UPSC NDA & NA (I) Exam 2025

Union Public Service Commission - UPSC is an organising body that conducts the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA). The NDA 1 Notification 2026 pdf announcing 394 vacancies for unmarried boys & girls to be recruited for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy has been released on 10th December 2025. The selection of eligible males & females will be done through a written Examination and SSB interviews. For detailed information regarding the NDA 1 Exam 2026, refer to the article.

UPSC NDA Exam 2026 Overview

Exam Conducting Body: UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
Exam Name: National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA)
Examination Notice No.- 3/2026-NDA- I
Mode of Application: Online

Exam Level: National
Total vacancies: 394

National Defence Academy: 270 vacancies
Naval Academy: 24 vacancies

UPSC NDA Exam NDA 1 Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

a citizen of India, or a subject of Bhutan, or a subject of Nepal, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st January 1962 to permanently settle in India, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India.

Educational Qualification

For Army Wing of National Defence Academy :—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 National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian
Naval Academy :—12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
Candidates who are appearing in the 12th Class under the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination can also apply for this examination.

Age limit

Only unmarried male/female candidates born not earlier than 01st Jul 2007 and not later than 01st July 2010 are eligible.

Application Fee

The application fee is ₹100/- for all candidates. SC/ST candidates/female candidates / Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from payment of fee. The payment can be done by using Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or by using internet banking of any Bank. For more related details candidates can check the official website of UPSC.

UPSC NDA Exam NDA 1 Selection Process 2026

Candidates for the Army/Navy/Naval Academy and Air Force should secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in (i) Written examination (total 900 marks) as fixed by UPSC at their discretion and (ii) Officer Potentiality Test (total 900 marks) as fixed by the Services Selection Board at their discretion.

How To Apply For UPSC NDA 2026

To apply for the examinations mentioned above, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of UPSC at upsconline.nic.in.
Click on UPSC NDA & NA, CDS I Exam 2025 registration links available on the home page.
A new page will open where candidates will have to enter the registration details.
Once done, click on submit and login to the page.
Fill the application form and make the payment of application fee.
Click on submit and download the page.
Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.