Important Dates 
Syllabus
Eligibility
Application Process
Other DetailsHighlights
The details regarding the NDA 2026 exam are summarised below.
| Exam Particulars | Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) |
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Two times a year (NDA I and NDA II) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (OMR Based) |
| Exam Stages | Written exam and 5-Day SSB Interview |
| Exam Fees | INR 100 (Exempted for SC/ST/Women/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
NDA 2026-2027 Exam Dates
We have tracked the official UPSC Exam Calendar 2026. Students can start their preparation accordingly. Below, we have presented the confirmed NDA 1 and 2 Exam Dates.
| Events | NDA 1 (2026) Dates | NDA 2 (2026) Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Date | December 10, 2025 | May 20, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | December 10, 2025 | May 20, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | December 30, 2025 | June 9, 2026 |
| Date of Examination | April 12, 2026 | September 13, 2026 |
Exam Pattern & Negative Marking
Understanding the negative marking scheme is crucial for your attempt strategy. For 2026, we advise caution with guesswork.
| Subject | Questions | Max Marks | Correct Answer | Negative Marking (1/3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | +2.5 | -0.83 |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | +4.0 | -1.33 |
| Total Written | 270 | 900 | – | – |
Total Duration: 5 hours (2.5 hours per paper). SSB Interview: 900 marks.
Detailed GAT Breakdown
The GAT is your highest-scoring opportunity. It is divided into:
- Part A: English (200 Marks) – 50 Questions covering grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
- Part B: General Knowledge (400 Marks) – 100 Questions covering Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History (Freedom Movement), Geography, and Current Affairs.
Eligibility Criteria (2026-2027)
Age Limit: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years.
For NDA I 2026, you must be born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010.
For NDA II 2026, the range is January 2, 2008, to January 1, 2011.
Qualification:
- Indian Army: 12th Pass (Any stream).
- Air Force & Navy: 12th Pass with Physics and Mathematics.
- Diversity: Female candidates are fully eligible for all wings. Air Force aspirants must also pass the PABT/CPSS.
Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible.
How to Apply: The OTR System
I want to emphasize that UPSC now uses a One-Time Registration (OTR) system. You must create your profile first.
- Visit upsconline.nic.in and click “New Registration” (OTR).
- Fill in your basic details (Name, DOB, Email) once. This profile is permanent.
- Log in using your OTR ID/Email and OTP.
- Fill the NDA 2026 Application Form, choose your center, and pay the fee.
The 5-Day SSB Interview Process
If you clear the written cutoff, you will be called for the 900-mark SSB:
- Day 1 (Screening): OIR Tests and PPDT (Picture Perception & Discussion).
- Day 2 (Psychology): TAT, WAT, SRT, and SDT tests.
- Day 3 & 4 (GTO Tasks): Group discussions, obstacles, and command tasks.
- Day 5 (Conference): Final board decision and results.
Video Guide: Cracking NDA 2026
How do you fill out an NDA 1 Application Form 2026?
Those who are going to apply for the NDA exam must follow the complete details mentioned in the section below. Our team has updated these steps to include the mandatory One-Time Registration (OTR) process now required by UPSC.
- Visit the official UPSC portal: Go to upsconline.nic.in or upsc.gov.in.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR): Click on the “New Registration” link. You must enter your basic information like name (as per 10th certificate), gender, DOB, and contact details. This profile is permanent for all future UPSC exams.
- Verification: Once done, an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile and email for verification.
- Login: Use your valid OTR ID, Email, or Mobile Number along with the password/OTP to log in to the dashboard.
- Fill the Application Form: Under the “Active Examinations” tab, select NDA & NA (I) or (II) 2026. Choose your exam center and specify your preferences for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Upload Scanned Images & Live Photo: Upload your signature and photo ID in PDF format. Important: For 2026, UPSC now requires a live-captured photograph during the application to ensure authenticity.
- Pay Application Fees: Pay the fee of INR 100 via debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking. Note: Female, SC, ST, and Wards of JCOs/NCOs are exempted from payment.
- Final Review: Review the entered information carefully. We recommend double-checking your OTR details before clicking the final submit button.
- Print Confirmation: Lastly, submit the form and take a printout of the generated application for your future reference.
Exam Centers 2026
This exam will appear in more than 75 cities across India. Aspirants can choose their preferred exam city while completing the online application form. You should note that exam centers are allotted on a “First-Apply-First-Allot” basis. Once a center reaches capacity, it will be frozen.
| Cities | Cities | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Agartala | Ghaziabad | Panaji (Goa) |
| Agra | Gorakhpur | Patna |
| Ahmedabad | Gurgaon | Prayagraj (Allahabad) |
| Aizawl | Gwalior | Puducherry |
| Aligarh | Hyderabad | Pune |
| Almora | Imphal | Raipur |
| Anantapur | Indore | Rajkot |
| Aurangabad | Itanagar | Ranchi |
| Bengaluru | Jabalpur | Sambalpur |
| Bareilly | Jaipur | Shillong |
| Bhopal | Jammu | Shimla |
| Bilaspur | Jodhpur | Siliguri |
| Chandigarh | Kochi | Srinagar |
| Chennai | Kohima | Srinagar (Uttarakhand) |
| Coimbatore | Kolkata | Thane |
| Dehradun | Lucknow | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Delhi | Ludhiana | Tirupati |
| Dharwad | Madurai | Udaipur |
| Dispur | Mumbai | Varanasi |
| Faridabad | Nagpur | Vellore |
| Gangtok | Navi Mumbai | Vijayawada |
| Gautam Buddh Nagar | Nashik | Vishakhapatnam |
Frequently Asked Questions: NDA 2026-2027
When is the NDA 1 2026 notification coming out?
The official NDA 1 2026 notification was released on December 10, 2025.
The application window remains open until December 30, 2025. We recommend
completing your OTR registration early to avoid last-minute server delays.
What is the exact age limit for NDA 1 2026 aspirants?
For the NDA (I) 2026 intake, both male and female candidates must be born between
July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010. Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old
at the time of course commencement.
Is there negative marking in the NDA 2026 written exam?
Yes, negative marking is applicable. For your attempt strategy, remember
that 1/3 of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every wrong answer. This equates to
-0.83 for Mathematics and -1.33 for the GAT paper.
How can girls apply for NDA 2026?
Unmarried female candidates can apply via the UPSC OTR (One-Time Registration)
portal at upsconline.nic.in. The eligibility,
syllabus, and SSB 5-day process are identical to those for male candidates,
though physical height standards start from 152 cm.
Can I change my NDA exam center after submitting the form?
UPSC generally provides a correction window (typically in the 2nd week of January
for NDA 1) to modify certain details. However, since centers are allotted on a
‘First-Apply-First-Allot’ basis, shifting to a high-demand center later may
not be possible.
Final Thoughts
Above, we have covered the complete details of the NDA Application Form 2026, which will definitely be helpful for those who are going to apply for this exam and dream of representing our country. After reading this article, comment below if you have anything to ask.
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Neha
Meet Neha, a highly qualified and experienced educator with a passion for empowering women through education. Neha holds a Master's degree in education and has over 10 years of teaching experience at both the secondary and higher education levels. She has a deep understanding of the Indian education system and is dedicated to helping women achieve their academic and career goals. With her extensive knowledge and insights into the different career options available to all students. Neha is committed to providing detailed and personalized guidance to help young students make informed choices and succeed in their chosen fields.