UPSC National Defence Academy Examination 2026
UPSC NDA 2026
UPSC NDA 2026 – Complete Exam Overview
The UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination 2026 is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit Class 12 pass students into the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala.
Key Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Frequency | Twice a year (NDA I – April; NDA II – September) |
| Vacancies (NDA I + II 2025) | 508 total (Army: 370, Navy: 30, Air Force: 108) |
| Minimum Qualification | Class 12 Pass (or appearing) |
| Age Limit | 16.5 – 19.5 years |
| Gender Eligibility | Male & Female (Female eligible since 2022) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Why NDA?
- Earliest entry into Indian Armed Forces officer cadre – directly after Class 12
- Full scholarship during 3-year NDA training + 1-year service academy training
- Commissioned as Lieutenant / Sub-Lieutenant / Flying Officer upon completion
- Starting pay at Pay Level 10 (₹56,100) + Military Service Pay (₹15,500/month)
- World-class education at NDA, Khadakwasla with academic degree from JNU
NDA I vs NDA II 2026
NDA I 2026: Notification expected December 2025; Written exam in April 2026. NDA II 2026: Notification expected May 2026; Written exam in September 2026. Candidates can appear in both cycles in the same year and use their best performance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Can female candidates apply for NDA 2026?
Yes. Following the Supreme Court order in 2022, female candidates are eligible to apply for NDA. They can join the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA.
Q.How many times is NDA conducted per year?
NDA is conducted twice a year: NDA I (written exam typically in April) and NDA II (written exam typically in September). Both are independent recruitment cycles.
Q.What is the minimum age for NDA 2026?
Candidates must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years of age as on the first day of the month in which the course commences. The exact cut-off date is specified in the notification.
Q.Is Class 12 Physics and Maths mandatory for all NDA wings?
Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics is mandatory for Navy and Air Force wings only. For the Army wing, any stream at Class 12 is acceptable.
Q.What degree does an NDA cadet receive?
NDA cadets receive a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) upon completing the 3-year NDA course.
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