UPSC NDA & NA : The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I), 2026. This is the premier entry for unmarried male and female candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12th to join the Indian Armed Forces. The commission has announced a total of 394 vacancies across the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings for UPSC NDA & NA
Also Read This for UPSC NDA & NA

UPSC NDA & NA : The online application process commenced on 10 December 2025 and will remain open until 30 December 2025 (06:00 PM). Interested candidates can apply online through the official website upsconline.nic.in. The written examination is scheduled to be held on 12 April 2026. In this article, we provide a detailed breakdown of vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and the application procedure.
Key Highlights : UPSC NDA & NA
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam (I), 2026 |
| Advt. No. | 3/2026-NDA-I |
| Total Vacancies | 394 Posts |
| Post Name | Lieutenant (upon commissioning) |
| Application Dates | 10 Dec 2025 to 30 Dec 2025 (06:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
Vacancy Details
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) NDA & NA (I) Exam 2026 : The 394 vacancies are distributed among the various wings as follows
| Wing/Academy | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Army | 208 (including 10 for female candidates) |
| Navy | 42 (including 05 for female candidates) |
| Air Force | Flying: 92 (including 02 for female) Ground Duties (Tech): 18 (including 02 for female) Ground Duties (Non-Tech): 10 (including 02 for female) |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 24 (including 03 for female candidates) |
| Total | 394 |
Eligibility Criteria : UPSC NDA & NA
Candidates must meet the specific educational and age requirements as detailed below.
Educational Qualification : UPSC NDA & NA
- For Army Wing of NDA: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
- For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the INA: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent.
Note: Candidates who are appearing in the 12th Class under the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination can also apply
Age Limit & Marital Status : UPSC NDA & NA
- Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible.
- Date of Birth: Born not earlier than 01st July 2007 and not later than 01st July 2010.
Application Fees : UPSC NDA & NA
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 100/- |
| SC / ST / Female / Wards of JCO/NCO/ORs | Rs. 0/- (Exempted) |
Payment Mode: Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or Internet Banking.
Scheme of Examination
The examination consists of two stages: Written Examination and SSB Interview
Written Examination (Objective Type):
| Subject | Duration | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (Code 01) | 2½ Hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test (Code 02) | 2½ Hours | 600 |
| Total | 900 |
Note: There will be penalty (Negative Marking) for wrong answers
How to Apply: UPSC NDA & NA
Follow these steps to submit your application online:
- OTR Registration: Visit upsconline.nic.in and register on the One Time Registration (OTR) platform if not done already.
- Login: Log in using your Email/Mobile/OTR ID and OTP.
- Fill Application: Go to “Latest Notifications” and select “National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I)”.
- Part-I: Fill in personal details and educational qualification.
- Part-II: Pay the fee, select the exam center, and upload photographs/signatures.
- Submit: Verify all details and submit the form. Keep a printout for future reference.
Important Links : UPSC NDA & NA
| Link Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (OTR) | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| UPSC Official Website | Click Here |
| More Information : Juniortest.com | Click Here |
Important Dates Timeline : UPSC NDA & NA
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 30 December 2025 (06:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
FAQs for UPSC NDA & NA
Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC NDA 1 2026?
Ans. The last date to apply is 30 December 2025 till 6:00 PM.
Q2. Can females apply for NDA?
Ans. Yes, unmarried female candidates are eligible to apply for Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA and Naval Academy.
Q3. Is Mathematics mandatory for NDA?
Ans. For Army Wing, Mathematics is not mandatory (10+2 pass in any stream). However, for Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy, 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics is mandatory.
Q4. How many vacancies are there in NDA 1 2026?
Ans. There are a total of 394 vacancies
Final Thoughts
The UPSC NDA & NA Examination is a prestigious pathway for young aspirants to serve the nation as officers. Candidates are advised to read the notification carefully, ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, and submit their applications well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute issues. All the best!
| Latest Current Affairs |
| Latest MCQ Questions |
| Latest Online Test |
| Latest Mock Test |
| Latest Descriptive Questions |
| Sahayak Recruitment 2025 | Click Here |
| TET- 1 Exam Date 2025 | Click Here |
| Juniortest.com Official | Click Here |
Visit : Juniortest.com Test Series
| Maths & Reasoning Test | Click Here |
| Science and Technology Test | Click Here |
| English Grammar Test | Click Here |
| Gujarati Grammar Test | Click Here |
| Art and Cultural Heritage Test | Click Here |
| Economy of India and GST Test | Click Here |
| Geography of India and Gujarat Test | Click Here |
| History of India and Gujarat Test | Click Here |
| Computer Test | Click Here |
| More Information :: Juniortest.com Test Series | Click Here |
Table of Contents