NDA Exam 2026 : Online Registration, Application Form, Dates, Eligibility

NDA Exam 2026: Union Public Service Commission is the authority to conduct NDA Exam 2026 examination. NDA (National Defence Academy) exam will be organized two times in a year at national level. Candidates seeking for entry in Defence forces (Army, Navy & Air Force) can apply through this exam.

UPSC will release the notification for vacancies of Defence forces to be filled through NDA scores. The number of vacancies may vary depending upon the avilability of training capacity in NDA & Indian Naval Academy. After qualifying the NDA 2026 exam, candidates have to go through the SSB interview & medical examination for final selection. Check here for all details about NDA 2026 exam, application form, eligibility, pattern, syllabus etc.

NDA Exam 2026

Overview of NDA Examination 2026

The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This examination is held twice a year in pen-and-paper mode at the national level. It serves as a gateway for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.

There are approximately 400 vacancies available, although the exact number may vary based on the training capacities of the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy. The application process for the NDA exam is conducted entirely online, and candidates must pay a non-refundable application fee of ₹100.

Important Date Scheduled

NDA 1 2026 Schedule:

• Notification Release: 3rd week of December 2025
• Application Form Availability: 3rd week of December 2025
• Last Date to Submit Application: 1st week of January 2026
• Application Correction (OTR details): 2nd week of January 2026
• Application Withdrawal: 2nd week of January 2026
• Admit Card Release: 4th week of March 2026
• Exam Date: 4th week of April 2026
• Result Announcement: 1st week of May 2026
• SSB Interview: May/June 2026

NDA 2 2026 Schedule:

• Notification Release: 2nd week of May 2026
• Application Form Availability: 2nd week of May 2026
• Last Date to Submit Application: 1st week of June 2026
• Application Correction: 2nd week of June 2026
• Application Withdrawal: 2nd week of June 2026
• Admit Card Release: 4th week of August 2026
• Exam Date: 1st week of September 2026
• Result Announcement: September 2026
• SSB Interview: October 2026

These dates are provisional and are subject to change. For updates, candidates are advised to keep checking the official UPSC website.

NDA Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Below we have mentioned the eligibility criteria of NDA examination 2026:

Nationality:

• Indian National & Subject of Nepal are eligible to apply.
• Person 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 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 recognized state or national board.
• Candidates appearing in qualifying exam are also eligible to apply.

Physical Standards:

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

NDA Exam 2026 Application Form

The NDA 2026 application form will be available exclusively online, and candidates will not be able to apply via any offline method. Here are some important details about the application process:

For NDA 1 2026:

• The application form will be available from the 3rd week of December 2025 and will remain open until the 1st week of January 2026.
• Candidates must fill the application form accurately, based on their provided documents and Photo ID proof.
• The application procedure will involve multiple steps, such as One-Time Registration (OTR), filling in personal details, uploading images, and making the fee payment.

For NDA 2 2026:

• The application form will be available between the 2nd week of May 2026 and the 1st week of June 2026.
• It is important for candidates to carefully upload scanned images of their signature and photograph.

After the application process, candidates will have an opportunity to make corrections if needed.

Application Fee for NDA Exam 2026:

• General candidates: The application fee is ₹100/-.
• Exemptions: SC/ST candidates, female candidates, and children of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from the application fee.
• The application fee can be paid through online or offline modes:
  • Online payment: Candidates can use Master, Visa, Rupay debit/credit cards, or UPI.
  • Offline payment: Payment can be made via challan at any branch of SBI.

Don’t forget to take a printout of the filled application form for future reference.

How to Online Apply NDA Exam 2026 

To apply for the NDA 2026 exam, follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website.
The link to the official website will be provided above.

Step 2: Click on the OTR (One Time Registration) portal.
Start by registering yourself with basic details in the OTR section.

Step 3: Complete the OTR registration.
Fill out the required information such as personal details and other relevant data, then submit to create your account.

Step 4: Log in again to access the application form.
After registering, log in using your credentials to proceed to the NDA application form.

Step 5: Fill out the application form.
Provide all necessary information including your personal details, educational qualifications, contact address, and any other required information.

Step 6: Upload scanned images of your photograph and signature.
Ensure that your photograph and signature meet the specified format and size requirements before uploading them.

Step 7: Pay the application fee.
Make the payment through online methods such as debit/credit card or UPI. Offline payment can be made via challan at any branch of SBI.

Step 8: Take a printout of the completed application form.
Once the fee payment is successful, take a printout of the filled application form for future reference.

By following these steps, your NDA 2026 application will be successfully submitted. Be sure to keep the printed form and payment receipt safe for future use.

NDA Exam 2026 Application Form Correction 

UPSC will provide candidates with a correction window for the NDA 2026 application form. This window allows modifications to be made in the Online Registration (OTR) details and the application form. The correction facility will be available only online.

For NDA 1 2026, the correction window will be open from the 2nd week of January 2026. For NDA 2 2026, the correction window will be available starting from the 2nd week of June 2026.

Candidates are advised to make all necessary corrections within this period, as no further opportunities for modifications will be provided after the correction window closes. To make corrections, candidates will need to log in using their registered details and update the application form as needed.

It is crucial to complete all corrections during this time to ensure the accuracy of your application.

Exam Pattern of NDA Exam 2026

The NDA Exam 2026 will be conducted in a pen and paper-based format. It will consist of two main sections: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). Below are the key details about the exam pattern:

• Exam Mode: Pen and paper-based.
• Sections:
  • Mathematics
  • General Ability Test (GAT)
• Duration:
  • Each section will have a duration of 2.5 hours.
• Question Type: Objective type questions will be asked.
• Languages:
  • The Mathematics section will be available only in English.
  • The General Ability Test (GAT) section will be available in both English and Hindi.
• Negative Marking: There will be a penalty of 0.33% of the total marks allotted for each incorrect answer.

Section-wise Distribution of Marks:

• Mathematics: 300 marks
• General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks
• SSB/Interview: 900 marks (This is the next stage after the written exam for shortlisted candidates).

Candidates must prepare carefully for both sections, as the General Ability Test covers a broad range of subjects, including English, General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, and Geography, among others.

Exam Syllabus NDA Exam 2026