Registration Dates
10 Dec – 30 Dec 2025
Closes 6:00 PM IST
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UPSC
Union Public Service Commission
UPSC NDA I 2026 • Advt No: 3/2026-NDA-I
UPSC NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 is conducted for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy. The notification provides 394 vacancies, including 370 for male candidates and 24 for female candidates. Selection includes a 900-mark written examination followed by a 900-mark SSB Test and Interview.
Registration Dates
10 Dec – 30 Dec 2025
Closes 6:00 PM IST
Exam Scope
All India
Application Mode
Online
Qualification
For the Army Wing of National Defence Academy, candidates must have passed Class 12 of the 10+2 pattern or an equivalent examination. For the Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates appearing in Class 12 are also eligible subject to producing proof of passing by 10 December 2026. Only unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than 01 July 2007 and not later than 01 July 2010 are eligible, subject to prescribed nationality, physical and medical standards.
Salary / Stipend
Cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month during the prescribed training period in Service academies. On commissioning, pay starts at Level-10, Rs. 56,100-1,77,500. Military Service Pay of Rs. 15,500 per month is applicable to eligible officers from Lieutenant to Brigadier along with other admissible allowances.
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Particular | Details |
|---|---|
Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Examination | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026 |
Exam Notice No. | 3/2026-NDA-I |
Total Vacancies | 394 Vacancies |
Courses | 157th NDA Course and 119th Indian Naval Academy Course |
Course Commencement | 01 January 2027 |
Event | Date |
|---|---|
Notification Date | 10 December 2025 |
Online Application Start | 10 December 2025 |
Last Date to Apply | 30 December 2025 up to 06:00 PM |
Written Examination | 12 April 2026 |
Class 12 Passing Proof Deadline for Appearing Candidates | 10 December 2026 |
Academy / Service | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
NDA - Army | 198 | 10 | 208 |
NDA - Navy | 37 | 5 | 42 |
Air Force - Flying | 90 | 2 | 92 |
Air Force - Ground Duties (Technical) | 16 | 2 | 18 |
Air Force - Ground Duties (Non-Technical) | 8 | 2 | 10 |
Indian Naval Academy - 10+2 Cadet Entry | 21 | 3 | 24 |
Grand Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Gender and Marital Status | Unmarried male and female candidates are eligible. |
Date of Birth | Born between 01 July 2007 and 01 July 2010, both dates inclusive. |
Army Wing | Class 12 pass under 10+2 pattern or equivalent examination. |
Air Force / Naval Wings / Indian Naval Academy | Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. |
Class 12 Appearing Candidates | Eligible, but proof of passing must be produced by 10 December 2026. |
Class 11 Candidates | Not eligible |
Category | Fee |
|---|---|
General / OBC / EWS Male | Rs. 100 |
Female Candidates | Nil |
SC / ST | Nil |
Eligible Wards of JCOs / NCOs / ORs | Fee exemption subject to notified conditions. |
Stage / Paper | Pattern |
|---|---|
Mathematics | 300 Marks | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
General Ability Test | 600 Marks | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
Written Examination Total | 900 Marks |
SSB Test / Interview | 900 Marks |
Overall Selection | 1800 Marks |
Negative Marking | One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each incorrect answer. |
SSB Stage I | Officer Intelligence Rating tests and Picture Perception & Description Test. |
SSB Stage II | Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and Conference. |
Particular | Details |
|---|---|
Medical Fitness | Candidates must satisfy the prescribed service-specific physical and medical standards. |
Air Force Flying Candidates | Additional visual, anthropometric and Computerised Pilot Selection System requirements apply where prescribed. |
Training Stipend | Rs. 56,100 per month |
Pay on Commissioning | Level-10, Rs. 56,100-1,77,500 |
Military Service Pay | Rs. 15,500 per month for eligible officers from Lieutenant to Brigadier. |
There are 394 notified vacancies, consisting of 370 vacancies for male candidates and 24 vacancies for female candidates.
UPSC specifies eligibility through date of birth. Candidates must have been born between 01 July 2007 and 01 July 2010, both dates inclusive.
Yes. Class 12 appearing candidates can apply, but proof of passing the qualifying examination must be produced by 10 December 2026.
PCM is not compulsory for the Army Wing. Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are compulsory for the Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and the Indian Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme.
The written examination carries 900 marks, including Mathematics for 300 marks and General Ability Test for 600 marks. Candidates qualifying the written examination undergo the 900-mark SSB Test and Interview.
Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for an incorrect answer. There is no penalty for an unanswered question.
Cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month during the prescribed training period. After commissioning, pay starts at Level-10.
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