Over 150,000 students applied for the NDA last year, but only 394 seats are available for 2026. You must submit your NDA 1 2026 application form to UPSC by December 30. Missing this deadline means waiting until NDA 2 in mid-2026, losing 4 valuable months of eligibility (ages 16.5 to 19.5). UPSC announced the NDA 1 2026 details on December 10, 2025. Eligible candidates are unmarried males and females born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010. The exam is on April 12, 2026, which includes a 900-mark written test and SSB interviews, critical for defence careers. With a selection rate of just 0.26%, every moment counts.
This is your chance to join India’s elite military academies. Delaying could mean disqualification. Take action now—apply today to secure your future in the world’s 4th strongest military.
Who Can Apply? Quick Eligibility Checklist
Age limits (born July 2, 2007–July 1, 2010), unmarried status for males/females, Class 12 qualification (PCM for Navy/Air Force), citizenship proof, physical standards overview with visual checklist table.
Age, Gender & Marital Status
If you were born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010, you are eligible for the NDA 1 exam in 2026. You must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old on April 12, 2026, the exam day. If you are too young, you can try again later. If you are too old, you will not be allowed to take the exam. There are no exceptions or negotiations for age requirements.
Both men and women must be unmarried to apply. Women can now join the Army, Navy, and Air Force with the same rules and opportunities as men. If you are married, you will be disqualified immediately.
Proof needed: Birth certificate or Class 10 marksheet (name and DOB must match exactly). Actionable tip: Open your Class 10 certificate now—cross-check DOB character by character. One digit wrong equals a rejection letter. Screenshot it and keep it handy.
Quick Age Check:
- Born July 2, 2007? ✅ Eligible (turns 19 by cutoff)
- Born July 1, 2010? ✅ Eligible (16½ on exam day)
- Born July 2, 2010? ❌ Too young
- Born June 30, 2007? ❌ Too old
Pro Tip: If you're on the borderline for age eligibility, it's crucial to calculate your exact age on April 12, 2026. The UPSC is known for its thorough verification process. For those looking for accuracy, utilising a reliable age calculator, i.e., NDA Age Calculator by NDA Study, can be helpful. One such tool is based on official UPSC data, ensuring precision in your calculations. Make sure to verify your age correctly to avoid any issues.
Educational Qualification
Army Wing: Class 12 passed from any stream—Arts, Commerce, Science, all welcome. Your battlefield leadership doesn’t need PCM.
Air Force & Navy Wings: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM)—non-negotiable. No PCM? Army only.
Appearing Candidates: Apply now if confident of passing by the NDA joining date (Oct/Nov 2026). Submit the Class 12 certificate later.
| Wing | Qualification Required | Appearing Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Army | Class 12 (Any Stream) | ✅ Yes |
| Navy/Air Force | Class 12 + PCM | ✅ Yes (if passing by joining) |
Pro Tip: Navy/Air Force PCM marks matter in merit list—aim 70%+.
Citizenship & Other Requirements
To qualify as an Indian citizen (or equivalent under Article 8), you cannot hold a foreign passport. You must have a clean criminal record; even pending cases will disqualify you. All individuals must be unmarried; no exceptions apply.
Physical fitness: Minimum height 157 cm (males), 152 cm (females), BMI 18-25, clear vision (6/6 without glasses), no major illnesses. Full medical test post-selection.
Understanding your BMI is essential for managing health. The NDA BMI Calculator is a quick tool to help track your progress and set wellness goals. It’s a simple way to stay informed about your health journey!
NDA 1 2026 Important Dates at a Glance
⏰ Only a few days are left—mark your calendar now. Here’s a quick look at your NDA 1 2026 Application form timeline. If you miss the December 30, 2025, deadline, you’ll have to wait over 5 months for NDA 2.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | December 10, 2025 |
| Application Form Available | December 10-30, 2025 |
| 🚨 LAST DATE TO APPLY | 🚨 December 30, 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Examination Date | April 12, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release (expected) | Late March 2026 |
Critical Alert: The UPSC portal will close at midnight on December 30. There will be no extensions, so please apply before the deadline! Take a screenshot of the confirmation page immediately.
