3. Introduction
The latest verified update for nda form 2026 apply online recruitment 2026 is now clear on the UPSC website. UPSC released the NDA & Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026 notification on 10 December 2025, closed the online application window on 30 December 2025 at 6:00 PM, and scheduled the exam for 12 April 2026. The official exam page also shows the e-Admit Card on 2 April 2026 and the press note on the same date, so this is the current status candidates should track now.
This is a high-intensity defence entry because NDA stays one of the fastest routes from school to officer training in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. UPSC also routes applications only through the new portal, so candidates need to use the official system and keep their URN/Application Number safe.
4. Key Highlights
- UPSC conducts NDA & NA (I), 2026 on 12 April 2026.
- The application window closed on 30 December 2025, 6:00 PM.
- UPSC lists 394 total vacancies in the notification, with male/female breakup and service-wise allocation.
- Eligibility is for unmarried male/female candidates born between 1 July 2007 and 1 July 2010.
- Army Wing needs 12th pass, while Air Force, Naval Wing, and Naval Academy need 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Application fee is Rs 100, while SC/ST and all women candidates get fee exemption.
- Exam pattern is Mathematics (300) + GAT (600), followed by SSB Interview (900).
5. Details: State-wise / Category-wise / Post-wise Vacancies
UPSC does not publish state-wise vacancies for NDA. It publishes service-wise and gender-wise vacancies, and the exam runs across centres all over India. That matters because many candidates search for “state-wise vacancy,” but NDA works differently.
| Academy / Entry | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army Wing | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| Navy Wing | 37 | 5 | 42 |
| Air Force Flying | 90 | 2 | 92 |
| Air Force Ground Duties (Tech) | 16 | 2 | 18 |
| Air Force Ground Duties (Non-Tech) | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 21 | 3 | 24 |
| Grand Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
Vacancies remain provisional and can change with training capacity, so candidates should read the notification as the final source, not social media posts.
6. Eligibility Criteria
The notification keeps the eligibility line very strict. UPSC accepts only unmarried male/female candidates who are born not earlier than 1 July 2007 and not later than 1 July 2010. UPSC accepts the date of birth only from the school certificate or equivalent accepted record, not from affidavits or similar documents.
Educational qualification is category-specific:
- Army Wing: 12th Class pass under 10+2 pattern or equivalent.
- Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA / Naval Academy: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics under 10+2 pattern or equivalent.
- Candidates appearing in 12th can apply, but they must later submit proof of passing by the prescribed date.
UPSC also states that candidates must not marry until training ends, and anyone who marries during training gets discharged and has to refund the government expenditure. That rule is easy to miss, but it matters.
7. Application Process
UPSC asks candidates to apply only through https://upsconline.nic.in. The portal works with four parts: account creation, universal registration, common application form, and the examination-specific module. UPSC also asks candidates to keep documents ready in advance and recommends Aadhaar for smoother verification.
The process is straightforward:
- Create or log in to the UPSC online account.
- Complete the Universal Registration profile.
- Fill the Common Application Form.
- Enter the exam-specific NDA module.
- Upload documents, photo, and live photo as instructed.
- Pay the fee, if applicable.
- Submit and save the Application Number and URN.
UPSC does not allow post-submission changes, and it does not permit withdrawal after submission. That is one of the biggest practical traps for first-time applicants.
8. Application Fees
The prescribed fee is Rs 100. SC/ST candidates and all women candidates do not pay the fee, and wards of serving/ex-Junior Commissioned Officers/Non-Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks studying in Military School or Sainik School also get exemption under the stated condition. OBC candidates do not get fee exemption.
9. Selection Process
NDA selection has two major stages:
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview / Personality Test
UPSC says the written exam carries 900 marks and the SSB Interview carries 900 marks. Final merit comes from the combined performance, and UPSC prepares separate merit lists for men and women as per the notified vacancies.
10. Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The written exam is objective type and bilingual for Mathematics and Part B of GAT. UPSC does not allow calculators or logarithmic tables.
Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 300 | 2.5 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test | 600 | 2.5 hours |
| Total Written | 900 | ||
| SSB Interview | 900 |
Syllabus Snapshot
Mathematics covers algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration, statistics, and probability. GAT includes English and General Knowledge, with physics, chemistry, general science, history, geography, and current events. UPSC also says the English paper checks grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and cohesion.
11. Salary / Pay Scale
This is the part many school students miss. NDA candidates do not join as full officers on day one; they go through training first. During training, cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100 per month, which sits at the starting pay in Level 10. After commissioning, the officer pay starts in Level 10, and service allowances apply as per the rules.
That means the financial value starts early, but the bigger benefit is the officer career path. UPSC also lists allowances such as dress allowance, transport allowance, and children education allowance in the service terms section.
