UPSC NDA NA I Exam Notification Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 394 Posts
JOBS LOKAMDecember 11, 2025
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is an organising body that conducts the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA). The NDA 1 Notification 2026 pdf announcing 394 vacancies for unmarried boys & girls to be recruited for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy has been released on 10th December 2025. The selection of eligible males & females will be done through a written Examination and SSB interviews. For detailed information regarding the NDA 1 Exam 2026, refer to the article.
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Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) NDA NA I Exam Notification Out For 394 Vacancies
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) is a gateway to joining the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as an officer. The NDA Exam is a national-level defence exam conducted twice every year to select eligible candidates for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Courses (INAC). Unmarried male and female 12th pass candidates born not earlier than 01st January, 2006 and not later than 1st January, 2011, can submit their application forms for the NDA Exam 2026.
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Overview
UPSC NDA Exam 2026 Overview
Exam Name
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA)
Organisation
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Level
National
Total vacancies
400+ (Expected)
Mode of Application
Online
Registration Dates
10th to 30th December 2025
Frequency of exam
Twice a year
Exam stages
Written Test and SSB Interview
Exam mode
Offline
Exam duration
Five hours (Mathematics: 2½ hours, General Ability Test (GAT): 2½ hours)
Exam pattern
GAT: 150 Objective type questions
Mathematics: 120 Objective type questions
Eligibility
Unmarried Boys & Girls
Language of Exam
English and Hindi
Official website
www.upsc.gov.in
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
Academy/Service
Male
Female
Total
National Defence Academy - Army (157th Course commencing January 2027)
198
10
208
National Defence Academy - Navy (All Executive Branch)
37
05
42
National Defence Academy - Air Force (Flying)
90
02
92
National Defence Academy - Air Force (Ground Duties - Technical)
16
02
18
National Defence Academy - Air Force (Ground Duties - Non Technical)
08
02
10
Naval Academy - 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (119th INAC, All Executive Branch)
21
03
24
Total
370
24
394
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualifications:
For Army Wing of NDA: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University
For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and for 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at Indian Naval Academy: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent
Candidates appearing in the 12th Class under 10+2 pattern can also apply
Such candidates must submit proof of passing by 10th December 2026
Important: Candidates appearing in 11th class are NOT eligible
Nationality:
Citizen of India, ORSubjecct of Nepal, OR
Person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia) or Vietnam with intention of permanent settlement in India
Certificate of eligibility required for categories (ii) and (iii) except Gorkha subjects of Nepal
Marital Status:
Candidates must be UNMARRIED (both male and female)
Male divorcee/widower candidates cannot be treated as unmarried and are not eligible
Candidates must undertake not to marry until completion of full training
Marriage subsequent to application date will lead to disqualification
Marriage during training will result in discharge and liability to refund all expenditure
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Physical Standards
The candidates must be physically fit as per the physical standards for National Defence Academy and Naval Academy. They should be able to fulfill the following criteria:
(a) Running: 2.4 km in 15 minutes
(b) Skipping
(c) Pushups & Sit-ups: Minimum 20 each
(d) Chin-ups: Minimum 08
(e) Rope Climbing: 3.4 meters
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Height Requirements
For Ground Duty
Height Requirement
Minimum height
Maximum height
Except states mentioned below
157.5 cm
--
Height for Gorkhas and individuals belonging to North Eastern regions of India and hilly regions of Uttarakhand
152.5 cm
---
Candidates from Lakshadweep
155.5 cm
---
For Flying Duty
Height Requirement
Minimum height
Maximum height
Sitting Height
81.5 cm
96 cm
Leg Length
99 cm
120 cm
Thigh Length
---
64 cm
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Age Limit (as on 01-07-2027)
Minimum Age: 16.5 years - Born not later than 01st July 2010
Maximum Age: 19.5 years - Born not earlier than 01st July 2007
Only unmarried male/female candidates born between 01/07/2007 and 01/07/2010 are eligible
Date of birth accepted only from Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate or equivalent
No subsequent change in date of birth allowed
No other document relating to age (horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts, etc.) will be accepted
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
General/OBC Male Candidates : Rs. 100/- (Rupees One Hundred Only) Female Candidates : No Fee SC/ST Candidates : No Fee Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs studying in Military/Sainik Schools : No Fee (Certificate required)
Payment Mode:
Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or Internet Banking
Fee once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances
No fee exemption available for OBC candidates
Applications without prescribed fee (unless exempted) shall be summarily rejected
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
Notification Release Date : 10/12/2025
Online Application Start Date : 10/12/2025
Last Date for Online Application : 30/12/2025 (up to 06:00 PM)
Examination Date : 12/04/2026
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Selection Process 2026
UPSC NDA 1 is the examination process that is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to provide the opportunity to the youth of the country who wish to join the defense services. The NDA will be conducted in two stages:
Written examination
Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB)
A candidate who qualifies in a written examination will be called for a personality test, which will be conducted to check the intelligence and personality. The candidates have to clear both stages to get their names on the merit list. The merit list/final result will be generated by UPSC with the cumulative score of the Written Exam and the SSB will be considered for final selection.
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Exam Pattern
The candidates who are preparing for the NDA Exam 2026 must be familiar with the exam pattern that is followed by UPSC. We have discussed the details for the NDA Exam Pattern 2026 below:
1. The exam will be conducted in an offline mode
2. The questions will be in multiple-choice format
3. The questions will be asked in bilingual languages (English & Hindi)
4. There will be a negative marking of 0.83 marks for Maths, 1.33 for English, and 1.33 marks for GK
5. Have a look at the detailed exam pattern for the NDA 1 Examination
NDA-NA 2026 Exam Pattern
Code
Subject
Max. Marks
Duration
1
Mathematics
300
2.5 hours
2
General Ability Test
600
2.5 hours
Total
900
5 hours
UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Syllabus
Mathematics
Algebra
Calculus
Matrices and Determinants
Integral Calculus and Differential Equations
Trigonometry
Vector Algebra
Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension
Statistics and Probability
General Ability Test
The questions in this paper will be asked from the English language and General knowledge.
English
Spotting Errors
Comprehension
Selecting Words
Ordering of Words in a Sentence
Sentence Improvement
Antonyms
Synonyms
General Knowledge
Physics
Chemistry
General Science
History & Freedom Movement
Geography
Current Affairs/ Events
How to Apply for UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026
Step 1: Visit official website https://upsconline.nic.in
Step 2: Create Account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN)
Step 3: Fill Common Application Form (CAF) with personal details
Step 4: Upload recent photograph and capture live photo
Step 5: Fill Examination Specific Module with preferences for Services (Army/Navy/Air Force in order of preference 1 to 4)
Step 6: Upload required documents and Photo ID details
Step 7: Select Examination Centre (first-apply-first-allot basis with ceiling on most centres)
Step 9: Submit application and note down Application Number
Step 10: Download and save e-Admit Card when available
Important: Indicate at least one preference for service allocation (mandatory)
Note: Candidates must register on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in after qualifying written exam to receive SSB call
Note: Candidates with Navy first choice: Register on www.joinindiannavy.gov.in
Note: Candidates with Air Force first choice: Also register on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in for AFSB Note: Email ID given to UPSC must be same as Directorate General of Recruiting website