Step-by-Step NDA 1 2026 Application Form Filling Guide
Follow this 6-step plan to secure your NDA 1 2026 admission—guaranteed no rejections. You have only 11 days left until the December 30 deadline. You can complete this process in 15-20 minutes. Gather these documents: your Class 10 marksheet, a 4x6cm photo, and a scanned signature. It’s better to use a laptop instead of a mobile device. Let’s get started.
Filling the NDA 1 2026 Application form on UPSC’s new portal is a 4-card, guided process. Read each card, follow the stepper, and don’t skip the final review.
Step: 1 — Open the UPSC application portal & locate the 4 cards
Visit upsconline.nic.in. You will see the homepage, which has four sections: Create Account, Universal Registration, Common Application Form, and Examinations. These sections serve as the control panel. Start with Create Account (you’ll also find a “Login/Create Account” option at the top right of the navigation bar). This new design replaces the old OTR process; now, everything is module-based.
Quick action: Click Create Account → read instructions → proceed.
Step: 2 — Universal Registration (complete carefully)
After account creation, click Universal Registration. This is the new “profile” step: personal identity, parents’ names, matriculation/board details, address, and photo-ID selection (Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID). The portal uses a stepper — fill required profiles in sequence (Identity → Matriculation → Aadhaar/Photo ID → Educational profile, etc.). You’ll get a URN/registration ID after completion — save it (email/SMS confirmation is sent).
Don’t: use nicknames; use the exact name as on your Class 10 certificate.Step: 3 — Open the NDA & NA (I) 2026 application
Fill out Part I with your personal details. These will be auto-filled from the UR. Indicate your educational status (Passed or Appearing), your board and year of study, your stream (Science, Arts, or Commerce), your medium of instruction (English or Hindi), and your service preferences (Army, Navy, or Air Force). Enter your marks only if the portal asks for them. Remember, fields marked with * are mandatory, and you can track your progress with the stepper.
Step: 4 — Fill the Application Form (Part I)
Complete Part I by filling in your personal details (this will be auto-filled from UR). Provide your educational status (choose Passed or Appearing), the board and year of your education, your stream (choose Science, Arts, or Commerce), the medium of instruction (choose English or Hindi), and your service preferences (choose Army, Navy, or Air Force). Enter your marks only if the portal asks for them. Remember, fields marked with * are mandatory, and you can track your progress with the stepper.
Step: 5 — Upload documents & pay the fee
Upload your photograph and signature following the size and format shown on the screen (the portal will display limits during the upload—make sure to follow them). Next, go to payment: the NDA notification/official portal provides details about fees and exemptions—pay with a card, net banking, or UPI, and save your payment receipt or screenshot.
Step: 6 — Final review, submit & download confirmation
Use the Preview/Review button. When you are happy with your choices, click Submit. Most fields cannot be changed after this window closes. Download and print the confirmation page and application PDF. Keep your application/URN number safe for downloading your admit card and for future reference.
NDA 1 2026 Application Form Checklist: Don't Miss Anything: [DOWNLOAD]
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filling NDA 1 2026 Form
Tiny errors can get a perfectly eligible candidate rejected. Avoid these NDA 1 2026 form-killers at all costs.
- Name mismatch: Never use a nickname. Use the exact name as in the Class 10 certificate.
- Wrong DOB: Even a 1-day mistake can lead to straight rejection.
- Photo issues: Recent (within 6 months), clear face, no cap, no glasses, proper size.
- Signature quality: Use black ink, neat, not too big; avoid unreadable cursive.
- Wrong stream: Choose the correct stream (Science/Commerce/Arts); cannot change later.
- Wing choice confusion: Avoid Navy/Air Force if PCM marks are very low.
- Payment failures: If payment fails, wait 1–2 hours and recheck status—don’t pay twice.
