NDA 2026 Notification OUT: Complete Eligibility Checker & Exam Timeline

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the NDA 2026 notification on December 10, 2025. This is the most critical announcement for aspiring defense officers across India. The National Defence Academy entrance exam opens a pathway to become a commissioned officer in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. With only 20 days remaining to submit your application (deadline: December 30, 2025), this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about NDA 2026 eligibility criteria, complete application process, exact exam dates, selection procedure, and insider preparation strategies to maximize your chances of success.

What is NDA 2026? Quick Overview for New Aspirants

NDA stands for National Defence Academy, India’s premier military training institute located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The NDA examination is conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) twice yearly – NDA 1 (usually in April) and NDA 2 (usually in September).

Why NDA is Your Best Shot at Military Career:

The NDA entrance exam is the primary channel for aspiring defense officers aged 16-19 years. Successful candidates receive 3 years of world-class officer training followed by a commission as officers in the Indian Armed Forces. Out of approximately 1.7 lakh candidates who apply annually, only about 400 vacancies exist, making this exam highly competitive but absolutely achievable with proper preparation.

Key Facts About NDA 2026:

• Notification Release Date: December 10, 2025
• Application Closing Date: December 30, 2025
• Exam Date: April 12, 2026
• Total Vacancies: Approximately 400 positions
• Selection Mode: Competitive written exam + SSB interview + medical examination
• Career Outcome: Commission as Indian Armed Forces officer

NDA 2026 Notification: Key Dates & Timeline

Understanding the complete timeline helps you plan better and avoid missing critical deadlines.

Important Dates for NDA 1 2026

Critical Alert: The application deadline is December 30, 2025. Applying on the last day risks technical failures as millions of candidates flood the portal. Apply within the first 10 days for smooth processing.

Who Can Apply? Complete NDA 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before investing time in preparation, verify you meet all eligibility requirements. Even one criterion mismatch makes you ineligible.

Age Limit for NDA Exam – The Most Important Criterion

Age is the STRICTEST eligibility criterion – no relaxation exists, not even by a single day.

For NDA 1 2026:

• Minimum Age: 16.5 years (born on or after July 2, 2007)
• Maximum Age: 19.5 years (born on or before July 1, 2010)
• Age Calculation Date: Your age as on the date you submit the application form

What This Means:

• If you’re born on July 2, 2007 – You’re eligible (minimum age met)
• If you’re born on July 1, 2010 – You’re eligible (maximum age met)
• If you’re born on July 2, 2010 – You’re eligible (still within window)
• If you’re born on August 2010 – Not eligible (exceeds maximum age)
• If you’re born on June 2007 – Not eligible (below minimum age)

Not sure if you meet the NDA age limit?
Skip the confusion—our NDA Age Calculator gives you instant, accurate eligibility results. No manual math, no mistakes, just clear answers in seconds so you can focus on your preparation.

Strategic Insight: If you turn 16.5 years in December 2025, you can still apply for NDA 2 in September 2026 (different age window: January 2, 2008 – July 1, 2011). Check which exam suits your age.

Educational Qualification – What You Must Have

Minimum Qualification Required: Class 12 Pass (10+2 System)

The specific subject requirements depend on which military wing you’re targeting:

Important Clarifications on Educational Eligibility:

✅ Currently Studying Class 12? You can apply while appearing in Class 12 exams. Submit your class 12 admission certificate during application. If selected, you must produce your passing marksheet before joining NDA training.

✅ No Percentage Cutoff: Whether you scored 35% or 95% in Class 12, you’re equally eligible. The criterion is binary – passed or not passed.

✅ Commerce/Arts Students: If your school issued a Commerce or Arts certificate, you can apply only for Army Wing. Navy and Air Force require Mathematics along with Physics and Chemistry.

✅ Stream Change Possibility: If you studied Commerce but took PCM as additional subjects, you’re eligible for Navy/Air Force only if your board officially recognizes these subjects in your marksheet.

Practical Example:

• Science student with PCM → Eligible for Army, Navy, and Air Force (most options)
• Science student with Biology (PCB) → Eligible only for Army (not Navy/AF)
• Commerce student with Maths → Eligible only for Army (not Navy/AF)
• Arts student → Eligible only for Army (regardless of subjects)

Nationality Eligibility – More Options Than You Think

You don’t need to be an Indian citizen only. Multiple nationalities qualify:

Fully Eligible for NDA Exam:

1. Indian Citizens – All Indian citizens are eligible
2. Nepal Subjects – Fully eligible with zero discrimination
3. Bhutan Subjects – Fully eligible with zero discrimination
4. Tibetan Refugees – If migrated to India before January 1, 1962
5. Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) – From Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam (with permanent settlement intent)
6. Gorkha Soldiers & Descendants – Retired or serving Gorkha soldiers and their dependents

Key Point for Nepal/Bhutan Applicants: You’re on exactly the same competitive footing as Indian citizens. There’s no separate quota, no lower cutoff, and absolutely zero discrimination. Apply with complete confidence.

Marital Status – Unmarried Candidates ONLY

This is a non-negotiable, absolute criterion:

✅ Eligible: Unmarried males and females

❌ Not Eligible:

• Married persons (no exceptions)
• Divorced candidates (status still considered “not unmarried”)
• Widows/widowers (still technically “not unmarried”)
• Separated candidates

Verification Process: Your marital status is verified again during the SSB interview stage. Providing false information leads to permanent disqualification and blacklisting from all future UPSC exams.

