The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is the gateway for aspirants looking to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. One of the key eligibility criteria for candidates is the age limit, which determines who can apply for the NDA exam. The NDA written exam is conducted twice a year, referred to as NDA I and NDA II. NDA 2026 Exam Dates have been released. Union Public Service Commission is the authority to conduct the NDA 2026 examination. Candidates seeking entry in the Defence forces (Army, Navy & Air Force) can apply through this exam. NDA 2026 Exam will be held on 12th April 2026 (NDA 1) and 13th September 2026 (NDA 2). The application for the NDA 2026 exam will start from 10th December 2025. After qualifying the NDA 2026 exam, candidates have to go through the SSB interview & medical examination for final selection.

NDA 2026 Overview

Name of Exam- National Defence Academy Exam

Conducting Authority- UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)

Exam Frequency- Two Times in a Year

Exam Mode- Pen & Paper Based Mode

Vacancies- Around 400

Level of Exam- National Level

Mode of Application- Online only

Application Fee- Rs. 100/-

Mode of Application- Online Mode

NDA 2026 Exam Dates

Candidates can check below the official dates of NDA examinations:

For NDA 1 2026:

Dates (Announced)

Notification available- 10th December 2025
Application form begins- 10th December 2025
Ending date of application form- 30th December 2025
Application Correction (OTR details)- 2nd week of January 2026
Withdraw of application- 2nd week of January 2026
Admit card available- 4th week of March 2026
Exam date- 12th April 2026
Result announcement- 1st week of May 2026
SSB Interview- May/June 2026

For NDA 2 2026:

Dates (Announced)

Notification release- 20th May 2026
Release of Application form- 20th May 2026
Last date to submit the application form- 9th June 2026
Application Correction- 2nd week of June 2026
Withdraw of application- 2nd week of June 2026
Admit card available- 4th week of August 2026
Exam date- 13th September 2026
Result announcement- September 2026
SSB Interview- October 2026

NDA 2026 Application Form

Some important instructions regarding the UPSC NDA 2026 application form are provided below:
UPSC will issue the application form through online mode. Candidates can not apply for the NDA through any offline mode.

For NDA 1

The application form will be released from 10th December 2025 and will be available till 30th December 2025.

Candidates must fill out the application form as per their provided documents & Photo ID proof.

The application procedure will comprise various steps like OTR registration, details filling, uploading images, fee payment, etc.

For NDA 2

Candidates can fill application form between 20th May 2026 to 9th June 2026.

Upload the scanned images of your signature and photograph carefully.

The authority will also provide the correction facility after the completion of the application process.
Do not forget to take a printout of the filled-in application form for further use.

Application Fee:

The application fee will be payable through both online and offline modes.
The NDA application fee will be Rs.100/- for general candidates.
SC/ST candidates/female candidates/Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs candidates are exempted from the application fee. Online payment will be done through Master, Visa, Rupay debit/credit card, UPI, etc.
Offline payment will be initiated through a challan of the SBI bank.

NDA 2026 Application Correction

UPSC will provide a seven-day window for any modification in the OTR or application form. NDA application correction will be done through the online mode only. It will be organized from the second week of January 2026 (NDA 1) and the second week of June 2026 (NDA 2). Candidates should make any corrections during the window, as no facility will be provided later. Candidates will be able to make modifications to their application form through the online mode by entering their login details.

Steps to Apply for NDA 2026

Step-1: Go through the website of UPSC (Link will be given above).
Step-2: Click on the OTR Registration portal.
Step-3: Fill in the details required for the OTR form and register yourself.
Step-4: Log in again and proceed to fill out the application form.
Step-5: Enter personal, qualification, address & other required details.
Step-6: Upload the scanned images of the photograph & signature.
Step-7: Pay the application fee through online or offline mode.
Step-8: After the successful fee payment, take a printout of the filled application form.

NDA 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Below, we have mentioned the eligibility criteria for the NDA examination 2026:

Nationality:

Indian nationals & subjects of Nepal are eligible to apply.
Persons of Indian origin migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Age Limit:

Gender: Male & Female, both candidates can apply for NDA & NA.
Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply.
Age Limit (NDA 1): Candidates should be born on or between 2nd July 2007 to 1st July 2010.
Age Limit (NDA 2): Candidates DOB should fall on or between 2nd January 2008 to 1st July 2011.

Qualification:

Army Wing (NDA): Applicants must have passed 10+2 or equivalent exam from any recognized board.
Air Force & Naval Wings (NDA & NA): Qualified 12th or equivalent exam with Chemistry, Physics & Mathematics subjects from a recognized state or national board.
Candidates appearing in the qualifying exam are also eligible to apply.

Physical Standards:

Candidates should be physically & mentally fit to apply for the NDA exam.
Candidates have to complete all the medical tests after clearing the entrance exam.

NDA 2026 Exam Pattern

Candidates appearing for the exam can check the NDA exam pattern 2026 below:
Exam Mode: The exam will be conducted through a pen and paper-based mode.
Sections: There will be two sections, i.e. Mathematics & General Ability Test.
Duration: Two and a half hours will be given to each section.
Type of Questions: Objective-type questions will be asked in the examination.
Language: The Mathematics section will be in English language and the GAT section will be asked in English & Hindi both languages.
Negative Marking: 0.33% of the marks assigned to the question will be deducted for each wrong answer.

Section-wise Distribution of Marks:

Mathematics- 300
General Ability Test- 600
SSB/Interview- 900

NDA 2026 Syllabus

UPSC will release the syllabus along with the notification. While preparing for the exam, candidates must refer to the officially prescribed syllabus. Some important topics of the NDA syllabus 2026 are given below:

Mathematics: Trigonometry, Algebra, Differential Calculus, Vector Algebra, Integral Calculus and Differential equations, Matrices and Determinants, Analytical Geometry of two and three dimensions, Statistics, Probability, etc.

General Ability Test: English, General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events, etc.

NDA 2026 Preparation Tips

Preparations can be made in the right way by following the beneficial NDA preparation tips & strategy:

The main step for every exam preparation is to follow the right syllabus & exam pattern.

Prepare a suitable timetable and give time to every subject.

Practice mock tests every day to analyse your performance.

Solve previous year question papers & sample papers & follow the good study materials.

Make short notes on important topics and revise them later.

Take care of your health and diet, and get proper sleep of around 6 to 7 hours daily.

The NDA age limit is one of the most crucial eligibility factors for aspirants. Candidates should verify their eligibility well in advance and plan their preparations accordingly. With the right strategy and dedication, clearing the NDA exam can lead to an esteemed career in the Indian Armed Forces.