NDA
Union Public Service Commission
🏛️ UPSC
🇮🇳 National level
● Active
UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for: Cadet entry to the National Defence Academy (Army, Navy and Air Force wings) and to the Indian Naval Academy under the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme. Selection is through Written Examination (Mathematics and General Ability Test), followed by SSB Interview — Stage I screening and Stage II psychological, group and personal tests, followed by Medical examination and merit list.
NDA 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance
| Exam name | UPSC NDA & NA — National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Government of India |
| Latest cycle | NDA & NA (II) 2026 |
| Vacancies | 394 — Army 208, Navy 42, Air Force 120 (Flying 92, Ground Duties Tech 18, Ground Duties Non-Tech 10) and Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme 24. Of these, 24 are for female candidates. |
| Posts | Cadet entry to the National Defence Academy (Army, Navy and Air Force wings) and to the Indian Naval Academy under the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme |
| Qualification | 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern for the Army wing. For the Air Force and Naval wings of the NDA and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy, 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates appearing in 12th may also apply. |
| Age limit | Only unmarried candidates born not earlier than 1 January 2008 and not later than 31 December 2010 are eligible for NDA & NA (II) 2026 — roughly 16½ to 19½ years at the course commencement date |
| Number of attempts | No limit on attempts — the constraint is the narrow age window, which in practice allows about four sittings. |
| Application fee | ₹100. Female candidates and SC / ST candidates are exempted. Sons of Junior Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks are also exempted. |
| Selection stages | Written Examination (Mathematics and General Ability Test) → SSB Interview — Stage I screening and Stage II psychological, group and personal tests → Medical examination and merit list |
| Total marks | Written 900 marks + SSB Interview 900 marks = 1800 marks |
| Negative marking | Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in both papers of the written examination. |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for Cadet entry to the National Defence Academy (Army, Navy and Air Force wings) and to the Indian Naval Academy under the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme. The NDA & NA (II) 2026 notification declares 394 — Army 208, Navy 42, Air Force 120 (Flying 92, Ground Duties Tech 18, Ground Duties Non-Tech 10) and Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme 24. Of these, 24 are for female candidates..
UPSC NDA & NA selection process
- Written Examination (Mathematics and General Ability Test)
- SSB Interview — Stage I screening and Stage II psychological, group and personal tests
- Medical examination and merit list
UPSC NDA & NA exam pattern
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2½ hours |
| Paper-II | General Ability Test — English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks) | 150 | 600 | 2½ hours |
| SSB Interview | Stage I screening, Stage II psychological tests, group tasks and personal interview | — | 900 | 4 to 5 days |
Total marks
Written 900 marks + SSB Interview 900 marks = 1800 marks.
Negative marking
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in both papers of the written examination.
UPSC does not normalise marks
This is the single most common misconception carried over from SSC. UPSC conducts each paper in one sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation formula. A published UPSC cut off is a raw mark you could actually have scored on the paper — which is why the figures are clean numbers rather than five-decimal scores.
What is next for UPSC NDA & NA
NDA & NA (II) 2026 is on 13 September 2026. The NDA & NA (I) 2027 notification is due on 2 December 2026 for an examination on 11 April 2027.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSC NDA & NA vacancy for NDA & NA (II) 2026?
394 — Army 208, Navy 42, Air Force 120 (Flying 92, Ground Duties Tech 18, Ground Duties Non-Tech 10) and Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme 24. Of these, 24 are for female candidates.. UPSC states in the notice that the number is liable to alteration.
What is the age limit for UPSC NDA & NA?
Only unmarried candidates born not earlier than 1 January 2008 and not later than 31 December 2010 are eligible for NDA & NA (II) 2026 — roughly 16½ to 19½ years at the course commencement date. The upper limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC, and up to 10 years for PwBD candidates.
What qualification is required for UPSC NDA & NA?
12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern for the Army wing. For the Air Force and Naval wings of the NDA and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy, 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates appearing in 12th may also apply.
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC NDA & NA?
No limit on attempts — the constraint is the narrow age window, which in practice allows about four sittings.
What is the UPSC NDA & NA application fee?
₹100. Female candidates and SC / ST candidates are exempted. Sons of Junior Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks are also exempted.
Is there negative marking in UPSC NDA & NA?
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in both papers of the written examination.
What is the UPSC NDA & NA selection process?
Selection is through Written Examination (Mathematics and General Ability Test), followed by SSB Interview — Stage I screening and Stage II psychological, group and personal tests, followed by Medical examination and merit list.
What are the total marks in UPSC NDA & NA?
Written 900 marks + SSB Interview 900 marks = 1800 marks.
What is the UPSC NDA & NA salary?
Stipend of ₹56,100 per month during the final year of training; on commissioning, Pay Level 10 of the Defence Pay Matrix plus Military Service Pay of ₹15,500, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance.
Does UPSC normalise marks in UPSC NDA & NA?
No. UPSC conducts each paper in a single sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation. Published cut offs are raw marks.
When does UPSC release the UPSC NDA & NA answer key?
Only after the final result for that cycle is declared, under the Commission's disclosure policy. There is no post-exam challenge window of the kind SSC runs.
Where do I download the UPSC NDA & NA admit card?
From upsc.gov.in. The e-Admit Card appears about two to three weeks before the examination and is not posted to candidates.
Do I need to register separately for UPSC NDA & NA?
No. UPSC issues a Universal Registration Number (URN) that is registered once in a lifetime and used for every UPSC examination. Only the examination-specific module is filled per exam.
What is next for UPSC NDA & NA?
NDA & NA (II) 2026 is on 13 September 2026. The NDA & NA (I) 2027 notification is due on 2 December 2026 for an examination on 11 April 2027.