as well as the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy. Separate merit lists will be prepared for male and female candidates, strictly as per the vacancies notified for each category and service.

The examination is open to candidates who are born between 1 July 2007 and 1 July 2010 , and who are unmarried at the time of application. Candidates must be citizens of India, subjects of Nepal, or persons of Indian origin from specified countries with a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India. Educational qualification requirements vary by service: candidates applying for the Army wing must have passed the 12th Class examination, while those opting for the Navy and Air Force wings must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at the 10+2 level. Candidates appearing for the Class 12 examination are also eligible, subject to fulfilling conditions later.

Applications must be submitted online only through the UPSC portal https://upsconline.nic.in. Candidates are required to complete the Universal Registration Number (URN), Common Application Form, and the examination-specific module. Once submitted, applications cannot be withdrawn or modified under any circumstances . Applicants are advised to use Aadhaar for seamless identity verification, and live photo capture is mandatory during the application process.

The application fee has been fixed at ₹100 for General and OBC candidates. However, female candidates, SC/ST candidates, and wards of JCOs/NCOs/Other Ranks studying in Sainik or Military Schools are exempted from paying the fee. The fee must be paid online, and no refund will be granted under any circumstances.

The NDA & NA Examination consists of a written examination of 900 marks , followed by a Services Selection Board (SSB) interview of 900 marks . The written exam includes two papers Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks) both of objective type. The General Ability Test covers English and General Knowledge. There is negative marking , with one-third of the marks deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates qualifying the written exam will be called for the two-stage SSB interview process, which assesses intelligence, personality and officer-like qualities.

UPSC has also laid down strict examination guidelines. The use of mobile phones, smart watches, electronic gadgets or any communication devices is strictly prohibited inside the examination centre. Candidates must use black ball pens only for marking answers on the OMR sheets. Face authentication will be conducted at examination venues to ensure transparency and prevent impersonation.

The examination will be held across more than 80 centres across India, including major cities such as Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Centre allotment will be on a first-apply-first-allot basis , and candidates are advised to apply early to secure their preferred centre.

The NDA examination continues to be one of the most prestigious defence recruitment examinations in the country, offering young aspirants a direct pathway to serve the nation as officers in the armed forces. Candidates are strongly advised to read the complete notification carefully and ensure that they meet all eligibility, educational and medical requirements before applying.