NDA 1 2026 Notification Out, Check the Qualification and Age Limit

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the NDA 1 Notification 2026 on 10th December 2025, and the online application process has started for 394 vacancies. The NDA Examination is being conducted to recruit eligible candidates in the Naval Academy and National Defence Academy. Interested candidates can check the eligibility criteria here and apply before 30th December 2025. On this page, you can get complete details about the NDA Exam. 

NDA 1 2026 Notification Out

UPSC NDA is a national-level entrance exam held twice a year for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy. The detailed notification of the NDA 1 2026 has been released carrying details of NDA important dates, syllabus, salary, application procedure, vacancy and more on the UPSC website. We have provided the direct download link of the NDA 1 Notification 2026 in the given article. 

NDA 1 2026 Detailed Notification PDF - Download Here

NDA 1 Exam 2026

The NDA is the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA). This exam which conducted to shortlist the candidates to get entry into the armed forces. Only 12th pass candidates who are aged between 16.5 years and 19.5 years are eligible to apply for the NDA Exam 2026 on the UPSC website up to 30th December 2025. The selection of the applied candidates for NDA posts will be based on the written examination and intelligence & personality test (SSB).

Important Dates For NDA 1 Exam 2026

The online application for the NDA 2026 has already started and the exam will be held on 12th April 2026. Candidates can refer to the table given below. 

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NDA 1 2026 Vacancy Details

NDA 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who wish to appear for the NDA exam need to be aware of the NDA eligibility criteria. The Age limit for the NDA exam is 16.5 years to 19.5 years. The Minimum Educational Qualification for the NDA exam is a 12th pass. Candidates can refer to the NDA Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria table provided below to gain more clarity.

NDA 2026 Exam Age Limit

If you're aiming to join the NDA and INAC to serve the nation, you should know that the age limit for the NDA is 19.5 years. Both male and female candidates who fall within this range are eligible to apply for NDA. Specifically, candidates born between 2 July 2006 and 1 July 2009 are eligible. Be sure to confirm that your birthdate meets this requirement to participate in the exam.

Nationality

Must be an unmarried citizen of India, Bhutan, or Nepal, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to settle permanently, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from specific countries to settle in India permanently.

NDA 2026 Education Qualification

The NDA Examination is exclusively open to students who are currently in 10+2 or have completed their 12th standard. Candidates in 10th and 11th grades are not eligible to apply. For those interested in the Army Wing, it is mandatory to have passed 12th grade (HSC) or its equivalent from a recognised board or university.

In contrast, candidates aiming for the Air Force and Naval Wings, as well as those applying for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy, must have completed 12th grade (HSC) or its equivalent with Physics and Mathematics. Students who are appearing for their 12th-grade exams are also eligible to apply.

• For Air Force, Naval Wings, and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at Indian Naval Academy: Must have completed 12th grade (HSC) or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics from a recognized board or university. Candidates appearing in the 12th grade are also eligible.

Physical Standards

To be eligible for the NDA exam, candidates must meet the specified physical standards as outlined in the official notification. Aspirants who fail to meet the physical criteria will not be permitted to proceed with the selection process. Below are the detailed height and physical requirements for both Ground Duty and Flying Duty candidates.

NDA 2026 Apply Online

​The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has started the NDA 2026 Apply Online process on its official website for candidates who wish to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. Eligible candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 can fill out the application form by providing their basic details, uploading documents, and paying the required fee. Click on the link below to apply.

​NDA 1 2026 Apply Online Link- Active​

How to Apply Online for NDA 1 Exam 2026?

The online application process for the NDA 1 2026 exam has started on the official UPSC website. Here are the steps to follow for applying once the process opens.