Physical Standards – Basic Requirements

While detailed medical examination happens after clearing the written exam, you should know basic physical standards:

Minimum Height Requirements:

• Army: 157 cm (males); 152 cm (females)
• Navy: 157 cm (males); 152 cm (females) – with additional sitting height criteria
• Air Force: 162.5 cm (males); 157.5 cm (females) – strictest standards

Worried whether you meet the NDA physical standards?
Quickly check your fitness level with our BMI Calculator. Get instant results to understand where you stand and what to improve—no complex formulas, just clear insights in seconds.

General Health Requirements:

• No serious medical conditions or disabilities
• Normal vision (correctable to 6/6 acceptable for Army; stricter for AF/Navy)
• No speech impediments or hearing problems
• Good dental health (no more than 2 loose teeth)
• Normal blood pressure; healthy heart
• No liver/spleen/kidney enlargement
• No skin infections or urinary abnormalities
• No tattoos except on inner forearm and back of palm (tribal marks may have exceptions)

Note: These are baseline standards. The medical examination is comprehensive; any significant health issue discovered later leads to rejection.

NDA 2026 Exam Pattern

Understanding the exact exam structure helps you prepare strategically.

Written Examination Details (900 Total Marks)

Exam Structure:

• Mode: Offline (pen & paper; not computer-based)
• Duration: 2.5 hours per paper (5 hours total)
• Total Marks: 900 marks
• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) only
• Exam Centers: 70+ cities across India

Paper 1: Mathematics (300 Marks)

Mathematics Topics Breakdown:

• Trigonometry (30-35 marks) – Most important; highest weightage
• Algebra & Sets (20-25 marks) – Regularly asked
• Calculus (25-30 marks) – Derivatives, integration, differential equations
• Vector Algebra (15-20 marks) – Basic vector operations
• 2D & 3D Geometry (15-20 marks) – Lines, circles, planes
• Matrices & Determinants (10-15 marks) – System of equations
• Probability & Statistics (10-15 marks) – Basic concepts

Paper 2: General Ability Test (GAT) (600 Marks)

GAT Subject Distribution (600 marks total):

• English (50 marks) – Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, sentence correction
• Physics (100 marks) – Mechanics, heat, sound, optics, electromagnetism, modern physics
• Chemistry (100 marks) – General, inorganic, organic chemistry, chemical reactions
• General Science (50 marks) – Biology, human physiology, anatomy, genetics
• History (100 marks) – Ancient India, medieval period, modern India, freedom struggle
• Geography (100 marks) – Physical features, Indian geography, world maps, climate, agriculture
• Current Affairs & GK (100 marks) – Recent events, awards, government schemes, important dates

Selection Process – Multiple Stages

Stage 1: Written Examination (900 marks)

• Only candidates above the cutoff mark (usually 290-310 out of 900) qualify
• Top ~15,000 candidates are called for SSB interview

Stage 2: SSB Interview (900 marks) – 5-Day Assessment

Days 1-2: Screening Tests

• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) – Non-verbal reasoning
• Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT) – Visual perception and storytelling
• Physical Fitness Test – Running, pushups, situps, pull-ups
• ~50% candidates screened out here

Days 3-5: Main Interview & Assessment

• Personal Interview – Your background, motivation, decision-making
• Group Discussion & GTO Tasks – Leadership, teamwork, problem-solving
• Psychology Tests – Personality assessment through TAT, WAT, SRT
• ~30-40% of remaining candidates selected

Stage 3: Medical Examination

• Comprehensive medical checkup
• Fitness verification
• Candidate must pass all medical standards

Stage 4: Final Verification

• Document verification
• Background check
• Security clearance

Final Selection Rate: Out of 1.7 lakh applicants, only ~4,000 get selected (approximately 2-3% success rate). This is why consistent preparation matters enormously.

Why Applying Now Is Critical – Deadline Urgency

Only 20 days remain. Here’s why applying immediately matters:

✅ Server Overload Risk: Millions apply in last 3-4 days; servers crash or become extremely slow

✅ Payment Gateway Issues: Payment failures are common near deadline; apply early to ensure successful payment

✅ Exam Center Allocation: Early applicants get preferred centers (first-come-first-served basis)

✅ Psychological Advantage: Once application is submitted, you focus 100% on preparation

✅ Limited Opportunity: This is your primary opportunity in 2026; missing December 30 deadline means waiting until NDA 2 in September (if age-eligible)

✅ Preparation Time: Every day lost is preparation time lost; with 1.7 lakh applicants competing, you need maximum time

Action: Apply by December 20, 2025 to avoid any last-minute issues.

NOTE: Visit the UPSC's official portal to apply : Apply Now

How to Apply for NDA 2026

Applying is a 5-step straightforward process. Complete details in our detailed application guide.

Quick Overview:

1. OTR Registration – Create one-time account on upsconline.nic.in
2. Login & Select Exam – Choose “NDA & NA (I) 2026”
3. Fill Application Form – Basic and detailed information
4. Upload Documents – Photo and signature (JPG format)
5. Pay Fee & Submit – ₹100 for General/OBC (SC/ST & females exempted)

Deadline: December 30, 2025, 6:00 PM IST

⚠️ Apply by December 20 to avoid server crashes!

FAQs | NDA 2026 Notification

NDA 2026 Notification OUT: What Next?

The NDA 2026 Notification is now out, and this is your chance to start your career in the armed forces. First, check your eligibility, including your age, physical standards, and qualifications. Follow the exam timeline carefully to stay on track. Begin by submitting your application and preparing for the written exam. After that, you’ll face the SSB interview. If you succeed, you will join the NDA in October 2026. Each step matters. This journey requires discipline and determination, but it leads to a future of honor, leadership, and service to the nation. Start today and move confidently toward your goal.