12. Important Dates & Details
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification date | 10 December 2025 |
| Last date to apply | 30 December 2025, 6:00 PM |
| Exam date | 12 April 2026 |
| e-Admit Card upload | 2 April 2026 |
| Press note | 2 April 2026 |
The official NDA page currently shows the notification, timetable, e-Admit Card, and press note. It does not yet show a written result entry on the exam page, so the result update remains pending after the exam cycle moves forward.
13. Competitors Comparison
| Exam | Best For | Eligibility Level | Selection Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDA & NA | 10+2 students who want Army/Navy/Air Force officer training | Unmarried male/female, 12th pass or PCM for Air/Naval wings | Written + SSB |
| CDS | Graduates who want entry into IMA/INA/AFA/OTA | Degree-level entry; final-year degree students can also apply in the notified case | Written + SSB / interview route for services |
| AFCAT | Graduates/postgraduates who want Air Force officer entry | Graduate/postgraduate officer route through AFCAT | AFCAT-based officer selection |
| Indian Navy 10+2 B.Tech | Science students who want naval officer entry | 10+2 PCM route with specified marks in official ad | Merit + SSB-type officer entry process |
14. Admit Card / Result Update
UPSC uploads the e-Admit Card on the official application portal, and it does not send a paper admit card by post or email. The press note says candidates should download and print it, carry the matching photo ID, and reach the venue early because entry closes 30 minutes before the session starts.
For result tracking, the official exam page currently shows the admit card and press note updates, not a final written result. That means candidates should watch the NDA exam page and UPSC “What’s New” page after the exam for the next official update.
15. Required Documents
Candidates should keep these documents ready before applying:
- Date of birth proof from school certificate or equivalent record
- 12th or equivalent qualification proof
- Photo ID such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport, Driving Licence, School Photo ID, or other government ID
- Photograph and live photo as instructed
- Signature and other documents asked in the portal
At the SSB stage, candidates also need the original matriculation certificate and the 10+2 pass certificate or equivalent.
16. How to Prepare
The best NDA preparation plan is simple: Mathematics first, GAT daily, and SSB readiness in parallel. Because UPSC tests objective knowledge first and personality later, a candidate should not treat NDA like a pure school exam. The smart approach is to build speed in Maths, strengthen English comprehension, and keep current affairs alive through daily reading. The official syllabus makes that priority very clear.
A practical weekly plan works better than random study:
- 3 days for Maths revision and timed practice
- 2 days for English and GK
- 1 day for current affairs and defence awareness
- 1 day for mock test review and weak-topic repair
17. Pros & Cons
Pros: NDA gives an early officer route, broad service choice, clear written syllabus, and a strong training pipeline. The notification also includes women candidates, which keeps the entry broader than many older defence exams.
Cons: The age band is tight, the application cannot be changed after submission, and one small document mistake can damage the candidature. The competition is also intense because the exam covers both academic scoring and SSB personality assessment.
18. Who Should Apply?
This exam suits candidates who finish 12th, want a defence career early, and feel comfortable with Maths, GK, and disciplined training. It also suits candidates who want Army, Navy, or Air Force officer exposure from the start instead of waiting until graduation.
19. Final Verdict
For a serious defence aspirant, NDA remains one of the strongest entry routes in India. The official 2026 cycle is already active, the admit card has already gone live, and the exam date is fixed. That makes this the right time to verify documents, revise the syllabus, and prepare for the written test plus SSB stage with discipline.
For related opportunities, candidates should also watch CDS I 2026, AFCAT officer entry, and Indian Navy 10+2 B.Tech Cadet Entry because those routes open different entry levels for defence aspirants.
20. 5 SEO FAQs
Q1. Is NDA Form 2026 still open?
No. UPSC closed the NDA & NA (I), 2026 application window on 30 December 2025 at 6:00 PM.
Q2. What is the NDA 2026 exam date?
UPSC schedules the NDA & NA (I), 2026 exam for 12 April 2026.
Q3. What is the NDA 2026 fee?
The fee is Rs 100, but SC/ST candidates and all women candidates do not pay it.
Q4. What is the NDA 2026 syllabus?
The written exam has Mathematics and General Ability Test, and UPSC sets it in objective format.
Q5. Who can apply for NDA 2026?
Unmarried male/female candidates born between 1 July 2007 and 1 July 2010 can apply if they meet the education rules.
21. Important Links
Apply Online: UPSC’s new application portal for examinations.
Download Official Notification PDF: UPSC NDA & Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026 notification.
Official NDA Exam Page: UPSC examination page for NDA & NA (I), 2026.
Admit Card / Press Note Update: UPSC press note and e-Admit Card entry on the official exam page.