December 10, 2025
3 CommentsUPSC NDA 1 2026 Exam Notification Released – Check Latest Age Criteria, Eligibility, Vacancy & Exam Date
If joining the Indian Armed Forces is your dream, then here’s some good news: UPSC has officially released the NDA 1 2026 Notification. This exam is one of the most prestigious opportunities for young defence aspirants who wish to join the Army, Navy, and Air Force as officers after Class 12.
NDA 1 2026 Exam - Short Overview
Here’s a quick snapshot before we dive deeper:
- Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Exam Name: National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Examination
- Cycle: NDA 1 (April Session)
- Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen & Paper)
- Training Academies: NDA Khadakwasla & INA Ezhimala
- Eligibility: 10+2 passed/appearing, unmarried male & female candidates
The NDA exam is conducted twice a year, and the NDA 1 2026 cycle is the first opportunity for aspirants who will complete Class 12 by next year.
NDA 1 2026 Exam Important Dates
Make sure to note these dates so you don’t miss anything:
Event | Date |
Notification Release | December 10, 2025 |
Application Start Date | December 10, 2025 |
Last Date to Apply | 30 December 2025 |
Admit Card Release | Before Exam |
NDA 1 2026 Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
Result Declaration | May/June 2026 |
SSB Interview | Soon after the written result |
Keep checking UPSC’s website to stay updated, but these timelines are usually constant every year.
Watch NDA 1 2026 Exam Notification Complete Details
NDA 1 2026 Exam Eligibility Criteria
UPSC follows strict guidelines for eligibility, and it’s important to know them before applying. Here’s the simplified breakdown:
A. Nationality
- You must be A citizen of India OR A subject of Nepal or Bhutan OR A Tibetan refugee (before 1st Jan 1962)
B. Age Limit
- You must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years.
- For NDA 1 2026, candidates born between 1st July 2007 and 1st July 2010 will be eligible.
C. Educational Qualification
- Army Wing: 10+2 Pass (any stream)
- Air Force & Naval Wing / Naval Academy: 10+2 with Physics & Mathematics
Even if you’re appearing for Class 12 exams, you can still apply.
D. Marital Status
- Candidate must be unmarried.
E. Physical Standards
Clearing the medical test is as important as the written exam. You must:
- Be physically fit
- Meet height and eyesight standards
- Have no major medical issues
NDA 1 2026 Exam Vacancy
UPSC announces the number of vacancies for NDA, offering 394 seats combined for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy.
The distribution usually looks like this:
Wing | Vacancies |
Army | 208 |
Navy | 42 |
Air Force (Flying + Ground Duties) | 120 |
Naval Academy | 24 |
NDA 2026 Course Admission Open…Contact Now!
NDA 1 2026 Exam Pattern
NDA 1 2026 Notification Out, The NDA written exam consists of two papers, both conducted on the same day.
Paper 1: Mathematics
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Marks: 300
- Level: Class 11 & 12 Maths
Paper 2: GAT (General Ability Test)
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Marks: 600
Sections:
- English (200 marks)
- General Knowledge (400 marks)
Total Marks: 900
If you clear the written cutoff, you’ll be called for the SSB Interview, which carries 900 marks.
NDA Exam 2026 Selection Process Explained
Your selection happens in three stages:
1. Written Exam
You must score above the cutoff in both Maths and GAT.
2. SSB Interview (5 Days)
This includes:
- Screening test
- Psychology
- GTO tasks
- Personal interview
- Conference
3. Medical Examination
Final shortlisting happens after medical clearance.
NDA 1 2026 Exam Application Process
Applying for NDA is simple and fully online. Here are the steps:
- Visit UPSC’s official website.
- Click on “One-Time Registration (OTR)” if you’re a new user.
- Log in and fill out the NDA 1 2026 application form.
- Upload your photo, signature, and ID proof.
- Pay the application fee (Rs. 100 for general; exempted for females & reserved categories).
- Submit the form and download the confirmation.
Expected Cut Off for NDA 1 2026
Although UPSC releases the cutoff after the final result, based on previous years, here is the expected range:
|
Stage |
Expected Cut Off |
|
Written Exam |
345–360 marks (out of 900) |
|
Final Cut Off |
700–725 marks (out of 1800) |
How to Start Preparing for NDA 1 2026 Exam
Here’s a simple roadmap to begin your preparation in a stress-free way:
Understand the syllabus properly
- Don’t jump into a random study; know exactly what UPSC asks.
Build strong basics
- Especially for Maths, clarity of concepts is more important than solving too many questions.
Practice previous years’ papers
- NDA papers repeat concepts frequently. Solving at least 10 past papers is a game-changer.
Focus on English and GK daily
- Just 30–45 minutes of reading newspapers and brushing grammar helps a lot.
Take mock tests
- Time management is crucial since the NDA has 270 questions in total.
Kickstart Your NDA 1 2026 Preparation With India’s Leading Defence Academy
If you’re serious about cracking NDA 1 2026, both the written exam and the SSB interview, then choosing the right guidance makes all the difference.
This is where Centurion Defence Academy (CDA) stands out.
At Centurion, you get:
- Expert mentors, including ex-SSB board members
- Complete NDA written + SSB training under one roof
- Detailed study material based on the latest UPSC pattern
- Daily practice sessions, doubt classes & mock tests
- Psychological tests, GTO ground training, and interview sessions
- Personalised feedback to improve your performance
With the highest recommended-to-selected ratio and a proven track record, Centurion Defence Academy is the trusted destination for NDA aspirants in Lucknow and Dehradun.
If your dream is to wear the uniform, Centurion Defence Academy will help you turn that dream into reality.
Comments (3)
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Thankyou for your details.
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Very help full detailed info
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Very good points