NDA
NDA
NDA (National Defence Academy Examination) is a prestigious national-level defence entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The exam is conducted twice a year for admission to the National Defence Academy, where candidates receive training for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. NDA is one of the most sought-after examinations among students aspiring to serve the nation as commissioned officers. The examination evaluates candidates on mathematics, general ability, reasoning, English, and current affairs, followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview process.
NDA 2026
About NDA 2026
The National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination is a national-level defence entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force Wings of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy (INA). NDA is one of India's most prestigious defence examinations, providing candidates an opportunity to become commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces after Class 12.
Key Highlights
- National-level defence entrance examination.
- Conducted by UPSC twice every year (NDA I & NDA II).
- Admission to Army, Navy, and Air Force Wings of NDA.
- Offline (Pen & Paper) examination.
- Selection through Written Exam, SSB Interview, and Medical Examination.
- Open to unmarried male and female candidates.
- Direct pathway to become an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.
- One of the most respected career opportunities after Class 12.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Must be an unmarried male or female candidate.
- Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) examination from a recognized board.
- For Army Wing, candidates from any stream are eligible.
- For Air Force and Naval Wings, candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics in Class 12.
- Must satisfy the age criteria specified in the official UPSC notification.
- Must meet the prescribed physical and medical standards.
Educational Qualification
| Wing | Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| Army Wing | Class 12 (Any Stream) |
| Air Force Wing | Class 12 with Physics & Mathematics |
| Naval Academy | Class 12 with Physics & Mathematics |
Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | NDA & NA Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | UPSC |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Question Type | Objective Type (MCQs) |
| Language | English & Hindi |
| Papers | Mathematics & General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Written Exam Marks | 900 |
| SSB Interview Marks | 900 |
| Total Marks | 1800 |
Written Examination Pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Total | 270 | 900 | 5 Hours |
Marking Scheme
| Particulars | Mathematics | GAT |
|---|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +2.5 Marks | +4 Marks |
| Incorrect Answer | -0.83 Marks | -1.33 Marks |
| Unattempted | 0 Marks | 0 Marks |
NDA 2026 Syllabus
Mathematics
| Unit | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Algebra | Sets, Relations, Functions, Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations |
| Matrices & Determinants | Matrix Operations, Determinants |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric Ratios, Identities, Heights & Distances |
| Analytical Geometry | Straight Lines, Circles, Conic Sections |
| Differential Calculus | Limits, Continuity, Differentiation |
| Integral Calculus | Integration and Applications |
| Differential Equations | Basic Differential Equations |
| Vector Algebra | Vectors and Operations |
| Statistics & Probability | Mean, Median, Mode, Probability |
| Mensuration | Areas, Volumes, Surface Areas |
English (Part of GAT)
| Unit | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Parts of Speech, Tenses, Sentence Structure |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, Antonyms, Word Usage |
| Comprehension | Reading Passages |
| Sentence Improvement | Error Detection & Correction |
| Usage | Idioms & Phrases |
General Knowledge (Part of GAT)
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Physics | Motion, Electricity, Magnetism, Heat, Modern Physics |
| Chemistry | Matter, Elements, Compounds, Reactions |
| General Science | Scientific Developments, Everyday Science |
| History | Ancient, Medieval, Modern Indian History, Freedom Movement |
| Geography | Physical, Indian & World Geography |
| Polity | Constitution, Governance, Fundamental Rights |
| Economics | Basic Economic Concepts |
| Current Affairs | National & International Events |
| Defence Awareness | Armed Forces, Defence Exercises, Security Issues |
Important Dates (NDA 2026)
| Event | NDA I 2026 | NDA II 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release | December 2025 | May 2026 |
| Application Form Start | December 2025 | May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | January 2026 | June 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | March 2026 | August 2026 |
| Examination Date | April 2026 | September 2026 |
| Result Declaration | May 2026 | September/October 2026 |
| SSB Interview | After Written Result | After Written Result |
Selection Process
NDA does not have a traditional counselling process. Candidates are selected through multiple stages.
Selection Stages
- Written Examination
- Result Declaration
- SSB Interview
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List
- Training Academy Allotment
SSB Interview Process
| Stage | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Stage I | Screening Test & Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test |
| Stage II | Psychological Tests |
| Stage III | Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks |
| Stage IV | Personal Interview |
| Stage V | Conference Round |
Training Academies
- National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla, Pune)
- Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala)
- Air Force Training Establishments
Career Opportunities After NDA
| Wing | Career Path |
|---|---|
| Indian Army | Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel and Higher Ranks |
| Indian Navy | Sub Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander and Higher Ranks |
| Indian Air Force | Flying Officer, Squadron Leader and Higher Ranks |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is NDA Exam?
NDA is a national-level defence entrance examination conducted by UPSC for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force Wings of the National Defence Academy.
2. Can Arts and Commerce students apply for NDA?
Yes. Arts and Commerce students can apply for the Army Wing. However, Physics and Mathematics are mandatory for Air Force and Naval Wings.
3. How many papers are there in NDA?
The written examination consists of two papers:
- Mathematics (300 Marks)
- General Ability Test (600 Marks)
4. Is there negative marking in NDA?
Yes. One-third of the marks allotted to a question are deducted for every incorrect answer.
5. What happens after clearing the NDA written examination?
Candidates are shortlisted for the SSB Interview. Those who qualify the SSB and medical examination are included in the final merit list for admission to NDA.
Official Website
- Official NDA Portal: https://upsc.gov.in
- UPSC Online Application Portal: https://upsconline.nic.in
