NDA Exam 2026: Notification Out, Application Form, Dates, Eligibility

NDA Exam 2026 notification for NDA 1 was released on December 10, and the application form is available from December 10 to December 30. The written exam for NDA 1 will be conducted on April 12. NDA 2 notification will be issued on May 20, and candidates can apply until June 9, 2026. The NDA 2 exam is scheduled for September 14.

The age limit for the NDA Exam 2026 is 16.5 to 19.5 years, and students who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 can apply. The selection process includes a written exam followed by the SSB Interview. Candidates must meet physical, medical, and educational requirements to qualify for admission to the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Naval Academy.

NDA Exam Full Form

The full form of NDA is National Defence Academy. The full name of the exam is National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, often called NDA/NA Exam. When people say NDA EXAM 2026, they mean the same national-level defence officer entrance exam for that year.​

What is NDA Exam?

NDA exam is the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy entrance test conducted by UPSC. Through this exam, UPSC selects candidates for training at NDA, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Naval Academy. Students who clear all stages become officers in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.​

NDA Exam 2026 Overview

NDA Exam 2026 will be conducted in two sessions, commonly called NDA 1 2026 and NDA 2 2026. It is an offline (pen-and-paper) exam with objective questions, followed by an SSB interview and medical tests.​

Below is an overview of the NDA Exam 2026 so that students can see the basic facts in one place:

NDA Exam 2026 Dates

NDA Exam 2026 dates are very important for planning your study and NDA EXAM 2026 registration. Remember that the NDA exam is conducted twice a year by UPSC.​

Here are the key expected dates for the NDA exam 2026 based on official schedules and announcements:

NDA Exam 2026 Eligibility

NDA EXAM 2026 has clear eligibility rules for age, education, and marital status. You must read these carefully before filling the nda registration form 2026.​

• Only unmarried male and female candidates can apply.​
• Candidates must be physically and medically fit as per defence standards.​
• Citizenship is usually Indian, or as given in UPSC NDA notification 2026 (including some other categories like Nepalese).​

NDA Exam 2026 Qualification

Educational qualification depends on the wing you choose in NDA EXAM 2026. Students from any board (CBSE, ICSE, state boards) can apply if they meet these rules.​

• For Army Wing: Passed or appearing in Class 12 from a recognised board.​
• For Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy: Passed or appearing in Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics.​
• Students in Class 12 can apply, but they must pass the exam before joining training.​

Age Limit for NDA Exam

The age limit is one of the most common doubts for NDA Exam 2026. It is usually between 16.5 and 19.5 years.​

For NDA 1 2026 and NDA 2 2026, the date of birth range is given clearly in the NDA notification 2026. Below is how to check your age for NDA exam 2026.​

There is no extra age relaxation for reserved categories in NDA EXAM 2026.​

NDA Exam 2026 Registration

NDA Exam 2026 registration will be done only in online mode through the UPSC official website. You should keep your documents ready before you start filling out the nda registration form 2026.​​

How to Apply NDA Exam 2026?

Students must follow some simple steps to apply for NDA EXAM 2026. Always enter correct details because wrong information may lead to rejection of the nda registration form 2026.​

Steps to fill the nda exam 2026 registration form:

1. Go to the official UPSC website and open the NDA Exam 2026 link.​
2. Complete One Time Registration (OTR) by giving basic details and creating login.​
3. Fill the NDA Registration Form 2026 with personal, educational, and communication details.​
4. Upload a scanned photo and signature in the correct size and format.​
5. Pay the exam fee online or offline, as given in NDA notification 2026.​
6. Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future use.​

What is the Fees of NDA Exam?

The fee for NDA Exam 2026 is as low as compared to many other exams. Some categories do not need to pay any fee at all.​ Below shows the application fee for NDA EXAM 2026 as mentioned in the recent schedules:

The exam fee can be paid through debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, or SBI bank challan.​

NDA Exam Date 2026

The NDA Exam Date 2026 for NDA 1 is 12 April 2026, and for NDA 2 it is 13 September 2026, as per the current UPSC calendar. On both dates, the exam will be held in two shifts for Mathematics and General Ability Test.​

Students should complete NDA Exam 2026 syllabus revision at least one month before the NDA Exam Date 2026. Reach the exam centre early with your admit card and valid ID proof.​

NDA Exam Pattern

Understanding the NDA exam pattern helps you plan your preparation for NDA EXAM 2026. The written exam has two papers on the same day.​

• Paper 1: Mathematics – 300 marks, objective questions.​
• Paper 2: General Ability Test (GAT) – 600 marks, objective questions.​
• Total marks for written exam: 900; SSB interview also carries 900 marks.​
• Each paper is of 2.5 hours duration.​

There is negative marking for wrong answers in NDA Exam 2026 as per UPSC rules.​

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NDA Exam 2026 Syllabus

The NDA EXAM 2026 syllabus mainly covers Class 11 and 12 level topics. You must prepare both the Mathematics and GAT sections in detail.​

• Mathematics: Algebra, trigonometry, coordinate geometry, calculus, vectors, statistics, and probability.​
• GAT (General Ability Test): English grammar and vocabulary, general science, physics basics, chemistry basics, history, geography, current affairs, and defence awareness.​

UPSC will share the detailed NDA exam 2026 syllabus along with the NDA notification 2026, so students should read the official PDF carefully.​

NDA Exam 2026 Admit Card

The NDA Exam 2026 admit card will be released online on the UPSC website a few weeks before the exam. For NDA 1 2026, it is expected in the last week of March 2026.​

To download the admit card for NDA EXAM 2026:

• Login using registration ID or roll number, and date of birth.​
• Check all details like name, exam centre, photo, and signature.​
• Take 2–3 printouts and carry one along with an original photo ID to the exam centre.​

NDA Exam 2026 Result

The NDA Exam 2026 result of the written test will be published as a PDF list of roll numbers of selected candidates. For NDA 1 2026, the result is expected around Late April 2026.​

Those who qualify the written exam of NDA EXAM 2026 will be called for SSB interview. The final merit list is prepared based on written marks and SSB marks, and then candidates go for medical tests and join as per the seat and preference.​

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