NDA Exam 2026 Eligibility, Age Limit and Educational Qualification
/ Update / nda-2026
26-Nov-2025, 11:38 am 72 Views
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is the gateway for aspirants looking to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. One of the key eligibility criteria for candidates is the age limit, which determines who can apply for the NDA exam. The NDA written exam is conducted twice a year, referred to as NDA I and NDA II. NDA 2026 Exam Dates have been released. Union Public Service Commission is the authority to conduct the NDA 2026 examination. Candidates seeking entry in the Defence forces (Army, Navy & Air Force) can apply through this exam. NDA 2026 Exam will be held on 12th April 2026 (NDA 1) and 13th September 2026 (NDA 2). The application for the NDA 2026 exam will start from 10th December 2025. After qualifying the NDA 2026 exam, candidates have to go through the SSB interview & medical examination for final selection.
Conducting Authority- UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
Exam Frequency- Two Times in a Year
Exam Mode- Pen & Paper Based Mode
Vacancies- Around 400
Level of Exam- National Level
Mode of Application- Online only
Application Fee- Rs. 100/-
Notification available- 10th December 2025
Application form begins- 10th December 2025
Ending date of application form- 30th December 2025
Application Correction (OTR details)- 2nd week of January 2026
Withdraw of application- 2nd week of January 2026
Admit card available- 4th week of March 2026 Exam date- 12th April 2026
Result announcement- 1st week of May 2026
SSB Interview- May/June 2026
For NDA 2 2026
Notification release- 20th May 2026
Release of Application form- 20th May 2026
Last date to submit the application form- 9th June 2026
Application Correction- 2nd week of June 2026
Withdraw of application- 2nd week of June 2026
Admit card available- 4th week of August 2026
Exam date- 13th September 2026
Result announcement- September 2026
SSB Interview- October 2026
Persons of Indian origin migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply.
Age Limit (NDA 1): Candidates should be born on or between 2nd July 2007 to 1st July 2010.
Age Limit (NDA 2): Candidates DOB should fall on or between 2nd January 2008 to 1st July 2011.
Air Force & Naval Wings (NDA & NA): Qualified 12th or equivalent exam with Chemistry, Physics & Mathematics subjects from a recognized state or national board.
Candidates appearing in the qualifying exam are also eligible to apply.
Candidates have to complete all the medical tests after clearing the entrance exam.
Exam Mode: The exam will be conducted through a pen and paper-based mode.
Sections: There will be two sections, i.e. Mathematics & General Ability Test.
Duration: Two and a half hours will be given to each section.
Type of Questions: Objective-type questions will be asked in the examination.
Language: The Mathematics section will be in English language and the GAT section will be asked in English & Hindi both languages.
Negative Marking: 0.33% of the marks assigned to the question will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Section-wise Distribution of Marks:
Mathematics- 300
General Ability Test- 600
SSB/Interview- 900
Mathematics: Trigonometry, Algebra, Differential Calculus, Vector Algebra, Integral Calculus and Differential equations, Matrices and Determinants, Analytical Geometry of two and three dimensions, Statistics, Probability, etc.
General Ability Test: English, General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events, etc.
NDA 2026 Overview
Name of Exam- National Defence Academy ExamConducting Authority- UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
Exam Frequency- Two Times in a Year
Exam Mode- Pen & Paper Based Mode
Vacancies- Around 400
Level of Exam- National Level
Mode of Application- Online only
Application Fee- Rs. 100/-
NDA 2026 Exam Dates
For NDA 1 2026Notification available- 10th December 2025
Application form begins- 10th December 2025
Ending date of application form- 30th December 2025
Application Correction (OTR details)- 2nd week of January 2026
Withdraw of application- 2nd week of January 2026
Admit card available- 4th week of March 2026 Exam date- 12th April 2026
Result announcement- 1st week of May 2026
SSB Interview- May/June 2026
For NDA 2 2026
Notification release- 20th May 2026
Release of Application form- 20th May 2026
Last date to submit the application form- 9th June 2026
Application Correction- 2nd week of June 2026
Withdraw of application- 2nd week of June 2026
Admit card available- 4th week of August 2026
Exam date- 13th September 2026
Result announcement- September 2026
SSB Interview- October 2026
NDA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Below, we have mentioned the eligibility criteria for the NDA examination 2026:Nationality:
Indian nationals & subjects of Nepal are eligible to apply.Persons of Indian origin migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit:
Gender: Male & Female, both candidates can apply for NDA & NA.Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply.
Age Limit (NDA 1): Candidates should be born on or between 2nd July 2007 to 1st July 2010.
Age Limit (NDA 2): Candidates DOB should fall on or between 2nd January 2008 to 1st July 2011.
Qualification:
Army Wing (NDA): Applicants must have passed 10+2 or equivalent exam from any recognized board.Air Force & Naval Wings (NDA & NA): Qualified 12th or equivalent exam with Chemistry, Physics & Mathematics subjects from a recognized state or national board.
Candidates appearing in the qualifying exam are also eligible to apply.
Physical Standards:
Candidates should be physically & mentally fit to apply for the NDA exam.Candidates have to complete all the medical tests after clearing the entrance exam.
NDA 2026 Exam Pattern
Candidates appearing for the exam can check the NDA exam pattern 2026 below:Exam Mode: The exam will be conducted through a pen and paper-based mode.
Sections: There will be two sections, i.e. Mathematics & General Ability Test.
Duration: Two and a half hours will be given to each section.
Type of Questions: Objective-type questions will be asked in the examination.
Language: The Mathematics section will be in English language and the GAT section will be asked in English & Hindi both languages.
Negative Marking: 0.33% of the marks assigned to the question will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Section-wise Distribution of Marks:
Mathematics- 300General Ability Test- 600
SSB/Interview- 900
NDA 2026 Syllabus
UPSC will release the syllabus along with the notification. While preparing for the exam, candidates must refer to the officially prescribed syllabus. Some important topics of the NDA syllabus 2026 are given below:Mathematics: Trigonometry, Algebra, Differential Calculus, Vector Algebra, Integral Calculus and Differential equations, Matrices and Determinants, Analytical Geometry of two and three dimensions, Statistics, Probability, etc.
General Ability Test: English, General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events, etc.
NDA Exam 2026 Eligibility, Age Limit and Educational Qualification
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