- Email typo: One wrong letter = no OTP, no confirmation mail.
- Double submission: If the site hangs, check the application status before refilling.
- Forgetting application number: Save it in phone notes + photo immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I apply for NDA while I am still in Class 12?
Yes. Candidates appearing in Class 12 can apply, provided they pass the exam before joining NDA and can produce their mark sheet during SSB/joining. This applies every year, regardless of attempt (NDA 1 or NDA 2).
2. What is the basic age limit for NDA?
NDA always requires candidates to be roughly 16.5 to 19.5 years old at the time of joining, with exact date ranges given in each year’s notification. Even a one‑day difference outside this range makes you ineligible, so age checking with the Class 10 certificate is always essential.
3. Can girls apply for the NDA and for which wings?
Yes. Female candidates can apply for all three wings—Army, Navy and Air Force—if they meet the same age, educational and medical standards as male candidates. This policy is now permanent and continues for all future NDA cycles unless UPSC changes the rules officially.
4. What minimum educational qualification is required for NDA?
1. Army Wing: Class 12 passed/appearing in any stream.
2. Navy & Air Force: Class 12 passed/appearing with Physics and Mathematics.
These core educational rules remain consistent across years; only the attempt/session dates change.
5. Is coaching compulsory to crack the NDA?
No. Coaching is optional. Many candidates clear NDA through self‑study using NCERT Class 11–12, standard NDA books, previous year papers and online mock tests. Coaching can help with discipline and guidance, but consistency in study and practice matters more in the long term.
6. How many times can I attempt NDA?
You can attempt NDA as many times as you want until you cross the upper age limit, since UPSC does not put a fixed attempt count. Practically, this gives most students about 4–6 attempts across NDA 1 and NDA 2 while they remain in the age window.
7. What is the long-term selection process after clearing the written exam?
After clearing the written test, candidates go through a 5‑day SSB interview, followed by medical examination and final merit list preparation based on written + SSB performance. This selection pipeline remains the same every year and is common to all three wings.
8. Which books and resources are considered evergreen for NDA preparation?
Long‑term trusted resources include:
1. NCERT Class 9–12 (Maths, Science, Social Science)
2. Standard NDA guides like Pathfinder, R.S. Aggarwal (Maths), Lucent GK
3. Previous 5–10 years’ NDA papers and full‑length mock tests
These remain relevant year after year because the NDA exam pattern and core syllabus change very slowly over time (A/C to NSDB).
Boost Your NDA Preparation – Post-Application Strategy
After submitting your form, the focus shifts to one goal: passing a 900-mark written exam on 12 April 2026, which includes Maths (300 marks) and a General Ability Test (covering English and General Knowledge, 600 marks).
Use the next 4 months like this:
- Concept building (Weeks 1–8): NCERT Class 11–12 Maths, Physics, Chemistry; focus on Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Geometry.
- Exam focus (Weeks 9–12): NDA-specific books (Pathfinder, etc.), English comprehension and grammar practice, and daily current affairs notes.
- Performance phase (Weeks 13–16): Solve at least 10 previous year papers and full-length online mocks to master time management and negative marking.
Start your daily physical training now. Aim for a 2–3 km run, do push-ups, work on your core, and include basic flexibility exercises to get ready for the SSB and medical tests. Filling out the forms is the first step; staying disciplined in your preparation is the second step. Begin today, not “soon.”
Final Reminder: Don’t Let This Opportunity Slip
Filling out the NDA 1 2026 Application form is your first important step to join the National Defence Academy. Every year, many qualified candidates miss this opportunity because of small, avoidable mistakes or last-minute delays. Don’t let that happen to you.
Apply early, fill out every detail carefully, and review the form before submitting it. Ensure that your name, date of birth, and documents match what is on your certificates. Always save your application number and confirmation page. Once your form has been successfully submitted, you can focus entirely on your preparations without stress. Taking a few careful minutes now can safeguard a whole year of effort.
Complete the process calmly, double-check everything, and move forward with confidence.