• Candidates can apply through the official UPSC website or Defence Adda247.
• Begin by visiting the UPSC website to complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process before filling out the application form.
• During the application process, you’ll need to provide details from identity documents such as a voter ID, driving license, passport, school ID, Aadhaar, or PAN card.
• Ensure that all required documents, including your photograph and signature, are uploaded in the correct format.
• If any mistakes are made during the application, you can use the correction window, which will be available on the UPSC website
• After submitting your application, keep a printed copy for use in the future admission process.

NDA 1 2026 Application Fee

Paying the application fee for NDA 2026 is a mandatory part of the application process; applications won’t be accepted without it. The UPSC has set the fee at ₹100 for all candidates. This can be paid online via credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI. Those preferring offline mode can pay using an SBI challan or cash deposit at the bank. Keep in mind, the fee is non-refundable, so make sure all payment details are correct before submitting.

NDA 1 2026 Salary Structure

The NDA salary structure is competitive and attractive, offering a rewarding career in the Indian Armed Forces. After successful completion of training, Lieutenant (Army), Sub-Lieutenant (Navy), or Flying Officer (Air Force) officers are paid as per the Pay Band of Level 10 in the 7th Pay Commission. The starting salary is around ₹56,100 per month, along with additional allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Military Service Pay (MSP). As officers progress in their careers, their pay increases with promotions. In addition, they enjoy perks such as free medical facilities, canteen services, accommodation, and pension benefits.

NDA 1 2026 Selection Process

The recruitment process for the National Defence Academy (NDA) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit young candidates for the defence services. The selection process takes place in two main stages:

The final selection is reserved for those candidates who clear both stages successfully. The final result is prepared on the basis of the combined marks of the written exam and SSB, which play a decisive role in the selection of the candidate.

NDA 2026 Exam Pattern

Candidates preparing for the NDA 2026 exam must be familiar with the exam pattern prescribed by UPSC. The exam will be conducted in offline mode and will consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) available in both English and Hindi. Negative marking will apply: 0.83 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer in the Mathematics section, and 1.33 marks for wrong answers in the English and General Knowledge sections. To perform well in the NDA 2 Exam 2025, candidates should focus not only on accuracy but also on minimising errors through smart exam strategies.

NDA 2026 Syllabus

The NDA Syllabus is divided into two main parts. The first part is based on Mathematics, which consists of a total of 120 questions. This section tests the ability to understand and solve mathematical concepts and problems. The second part is General Aptitude Test, which consists of 150 questions. This section includes questions related to general knowledge, English, science, and other miscellaneous subjects, which evaluate the overall ability of the candidate.

NDA Mathematics Syllabus

The NDA Mathematics syllabus assesses candidates' quantitative aptitude and problem-solving skills. It covers essential topics such as algebra, trigonometry, calculus, analytical geometry, matrices, and probability. Regular practice and a solid understanding of these concepts are crucial for success, as the syllabus emphasises accuracy and the application of mathematical principles.

NDA General Ability Test (GAT) Syllabus

NDA GAT is divided into two main sections: the first section is English, which consists of 50 questions, and the second section is General Ability, which consists of 100 questions. The detailed syllabus for both these sections is given below in the form of a table.

NDA English

The English section of the NDA Exam tests candidates on various essential topics, including grammar, comprehension, and expression. Key areas covered include parts of speech, tenses, sentence structure, vocabulary usage, and more, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of candidates' proficiency in the English language.

General Knowledge

The General Knowledge section of the NDA Exam encompasses a wide range of topics, including Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Affairs. This diverse curriculum is designed to assess candidates' understanding of fundamental concepts and their awareness of significant national and international developments.

NDA 2026 Marking Scheme

It is important for candidates preparing for the NDA xam to understand the marking system correctly. +4 marks will be given for each question for the correct answer, while 1/3 of the total marks of that question will be deducted for the wrong answer, resulting in a loss of about 1.33 marks.

If more than one option is selected for a question, it will be considered wrong, and there will be negative marking for it as well. At the same time, no deduction will be made for not answering a question, so that candidates can proceed without any loss by skipping uncertain questions.