NDA 2026
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination
NDA exam is conducted by UPSC for admission to Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA and Naval Academy. Written test followed by SSB Interview (5-day process).
Official WebsiteAge Limit
16.5-19.5 years. Unmarried males (female candidates for NDA from 2024).
Fee
₹100
Salary Range
₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500
Next Exam Date
13 Sept 2026
Pay Level
Pay Level 10 (after training)
Salary Range (Monthly)
₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500
Key Posts
Cadet entry to Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy; Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry)
Pay Levels & Salary
| Pay Level | Monthly Range |
|---|---|
| Stipend during training | ₹56,100 fixed (as Cadet/Gentleman Cadet) |
| Level 10 (Lieutenant — after commissioning) | ₹₹56,100 - ₹₹1,77,500 |
Application Fee
₹100
General/OBC
Free
SC/ST/Women
Free
PwBD/ESM
Tie-Breaking Rules
- Higher marks in SSB Interview
- Higher marks in Written Examination (Mathematics + GAT)
- Older candidate placed higher
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
12th pass (or appearing). For Naval Academy: 12th with Physics & Mathematics.
Age Limit
16.5-19.5 years. Unmarried males (female candidates for NDA from 2024).
Age Relaxation by Category
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General | No relaxation |
| SC/ST | +5 years |
| OBC (NCL) | +3 years |
| PwD | +10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | +5 years |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen | Free |
Exam Pattern
Mathematics (Paper I)
| Section | Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 150 min |
General Ability Test (Paper II)
| Section | Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 200 | — |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 400 | — |
Syllabus
- Algebra
- Matrices & Determinants
- Trigonometry
- Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D)
- Differential Calculus
- Integral Calculus & Differential Equations
- Vector Algebra
- Statistics & Probability
Posts & Pay Levels
Vacancies
NaN
Tentative Total
Nationality & Citizenship
- ✓Citizen of India
- ✓Subject of Nepal
- ✓Subject of Bhutan
- ✓Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962 with intention of permanently settling
- ✓Person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries with intention of permanently settling
Educational Qualification
Age Limits & Relaxation
Age Bands
| Age Band | DOB Not Earlier Than | DOB Not Later Than |
|---|---|---|
| 16.5 - 19.5 years |
Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Rules
Category Certificate Rules
How to Apply
Photo Rules
- • Recent photograph
- • Signature upload
Application Fee
₹100
General
₹undefined
Women
Free
SC/ST
₹undefined
PwBD
₹undefined
ESM
Payment: SBI Challan / Net Banking / Visa/Master/RuPay Cards
Non-refundable
Correction Window
Opens
Closes
₹
1st Correction
₹
2nd Correction
Max corrections allowed. Latest corrected application treated as valid.
Admission Certificate & Exam Day
Accepted Photo IDs
Paper-I — Mathematics — Mathematics
| Section | Questions | Marks | Per Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 3 |
| Total | 120 | 300 | 2.5 |
Paper-II — General Ability Test (GAT) — General Ability Test
| Section | Questions | Marks | Per Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 200 | 4 |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 400 | 4 |
| Total | 150 | 600 | 4 |
SSB Interview — Services Selection Board
Answer Key Policy
Normalization & Re-evaluation
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Stage | UR | OBC/EWS | SC/ST/Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| overall | |||
| ssb Stage I | |||
| written Exam |
Shortlisting & Merit Rules
Ssb Screening
Stage I at SSB — non-qualifying candidates returned on Day 1
Written To SSB
Based on written exam marks — separate cut-offs for each wing. Only candidates meeting minimum marks called for SSB.
Wing Allocation
Based on final merit rank and candidate preference. Air Force has additional CPSS (Computerized Pilot Selection System) and PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test).
Final Merit Basis
Written (900 marks) + SSB Interview (900 marks) = Total 1800 marks. Separate merit lists for Army, Navy, Air Force wings.
Medical After SSB
Only SSB-recommended candidates undergo medical examination
Scribe & Compensatory Time
Auto-eligible for Scribe
- ✓PwBD blindness
- ✓PwBD locomotor disability (both arms affected-BA)
- ✓PwBD cerebral palsy
Scribe Requirements
- • Scribe must not be a candidate of the same examination
- • Scribe qualification must be one step below the qualification prescribed for the post
- • Scribe cannot assist more than one candidate in the same examination
- • Candidate must opt for scribe in the application form
- • Scribe arrangement at own expense if own scribe opted
Additional Rules
- • Even eligible candidates not availing scribe still get compensatory time
- • No attendant other than scribe allowed inside examination hall
Document Verification
Required Documents
- Matriculation/Secondary Certificate (for DOB proof)
- Educational Qualification Certificate(s) as prescribed
- Caste/Category Certificate if applicable (in prescribed format)
- PwBD Certificate if applicable
- EWS Certificate if applicable (valid for relevant financial year)
- Ex-Servicemen Certificate/Discharge Certificate if applicable
- NOC from present employer if already in Government service
- Experience Certificate if applicable
- Name change documents if applicable (Gazette notification, marriage certificate etc.)
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs
- Any other document as specified in the call letter
Tie-Breaking Rules
- 1Higher marks in SSB Interview
- 2Higher marks in Written Examination (Mathematics + GAT)
- 3Older candidate placed higher
Misconduct & Debarment
Post-exam Analysis Methods
| Offense | Debarment |
|---|---|
| Using unfair means of any kind — copying, electronic devices, written material on body/paper | Permanent debarment / 3-7 years |
| Impersonation / procuring impersonation by any person | 7 years / permanent |
| Possession of mobile phone, bluetooth devices, wireless devices, spy cameras, electronic gadgets inside exam hall | 3-5 years |
| Taking away exam material (rough sheets, question paper) from exam hall | 1-3 years |
| Leaving examination venue before completion of due exit procedure | 1-2 years |
| Misbehaving, intimidating or threatening exam functionaries | 2-3 years |
| Obstructing conduct of examination / instigating others not to take examination | 3 years |
| False statements / fabricated documents / suppressing material information | 1-5 years |
| Appearing in exam with forged admit card / identity proof | 3-5 years |
| Possession of firearms/weapons or threatening exam functionaries with force | 7 years |
| Taking snapshots, making videos of question papers or exam material | 7 years |
| Sharing exam terminal through remote desktop / LAN / VAN | 7 years |
| Attempt to hack or manipulate examination servers / data / systems | 7-10 years |
| Candidate acting as scribe in same examination or providing false scribe declaration | 3-5 years |
⚠ Cases may be referred to police or investigating agencies.
Public Disclosure Policy
Disqualification Rule
Candidates must be unmarried male. Marriage during training leads to removal. False information at any stage leads to disqualification and potential withdrawal of commission.
Important Warnings
2026 Cycle — Complete Timeline
⚠ All dates are tentative and subject to change.
Vacancies
Per-post breakdown not yet published.
Previous Year Cut-Offs
No cut-off data available yet.
Important Dates — 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NDA 1 2026 — Notification | 10 Dec 2025 | Completed |
| NDA 1 2026 — Exam | 12 Apr 2026 | Completed |
| NDA 2 2026 — Exam | 13 Sept 2026 | Upcoming |